First off, let’s be real, those salmon pink NMDs? They’re like, *the* hype beast starter pack. Everyone and their grandma wanted a pair back in the day. And when demand goes up, guess what else goes up? Yup, you guessed it: the number of shady dudes churning out knockoffs.
I’ve seen some *atrocious* fakes, man. Like, seriously, you could spot ’em from across the street. But then there are the ones that are…scarily good. That’s where things get tricky.
So, how do you even tell if you’re about to get bamboozled with a fake salmon pink NMD? Well, from what I’ve gathered from the internet and *cough* personal experience (don’t judge me!), here’s the lowdown:
* Price: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably IS. Like, if someone is selling a pair for $50 when they usually go for double that, HUGE red flag. Unless they’re literally giving them away, somethin’s fishy.
* The Boost: This is where the real detective work comes in. The Boost midsole on real NMDs has a distinctive texture. It’s kinda like a bunch of tiny Styrofoam balls smushed together. Fakes often have a smoother, more plastic-y look. Also, press on the Boost, it should be fairly soft and squishy. Hard, unyielding Boost? Yeah, no. That ain’t the real deal.
* The Primeknit: This is the upper material. On authentic NMDs, it’s usually flexible and breathable. The texture should be consistent and high-quality. A cheap-looking, stiff Primeknit? Fake city, population: you.
* The Details: This is where the devils are. Check the stitching. Is it clean and even? Or is it all over the place like a toddler attacked it with a sewing machine? Look at the glue job. Is there glue oozing out everywhere? Legit Adidas wouldn’t let that slide. Also, peep the little details like the heel tab, the insole, and the box. Compare them to pics of legit pairs online.
* The Seller: This is, like, the most important thing. Are you buying from a reputable retailer? Or some random dude on Craigslist? If it’s the latter, proceed with caution. Ask for detailed pics, ask questions, and trust your gut feeling.
Honestly, even after all that, it can still be tough to be 100% sure. The counterfeiters are getting better and better. But hey, at least you’ll be armed with some knowledge.
