You’ve finally done it. After hours and hours of scrolling through search engines, online forums, and resale websites, you found the perfect pair of cheap authentic Jordans online for $50.

Not so fast. While it may feel like Christmas came early, don’t be so quick to believe the online listing.

The price alone should make you pause, as the average Jordan basketball shoe costs $145. And if you look closely at the online images given by the seller, you’ll be able to notice small details on the shoes that should signal huge red flags in your mind.

So before you punch your credit card information into a potentially dubious site, you’ll want to know how to tell the difference between authentic Jordans and fakes.

Ready to learn how? Keep reading to learn about the telltale signs of authentic vs fake Jordans!

The Jordan Jumpman Logo

The first thing you should figure out when you’re trying to decide if you’re looking at authentic Jordans for sale is the logo.

This is the iconic Jumpman logo with Michael Jordan’s silhouette jumping up to dunk a basketball. This logo may appear on the Jordans themselves, on the shoebox, or both.

First, check that his left hand is facing downward. Fake Jordans will often have the Jumpman’s left hand bent or facing upward.

You also want to make sure that there are no parts of the logo that are out of proportion, like the head. 

Make sure to check if the logo is in the right position. You can check this by going to Nike’s website and comparing the photos of the shoes/box to the ones you’re looking at.

You’ll also find the Jumpman logo on the tongue of each shoe. Make sure that the embroidery on it is high-quality. Fakes will often have low-quality logos on the tongue of the shoe.

These may be made of vinyl or just have poor stitching that looks loose and crooked.

Style Number

Every pair of authentic Jordans has a 9-digit style number. This number should be located on the tag inside the shoe, underneath the country of origin.

Take note of this number and find the shoe model on Nike’s website. Compare the two to see if they’re the same.

You can also find the 9-digit style number on a sticker outside the shoebox. 

Like with the inside of the shoes, the style number on the box should also be listed underneath the country of origin.

Stitching and Construction

Aside from resale value, this is one of the main reasons why you want to buy authentic Jordans.

Poor stitching and construction are the telltale signs of any fake garment or product, and you can find them in several places on a pair of Jordans.

For stitching, make sure the stitches are even lengths. They should also be neat, straight, and tight. Examine the stitching:

  • On the inside tag of the shoe
  • Around the Jumpman
  • On the heel
  • Around each layer of fabrics or colors

You also want to watch for any loose or frayed threads. 

As for construction, a giveaway that a shoe is fake is if there are unfinished edges. You can also check to see if the shoelace tabs are evenly spaced and tightly attached to the shoe.

So when you’re looking to buy authentic Jordans online, make sure to do so from a reputable retailer like KicksCrew.

Outsole

Depending on the model of Jordans you’re looking at, the outsole may have the Nike swoosh logo on it.

If it does, you want to look at how wide the letters are.

Fake Jordans have a narrow or squished-looking font, while real ones have a fairly wide font. The letters should also all be a similar size.

Take a look at the swoosh itself and see if it looks the same as the regular swoosh logo. Telltale signs of a fake include a logo that’s too thick, too thin, or oddly placed.

Check the Little Details

Some fakes can be harder to spot because the telltale signs aren’t as obvious as the Jumpman’s hand being in a different position.

One of the little details you should always look for is spelling errors. These can be on the inside tag of the shoes or on the box. Spelling errors on the inside tag in particular are a huge indicator that the shoes are fake.

Another detail that may not be so obvious at first is if the colorway isn’t actually a colorway that Nike sells in that model.

Make sure to do some research on the Nike website to see if the shoe you’re looking for does come in that colorway. If it doesn’t, it’s a fake.

This may be hard to tell in photos, but fake Jordans don’t tend to be as glossy as fakes, which appear duller.

Don’t Forget the Box

If you’re wondering where to buy authentic Jordans, the most legitimate sellers will always give you the box with the shoe, even if the shoes are used. 

An authentic Jordan box has:

  • Sturdy material
  • Uniform font
  • No spelling mistakes
  • A complete Jumpman logo
  • A straight manufacturing sticker
  • Information such as style number, country of origin, name, shoe size, and color combination

Keep in mind that Jordan boxes do change over the years (and with different models), so do some research online to see what box the shoes are supposed to come in.

Know the Signs of Authentic Jordans

It’s not always easy to know whether or not you are looking at authentic Jordans, especially if you only have online photos to help you decide.

The telltale signs of an authentic pair can be found in the stitching, construction, outsole, and box, so make sure to examine all these when you’re shopping for Jordans.

And when in doubt, always go with a respected retailer.

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