How To Spot Fake Jordan 1 Shadow (1.0 & 2.0)

Last Updated on April 23, 2024 by Ch David

This is the #1 legit check tutorial for the:

• Jordan 1 High Shadow
• Jordan 1 High Shadow 2.0 (and WMNS 3.0)

Related: Jordan 1 Shadow Low.

How to tell if Jordan 1 Shadow are real

You can tell if your Jordan 1 Shadow are real by checking the interior side of the tongue. Fakes always have very thick text.

1. Interior tongue label

• The “SWOOSH ®” text is too thin on the fake Jordan 1s.
• The letter “S” in “SWOOSH ®” is placed lower than the rest.
• The next “SWOOSH” text is too small and thin.
• The “W” in the same “SWOOSH’ print is bigger than the rest of the letters.
• The “VOTRE” text has crooked letters as well. It is also smaller than the original.
• The word “QUALITE” presents the very same flaws as the “VOTRE” print.

An authentic label has the same font weight and placement for all of its symbols.

Expert Legit Check - Let our team look at your Jordans:

2. Hourglass shape

From the back, genuine Air Jordan 1 Shadow must look:

• Curvy on the upper and lower sides.
• Narrow in the middle.
• Hence, getting the form of an hourglass ⏳.

However, fakes never get the right form.

• The hourglass shape is missing.
• Fake Jordan 1s commonly have their shape looking straight and less curvy.
• They tend to look like a straight tube when compared to authentic sneakers.
• Fake Jordan 1 Shadow pairs never look bumpy enough.

Let’s look at another comparison for your reference:

• We drew a cover around the authentic and the fake Shadow 1s.
• These show you how the fake shoes do not curve as much as the originals.

3. Air Jordan logo text

On the fake shoes:

• The “AIR” text is too thick. Most noticeable in the letter “A”.
• The “JO” in “JORDAN” is too thin.
• Also, “RDAN” looks too thick.
• The “TM” text is too thick and big.

4. Air Jordan logo wings

• The wings are placed too far away on the fake Jordan 1 Shadow.
• The fake shoes’ wings have too much distance from each other.

The wings seen on the authentic Air Jordan 1 Shadow have the same amount of space between each other.

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. Toe box

5.1. Perforations

• The perforations look too small on the fake shoes.
• There is also too much space between each hole.

The holes are bigger on the authentic Air Jordan 1 Shadows, hence why they’re closer to each other.

5.2. Shape

• The toe box is over-inflated. It has a thicker and more massive appearance.

The genuine Jordan 1 Shadows have their toe box looking thinner and deflated when compared to the fake shoes.

6. Swoosh

• The Swoosh is placed too low. Hence, it is too close to the midsole.
• The gray stitching is too thin and less dense on the fake Jordan 1s.

7. Rear patch

• The patch on the fake shoes is too tall and not wide enough.

The original Air Jordan 1 Shadow sneakers have their patch smaller in height and larger in width.

8. Cross stitching

• The fake shoes have their cross-stitching looking curvy and bumpier than the legit shoes’ stitching.
• The authentic lines are straight and sharp, without any curves.

The lines seen on the authentic Air Jordan 1 Shadow shoes appear to be more defined.

Shortlist: Check any Shadow 1s

1. Tongue Label Examination: Inspect the tongue label with multiple lines of text. Counterfeit Air Jordan 1 Shadow often display misaligned text with incorrect font-weight.
2. Hourglass Shape Check: View your shoes from the back, ensuring they possess the signature hourglass shape. Many replica AJ1 sneakers lack this distinct shape found on genuine pairs.
3. Air Jordan Logo Lettering: Assess the lettering of the Air Jordan logo. Counterfeit versions often have letters that appear too thin and spread out.
4. Wings Placement in Logo: Take note of the wings’ positioning within the classic Air Jordan logo. Fake pairs often position the wings too closely together.
5. Toe Box Inspection: Observe your AJ1 Shadow’s toe box. Fake Air Jordan 1 Bred Toe versions typically feature perforation holes that are too large, giving the toe box an over-inflated appearance.
6. Nike Swoosh Logo Position: Ensure the correct placement of the Nike Swoosh logo. Counterfeit versions usually position the logo too low on the shoe’s side.
7. Rear Patch Review: Look at the patch on the shoe’s rear. Fake versions often showcase a patch that’s overly large and broad.
8. Cross-stitching Examination: Examine the side cross-stitching on your AJ1 Shadow. Fakes tend to have curved stitching, while genuine AJ1 Shadows feature stitching that is straight and precise.

The 8 steps provided above can be somewhat extensive, especially if you’re short on time or considering an online purchase.

For such instances, we’ve crafted a concise 60-second guide for verifying your sneakers.

Above are the top 8 pointers to swiftly ascertain the authenticity of your Air Jordan 1 Shadow.

Expert Air Jordan 1 Shadow authentication

Should you require assistance in verifying the authenticity of your Air Jordan 1 Shadow, we’re here to assist.

Just forward clear, high-resolution images of your Air Jordan 1 Shadow to us, and we’ll respond within 24 to 48 hours. Our feedback will include a comprehensive report detailing our reasons for categorizing your sneakers as genuine or counterfeit.

Thank you for perusing our guide on distinguishing genuine Air Jordan 1 Shadow from replicas. Stay tuned as we consistently update our content with the latest comparisons and insights.

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