First things first, don’t be a chump. If the price is too good to be true, like seriously dirt cheap, then alarm bells should be ringin’ like crazy. Come on, nobody’s gonna sell you legit Yeezys for 50 bucks. That’s just…not gonna happen. Use your freakin’ brain.
Okay, so let’s say you’re still suspicious. What’s next? Well, the first thing I usually do is eyeball the laces. I mean, seriously, who pays attention to laces? But trust me, Adidas laces on Superstars (and other models, too, kinda) are usually THICKER. Like, noticeably thicker. If they’re thin and flimsy, that’s a red flag right there. And look at the way they’re laced. Are they crisscrossed neatly or look like a freakin’ toddler did it? Sloppy lacing = potential fake.
Then, you gotta get real close and personal with the stitching. I’m talkin’ CSI level close. Look for inconsistencies. Are there loose threads hangin’ everywhere? Is the stitching uneven and wonky? Real Adidas sneakers have pretty damn good quality control. A little imperfection? Maybe. A whole freakin’ mess? Probably a fake.
And speaking of quality, feel the materials. Does the leather (or whatever it’s supposed to be) feel cheap and plasticky? Does the rubber sole feel like it’s gonna crumble the second you take a step? Real Adidas uses decent materials. You can usually tell the difference.
Now, this is where it gets tricky. The box. Man, fake boxes are getting so good these days. But usually, there are subtle differences. Check the font on the label. Does it look right? Is the barcode scanable? (You can use a barcode scanner app on your phone.) And for God’s sake, check the SKU number on the box against the SKU number on the shoe tag INSIDE the shoe. If they don’t match, Houston, we have a problem.
Honestly, sometimes it’s just a gut feeling, y’know? I’ve looked at sneakers and just *knew* something was off, even if I couldn’t put my finger on it. So trust your instincts.
Oh, and one more thing. Where are you buying these things from? Some shady website that looks like it was designed in 1998? Come on. Stick to reputable retailers. Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker… places you know and trust. Paying a little extra is worth it to avoid getting scammed, believe me.
