How to Identify Authentic and Fake Air Jordan 1s

Authentic Air Jordan 1s are one of the most sought after shoes in history. They are also among the most expensive pairs you can buy.

Despite their price, fake Air Jordans are on the rise, so it's important to know how to spot them. Here are a few ways you can tell the difference between a real pair and a replica.

Construction

A high quality pair of Air Jordans should be well constructed from top to bottom. This includes a solid base and a good grip on the heel. Be sure to check out the lace holes, especially the midsole ones. Also be on the lookout for liquid stains or glue splatters.

The best way to tell if your shoe is worth the price tag is to test the materials. Using an UV lamp, you can test the moisture level and look for any visible scratches or cracks. The best part is that if you do happen to have one of these gems in your closet, chances are you'll know it when you see it. This can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family, particularly if you have kids!

Labels

If you're buying Air Jordan sneakers, there are a few telltale signs that can help you identify whether they're fake or not. Some of these include the size and thickness of the swoosh, the shape of the perforations in the toe box, and the font on the tongue label.

The swoosh on a fake pair will usually have a wavy look to it. This is a common issue amongst fakes and is usually caused by faulty manufacturing.

In addition, the words "AIR JORDAN" and the (tm) sign on the label will be different on a fake pair than on a genuine one. Authentic labels will have smoother edges and are less glossy.

Another way to tell if a pair is real is by checking the embossed logo on the front of the shoes. The real Nike Air Jordan emblem should be embossed and not flat on the leather. If you run your fingers across it, you should feel it.

Sole

One of the most important ways to distinguish between authentic and fake airjordan is to examine the sole. The sole should be a smooth and textured white crinkled leather that has a certain pattern to it.

Another thing to check is the stitching. The stitching on the real Jordans should be very consistent in depth and size. It should follow the edge of the swoosh, and also be equal in length from the bottom to top.

The stitching should never intersect with the swoosh at the kink or corner of the shoe.

A common problem with counterfeit shoes is that the swoosh slopes upwards abruptly and does not progress naturally. The swoosh on the authentic pair has an arc that slowly curves up.

This curvature is not something that you will see on every single pair, but it can be a good way to spot the most popular fakes. It is not a foolproof way to tell them apart, but it should save you some time when doing a legit check on your pair of Jordans.

Heel

The heel is one of the most obvious giveaways of fake airjordan. It should have the classic hourglass shape that has become a hallmark of all the original sneakers.

It should be a smooth curve and not come to a peak in the middle like on the fake pair. It should also have the same size and shape as the rest of the shoe, with no unusual spacing or perforations.

Another important detail is the lace bag. On the real Air Jordan 1 it is compact and tied in nicely.

Fake Air Jordans often have a sloppy lace bag that isn’t even tied in at all. They also have loose laces and gaps at the top of them.

The sole is another big giveaway. The authentic sole has a nice and clean, smooth finish and is stitched with quality. It pops a slightly blue colour under UV light.