How to Spot Fake vs Real Nike Dunk High

Nike Dunk Highs were first released in 1985, aiming to become a favorite among college basketball players and their fans. They unveiled a total of 12 color schemes that were specially created to match each college’s team colors. Fans proudly wore footwear in their team’s colors to cheer and support them.

Peter C. Moore, the designer behind the Air Jordan footwear collection, originally crafted the signature design. What was once a shoe meant for the basketball court evolved into a fashion trend. Over the years, Dunk Highs became an icon in sneaker culture.

At certain points in the product lifecycle, Dunk’s popularity declined. This can be explained by the fact they were overproduced. Furthermore, the outrageous color schemes were truly not appealing to consumers. Dunks returned to the sneaker scene in 2016 but surged as a trend in 2019 when Travis Scott proudly sported his rare, coveted SB Dunks globally.

Average Dunk High cost is between $100 to $150. Their high retail price and immense popularity make them prime targets for counterfeiting. Although counterfeiters strive to perfectly replicate the aesthetic, seasoned professionals can still discern a distinct difference between fake and genuine Nike Dunk Highs.

How can you legit check Nike Dunk Highs and ensure you purchase the original? Whether browsing online listings or exploring thrift stores, our step-by-step authentication guide helps you properly verify the sneakers.

• The Overall Look Method
• The Packaging Method
• The Swoosh Method
• The Tongue Method
• The Toe Cap Method
• The Stitching Method
• The Size Tag Method
• The Heel Counter Method
• How to Spot Fake Nike Dunk High Listings Online
• Are Nike Dunk Highs true to size?
• Where are Nike Dunk Highs usually made?
• Conclusion

The Overall Look Method

Comparing fake versus real Nike Dunk Highs starts by examining the overall appearance. The first thing we clearly observe is the variance in stitching quality.

The genuine Nike Dunk features remarkably dense stitching that signifies high quality. Conversely, the counterfeit pair consistently exhibits noticeably poor-quality stitching along with loose thread.

The variation in stitching quality becomes clearly apparent when we closely examine the Swoosh logo. You can observe that the fake swoosh is stitched on the edges, while the genuine one leaves ample space around the thread.

Nike Dunk Highs are offered in color combinations. Typically, counterfeit versions lack precisely the same color tone as the authentic. In this instance, the orange details appear lighter and yellowish on the fake pair.

Also Read: How to Tell if Nikes are Fake

The Packaging Method

Once we’ve finished thoroughly examining the overall appearance, we then proceed to closely scrutinize the packaging. The shoe box is our next primary focus. A shoe box is specifically designed to effectively safeguard the footwear during shipping and storage while also reinforcing the overall brand identity.

Nike manufactures consistently high-quality boxes to ensure maximum protection. A robust box made from premium quality cardboard is a positive indicator when you’re unsure how to verify Nike Dunk Highs. On the other hand, boxes that are poorly constructed can indicate a counterfeit product.

Color is another aspect you should examine when verifying fake versus genuine Nike Dunk Highs. The authentic shoe box is presented in a vibrant red hue. In contrast, a pale red tone resulting from low-quality printing indicates a counterfeit box. The shoe box features a label that offers all essential information about the product, including the serial number, sizing, and origin. Counterfeiters typically fail to precisely replicate the exact label, so you will often notice several inconsistencies.

First, note the noticeable difference in font. We have consistently observed this flaw in other Nike products, where the letters were not replicated identically to the original. The counterfeit Nike label features letters and numbers that vary in both thickness and shape.

The Swoosh Method

We now move on to the swoosh logo to further evaluate the shoe’s authenticity. This logo is a signature element of Nike products and is challenging to replicate, as demonstrated by other fake Nike footwear. If you are unsure how to determine if Nike Dunk Highs are counterfeit, simply observe the shape of the Swoosh logo.

This clear indicator immediately exposes a fake product. The original Nike swoosh logo features a pointed top and a distinct curve. Counterfeit models do not mimic this correctly, and the absence of a proper curve causes the swoosh to appear thicker at the top. Nike has solidified their brand image with a consistent logo shape. Any deviations in the swoosh’s form signal a counterfeit product.

The Tongue Method

To further distinguish fake versus real Nike Dunk Highs, we examine the tongue method. The label and branded logo are key elements in this authentication process. The genuine shoe features a large label that occupies a significant portion of the tongue, whereas counterfeit Nike Dunk Highs come with a much smaller label.

Because the label size differs, it affects the overall appearance of the logo. As a result, we can notice differences in the trademark symbol. The authentic shoe displays the trademark symbol centered just below the “N” letter. On the counterfeit label, the symbol is positioned slightly to the right.

The Toe Cap Method

When we're done inspecting the tongue, we move forward to the toe cap. How to tell if Nike Dunk Highs are fake when checking the front part?

Real Nike Dunk Highs have a bulky toe cap that provides maximum comfort. Even if you look at second-hand footwear, the toe cap will look plump and inflated.

On the contrary, the fake pair has a slim-toe cap. Despite the aesthetic aspect, this makes the shoe uncomfortable to wear.

The toe cap elevation is another telltale sign that can reveal Nike dunk high, fake vs. real. The original pair has a minimal height in the front. Fake Dunk Highs have elevated toe caps which also affect comfort.

The perforations are another thing that indicates a fake pair. The real Dunk Highs have adequately aligned and precisely pierced perforation holes. At the same time, the counterfeit shoe has thicker perforations that aren't aligned.

Read More: How to Spot Fake vs Real Nike Dunk Low Panda

The Stitching Method

We’ve already touched on how stitching can help differentiate real vs fake Nike Dunk Highs. This section takes a closer look at the stitching quality and how to use it for authentication.

Even, consistent stitching is a strong indicator that the shoe was made with great attention to detail.

As a major brand, Nike uses advanced machinery to ensure top-tier production. As a result, the stitching is precise, keeping the shoe’s structure intact even with regular wear.

On the other hand, fake Nike Dunk Highs often have loose threads and uneven stitching that fails to hold everything together properly. Since counterfeit manufacturers lack the high-end equipment Nike uses, their products tend to be poorly stitched. This not only affects the shoe’s appearance but also its durability.

The Size Tag Method

Next, let’s look at the size tag, another key way to distinguish between real and fake Nike Dunk Highs. You’ll find this label inside the shoe, just below the tongue.

Nike uses a specific font that’s difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. One common flaw in fake tags is inconsistent letter thickness. The text on counterfeit size tags is often bolder than the original, making it an easy giveaway.

The Heel Counter Method

The final part of our authentication guide focuses on the heel counter. By closely examining the stitching, you can spot key inconsistencies.

The pull tab is one of the most obvious indicators of authenticity. On a genuine pair, it’s precisely cut with clean, sharp lines. In contrast, fake Nike Dunk Highs have a poorly finished pull tab, showing signs of low-quality machinery that lacks the precision needed for small details.

Additionally, the pull tab on fake pairs is often badly stitched onto the heel counter. A closer look will reveal visible flaws—uneven stitching and noticeable gaps between each stitch.

Moving to where the heel counter patches meet, stitching differences become even clearer. Authentic Nike Dunk Highs have dense stitches, thick thread, and a clean finish. Fakes, however, tend to have messy, irregular stitching.

The shoe’s shape is another detail you shouldn’t ignore. When viewed from the back, real Dunk Highs have a sleek, well-fitted design around the ankles, whereas fakes appear bulkier and less refined.

How to Spot Fake Nike Dunk High Listings Online

Buying Nike Dunk Highs online can be tricky since you can’t physically inspect the product. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t score a great deal—just be cautious and follow these steps before making a purchase.

Seller’s Profile

Start by checking the seller’s profile for insights into their selling history. Look through their reviews to spot any potential red flags.

It’s also a good idea to browse their other listings. If they’re selling hundreds of Nike sneakers, there’s a high chance they’re dealing in counterfeits.

Online Listing

A trustworthy seller will provide detailed descriptions and high-quality photos to showcase their product.

Clear, close-up images are crucial for verifying authenticity. They allow you to spot inconsistencies like poor stitching or incorrect font usage.

Be wary of listings that feature only professional Nike Dunk High images taken from Nike’s website or stock photos. If the seller is offering second-hand sneakers, they should provide real, home-taken pictures.

If a listing lacks enough images to assess the shoe properly, don’t hesitate to message the seller and ask for more. Any hesitation or excuses should raise suspicion.

Finally, consider the price. If a pair of Dunk Highs is significantly cheaper than the market rate, it may seem like a steal—but it’s likely a fake.

Are Nike Dunk Highs True to Size?

Nike Dunk Highs generally fit true to size for most people. If you’re ordering online, stick with your regular size. The toe box is roomy, ensuring a comfortable fit.

To find your correct size, you can do a simple measurement at home. Place a sheet of paper under your foot, trace the outline with a pencil, and measure the length from heel to toe using a ruler.

Since foot sizes can vary slightly, measure both feet and use the larger one as your reference. Compare this measurement to Nike’s official sizing chart for accuracy.

Where Are Nike Dunk Highs Made?

Nike manufactures Dunk Highs in several countries, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. Most pairs will have a “Made in Vietnam” label inside.

While some buyers assume overseas manufacturing means lower quality, that’s not the case. Nike enforces strict quality control measures in its factories to ensure its products meet high standards.

Conclusion

This guide walks you through the key details to check when authenticating Nike Dunk Highs. We started by assessing the overall appearance, where inconsistencies in stitching and color became apparent.

Next, we examined the shoebox, noting differences in material quality and labeling fonts.

The Swoosh logo stood out as another authenticity marker—Nike maintains strict consistency in its branding, so any irregularities are a red flag.

Moving to the toe box, we identified clear differences in thickness and elevation.

The stitching method further exposed inconsistencies, with fakes showing uneven seams and loose threads.

The size tag revealed font disparities, while the heel counter inspection uncovered a poorly made pull tab and subpar stitching.

By following these steps, you’ll have a solid foundation for spotting fake Nike Dunk Highs and avoiding counterfeits.