Fake sneakers keep getting better. No single check is enough on its own: anyone assessing a pair looks at several points at once and compares with a pair they know is real. Below are the points that sellers and buyers use most often.
1. The box and the box label
Look at the font, alignment and print quality of the label. Blurry text, odd spacing or wrong dimensions are a warning. Note: a box or receipt can be faked or swapped. A good box is therefore no proof that the shoe is real.
2. Style code (SKU) and size
The style code, colour and size on the box must match the label in the shoe. A mismatch can mean the shoe is in a different box. Also look up the style code on the brand's website or in a release database and compare the colours.
3. The label in the tongue or collar
Check the font, spacing between characters and stitching. Production codes and dates belong to the release. Typos or crooked lines are suspicious.
4. Shape and proportions
Hold the shoe at eye level and compare the toe, heel and side with retail photos from the brand. A toe box that is too bulky or too flat is often a sign of a fake.
5. Stitching and glue
Real stitching is straight, even and tight. Watch for loose threads, uneven stitches and glue residue along the sole. A single flaw does not automatically mean a shoe is fake, because real shoes also have factory flaws now and then. Look at the whole picture.
6. Materials and smell
Leather, suede and mesh feel a certain way on the original. Plastic, stiff or shiny material stands out. A strong chemical glue smell is a weak signal: combine it with other checks.
7. Sole and interior
The tread pattern and logos in the sole should be sharp and cleanly moulded. Take out the insole and look at the print and placement. Compare left and right: they should look alike.
What not to trust
- A price that is too good to be true.
- Photos of the box without photos of the shoe itself.
- Sellers who do not want to send extra photos (label, sole, interior).
- A receipt or box as the only proof.
When in doubt
- Ask the seller for photos of the box label, the label in the shoe, the sole and the insole in daylight.
- For more expensive pairs you can have a paid legit check done by a specialised service. A photo check gives an opinion, not absolute certainty.
- Keep your proof of purchase and the listing or product page.
- Buy from a seller who is clear about their business details and return terms. At Kikss you will find our Chamber of Commerce and VAT numbers on the site, and you have 14 days to change your mind.
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