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
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.
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.
Air Jordan Logo Lettering: Assess the lettering of the Air Jordan logo. Counterfeit versions often have letters that appear too thin and spread out.
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.
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.
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.
Rear Patch Review: Look at the patch on the shoe’s rear. Fake versions often showcase a patch that’s overly large and broad.
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.
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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.
