Yeezy 350 V2 Citrin Real Vs Fake: How-To Guide (2024)

Written by
Ch David
Yeezy Citrin
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Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Ch David

This guide’s central point of discussion is how to spot fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Citrin”.

This guide works for both Non-Reflective + Reflective Citrins.

Straight to the point…

How to spot fake Yeezy 350 V2 Citrin

The quickest and most effective method to spot fake Yeezy Citrin is by examining the size tag and the box label.

Numerous inconsistencies on the size tag or if the box label always indicate a fake.

1. Barcode

All genuine Yeezy 350 V2 colorways have unique information:

  • Colorway – Citrin
    • Non-Reflective = FW3042
    • Reflective = FW5318
  • Style – 350 V2
  • US Size – From 5 to 14

Look for all of those matches in the scanning process.

1.1 How to scan

  • Makes sure to install the Legit Check App
  • Once you’re in, select Barcode scanner
  • Put your Yeezy Citrin box in front of the camera
  • Look up your results.
Legit Check Barcode Scan Sneakers

Let’s see what real vs fake Yeezy Citrin barcodes look like.

One-by-one.

1.2. Original

  • The right matches come up.
  • Yeezy Boost 350 V2, Citrin, FW3042 (Non-Reflective – good), US 10 1/2.

Perfect! That makes an authentic Yeezy Citrin barcode.

What about the fake? Let’s check it out.

1.3. Fake

  • Fake, as wrong Yeezys come up.
  • Remember: The box said this barcode shows us US8.5 Yeezy Citrin Reflective.
  • Instead, we got different results:

This barcode is 100% fake. Not showing us anything that we need!

Not sure you got it right? See our detailed Yeezy barcode guide.

Let’s move on.


Finding it too hard? Legit check your Yeezys with our experts:

2. Size tag

  • Authentic:
    • “MADE IN CHINA” text is thinner.
    • The “1/2” print is thin, with the number “1” appropriately sized and positioned near the slash (“/”).
    • Letters “P” and “E” in the word “APE” are not connected.
    • The hashtag (“#”) character is thin.
  • Fake:
    • “MADE IN CHINA” text appears slightly thicker.
    • The “1/2” print is thicker, and the number “1” is too small and placed a bit too far from the slash (“/”).
    • In the word “APE”, the letters “P” and “E” are connected.
    • The hashtag (“#”) character is noticeably thicker.

3. Box label

Original adidas x YEEZY shoes come in two formats: US & International.

  • Authentic:
    • US version box label displays three sizes (US, UK, F); US size is in large print while UK and F are smaller.
    • International version label features six sizes (US, UK, F, D, J, CHN), all in equal print.
    • US version serial number ends with V02 or V03.
    • International version ends with V10.
      • Example: Authentic International version with six sizes ends with a V10.
  • Fake:
    • A discrepancy in serial numbers can be observed.
      • A fake US version label with a serial number ending in V10 instead of V02 or V03…
      • Which is incorrect.

4. Lacing

  • Authentic:
    • Left lace is under the right lace on the left shoe.
    • Right lace is under the left lace on the right shoe.
  • Fake:
    • Can be exactly the opposite.

Zooming in:

A quick mention:

  • The steps we’ve written so far are the BEST ways to authenticate this item
  • The next few steps are still reliable methods…
  • … but they apply to non-top-versions of replicas available for this item

If in doubt, we recommend double-checking the steps we’ve explained above this line.

5. Boost sole

5.1. Best replica

  • Authentic: The boost sole has a bubbly appearance and feel.
  • Fake: The boost sole appears slightly rigid, lacking the characteristic bubbliness of authentic pairs.

5.2. Mid replica

  • Authentic:
    • The boost pellets have minimal differentiation and the striped circles on the sole are well-defined.
  • Fake:
    • There is noticeable differentiation between the boost pellets and the striped circles are not as well-defined as on the authentic pairs.

5.3. Low fake

  • Authentic: Striped circles on the sole appear random without any discernible pattern.
  • Fake: The circles on the sole follow a noticeable, mathematical pattern.

6. Tongue

  • Authentic:
    • The shoe’s opening is narrower with a distinct structure.
    • The sock liner and the angle from the bottom of the tongue are well-defined.
    • The “peak” of the tongue curves significantly upwards.
  • Fake:
    • Shoe’s opening is wider with a slightly different structure.
    • The “peak” of the tongue has a flatter shape.

7. Toe box

  • Authentic:
    • Toe box is slender.
    • Reflects careful attention to detail and use of high-quality factory equipment during production.
  • Fake:
    • Toe box is significantly bulkier.
    • Demonstrates poor attention to detail and use of lower quality factory equipment in production.

8. Stitching

  • Authentic: Middle stitching is wider and more structured.
  • Fake: Middle stitching is less structured with thinner threads.

9. Reflectiveness

  • Authentic:
    • More glow when photographed.
    • Reflective material is well-aligned, with straight and mathematically aligned lines.
  • Fake:
    • Less glow when photographed.
    • Reflective material appears to have a random distribution and lacks alignment.

10. Extra threads

Critical flaw, instal call-out for fake Yeezy Citrins.

  • Authentic: No extra thread of red stitching on the colored side.
  • Fake: Extra thread of red stitching present on the colored side.

11. Insole

  • Authentic:
    • The letters “d” have a more appropriate arch and curve.
    • The dot of the letter “i” is square.
  • Fake:
    • The letters “d” appear too arched and curvy.
    • The dot of the letter “i” is circular.

Short checklist: Verify your Yeezy Citrin

  1. Examine the shape of the shoe, paying attention to the length of the tongue.
  2. Check the laces and ensure they follow the correct pattern, with the right side of the lace going underneath on the right shoe and the left side going underneath on the left shoe.
  3. Inspect the size tag for any inconsistencies, as described in the fake vs real Yeezy Citrin comparison.
  4. See if the box’s label presents the right serial number for your box region.
  5. Assess the reflectiveness of the 3M sides; genuine Yeezys are typically shinier.
  6. Verify the shape of the toe box, as fake Yeezys often have an overly arched and curvy toe box.
  7. Examine the middle stitching on the sneakers, looking for any inconsistencies in thickness.
  8. Analyze the overall shape of the Yeezys, especially the curvature around the tongue area.
  9. Inspect the boost sole for any irregularities in the pellet shape.
  10. See if there are any extra threads on the shoes. Authentic ones never have such.
  11. Look at the insole and assure the right font-weight is used for the text.

By following these indicators, you can quickly legit check your Yeezy 350 Citrin.

Expert Yeezy 350 Citrin authentication

  • You can send us high-quality pictures of your Yeezy Citrin.
  • We will analyze them for you.
  • Within 24 to 48 hours, you will receive results…
  • Along with a report explaining why we believe your sneakers are either fake or authentic.

Thank you for reading our real vs fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Citrin guide.

Need our opinion on your item’s authenticity? It’s a service we provide.

Get a fully-detailed report for why you have a real or fake item. Takes less than 48 hours!

Alternatively, use our free resources: written guides and video tutorials.

Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David

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About the Author

David is the co-founder and co-CEO of Legit Check By Ch. David's experience: 5+ years of creating educational content in the fashion industry. 6+ years of authenticating luxury items. Currently, David is the Head Editor of the LCBC Library, where 1,000,000+ words have been published, in free guides, for over 1,000 items.
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