You can know if Jordan 1 Low is real by checking the inscriptions on the size tags inside each shoe. Fakes always have thick text and slanted inscriptions, while real pairs never have any flaws.
1. Size tag
The main issue with fake size tags is that their inscriptions are often too thick or very thin.
1.1. Style-code
First look at the product+colourway ID code in the top-right corner of the size tag, below the thick black line:
The fake shoes have their text improperly font-weighted.
The text is thicker and looks bigger than needed.
Prints also look boxier than the text found on the legit shoes.
Authentic Air Jordan 1 Low must have their product and colourway ID code thinner — see the image above.
Each different Jordan 1 Low colourway/model/collaboration has a different product ID (stlye-code).
Though, same colourway pairs of different sizes will have the same print.
1.2. Brazilian size “BR”
Moving on to the left side of the size tag:
The fake Jordan 1 Low uses a different font from the one used on the text on the authentic shoes.
Furthermore: the whole text on the left side of the size tag has a different font.
The fake pair’s “BR” print and the rest of the inscriptions on the left are too thick.
The authentic Air Jordan 1 Low’s text looks thinner than the rows of text on the fake pair.
1.3. Country of fabrication
The text on the fake shoe is too thick.
Hence, there is not enough space in-between the letters. They are placed too close to each other.
On the other hand, authentic shoes have their country of manufacturing text looking thicker than the one on fake shoes.
Fakes usually have very thin text on the bottom side of the size tag, where it says the country where the shoes were manufactured.
Are Jordan 1 Low made in Vietnam or China?
Most authentic Air Jordan 1 Low pairs are made in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. All size tags look the same, regardless of where the shoes were manufactured.
1.4. Nike website
Lastly, looking at the bottom of the size tag, we have the last line of text with the link that leads to Nike’s website:
The fake Jordan 1 Low shoes have their last line of text on the size tag looking too thin when compared to the text found on the authentic shoes’ size tag.
Hence, there is too much space between the letters, as they cover less space than needed.
See what the authentic Nike URL looks like the letters are thicker and have less space in between each other.
Expert Legit Check - Let our team look at your Jordans:
2. AIR JORDAN rear logo
First, we are going to check out the Air Jordan 1 Low pairs which have their logo placed on the lower side of the patch, and then, the ones with the logo placed on the upper side.
2.1. Logos placed on the lower side
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low image above:
The fake pair’s stitching all around the bottom patch is too short and thick.
The real pair’s patch has longer and thinner stitching lines.
The “AIR JORDAN” logo on the fake shoes has very thin letters.
At the same time, the fake “AIR” text looks too boxy and narrow.
Specifically, the letter “O” in the “JORDAN” text is too small when compared to the rest of the letters.
The “O” in the word “JORDAN” is floating, while on the legit shoes, all of the letters have the same size.
The wings in the fake Air Jordan logo are too thin.
The genuine pair’s wings are thicker and look more solid.
Let’s also have a look at another comparison of the real vs fake Jordan 1 Low with the logo placed on the lower side.
For this comparison, we are going to have a look at the real vs fake Air Jordan 1 Low Paris sneakers for reference.
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low Paris image above, we have pointed out how:
The fake shoes have their patch where the Nike Swoosh logos meet together too short and wide.
Authentic Jordan 1 Paris shoes have a taller and more solid patch.
The fake pair’s stitching on the patch of the Air Jordan logo is too short, but also very thin.
The authentic Air Jordan 1 Low Paris shoes have longer and thicker threads.
The replica “AIR JORDAN” letters are embossed too deep into the patch
The same “AIR JORDAN” letters are improperly spaced between.
Authentic letters are embossed less deeply into the patch.
There is also the same amount of space between each letter.
The wings on the fake Air Jordan 1 Low Paris logo are too thick and deep into the fabric.
The legit Jordan 1 Paris has thinner wings that are embossed less deeply into the leather.
2.2. Logos placed on the upper side
For reference to this comparison, we have used the Air Jordan 1 Low Chicago real vs fake sneakers.
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low Chicago image above:
The fake shoes have their “AIR JORDAN” text too thin.
The “TM” text on the fake shoes is too thick.
The fake pair’s wings are placed too far away from each other. Too much empty space.
The stitching all around the patch of the Air Jordan logo is improperly shaped.
By that, we mean that the fake Chicago AJ1 Low pair has its stitching angled too much, less dense, too thick and long when compared to the authentic shoes. The real stitching is less angled, denser, thinner and shorter than the stitching on the fake shoes.
With this being said for the rear details on the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low sneakers, let’s move on to the third step of the guide on how to spot fake AJ1 Low sneakers.
3. Swoosh
Going to the third method on how to authenticate Air Jordan 1 Low sneaker, we are going to have a look at the real vs fake Air Jordan 1 Low for the Nike Swoosh logo on the side.
3.1. Regular Swoosh comparison
Let’s look at a comparison that applies to all colourways of the Air Jordan 1 Low.
We’re doing this because some other pairs have bigger Swoosh logos — we’ll look at them right after this comparison.
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low image above:
The fake Jordan 1 Low have their stitching on the Nike Swoosh logo improperly shaped.
The fake pair’s stitching looks too thin.
The stitching is too short on the upper side of the logo.
But also too thick and long on the bottom side of the Nike tick.
Authentic Jordan 1 Low pairs have the same stitching weight and density all over the Swoosh logo.
3.2. Bigger Swoosh comparison
Now, let’s also have a look at how the Nike Swoosh logo on the Chicago Air Jordan 1 Low is supposed to look.
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low Chicago image above:
The fake shoes have their Nike Swoosh logo looking too thick and bulky.
On the other hand, the Nike Swoosh logo on the authentic shoes is thinner and less bulky than the one on the fake shoes.
4. Tongue Jumpman
In the Air Jordan 1 Low real vs fake image above:
The fake shoes have their Jumpman looking too thick.
On the left arm, see how the basketball is too thick and big.
The fingers on the right arm look thicker than on the real pair.
The Jumpman’s left leg looks too thick and has extra threads hanging at the top.
On the other hand, the Jumpman met on the authentic shoes’ tongue is always supposed to have the same stitching weight, without having any extra threads or different stitching weights.
5. Cross-stitching
In the fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low image above, we have pointed out two main flaws:
Stitching is at different weights and there are threads out of place → Visible on the upper side.
By that, we mean that the fake shoes have their stitching improperly weighted and also positioned, as some of the stitches are not in tune with the authentic shoes’ pattern.
All of the stitches on the authentic shoes have the same weight and positioning.
The fake stitching is connected with the Swoosh.
The real pair’s stitching is glued to the corner of the logo, but not over it.
Shortlist: How to spot fake Jordan 1 Low in 60 seconds
Check the size tag inside your shoes. Mostly, the replica AJ1 Low sneakers have their text on the size tag improperly font-weighted.
Verify the shoes from the rear side. Most of the time, the fake shoes have poor-quality stitching and improperly font-weighted letters. Also, keep an eye out for the patch where the Swooshes meet because the fake shoes usually have their patch looking too short and flat.
Inspect the Nike Swoosh logo on the side. Usually, the replica Air Jordan 1 Low pair has the Nike Swoosh logo’s stitching improperly weighted.
Have a look at your shoes’ tongue Jumpman. The fake shoes are most commonly found to have their Jumpman’s stitching looking too thick, and also with extra threads hanging around the logo.
Analyze the cross-stitching on the side of your shoes. Mostly, the replica Air Jordan 1 Low pairs have their cross-stitching improperly positioned, with threads out of the straight line, and also positioned over the Nike Swoosh logo, which is something that the authentic pairs will never have, as the legit pairs always have their cross-stitching glued near the Nike Swoosh logo, and not over it.
There are situations, where you may be unable to go through each detailed step, explained above when you need to authenticate your AJ1 Lows.
That is why we have compiled this quick 60-second solution to authenticating your Jordan 1 Low.
Expert Air Jordan 1 Low legit check service
If you need help with the authentication of your Air Jordan 1 Low, we’ve got you covered.
All you have to do is send us good-quality pictures of your Low AJ1s and we will get back to you with the results within 24 to 48 hours. The results will also come with a report on why we believe your sneakers are fake or authentic.
That brings us to the end of our fake vs real Air Jordan 1 Low legit check guide. We will continue to update this article as better and newer comparisons are put out.
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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.
