How To Legit Check Air Jordan 1 Rookie Of The Year

The Air Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year is a standout sneaker with a distinct colorway and an interesting backstory. Its design draws inspiration from Michael Jordan’s style during his Rookie of the Year acceptance speech. His outfit featured a white, brown, and black combination, with the suede upper mimicking his jacket.

Years later, the Rookie of the Year remains a favourite among sneaker enthusiasts. Unfortunately, counterfeiters are exploiting its popularity by producing replicas that fall short in quality.

So, how can you spot fake sneakers and avoid scams? Our Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year legit check guide provides step-by-step instructions that even beginners can easily follow.

• Initial Inspection
• Tongue Label
• Inside Label
• The Swoosh
• Hourglass shape
• Material Quality
• Stiching
• Air Jordan Logo
• Toebox
• Insole
• Laces
• The Bottom Line

Initial Inspection

Start by checking the proof of purchase. While this can be tricky, it’s crucial to scrutinise details like the retailer’s name, transaction information, and logo for inconsistencies. However, don’t rely solely on this step—fake sneakers can sometimes come with genuine receipts. Always combine it with other authentication methods.

Next, inspect the shoebox. Authenticate Nike sneakers come in a sturdy box made from high-quality cardboard. If the sneakers are sold brand new but without a box, it’s a major red flag.

Focus on the box’s appearance. Genuine Nike boxes feature a black-and-red colour scheme with vibrant, high-quality printing. Any faded colours or poor-quality printing could indicate a fake. Pay close attention to the Nike logo, examining the shape of the Swoosh, the font, and how the letters connect.

The box label is another critical detail. It should display the product information, style code, and number. While counterfeiters often copy the text, they rarely replicate it perfectly. Look for inconsistencies in font thickness and letter alignment.

Finally, try the smell test. Genuine Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year sneakers are crafted from high-quality leather, which has a distinct sweet, musky smell. Even second-hand pairs retain this scent. On the other hand, a strong plastic odour is a clear sign of a fake.

Tongue Label

The next step is inspecting the label on the tongue. Located at the top of the tongue, the label features a black background with a red Nike Air logo.

Authentic labels have precise spacing between the letters, with the “E” seamlessly connecting to the Swoosh logo. The printing is sharp, and the red colour is vibrant.

On fake sneakers, the tongue label is often smaller. Misalignments, inconsistent letter thickness, and faded red colour are common flaws. Poor-quality printing is another telltale sign of counterfeits.

By following these steps, you can ensure your Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year sneakers are authentic and avoid falling victim to scams.

Inside Label

Next in our Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year legit check guide is the inside label. This small tag, located on the interior of the tongue, explains that the Swoosh is an official trademark.

Despite this, counterfeiters often replicate the label to mislead buyers. However, inconsistencies like poor printing, incorrect fonts, and uneven letter thickness can give away a fake. While these details may seem minor, they are key indicators of authenticity.

The Swoosh

The next step is inspecting the Swoosh logo, a common area where counterfeiters make mistakes. On an authentic pair, the Swoosh has a pointy tip and sits at the correct distance from the lace holes, maintaining proper proportions. On fake pairs, this distance may vary, leading to a disproportionate look.

Additionally, the corner stitching on the original sneaker sits just above the Swoosh. Counterfeit models often fail to replicate this placement accurately. The stitching quality is another giveaway—authentic sneakers feature dense, even stitching made with thick thread, while fake pairs often have irregular and uneven stitches.

Hourglass shape

When viewed from behind, the Air Jordan 1 features a distinct hourglass shape, including the Rookie of the Year edition. The middle seam creates a slight narrowing, while the top and bottom curve outward.

In contrast, fake sneakers lack this shape, appearing straight and flat without the characteristic curves.

Material Quality

The Rookie of the Year is crafted from genuine leather and suede patches, both of which are telltale signs of authenticity.

Authentic leather has a smooth texture with irregular grain patterns that you can feel. It may also display wrinkles and other natural imperfections. Suede, on the other hand, feels both smooth and grainy. Both materials emit a musky, natural leather scent, a signature of genuine products.

If the sneakers have a strong plastic or glue smell, it’s a clear indicator that they are counterfeit.

Stitching

High-quality stitching is a hallmark of a well-made sneaker. It ensures durability, even with frequent wear.

Examine the tightness and uniformity of the stitches. They should appear neat, with consistent spacing where the patches meet. Authentic sneakers showcase flawless stitching with no irregularities or visible glue residue. By contrast, fake pairs often have uneven, asymmetrical stitching.

Air Jordan Logo

The Air Jordan logo, positioned above the Swoosh, is a key feature counterfeiters try to replicate. However, trained eyes can spot differences by analyzing the lettering and wings for inconsistencies.

Wings

Pay close attention to the wing shape and width. Fake sneakers often have uneven spacing between elements, and the printing quality may be poor, resulting in smudged wings when viewed up close.

Lettering

The Air Jordan text features thin, precise letters that fit perfectly within the banner. The letters should not overlap or extend beyond the edges. Additionally, the ™ symbols must be correctly placed, and the font and thickness should match the original design.

Toebox

The toebox of the Rookie of the Year model has a slight elevation with a moderate curve. Fake pairs often lack this feature, appearing either too flat or overly inflated when viewed from the side.

From the top, examine the perforation holes. They should be uniform in shape and size, forming a distinct pattern. Authentic toebox perforations are precisely cut, whereas fakes may have poorly cut holes, uneven sizes, or perforations too close to the seams.

Insole

The insole features a printed Nike Air logo. Check for consistent font and proper spacing between the letters. The “Nike” text should seamlessly connect to the Swoosh logo.

Laces

Authentic Nike laces are crafted from premium materials, measuring 8 mm wide and 72 inches long. If pre-owned sneakers lack the original laces, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are fake, but the laces alone can’t guarantee authenticity.

The Bottom Line

This Jordan 1 Rookie of the Year legit check guide provides you with the tools to identify fake sneakers and avoid scams. Key features like the Air Jordan logo, Swoosh, materials, stitching, and labels are your best allies in spotting counterfeits.

Still unsure? The authentication experts at Legit Grails can help. Contact us today to verify your sneakers and luxury items with confidence!