First off, let’s talk materials. Real AF1s? They use quality leather. Like, you can *feel* the difference. A fake? It’ll feel kinda plasticky, maybe even smell a bit off. Ya know, that cheap chemical smell? Yeah, avoid that like the plague.
Then there’s the toe box. This is a biggie. Look at the perforation holes (those little dots). On a real pair, they’re usually nice and evenly spaced. Fakes? Sometimes they’re crooked, or the holes are too big, too small…just *off*. It’s like, they didn’t even try, lol.
Okay, now the Swoosh. That iconic Nike tick? Check it out closely. The front curve should be smooth, kinda natural lookin’. And the back? Supposed to sit nice and snug against the shoe. If it’s wonky, or the stitching’s sloppy, red flag city! It’s like, c’mon, even *I* could do better stitching after a few beers. (Don’t tell Nike I said that).
And the weight! Seriously, pick ’em up. Real AF1s have some heft to ’em. It’s that quality material again. Fakes? Light as a feather. Feels like you’re holding a shoe made of cardboard and dreams (bad dreams, that is).
Now, let’s get to something that everyone forgets…the tongue and heel! The Nike logo on the tongue needs to be crisp and clear. Same with the “Air” logo on the heel. If it’s blurry or smudged, it’s a major indicator of a fake. Like, they couldn’t even afford decent printing? Cheapskates!
Oh, and the stitching. I already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating. Real Nikes have clean, consistent stitching. Fakes? Expect loose threads, uneven lines, and maybe even some straight-up missing stitches. It’s embarrassing, really.
Now, this is just my two cents, but sometimes it’s all about the price, right? If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Like, nobody’s gonna sell you real Air Force 1s for 30 bucks. C’mon, use your brain! It’s a scam, plain and simple.