How to spot fake sneakers

If you’re a sneakerhead like us, you know that the game is hotter than ever, but also that the fakes are flooding the market. This is as true for women’s shoes as it is for men’s sneakers. The bigger the line, the more people will try to copy it. Fake Lebron James, Air Jordans, and Yeezys are getting harder to detect, with replicas looking more legit than ever.

Messing up a sneaker purchase can cost you big—both in money and street cred. That’s why every hypebeast and collector needs to know the telltale signs of fakes before dropping serious cash. From shady clothing stores to sketchy resale sites, counterfeit sneakers are everywhere.

At Notorious Lifestyle, all items are 100% authentic and each of them goes through several stages of authentication, so come to us if you’re looking for special kicks and keep reading for tips to spot the fakes.

If someone’s offering brand-new kicks for way below market value, something’s off. Also, keep in mind that many models are copied. They include Nike Jordan 2, Nike Air Force 1, Nike Jordan 11, Yeezy boost 350, Nike Jordan 4, Nike Dunks, Vans Old Skool, Jordan 4 Off White, and New Balance 574. If you want to protect your buys, keep reading. In this article we break down the top ways to authenticate your kicks, covering packaging, materials, branding, and more.

The first tell tale sign is the box. Legit shoes come in high quality packaging. If the box feels flimsy, has weird fonts, or the print quality looks off, that’s already a red flag. The label should have the correct SKU number that matches what’s on the sneakers inside. A lot of fakes come in cheaply printed boxes with faded colors, a messed font size pr wrong spelling—yeah, it happens more than you’d think. If you’re buying online, don’t be afraid to ask for a clear pic of the box, even if you're buying pre-worn shoes. A legit seller won’t hesitate to prove the authenticity.

Always look at the logos. Fakes might have a logo that’s too thick, too thin, slightly tilted, or even misspelled. If you’re buying second hand, branding should still be intact. If you're buying online, don't trust the pictures, do more checks on the vendor and make sure the photos are real. AI fakes can be convincing.

The next thing is to examine the materials. You won’t be surprised to know that fakes are made of cheap materials. The first thing to do here is to check the texture. If the sneakers are supposed to be made of leather, suede, or mesh, touch them. Real leather should feel smooth and firm, while fake is plasticky or too soft. Suede should have that slightly rough but premium texture, fake suede is more like felt. Also, inspect the stitching, if you see any loose threads, chances are that these kicks are dupes. Another good tip is to bend the shoe a little. Original sneakers are flexible but robust, the fakes will either be too stiff or too flimsy.

The sole might not be the first thing you check, but trust us—it can expose a fake in seconds. Fake men’s sneakers often have shallow, uneven, or slightly incorrect tread designs. The material might also feel off—authentic outsoles have a certain bounce or firmness, while knockoffs can feel too hard or weirdly soft. If you’ve worn real Jordans, Yeezys, or Lebron James shoes before, you’ll notice the difference right away. If the insole feels flat or flimsy, chances are it’s not the real deal. Major clothing and sneaker brands invest in real comfort tech, like Nike’s Air units or Adidas' Boost cushioning, the fakes would not have any of that.

You can also do a smell test. If you’ve owned legit pairs before, you must remember how good they smell when you first unbox them. Brands like Nike, Puma, Adidas, and New Balance use high quality materials that have a neutral scent, while fakes stink of cheap adhesives and synthetics.

We recommend shopping at legit clothing boutiques and shoe stores. If you want to buy online, don't fall for advertising that sounds too good to be true, read the reviews, but remember that those can be fake too, so don’t trust too quickly. Fake goods are a huge industry, and not only are you risking paying for dupes, but you can also have your credit card details stolen.

Having said all that, if you do have legit sneakers that are in good condition and that you would like to sell, visit us in store. We offer great prices, and you can take the time to find your next original pair or buy apparel. You can use Afterpay to benefit from instalments. Visit us at the Town Center at Aurora Mall.