Nike Air Max: how to spot a counterfeit

Air Max shoes are among the world's most popular products and a must-have for every fan of streetwear trends. The cult series with the visible gas cushion in the sole began in 1987 with Tinker Hatfield's Air Max 1 model. Understandably, some people try to buy the Air Max at a slightly lower price on the cheap. However, this can quickly lead to disappointment, because instead of buying authentic Nike Air Maxes, it turns out that the pair purchased is a counterfeit. So we're going to give you some advice on how to distinguish original Air Maxes (using the example of the Air Max 90) from worthless and, in terms of quality, weak counterfeits.

Find out more about the seller

Investigate Nike shoe sellers on the Internet. Pay attention to every detail and piece of information. Because you don't have the physical product in front of you, it can be very easy for the seller to get you to buy a fake pair of Nike shoes. To avoid this:

• Read website ratings and reviews before you buy. Negative reviews are a clear sign that the seller is not reliable or reputable. However, be careful as some sites will choose to display only positive reviews. Carry out a third-party search by entering the seller's name on an independent site to examine their reputation.

• Find out which sites offer protection against fraud. Some online sites offer their customers a return policy in the event of fraud, even if the seller is a third party to the site where the purchase was made. This ensures that you get 100% of your money back if the Nike Air Max is a fake.

The size label

The size label on a pair of shoes is one of the most reliable signs of authenticity when it comes to Nike Air Maxes, and particularly Air Max 90s.

To do this, read the label carefully:

• The production period is on both sides below the size information. In our example: 05/16/18 and 07/20/18 on the label of the fake shoe in the photo below.

• Important: check the style number:

1. Go to the Nike website and enter "Air Max" in the search field

2. Look for the model you own

3. On the respective product page, you will find the style number next to the photos

4. Product not found? For older models, you can use the Google image search. Make sure they are images from a recognised online shop

If the label is completely missing or the information on the label is incorrect, then it is a counterfeit.

Other details on the label can help you identify the authenticity of your pair of Nike shoes. These include the text, which is often badly weighted on an imitation, and has many different thicknesses for the characters.

In the real vs fake Air Max 90 image below, you can see that the identification code on the genuine Air Max 90 is thicker than the text on the fake shoes. And the manufacturing text is also thicker on the label of the real Nike shoe compared to the fake. Finally, looking at the "MADE IN VIETNAM" under the product identification code, we have highlighted in the fake vs real Air Max image below, how the fake Nike shoes have their two lines of text less defined than the genuine Nike shoes.

So, as you've noticed, most Air Max replicas have thicker, blurrier fonts, often with smaller letter spacing. This is a general detail that can be applied to almost all brands and models of trainers.

On the left, the label of a fake Air Max 90, On the right, the label of a real Air Max 90

The insole

A Nike Air logo normally appears on the insole. However, it is normal for the logo to be worn on some used shoes. The soles of genuine Nike training and running shoes are usually glued, not stitched. They are made from advanced lightweight foam that provides arch support and cushioning.

Some limited edition styles may feature a different logo. On most new models, the brand name - along with the swoosh (Nike's comma) and sometimes the model name - is also printed on the insoles.

Imitations of the Air Max 90 made by counterfeiters often feature their "AIR" text too thinly on the shoes. In the example below, the fake Air Max does not even contain the logo with the name of the shoe inside the sole.

On the left, the sole of a fake Air Max 90, On the right, the label of a real Air Max 90

Air cushions

The plastic insert that the brand places in the sole can help you check the authenticity of the shoe. Genuine Nike Air Max 90s have Arch support technology. Make sure that the photo provided shows the air cushioning of the Arch support and that the 'air bubble' is clear and of high quality.

The original has a semi-transparent air cushion in the sole, whereas the fakes have a strange consistency or look dirty. The air cushion is therefore often not transparent on the fake Air Max. What's more, in the photos below, the genuine Air Max has buttons that are almost identical to the studs on a football boot, they are connected in an arc and are monochrome. On the imitation, on the other hand, the buttons are straight, multi-part and multicoloured.

On the left, the air cushion of a fake Air Max 90, On the right, the air cushion of a real Air Max 90

AIR MAX" text on side

Another decisive point regarding the authenticity of your Nike Air Max 90 is the text "AIR MAX" on the side of the shoe. The font on the print should match and the font size should also be consistent. Look for details that may indicate a counterfeit.

In the fake vs real Nike Air Max 90 image above, you can see that the text on the fake shoes is much thicker than that on the real shoes. Sometimes the paint peels off on fake shoes. As a result, the authentic shoes have their "AIR MAX" text on the side of the shoe thinner than the text on the counterfeits. In addition, the word "Max" is larger than "Air" and the genuine air max is generally a single colour and must not be soft or rubbery.

On the left the text on the side of a fake Air Max 90, On the right the text on the side of a real Air Max 90

Some examples of Nike Air Max often counterfeited

The following examples are less affordable than these pairs of Nike shoes. So buying them second-hand means you can still get them, but at a reduced price! Great, you may say, but unfortunately this opens the door to counterfeiters offering imitations of these Air Maxes on the resale market. So be careful, and check out the details in the photos of these shoes to confirm their authenticity:

• Nike x Travis Scott Air Max 270

• Nike air max 2090

• Nike air max 270 react ENG

• Nike air max 97

Secure your Nike Air Max purchase to avoid scams

It's vital to use a secure online application or site to avoid fraud. We therefore advise you to use Obvy, the 100% secure payment method for both private individuals and professionals. With Obvy, you can check all the seller's details and even ask them to send you additional video proof of the required photos.

What's more, Obvy offers the option of paying in instalments! If your pair of Air Max as mentioned above exceeds your immediate budget, simply choose to pay in instalments (3x, 4x or 10x). The seller will only be paid once you have received the parcel and certified the authenticity of the shoes. The ideal payment solution for your next sneaker purchase.