Authentication Guide
How to spot fake Nike sneakers
Nike is the most counterfeited sneaker brand in the world. Here are the key things to look for when authenticating Nike shoes.
01Swoosh shape & placement
The Nike Swoosh should be a smooth, consistent curve. On fakes it's often too thick, too thin, or placed at the wrong angle. Check both sides — they should be mirror images.
02Stitching around the swoosh
Authentic Nike shoes have tight, even stitching with about 10–12 stitches per inch. Fakes use longer stitch lengths to save thread, creating visible gaps.
03Air sole unit
Nike Air units should be clearly visible through the midsole window. Fakes often have smaller, misaligned air units or none at all.
04Tongue label font
The font on the tongue tag should be clean, crisp, and consistent. Look for bleeding ink or slightly different font weights — common in fakes.
05Sole color
Air Force 1 soles should be a creamy off-white, not pure white. Most fakes use a bright white rubber which is immediately obvious.
06Box label
Style code format: XXXXXX-XXX (e.g. CU8591-001). The font should be consistent throughout the label with no fuzzy edges.
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