Start with the seller, not the shoe
Today’s best fakes are hard to tell apart from photos. The single most useful check is where the pair comes from: an authorised store or a reseller with a long, public track record, and a price that makes sense. A rare pair at half the going rate is almost never real.
The style code check
Every pair from major brands carries a style (SKU) code on the box label and on the size tag inside the shoe — for example a 6-character code followed by a 3-digit colour code. They must match each other, and a web search for the code should show exactly the same colourway. A mismatch is a strong red flag.
Build quality
Look at the shoes side by side in good light: logos, panels and heel heights should be symmetrical; stitching should be even; there should be no glue stains or strong chemical smell. Brands do make mistakes, so one small flaw alone doesn’t prove a fake — but several together should.
When to pay for authentication
For expensive pairs, use a professional authentication service or app before or right after buying, while you can still return them. The fee is small next to the risk.
Questions people ask
Can a checklist prove a pair is genuine?
Do fakes come with real-looking boxes?
What should I do if I bought a fake?
Sources
Results are estimates to help you plan. Always confirm important numbers with the seller, carrier or authority concerned. Last reviewed: November 2026.