How To Spot Fake Jordan 1

The main things to pay attention to are the shape and curvature of the toe box, the hourglass shape of the heel, and the look of the Swoosh. Additionally, you should authenticate the Air Jordan wings logo, the tongue tags and the outsole. Pay especially close attention to the fonts used in the logos, stitching and textures. If you want to see the full general guide for Jordan authentication, just keep reading!

How to Spot Fake Jordan 1: The Overall Form

One of the main indicators when it comes to Jordan 1 authentication is the shape, which isn’t surprising. This model stays so popular only because of its iconic silhouette. Let’s break it down and see what common mistakes manufacturers make when trying to replicate it!

Your main helpers will be the heel and the toe box, which we will talk about later in a separate method. For now, let’s focus on the heel. In particular, the top part should be rather straight. The fake pair has its top part looking too curved. As for the bottom part, it should have a subtle curve. The replica is too inflated. Overall, the heel looks more bumpy and lacks the elegance the authentic shoe has.

However, some replicas have the opposite problem, where the heel area is too straight, without any curve whatsoever. Look out for that too. Another common flaw is when the midsole is either too thick or too thin. Here the sole seems normal in thickness, however, it is lifted off the ground, while the original lays completely flat on the surface. Only the front part (under the toe box) should be slightly lifted.

How to Spot Fake Jordan 1: The Overall Form

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Jordan 1 Legit Check: The Swoosh

The first thing we should pay attention to is the placement of the Swoosh. Very often in replicas, it is placed too low or too high. The latter is the case with the example below. Due to this, we can conclude that the shoe is fake. However, it is not the only thing, as it can also be placed too far or too close to the shoelace holes.

Next, we will look at the shape of the Swoosh itself. The best way to authenticate it is by comparing with authentic pairs, and for that you can use our fake Vs real Jordan 1 comparison. The Swoosh should not be too short or too long. The shape should also be clear and defined. The three main points are: thin stem, smooth curve, and sharp, pointy tip.

Another important element is the stitching. In the majority of fake pairs it is somewhat inconsistent. You should make sure all the stitches are equal in size and length, the thread is not too thick or too thin, the color is correct, etc. In particular, you should check the stitching that outlines the Swoosh. You also need to make sure that the corner stitching and the Swoosh do not intersect at the kink / corner.

Fake Jordan 1: The Texture

We’re moving on to a pretty tricky part, which is the texture of the sneaker. In particular, the leather upper. It’s tricky because the texture may differ depending on the colourway, release year and other factors. Because of this, you need to make sure that the leather is tumbled consistently with the model. If you’re looking for legit check guides for particular Jordan 1 models, we advise you to scroll through our free library of guides. Here are some of them: Jordan 1 Chicago, Jordan 1 Trophy Room.

However, in general, Jordan 1’s (at least the classic models) usually have white crinkled leather for their upper. It should be rather textured and visible, but not too crinkled to avoid looking messy and overcomplicating the overall look. One more thing you might notice from the real Vs fake picture below is that the direction of the wrinkles differs too. The genuine pair has its wrinkles going upwards and to the right, while the fake ones go downwards and to the left.

Additionally, you must check whether the sews look right. The real sews here are very thin and delicate, while the counterfeit ones are thicker and longer.

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Fake Vs Real Jordan 1: The Wings Logo

A crucial component of Jordan 1 authentication is the iconic Air Jordan wings logo. Again, the way it looks has minor differences based on the model, colorway and year of release, but it is still possible to spot some common mistakes.

First, you need to assess the fonts used in the logo. The “Air Jordan” writing on the original logo has slightly thicker and bigger letters, while the replica has them smaller and thinner. The “™” sign is also wrong here, as it looks less clear and distinct.

The next major flaw with these fake Jordan 1’s is the spacing between the details, such as the details of the wings. The spacing on the authentic logo is bigger, which makes the logo appear wider.

Moving on to the sews, please notice that double stitch seam is used around the logo. The distance between the seams should be correct and consistent with the original. The inauthentic item has a bigger distance going on. Apart from that, the stitches are also slightly smaller than they should be.

Jordan 1 Replica: The Nike Tongue Tag

Next on our list is the tongue tag. The main things to verify here are the embroidery pattern and the fonts used in both the outer and the inner tongue labels.

The embroidery should not be too dense or too thin. There should not be any threads bulging or sticking out, and no “bald’ spots either. Also, in case with this logo it is worth noting that the threading is vertical, not horizontal.

The font of the Nike logo is also important. Specifically the “AIR” letters look very off here, and it is actually common in most replicas. While the word Nike for the most part looks correct, where counterfeit producers really mess up is the word Air. The letters are not aligned properly, and they also appear way too bulky.

Additionally, look at the shape of the Swoosh. Here it is very obvious that the fake tag has a much thinner Swoosh with a less defined curve.

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Jordan 1 Real Vs Fake: The Toe Box

Let’s talk about one of the most recognizable features of the Jordan 1’s, which is the toe box. As we discussed before, it should have a slight curve outwards, as to be lifted off the surface when standing flat. It should also be rather slim and rounded, not boxy.

You must verify the shape of the toe box in order to proceed with your Jordan 1 legit check. As you can note in our comparison, the original one is more elongated, and the black overlay around the toe box looks thinner. In case with the replica Jordan 1, the toe box is shorter and wider. The black part is thicker as well.

Next, pay your attention to the perforations. The fake perforations often have a low quality and an incorrect size. What is meant by lower quality is that, for example, some of the perforations may not be perfectly round, or may be bigger than the rest. It is also important to examine the placement of the perforations, as they always follow a particular pattern of placement.

Jordan 1 Authentication: The Heel

One more signature element we are going to take a look at is the heel. What makes the silhouette of Jordan 1’s so iconic is the “hourglass” shape of the heel: thicker at the top and bottom, and slim in the middle.

As simple as it sounds, many replica producers actually get it wrong. The fake Jordan 1 pairs often have the heel too bulky and inflated. They just do not hold the hourglass shape that well. They also lack the signature curve of the heel.

Next, verify the shape and the overall look of the heel tabs. In particular, you should be interested in the small rectangular tab in the middle. The central tab is almost correct, except for the stitching. The double stitch here should be identical: every stitch placed exactly above the other. The replica does not follow this rule, and has the stitches not only placed incorrectly, but also differ in sizes.

Finally, examine the texture of the midsole. It should be rather textured and follow a particular pattern. As you can see, the replica Jordan 1 has bigger “grains” compared to the genuine one.

Real Vs Fake Jordan 1: The Outsole

And for the last method, let’s check out the outsole. The outsole has a Nike logo in the middle of it, surrounded by a pattern of small stars (asterix) around the edge of the sole.

Starting with the Nike logo, look for any inconsistencies in the font. Not only the font itself should be correct, but also its placement. The Nike logo should be located right in the middle of the outsole tab. It is also crucial to make sure the ® sign is clear and visible, despite its small size. Do not forget about the Swoosh either. The example of the fake pair here has its swoosh not pointy enough.

Lastly, check the shapes of the asterix. It might be difficult to spot, but try your best to make sure all stars are identical in size and shape and have fair spacings between them.

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Do Jordan 1’s run big?

Jordan 1 normally runs true to size. However, it is advised to go down half a size in order to avoid creases on the toe box area. But, of course, it all comes down to your personal preference.

Which Air Jordan is the most popular?

Undoubtedly, Jordan 1 stays the most popular model, coming in a great variety of colorways. However, the Air Jordan 1 Retro Chicago stays the most iconic of them all, consistently popular throughout decades.

Where can I authenticate Jordan 1?

If you are looking for a reliable and professional legit check service, you’re in the right place! Chat with our helpful team and receive a quick and detailed Jordan 1 authentication. Take a look here: Jordan legit check.