And the thing is, these counterfeiters are getting *good*. Like, scary good. It used to be easy to spot a fake – the swoosh was wonky, the glue was oozing out everywhere, the smell was… well, let’s just say it smelled more like a tire fire than premium rubber. But now? Man, they’re making it tough.
So, what’s a sneakerhead to do? Well, first off, don’t just blindly trust anything. See that “deal” on some website that looks kinda sketchy? Yeah, probably a red flag. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut, y’know?
One thing I always do is obsessively check the size tag. I mean, I’m no expert, but apparently, super bold lettering on that tag is a dead giveaway for a fake Air Max 90. Who knew, right? They gotta be thin and clean, apparently. Also, compare it to a legit pair if you can. And don’t even *get* me started on the stitching! Check that too. If it looks like it was done by a drunk squirrel, it’s probably fake. Just sayin’.
And then there’s the whole online shopping thing. It’s a minefield, I swear. You gotta scrutinize the seller. Are they legit? Do they have good reviews (and are those reviews even real?!) It’s a whole process, man. And the box! Don’t forget to check the box. Is it the right box? Is the label all messed up? Details, people, details!
Honestly, I think Nike should make it easier to authenticate their shoes. Like, some kind of… I don’t know… magical authentication app? Or maybe just put tiny hidden microchips in the soles. Whatever it is, they need to step up their game because these fakes are getting ridiculous.
Speaking of soles, you should really inspect the midsoles and outsoles. I’ve heard horror stories about people getting shoes where the cushioning is just… cardboard! Like, come on! You’re paying good money (or at least trying to), you expect *some* level of comfort, right?
