How to check sneakers: the complete authentication guide

Start with the seller and the price

Before you look at a single stitch, look at the deal. Most fake pairs give themselves away in the listing, long before the shoes are in your hands.

• The price is in line with recent sold prices for that size and colourway, not far below them
• The pair is not offered before its official release date
• The seller can send new photos on request, not only stock or reused images
• A limited release is not suddenly available in every size
• The listing does not use words like “replica”, “1:1”, “UA”, “mirror” or “AAA”

The box and its label

Brands put real effort into their boxes, and the label on the end of the box carries details you can check against the shoe itself.

• The box is sturdy, with sharp corners and clean, even printing
• The label font, spacing and alignment match other boxes from the same brand and year
• The style code on the label matches the colourway inside the box
• The size on the box label matches the size label inside the shoe
• The lid fits properly and the box colour is right for that release

Shape and proportions

Counterfeiters often get the details close but the overall shape wrong, because shape depends on the brand's own lasts and moulds. Compare the pair side by side with photos of a pair you know is genuine, from the same release.

• Toe box: the height and curve of the toe, and how far the toe cap reaches
• Heel: the profile seen from behind; several classic models have a distinctive curve that fakes flatten
• Collar and tongue: their height, padding and the angle they sit at
• Logos: the size and position of a swoosh, stripes or patch relative to the panels around them

Materials and stitching

Run your fingers over the upper and look closely at the seams. Genuine pairs are made consistently: the same stitch length, the same spacing and the same thread colour along every panel.

• Stitching is straight and evenly spaced, with no loose threads and no double rows where there should be one
• There are no glue stains along the midsole or around the toe
• Leather has a natural grain, and suede has an even nap that changes shade when you brush it
• Printed and embroidered logos are crisp, with clean edges
• There is no overpowering chemical smell when you open the box

Inside the shoe

The inside is where many fakes cut corners, because buyers rarely look there.

• The size label is printed cleanly, in the same font as the brand's other labels
• The style code, size and country of manufacture on the label match the box
• The insole logo is sharp and centred, not smudged or already peeling
• If you can lift the insole, the stitching underneath is tidy rather than messy or hidden under glue

The sole and the extras

• Tread: deep, crisp and identical on both shoes
• Cushioning: foams such as Boost have a recognisable pellet texture, and visible air units should be clear and evenly shaped
• Laces: the right colour, length and tips for that release, including any spare pair
• Weight: both shoes should feel the same, and close to a genuine pair of the same size

Photos to take for a check

For a VerifAI check, use daylight or even indoor light and no filters. These are the shots that carry the most evidence:

1. 1Both sides of one shoe, and the heel straight on
2. 2The sole and tread, flat and in focus
3. 3The size label inside the shoe
4. 4Stitching and logo details, close up
5. 5The label on the end of the box

A quick check reads up to 4 photos. Deep VerifAI reads up to 8, so add the insole and the toe box when you use it.