Due to its popularity, Air Jordan shoes are often counterfeited by manufacturers abroad. However, there are some details you can check to see if you have a genuine product. Check the details on the shoe box and match the serial number on the box with the serial number printed on the label inside the shoe. Also check out Jordan's signature quality and detail on the shoes. When buying products from the internet, make sure you buy them from a trusted seller who uploads accurate photos and product details.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking Box and Serial Number
Step 1. Check the quality of the crib
The original Air Jordan product is packaged in a sturdy box. The cap should be firmly attached, without any gaps. On the lid and side of the box, there is a Jumpman logo typical of Air Jordan. The color printed on the box should look neat and the same, without any parts of the color looking faded. The texture of the box must also be consistent.
The color and style of the crib will vary depending on the year and the type of product you purchased. Therefore, you may need to do an internet image search to find out what product boxes look like for a particular year or type
Step 2. Find out if there are misspellings and defects in the product logo
Make sure all the words printed on the box have the correct spelling. Also make sure the Jumpman logo looks complete, without any imbalanced proportions or faded colors. All elements of the box should be neatly arranged, and none of the elements appear odd or skewed.
If you are not familiar with Air Jordan's signature Jumpman logo, search the internet for the logo and make sure the logo printed on the box is the same as the original logo you found on the internet
Step 3. Check the factory sticker on the outside of the box
All Air Jordan boxes come with an official factory sticker on one side. Check the correctness of the product name, size, color combination, and country of manufacture. The text on the sticker should look coherent and each word displayed in the correct spacing and spelling.
- The sticker must be firmly attached to the box, and no air trapped under it. In addition, the sticker must appear complete and easy to read.
- Counterfeit Air Jordan products usually have stickers that are damaged, or affixed badly. If the sticker is taped at an angle or the writing on the sticker is difficult to read, you need to be careful.
Step 4. Confirm the accuracy of the nine-digit serial number printed on the sticker
All Jordan products are equipped with a serial number printed on a sticker on the box. Usually, the serial number has nine digits. Visit the Nike website to check the serial number of the shoe you want to buy and make sure the serial number on the box matches the serial number shown on the website.
The serial number is usually displayed just below the country of origin of the product
Method 2 of 3: Checking Shoe Shape
Step 1. Match the serial number on the label with the serial number listed on the box
Look for a small label sewn into the shoe. All information listed on the sticker must also be displayed on the label. Make sure the information is the same as the information listed on the box sticker, especially the serial number.
- Label stitches should look neat.
- Spelling errors on the label usually indicate that the product is counterfeit.
Step 2. Check the label on the back of the shoe
Lift the tongue of the shoe and examine the underside. You can see the words “greatest player ever” embroidered on the section. Embroidered text should be white, easy to read and look “professional”.
Step 3. Check the proportions of the product's Jumpman logo
Double check the details on the logo on the back of the shoe (or sometimes on the tongue). The logo should look bold and unmistakable. Pay attention to the hands, basketball, and feet of the characters in the logo to make sure the proportions of these elements are right. No elements should appear blurry or dirty.
Counterfeit products usually have an unbalanced-looking logo with rough edges. In addition, the stitching is poor and the proportions of the logo elements seem unbalanced
Step 4. Check the details around the laces
Make sure there is an even gap between each "wing" (tab) of the eyelet. All wings must be the same size and shape. Also make sure all the wings are firmly attached and have the same level of tightness. Usually, counterfeit products have one wing that is looser than the other.
Step 5. Pay attention to the quality of the stitching of the shoes
Examine the shoe carefully to see if the stitching of the shoe looks neat and professional. The stitches should be evenly spaced, and there should be no unstitched ends or thread residue sticking out. Usually, the stitching on the heel is key. If the stitching looks bad or untidy, you need to question the authenticity of the product.
Step 6. Check the midsole
In this section, the fabric of the side cover is connected to the front of the shoe. Usually, the center of the sole of the shoe has a different type of fabric and color than the toe. In the original product, the center point of the sole is in front of the bottom shoe hole. In counterfeit products, the midpoint of the sole is often parallel to the bottom eyelet.
Check the toe of the center of the shoe. The part of the sole that forms the "mountain" must look sharp, not just curved
Step 7. Find out the colorways for a particular type or type of Jordan shoes
Visit websites such as Footlocker.com or Nike for the true color patterns of certain products. This color pattern (also known as a colorway) is an updated color combination for each new shoe type. Usually, there are several special edition color patterns.
If there is a website or seller that offers products with color patterns that are not listed on the side of the direct supplier of Nike products, there is a possibility that the product is a counterfeit product
Method 3 of 3: Beware of Buying and Selling Practices
Step 1. Beware of new Air Jordan products that sell for under 1 million rupiah
Many Air Jordan shoes are limited edition and sell quickly. This means, there is no reason for the seller to set a price below the recommended retail price. There is a possibility that it will be difficult for you to find genuine Air Jodan products that are sold for under 1 million rupiah. If there is a product that is sold at a price that is "too cheap", there is a possibility that the product is a counterfeit product.
Step 2. Make sure the shoes are marked with the “100% Authentic” label
If you are looking for shoes on the internet that are labeled as “Authentic” only, you need to be careful. Do not buy Air Jordan products that are labeled with “custom”, “sample”, or “variant”. The label signifies that Nike is not officially selling it. If you want to buy a product on the internet but there is no serial number listed on the website, send a message to the seller asking for the serial number of the product.
Step 3. Make sure the product is packed in the right box
Counterfeit products are usually sold in boxes with detailed information that does not match the shoes. On the original product, the sticker or label on the box will contain the corresponding color pattern information and serial number. If the shoes you want to buy aren't boxed at all, it's a good idea not to buy them.
Step 4. Do not buy products on the internet unless the seller includes clear and detailed product pictures
When buying shoes on the internet, make sure there are several photos uploaded and that you can see the product details in each photo. If a photo of the inside of the shoe with the serial number is not uploaded, send a message to the seller asking for the serial number information. Photos that are stock photos usually indicate that the product being sold is a fake product. Make sure the photo description is also clear.
If the uploaded image is very small, ask the seller to send a better photo. If the seller cannot provide it, do not buy the product from the seller
Step 5. Do not buy Air Jordan products from overseas sellers
As much as possible do not buy products from abroad, unless you are sure of the authenticity of the products offered by the seller. Nike can import products from factories abroad, but usually these products are manufactured in main factories in the United States and Europe. Most counterfeit Air Jordan products are manufactured in Asia, especially in China.
If your shoes are shipped from Asia, there is a greater chance that the product is counterfeit
Step 6. Check seller feedback on buying and selling sites like eBay, Tokopedia, or Bukalapak
Look for trusted sellers with positive feedback. Don't buy products from sellers who have few (or no) positive customer reviews. There is a possibility that the products offered by the seller are not genuine products. Before you post a price quote, research the product being sold and make sure all the information and pictures provided by the seller match the original product.
