How To Spot Fake Yeezy 350 V2 Zebra (2023)

Last Updated on November 10, 2023 by Ch David

Wondering how to spot fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra CP9654? This is a complete Yeezy Zebra real vs fake comparison that shows you how to authenticate Kanye’s sneakers — from the sole to the laces, all details are included.

We’ve written +400 guides on fake vs real sneaker comparisons. This written piece is our most complete guide on how to legit check Yeezy Zebra.

This guide works for all the Yeezy Zebra restocks.

Our guide is easy to understand and very detailed to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

How to Spot the Fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra

The short answer on how to spot fake Yeezy Zebras is: you need to keep an eye out for inconsistent text on the size tag, pay close attention to the way the shoes are laced and observe the overall shape.

This might be a tad difficult to achieve and this is why you need the detailed comparisons with images that we have put together for you.

Let’s jump into the comparison.

1. Barcode scan

• Every colourway and size has an accompanying unique barcode.
• This means that the barcode attached to Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra in size 11 will be different from the barcode assigned to a size 10 of the same product.

Scanning a barcode and noticing the same colourway in the results does not automatically mean the sneaker is authentic. Moreover, simply finding the same size and colourway does not mean the sneaker is authentic — a broken clock is right twice a day. The purpose of this test is to quickly weed out fakes.

Let us highlight this again: the purpose of this test is to weed out the 95% fakes and nothing more.

1.1. How to scan it

No big difference can be seen but the first thing you will want to do is use our app.

Regardless of whether you’re authenticating Zebras or any other colourway of a Yeezy sneaker, many guides are there.

Download The Legit Check App

Use the button we’ve highlighted in the picture below. After that, point the camera to the barcode.

Next, the app will pull up a Google search with that specific barcode.

What you need to do next is to see if there are “confirmations” in the environment. What’s a confirmation point?

As we’ve mentioned, a barcode is unique for a size+colourway combination. A confirmation point means that somewhere else, someone hopefully had this barcode attributed rightly to this size+colourway combination you’ve got in front of you.

1.2. Authentic results

Take a look at the images below. This is what happens when we’re analysing an authentic pair’s barcode.

• As you can see, there are numerous points showing us that indeed other people have attributed this code to the Yeezy Zebra (not another colourway) in size 12 (and not another size).

1.3. Fake results

What happens when we scan a fake barcode? Let’s have a look:

• The original barcode shows many links to the exact size and colourway of the product being tested.
• These serve as confirmation points while the search on the fake barcode basically shows nothing but a tracking link.  

Pay close attention: simply finding the same colourway does not automatically mean the sneaker is authentic. Moreover, simply finding the same *size and colourway* does not mean the sneaker is authentic — a broken clock is right twice a day. The purpose of this test is to quickly weed out fakes

The purpose of this test is to quickly weed out fakes: if any anomaly occurs, such as:

1. Another colourway is returned multiple time
2. The same colourway is returned but in multiple sizes
3. Nothing relevant is returned, just like in the example above

Then you’re looking at a fake. If that’s not the case, keep on using our further comparisons in this guide.

2. Size tag

2.1. Original release (2017)

As you can see, we’ve drawn out the inconsistencies by highlighting them and attaching a number next to them.

Here’s a map explaining what those numbers point to in this fake vs real Yeezy 350 V2 Zebra comparison.

1. The uneven spacing between the letters on the fake tag and how bold they are are the first dead giveaway. Notice how smudged the text is on the replica tag — this hints at the low-quality printing machines used by fake manufacturers. Notice the size and thickness of the letters on the fake product: for instance, the “A” in “CHINA”.
2. The “M” in “MADE IN CHINA” shouldn’t be touching the line the way it is in the fake Yeezy Zebra’s size tag example.  
3. The “US UK FR JP CHN” row shouldn’t be touching the bottom line the way it is in the fake image. You can also notice the inconsistency in the printing on the bottom side of “U”. 
4. Look at the size tag in the fake image closely; you’ll see that two different slash characters are being used, i.e. 1/3 isn’t written in the same ways as ½. Also, spot the inconsistencies in the text size, particularly in the second “9” which is a lot thinner than the other characters.  
5. The CLU and APE inscriptions are found on both authentic and fake Yeezy products, so having either of them is fine — we won’t consider this inscription as a reliable way to spot a replica Yeezy Zebra. However, there is a clear difference in the font of the product in the fake image both in its shape and size. Also, the spacing is very weird, especially between the numbers 7, 7 and 9 on the “779001” text.  
6. Look out for a dot on the size tag as its absence indicates a fake. This dot is always present on the original Yeezy Zebra even though its placement might vary.  
7. ® should definitely not touch the “adidas” text and if it is, you’re definitely looking at a counterfeit Adidas Yeezy Zebra. Also, compare the “adidas” text in terms of font and spacing using the example shown above.  
8. In some cases, the UPC/EAN code might not match that on your box label. That’s not a reason to worry, as this number varies on authentic pairs as well — we want to point out that it’s not a reliable way to spot a fake.
9. As always, keep an eye out for low-quality text prints. In the image above, there is little difference in the spacing and font of the “9654” inscription in the fake image. Look at how the letter “C” is shaped differently than the one found on the original product.
10. There’s also weird spacing on the “MALE/MÂLE” text in the fake image when compared to the original. Bear in mind that some Yeezy pairs may not have the MALE/MÂLE text. 
11. This inscription is revealing the production date of the sneaker you’re looking at. Analyzing the production date inscription is not a reliable way to legit check Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebras. This is because the product was released multiple times, therefore, the date varies. Instead, you need to keep an eye out for inconsistencies in the text. In this Yeezy Zebra fake vs real comparison, we can point out that the bottom of the 6 “circle” is thinner than the rest.

2.1. Restocks (2020+)

1. The letters in the fake pair’s “MADE IN CHINA” text are the wrong thickness, as they are too thin on the fake shoes, while all of the letters on the genuine pair’s size tag are thicker.
2. The fake pair has the “02/20” date of manufacturing’s text being once again too thin, while the authentic Yeezy Zebra 2020 pair has its “05/20” text thicker.
3. The “adidas ®” inscription on the fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra 2020 shoes is too thin, and the “®” symbol is too little visible, while the authentic Yeezys have their “adidas ®” text thicker and more visible.
4. The fake pair’s “EVN” text uses another font for the text, while the authentic pair has a font that’s the same and constant throughout all of the authentic pairs.
5. Looking at the “10” text that states the US size of the shoes, you can observe how the fake pair uses another font when compared to the real shoes, as the fake pair has not only the “10” text but all of its size text’s inscriptions thinner than the ones on the authentic Yeezy Zebras.
6. The fake pair’s “US UK FR JP CHN” text is also too thin, and the authentic Zebra 350 V2 2020 Yeezys have their text thicker and more defined.

2.3. Authentic examples (2018, 2019)

Lastly, for your reference, we have highlighted what the authentic Yeezy Boost 350 V2 size tags should look like on the 2018 and on 2019 Yeezy Zebras.

With this being said for the size tags, let’s move on to the next step of the guide on how to spot fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra sneakers.

3. Boost

• The boost sole on the authentic Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra is more “bubbly” than that of its fake counterpart.
• There is little differentiation between the pellets, and the striped circles have a better definition of the authentic boost sole.

Study the images below to understand the difference better visually.

3.1. Best quality replica – First comparison

• You can see that the stripes on the authentic are not only straighter but also thicker and more defined than those on the fake boost.
• The fake pellets are also less visible compared to those seen on the real pair.

3.2. Best quality replica – Second comparison

• There is always a sort of mathematical stripe pattern on the fake and this is an easy way to spot them as the original stripe pattern is usually very random.
• The authentic pellets are randomly positioned on the sole.

3.3. Mid quality replica

• The fake shoes have their pellets too little visible.
• In fact, the fake pair has its pellets look too thin.

The authentic Yeezy Zebra pair’s pellets are more visible thanks to their thickness that’s higher than the fake pair’s thickness.

3.4. Lower quality replicas

3.4.1. The 2017 release

• The fake pellets are mathematically-positioned.
• They’re also too thin.
• This makes them less visible (opaque) compared to an authentic example’s.

3.4.2. The 2020 restock

• This is a fake Yeezy Zebra 2020 release boost example that has the pellets looking really thin, but also mathematically positioned.

4. Box

• In this example above, because only 3 sizes are inscribed, that means we’re looking at the US label.
• Having 6 sizes would mean we’re looking at either the European or the Canadian version of the label.

Pay close attention to the area highlighted with the hand emoji. More specifically, check out whether your box says V02, V03 or V10.

For every authentic Yeezy product box, V02 and V03 are always paired with the American label while V10 is always paired with the European label.

Any other pairing indicates that the product is fake.

Be sure to read the full story on the fake Yeezy box if you’re still not sure about how to spot the fake by looking at this shorter adaptation.

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. Lacing

• For the original product, the right lace of the right shoe (imagine a top-down view, as if you’re wearing the sneakers) should always be underneath.
• On the other hand, the left lace of the right shoe should be underneath as well.

If it’s not clear, let us zoom in and explain better this way:

• In the fake image, you can see how the laces get completely mixed up.
• The left lace is placed beneath the right shoe and the right lace is placed beneath the left shoe.
• Fake manufacturers often get one or both of the lacing wrong and this is a quick tell you should use to your advantage.  

Keep in mind that this flaw will apply mostly to unworn (also known as “deadstock”) pairs, since during the lifetime of a pair, the wearer might take the laces off and replace the laces in the wrong way.

• As with the barcode scan, this tell is not a 100% fool-proof way to spot a fake since even a fake unworn pair can be replaced — it is, however, an instant callout for a fake if you’re analysing an unworn pair and it has the laces reverted.
• If these two tells seem like they’re not good enough, that’s because the size tag is, in fact, the #1 way to spot a fake.

Size tags never lie. We, however, present these scenarios in front of you because it’s our job to explore every single scenario when it comes to a possible scam.

6. Shape

• The fake Yeezy Zebra has a wider opening for the wearer’s foot.
• It may be hard to put into words, but the peak of the shoe’s tongue sits differently between the two.
• Hence, the structure of the fake Yeezy Zebra is different.

Since we’re here, we can point out that the same lacing flaw applies here on the fake — can you notice how, even though this is the right shoe, the right lace is over the left one, when in fact it should be the other way around?

7. Insole

First, let’s look at the print found on the front side of the insoles.

7.1. Front

• The text is thinner in the fake product and this is evident in the “d” and “Z” letters (highlighted left and right).
• The trefoil logo has round corners on the fake while the original has pointed ends — highlighted with the middle emoji.

7.2. Rear

• On the fake, there seems to be less space between the text and the outline of this inscription — highlighted on the bottom side.
• The ® symbol is not properly printed, since the R letter is bigger than it’s supposed to be and not as defined on the fake as it is on the authentic insole.

7.3. Serial number

• You can see that the text is a lot thicker on the fake product than on the original.
• This is a dead giveaway for a replica since it shows how lower-quality factory equipment was used to produce these add-ons to the sneaker.

8. SPLY-350 text

• The “Y” on the fake almost looks like a “V”.
• This difference is due to the low amount of precision of the printers used by fake manufacturers.  

Once again, it might be hard to spot this tell without our comparison pics, so please refer to these comparisons when having a face-to-face meeting or when buying the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra online.

The reason why we’ve put together the Legit Check App is just so that our users can have a quick way to access the relevant information (whether it’s this lettering tell or, say, the size tag) in a couple of clicks.

• Some fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra come with a thinner SPLY-350 reverted print.
• This is more visible on the dash character or the highlighted “5” character.  

9. Middle stitching

• The fake product has been stitched with too many threads.
• Hence, the whole section seems to be wider and more prominent than what you may find on an authentic pair.

10. Toe box

• The toe box of the fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra looks a lot bulkier than that of the original.
• This happens as a consequence of differences when it comes to the creation process.
• Since these fake manufacturers use inferior machinery, the build will always appear different from the original as they do not pay attention to detail.

This is what makes this huge difference which, thankfully, gives us yet another way to spot a fake Yeezy Zebra.

Shortlist: How to tell fake Yeezy Zebra

1. I’d scan the barcode to see if it matches other authentic pairs. If it doesn’t — there you go, that’s a whole lot of time saved.
2. If the pair is deadstock (never worn), I’d pay close attention to how the Zebras are laced.
3. I’d check out the V02, V03 or V10 text, in combination with the number of sizes on the box label.
4. Finally moving on to the shoes, I’d inspect the size tag to see if there are any inconsistencies in the text or the print quality.
5. Last but not least, I would compare the boost sole to pairs you know are 100% authentic.

While the full guide is long, we’ve synthesised how to tell fake vs real Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra in a couple of seconds.

This is a recap of what we wrote above. If you’re in a face-to-face meeting with someone and you have doubts regarding the authenticity of the pair you’re almost buying, we’ve got you covered.

Moreover, that’s why we made the app: so that if you have doubts about a specific area of the shoe (whether it’s the size tag or the box label), our fake vs real guide is a few clicks away — in an instantly delivered (and curated) manner.

Download The Legit Check App

This way you won’t have to scroll through this whole guide. Make sure you download the app!

How many times did the Yeezy Zebra restock?

• An initial Yeezy Zebra Boost 350 V2 was released on the 25th of February, 2017 — even though the original retail price went for $220 or £150 back then, the resell value was easily +$1000.
• Eventually, Adidas restocked the Yeezy Zebra on the 24th of June, 2017 — resell prices from 3rd party sellers went down as a consequence, hovering around $550 to $700 per pair.
• Then, the Zebra sneakers had a third restock on the 9th of November, 2018 — totally unexpected from Adidas. Needlessly to say, the prices dropped even more.
• For the fourth time, Zebras were restocked on the 27th of June, 2020 – once again, the sneakers were released at the base price of 220$.
• The fifth Yeezy Zebra release was on April 9th, 2020 for $230.

Expert Yeezy Zebra authentication service

It’s one of the services we offer. We’re putting out all these guides which will be free forever, but if for some reason you still have doubts, we’re happy to have a look for you.

Get our opinion

The process is simple: send us pictures of the pair you want authenticated and we’ll come back with a verdict in 24 to 48 hours (sometimes even faster).

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Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David