How to distinguish original Nike sneakers from fakes?

Nike is one of the most famous manufacturers of sportswear and equipment, which means, according to the laws of the market, it is most susceptible to attacks from “pirates”. It can be difficult to come to terms with the disappointment that arises after discovering a fake, because, as a rule, you only pay attention to it when the coveted shoes begin to rub blisters or simply fall apart. How to avoid getting hooked by fashionable filibusters? Let's try to figure it out.

Rules to follow when purchasing

If you want to become the owner of an original Nike model, then you definitely shouldn’t buy it on various trading platforms and online stores.Providing clients with a wide choice of models, colors and sizes of shoes, such sellers are sure to find their buyer, who very soon will pay for his naivety not only with banknotes, which is also unpleasant, but also with moments of disappointment, and what’s more, with his own health.

The first thing that should alert you is the price. Original sneakers, even on a total sale, cannot cost 2 thousand rubles. If you are offered to buy a pair of Nikes for less than 5 thousand, you don’t need to be an expert to draw the right conclusion and refuse the purchase.

The entire size range presented at such a sale is also a sure sign of a fake. Unsold collections are put up for this sale, and, accordingly, the sizes will be “unsold”. You can check this very simply: go to the manufacturer’s official website and find information about sales of past collections.

We evaluate the product

When buying Nike sneakers you need pay attention to many small details that will help distinguish the original from the fake. For example, drops and smudges of glue or unevenly cut leather. At first glance, this is difficult, however, knowing the “weak points” of pirated products, it will not be difficult to spot counterfeit goods.

Material, eyelets, laces, insole, sole

The first thing we pay attention to is the material from which the shoes are made:

• the skin should be smooth, evenly colored, creases and distortions should be avoided;
• the eyelets should be flush with the surface, and the holes for the laces should be of sufficient size, evenly cut and neatly stitched;
• laces can also become a “beacon” of counterfeit, since in pirated copies their length often does not correspond to the model - it is simply impossible to tie them with a normal knot;
• It is worth paying attention to the type of lacing: it should be neat, uniform and the same on the left and right sneakers;
• the insole of original models should be easily removable and made of soft material of medium thickness; in addition, it must have a clear company logo.

Important! If neat stitching and a logo are visible under the insole, then the sneakers are most likely original.

The sole can be one of the main signs of a fake. Nike makes it from a complex composite material, so the surface should be matte and soft, non-slip. If it is hard and shiny like plastic, then this is probably a copy.

Stitches, stripes

Another obvious sign of a fake is uneven seams. On original shoes, all stitches are the same length and the stitching is even. This is especially evident from the branded stripes on the inside of the tongue and above the heel, which are not given much importance in counterfeit sneakers. The stripes should be positioned evenly and symmetrically relative to the edges, as should the stitches with which they are sewn.

Important! The logo itself on the patches can also be a hint: the high “tail” of the checkmark should completely cover the lower part of the letter “E”. If part of the stick “peeks out” or, conversely, overlaps, this is a 100% fake.

Inscriptions, errors in words

Oddly enough, such incidents also occur. Before you go shopping, it would be a good idea to open the official Nike website and see how to spell the name of the company and that model correctly.that you plan to purchase.Any deviations from spelling are a clear sign of a fake.

Important! The logo on the original pair is embroidered only using satin stitch!

Packaging, box, smell

Very An important detail when buying expensive shoes is their packaging.. The left and right sneakers must be wrapped in branded paper, not in plastic bags, and neatly placed in a branded box. Any explanation from the seller regarding the lack of proper packaging is a danger factor.

And one more important point: If, when trying on, a persistent smell of chemical production hits your nose, then you can refuse the purchase without regret.. The original sneakers have a pleasant smell of genuine leather and high-quality synthetics.

Barcodes, article number

On the inside of the tongue, the manufacturer sews a label with information about the product, including the article number and barcode. Please note that the article number on this label and the article number on the box in which the pair is packaged must match. As for the barcode, it contains information about the model (first 6 digits) and color (last 3).

Today there are special programs for gadgets that can help identify counterfeit products: the device reads the combination of numbers and displays a match in the original model range... If it exists, of course. Any search engine will show the same effect.

Important! Nike sneakers are overwhelmingly made in Asian countries, where labor is much cheaper than in the United States. Therefore, the inscription on the “Made in China” label is not necessarily a sign of counterfeit.

True to size

This feature can also be an indicator of the originality of the shoes. If, for example, a leg length of 25 cm corresponds to size 39, not 41, then the likelihood of buying real Nikes increases significantly.

Where is the best place to buy?

After all of the above, it is difficult to answer this question ambiguously - of course, in branded stores. In this case, there can be only one negative - the price. However, this disadvantage is soon compensated by comfortable training and the pleasure of walking. Try to evaluate your health in monetary terms - the choice will become obvious.