Buzz
Nike footwear stands as one of the most sought-after items globally, making them a prime target for counterfeiters. Without proper caution during your purchase, you risk acquiring counterfeit sneakers instead of authentic ones. Fortunately, there are various indicators you can observe to avoid falling victim to scams.
Procedures
Identify Fake Nike Footwear Visually
Inspect the packaging. Many fake Nike shoes lack original Nike packaging. Instead, they are often enclosed in clear plastic wrapping or lack packaging altogether.
- Counterfeit Nike boxes are commonly hastily assembled and lack the sturdiness of genuine Nike packaging.
Evaluate the shoe's condition. Compare your new Nike shoes with any similar pairs you've owned in the past. Noticeable differences in quality suggest counterfeit shoes, which may deteriorate quickly after minimal use.
- Authentic Nikes are typically softer due to genuine leather, while fake ones often use pleather.
- Fake Nike midsoles may display visible manufacturing dots, unlike genuine ones.
- Examine the lacing pattern; real Nikes are consistently fully laced.
Check the SKU number on the box and inside labels. Authentic Nike shoes bear an SKU number matching the one on the box. Mismatched or absent numbers indicate fakes.
- Inspect the tongue label for outdated sizing, a common sign of counterfeits.
Test the shoes. Genuine Nike soles offer traction with BRS 1000 rubber, while fake ones often feel plastic-like.
- Counterfeit Nikes may run small and narrow compared to authentic sizes.
- For guaranteed authenticity, purchase Nike shoes directly from their official website here.
Purchasing Nike Shoes Online
Research online Nike sellers. Exercise caution when buying Nike shoes online. Without physically inspecting the product, you risk purchasing counterfeit goods. To mitigate this risk:
- Buy directly from Nike's official website here.
- Review seller ratings and feedback before making a purchase. Look for third-party reviews to ensure reliability.
- Ensure fraud protection; some sites offer return policies, even with third-party sellers, to safeguard against fake purchases.
Avoid sellers who use stock shoe photos instead of actual Nike shoes. Stock images may look appealing but could be deceptive. Look for photos taken within a home setting to ensure authenticity.
- Contact the seller and request additional photos with date verification, such as next to today's newspaper, to confirm authenticity.
Avoid items labeled as 'custom,' 'variant,' or 'sample' Nike shoes. Genuine Nike samples come in specific sizes, and terms like 'custom' or 'variant' are usually red flags.
- Check the seller's inventory; counterfeiters often avoid certain sizes.
- Vintage Nike shoes are rarely available in full sizing runs; large stocks may indicate fakes.
Avoid Nike shoes priced significantly below market value. Unrealistically low prices often indicate counterfeit or heavily damaged items.
- Half-priced Nike shoes are likely fake; reasonable discounts are more plausible, especially for limited editions or vintage pairs.
- Be wary of sellers offering excessive discounts; verify the product's authenticity before purchasing.
- Check shipping estimates; lengthy delivery times may suggest counterfeit sources.
- For authentic purchases, buy directly from Nike's website or authorized retailers.
Avoid purchasing shoes before their official release date. Early availability typically signals counterfeit products, designed to resemble upcoming designs closely.
- Shoes available before release dates are often counterfeit, resembling upcoming designs but lacking authenticity.
Authenticate your Nike shoes. Take additional steps to verify authenticity after finding a pair you like.
- Compare the shoes with images on Nike's or trusted retailers' websites for authenticity verification.
- Request verification from the seller or contact their supplier for further assurance.
Useful Tips
- Report stores or retailers selling counterfeit Nikes by contacting Nike directly. This helps prevent others from unknowingly purchasing fake products.
- Ask Nike store staff to assist you in authenticating shoes. Note that Nike isn't responsible for products sold by unauthorized retailers but seeking assistance can help verify authenticity.
