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Nike and Michael Jordan's eponymous label's Air Jordan lineage is one of the greatest sneaker lines of all time. However, its popularity also makes it one of the most heavily counterfeit sneakers of all time.
According to SL Supply, the counterfeit sneaker market is currently estimated to be worth around $450 billion, and the market has led to Nike losing around 10% of their annual revenue. However, these counterfeit sneakers are sold everywhere these days, from local sneaker stores and StockX to eBay.
SL Supply further noted that in 2018, around five different individuals were charged with the trafficking of over $70 million worth of Jordans from China to the US. As a result, they are now facing up to 20 years of prison.
Thankfully, there are certain clues to Nike's design that executes excellence on the assembly line, which is why there are a few precautionary steps one should take to identify whether or not their Nike Air Jordans are real. Hence, ahead Sportskeeda has compiled a list of five tips.
Price of the sneakers and other precautionary steps to consider to know if an individual's Nike Air Jordans are real or not
1) Price of the shoe
The first and foremost indicator of the shoe being real or fake can be determined by their value. While the Air Jordan 1 High typically starts at $170, Air Jordan 1 Mid and Air Jordan 1 Low prices range from $140 and $120, respectively.
If the shoes are counterfeited or illegal, they will cost less than the aforementioned prices. For the reseller sites and re-loved shoes, one needs to keep in mind that if the shoes are a little worn, it does not indicate they are original Nike.
2) The quality of the packaging box
Most fake shoe pairs are usually packed in poor-quality boxes. The phony sneakers packaging boxes are often thinner and feature a lesser quality and lesser visible print of branding. Additionally, the packaging boxes display an incorrect tag on the sides of the box.
The imitation Jordan 1 boxes are easily damaged during shipping as the fake sneakers are delivered together at one time by the firm selling. As a result, they get damaged easily. Due to improper care over wrapping and shipping, the shoe boxes' quality is often compromised.
3) Jordan's iconic wings-and-basketball logo
One of the most common mistakes over the fake Air Jordan is that the iconic winged basketball logo is laid on flat leather. The real Air Jordans have the winged-basketball logo embossed over the sneakers, and once a buyer runs their fingertips over the shoes, they can easily feel them.
The iconic winged basketball logo was initially designed on the back of a cocktail napkin. Over time, it became one of the most prominent indicators of the Nike Air Jordan sneakers.
4) The tongue of the sneakers
The tongues are one of the most important features of Air Jordan sneakers as they carry prominent branding details all over them. The tongue tags accentuate the "Nike Air" logo, which can be used as a subject of the examination of real and counterfeits.
The swoosh logo alongside the "Nike Air" lettering is much crisper and cleaner compared to the phony pair, which is less fuzzy and distinct. Additionally, the print is worse than the original, and the lettering details are a little chopped off from the top in the counterfeit shoes. As a matter of fact, for the real sneakers, the lettering is placed in the central location of the tag.
5) The tag under the tongue label
On the insides of the tongue tags, the label reads "Inspired by the most historic season led by the best player ever," which is traditionally found in a majority of authentic Air Jordan sneakers. Moreover, the embroidered logo is positioned behind the tongue with no typos or smudges.
The lettering is cleaner and more spacious in real sneakers, while for fake sneakers, the logo is smudged and cramped together.
Other than the basic aforementioned five tips, there are many more ways to tell real Jordans apart from fake. One can take an overall look at the sturdiness, clean aesthetics, and structure of the sneakers, which are much crisper for real Air Jordans.
1) What are some key features to look for to ensure my Nike Air Jordans are real?
Other than the aformentioned five details, one can also pay attention to these small details, including a fake "Jumpman" and a real "Jumpman" logo. Every sneakerhead can agree that Air Jordan's "Jumpman" logo is one of the most essential parts of the shoe.
In the real Air Jordan sneaker model, the Jumpman logo is high-quality and present in an embroidered pattern, whereas in the fake Air Jordan sneaker model, the logo is vinyl or poor embroidery.
The "Jumpman" logo is usually present upon the tongue of the sneakers. The logo needs to have a clean edge and pristine appearance, instead of fuzzy or faded markings. The fake "Jumpman" logo usually lacks lace in the shoes of Jordan, whereas the real features laces flying in upwards direction.
2) How do I avoid purchasing fake Nike Air Jordans?
Some common methods used by scammers and counterfeit Air Jordan sellers include -
1) Forming fake business social media profiles or using fake names.
2) Refuses to show the internal tag, which mentions product details.
3) Posts inaccurate description details of the shoe.
4) Offering unreal high sale values or low prices.
5) Requesting for the payment to be made before sending the order.
To avoid purchasing fake Jordan, one can follow simple steps such as verifying the shoe details like release dates, the material used, and the item codes. Ensuring that the seller uses a "100% Authentic" tag while listing the shoe. Check the feedback from other customers of the seller.
3) What is the best way to authenticate Nike Air Jordans?
The best way to authenticate the real Air Jordan sneaker model is to purchase the shoe from the official Nike website, the SNKRS app, or their select retailers which includes Veg-Non Veg in Asia, Foot Locker in the US and Europe, and a few other sites including Finish Line and Dick's Sporting Goods.
4) Are there any specific details or markings on Nike Air Jordans that can help distinguish between real and fake pairs?
There are a few specific details that should be on your priority list when checking for real Jordans vs fake, which includes checking for spelling errors and logo imperfections. Make sure that the shoe box features all the words with the correct spelling.
The Jordan Jumpman logo upon the box shall match with the original and if one is unsure of how the logo looks, they can google the real image. Logos such as branding of "Nike Air" and "Jumpman" shoe be bold and not faded.
