Nike is currently one of the most popular athletic footwear brands in the market. Their sneakers are known for their industry-best comfort and stability attributes, which are combined with modern design elements and sporty styles. As a result, Nike shoes are loved by athletes, fashionistas, and celebrities all over the world.
However, a pair of Nike shoes may put a significant dent in your wallet. Therefore, when something becomes well-known but pricey, fake versions frequently arise on the market. How can I tell whether my Nikes are real, you may ask? The following are some tips on how to examine authentic Nike shoes and verify their legitimacy.
Buy Only from Reliable Sellers
When shopping for Nike shoes order online or visit a local store – whatever you prefer. But before you complete your purchase, it is crucial to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge to protect your hard-earned money from scammers that sell inferior imitations and cheap knockoffs.
The easiest approach to make sure you’re getting the real deal is probably to only purchase Nike merchandise from authorised merchants. Of course, shopping at the official Nike website also ensures you get authentic Nike shoes.
When buying from a non-authorised store, make sure to always take time to read reviews and feedback from online sellers. Keep in mind that Nike doesn’t allow other stores to use its trademark in the domain name.
Compare Price
If you plan to place a Nike shoes order online and the price is suspiciously low, please reconsider – this is one of the most glaring indicators of fake Nike! If the shoes seem absurdly cheap, they most certainly aren’t real. This does not imply that all inexpensive Nikes are counterfeit, though.
If the marked-down price is less than 50% of the original price, you should be wary. Big markdowns on Nike are uncommon unless you are purchasing from an authorised Nike retailer and there is a clearance sale going on, like Black Friday. So, make sure to compare the seller’s price to those found on the Nike website or at authorised retail locations.
Check the Box
The boxes provided by Nike are carefully labelled and tagged. Depending on the design you buy, the box colour and print will change, however, the most popular box colours are orange, brown, and red. On the side of the box, information about the style, size, SKU and/or serial number, and barcode should be available.
Counterfeiters attempt to replicate these boxes, but their copies lack the crucial side prints. Some internet vendors distribute Nikes without the box and in plastic bags.
Check the Style
Doing some preliminary research will help you get more familiar with the specifics of the design you are seeking. So, check for the product images on the Nike website. Take a look at the colour combinations that are offered for the particular product you want. Popular Nike sneakers are sold by many counterfeiters, but the hues and tones are extremely dissimilar from the originals.
Check the Uppers
Genuine Nike footwear boasts superior production and design. Nike combines cutting-edge technology in addition to premium materials to create sneakers that are both fashionable and comfortable. This means, whatever model you choose, your Nikes should feel and look like high-quality footwear.
If you examine carefully, counterfeit Nikes and knockoffs will have design errors and inconsistencies even though they may appear to be genuine from a distance. Beware of tight uppers, overlapping colours, and uneven stitching.
Check the Tongue
The brand name, the swoosh, and occasionally the style or model name should be visible on the tongue on the upper. A tag indicating the size, the place of manufacturing, and the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) or serial number should be attached to the inside of the tongue. This special alphanumeric code, which is normally nine digits long, must coincide with the number written on the box’s side.
On the tag of fake Nikes, random numbers are typically shown, and they don’t correspond to those on the box.
Check the Weight
In addition to looking different, fake nikes also feel different. That is because fake Nikes are made using low-quality materials, which makes it quite hard to replicate the real feel.
Fakes typically feel heavier and more rigid than genuine ones. Genuine Nike shoes are lightweight and you don’t feel any dragging while walking around in them.
Check the Midsoles
Genuine Nike running and training shoes often have bonded, rather than stitched, midsoles. To provide cushioning and arch support, an ultralight, modern foam is used to make the midsoles. The brand name, the swoosh, and occasionally the model name are all printed on the insoles of the most modern models.
Check the Outsoles
Made of high-grade rubber, the soles of authentic Nike shoes offer great traction and support. Imitations are made with low-quality rubber that aside from feeling plasticky is also very heavy on the feet.
The patterns and ridges on the soles of authentic Nikes are uniform and evenly spaced. On fake Nikes, you’ll notice poorly spaced patterns and stiff soles that aren’t flexible.
Take a Close Look at the Logo and Small Detail
Small details of the shoe can also be used to identify imitations. For example, the prints should have the same font and consistent font size as well. Watch out for poor or uneven stitching on the uppers, which can point to fake footwear.
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