How To Spot Any Fake Nike Air VaporMax

Ch David
real vs fake air vapormax
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Learning how to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax sneakers isn’t that hard, especially if you want to follow the fake vs real VaporMax guide.

If you want to learn how to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax shoes, don’t worry, it’s not that hard, as we’ve compiled this ultimate fake vs real Air Vapormax guide that will teach you everything you need to know about your shoes.

Along with every step of our guide on how to legit check Nike Air VaporMax shoes, we are going to attach reference real vs fake Air VaporMax images that will help you visualise the details on the fake shoes, as well as the ones on the authentic pairs.

We’d like to mention that this guide is for general use regarding every basic Nike Air VaporMax sneaker because these shoes were released more than once, as there are many varieties of the shoes: the VaporMax 1.0, the 2.0, the 3.0 and the 2020 VaporMaxes, which are considered to be the 4.0 version of these.

How to spot fake Nike Air Vapormax sneakers

To put it shortly, the fastest way to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax shoes is to look at their size tags and the text that appears on the little white fabric. The replica VaporMax sneakers always have their text at different font weights and with all sorts of flaws that are never to be seen on the legitimate Air VaporMax sneakers. Therefore, we recommend that you always check the size tag if you want to spot fake VaporMax pairs.

Step 1: Check the size tag inside your Nike Air VaporMax pair

For the first step of the guide on how to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax shoes, we are going to move inside the real vs fake Air VaporMax pairs, and we’ll have a look at the little white fabric that holds a few lines of text; that’s what we call the size tag.

As we’ve previously mentioned, the VaporMaxes were released more than once, and the 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 VaporMaxes have different size tags, but so as to cover and compare each of these, we are going to start with the 1.0s and then end with the comparison between the fake vs real Air VaporMax 4.0 size tags.

Nike Air VaporMax 1.0 real vs fake size tag

This is the perfect time to look at the promised real vs fake Air VaporMax comparison image, and after that, we’ll explain the flaws on the fake size tag, as well as the details on the real deal.

how to spot fake nike air vapormax

In the picture with the real vs fake Nike Air Vapormax 1.0 size tags above, we have pointed out how the fake shoes have three flaws on their tag.

First of all, looking at the style code’s text (the bolded text, mainly made out of numbers, in the middle of the label) on the fake shoes, we’ve noticed how the numbers are way thinner than what they should be.

On the other hand, the authentic Nike Air VaporMax 1.0s have their style-code inscription looking thicker and more defined than the fake one.

Then, going to the middle right side of the tag, you can notice how the fake pair’s date of manufacturing looks too thin, and how the real shoes have their text thicker once again.

Lastly, the “MADE IN ” in the “FABRIQUE AU” inscription on the replica Air VaporMax 1.0s looks too thin, except for the letter “B” which looks too thick. The conclusion here is that the text on the fake shoes has multiple font weights.

Back to the authentic Vapormax 1.0 shoes, you can notice how their “MADE IN” and the “FABRIQUE AU” text has the same font weight for all of the letters.

Nike Air VaporMax 2.0 real vs fake size tag

Now that we’re done with the 1.0s, let’s have a look at the size tag inside the fake vs real Air Vapormax 2.0 Nike sneakers.

fake vs authentic nike air vapormax

The image with the fake vs real Nike Air Vapormax 2.0 sneakers above shows you how the fake pair has three flaws, the same as the 1.0 Vapormaxes.

Looking at the date of manufacturing the shoes on the left side of the size tag, you can notice how the fake Vapormax 2.0 pair has its “06/20/18” text looking too thin, and how the real deal’s “07/03/18” text is thicker and more defined.

Then, looking at the style code’s inscription, you can notice how the fake pair has its text looking too thin for the letter “A”, and also too thick for the two numbers “6”.

Looking at the authentic shoes’ size tag, you can observe how they have their style codes text looking thinner, and how it also has the same thickness for all of its characters.

Then, looking at the “MADE IN” and the “FABRIQUE EN” inscription, the fake pair has these inscriptions looking too thin, while the legitimate pair’s text is thicker.

Nike Air VaporMax 3.0 authentic size tags for reference

Since we’re done with the comparison for the first two VaporMax releases’ size tags, let’s have a look at the two authentic size tags for the VaporMax 3.0s.

nike air vapormax authentication guide

For the Nike Air Vapormax 3.0s, we’ve decided to show you the two ways in which the size tag may come, as in the image above.

The first style in which the size tag may come is the one with the style codes text looking smaller and thicker, and the second one is with the same text looking bigger and thinner.

Nike Air VaporMax 4.0 real vs fake size tag

As for the last comparison regarding the size tags of the fake vs real Air VaporMax sneakers, we have the 4.0 Air VaporMaxes.

And, as always, let’s quickly look at the image with the real vs fake Nike Air VaporMax 4.0 sneakers below, and after that, we’ll explain everything.

nike air vapormax authentic vs replica

In the picture with the fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax 4.0 sneakers above, we have pointed out how the fake VaporMaxes have quite a few flaws on their size tag.

Looking at the style code’s text in the top left corner of the label, you can observe how the fake shoes have their inscription thinner than the one seen on the retail shoes, where the text looks thicker.

Then, on the upper left side of the label, you can notice how the fake shoes also present their “EUR” inscription at a lower font weight than the real one.

By that, we mean that the fake VaporMax 4.0 pair’s “EUR” text looks too thin, while the same text on the authentic shoes looks thicker and more defined.

Lastly, in the bottom left corner of the label, we have the inscriptions regarding where the shoes were manufactured.

Looking at the fake pair’s “MADE IN” lines of text, you can see how the text looks way thicker than it should be, as the authentic pair’s “MADE IN” block of text looks thinner and slimmer than the fake one.

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Step 2: Verify the toe box of your Nike Air Vapormax sneakers

Stepping aside from any interior label, we are now going to look at the fake vs real Nike VaporMax shoes for their toe boxes.

So as to define better what we are going to do, we are actually going to look at the fake vs real Air VaporMax shoes for their toe box’s curviness.

nike vapormax lc qc guide

In the picture with the authentic vs fake Nike Air VaporMax shoes above, we have pointed out how the fake pair’s toe box is way curvier than what it should be.

In fact, looking at the front tip of the shoes, you can see how the fake pair’s toe box is too far away from the ground, since it is too high.

On the other hand, the authentic Nike Air VaporMax sneakers have their toe box less curvy, as it is closer to the ground when put side-by-side with the fake pair’s toe box.

Step 3: Flip the shoes to their soles and look for the inscriptions

As for the third step of the guide on how to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax sneakers, we are going to have a look at the real vs fake Air VaporMax shoes for their soles’ inscriptions.

With this being said, let’s flip the real vs fake Air VaporMax sneakers upside down, and let’s see their patches on the heel side.

how to legit check vapormax

The soles of the legit Nike Air VaporMax pairs must have two inscriptions on the area where the heels sit when the shoes are being worn.

So, looking at the authentic Nike Air VaporMax pair’s soles, you can see how the right shoe has the “VAPORMAX” printed there, and on the left shoe, you can notice how there’s the Nike Swoosh logo.

On the other hand, looking at the fake VaporMaxes, you can observe how there’s no inscription at all, as there’s no sign of a “VAPORMAX” inscription, nor of a Nike Swoosh logo.

The steps we’ve written so far are the best ways to authenticate this item.

The next few steps are still reliable signs of authenticity but are for non-top-versions of replicas available for this item. We recommend sticking to the steps we’ve explained above to make sure you’re not drawing the wrong conclusions.

Step 4: Fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax insole printing

Going to the fourth method on how to spot fake Nike Air VaporMax shoes, we are going to look at the real vs fake Air VaporMax shoes on the interior side once again.

Actually, we are going to look at the shoes from a top-down view angle, as now we want to see the quality of the text printed on the insole.

fake vs real nike air vapormax

In the picture with the fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax shoes above, we have pointed out how the fake pair’s “VAPORMAX” inscription looks too thick and too wide.

In fact, if you look at the letter “O”, you’ll easily notice how the fake pair’s letter is way thicker, wider and generally bigger than the authentic one.

Speaking of which, the genuine Nike Air VaporMax shoes have their “VAPORMAX” text looking thinner and a bit smaller than the fake one, since the legit pair’s text is not as wide as the fake one.

Step 5: Look at the opacity of your pair’s midsoles (if applicable – only the colourways with black midsoles)

For the fifth step of the guide on how to authenticate Nike Air VaporMax sneakers, we are going to have a look at the fake vs real Black Nike Air VaporMax shoes for their opacity of the soles.

are my vapormaxes fake

The picture with the fake vs real Triple Black Nike Air VaporMax shoes above shows you how the fake pair’s midsole is too little opaque, as it was painted in black, without any sort of opacity.

On the other hand, the authentic shoes have their midsoles painted in black, but they do allow light to pass through, as you can see a bit of the background floor in the authentic image.

Basically, the authentic shoes must let light through their black midsoles, and in most cases, the fake shoes don’t do that.

Other guides for your taste: Air Max 97, Air Force 1.

Step 6: Examine the text on the rear side of your shoes (if applicable)

Proceeding to the sixth method on how to spot real vs fake VaporMax sneakers, we are now going to look at the text seen on the back of the shoes.

Please keep in mind that this step applies only to the releases of the VaporMaxes which do have the “VAPORMAX” text on the pull tab.

fake vs real vapormax nike

In the picture with the fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax sneakers above, we have pointed out how the fake shoes have their text badly font-weighted.

In fact, the fake pair’s “VAPORMAX” text looks too thick, while the authentic sneakers have their text looking thinner.

How can I spot fake Nike Air VaporMax in 60 seconds?

You will not always have the time or patience to go through each detailed authentication step when you need to verify the authenticity status of your Nike Air VaporMax shoes.

That is why we have compiled this quick 60-second solution to authenticating your VaporMaxes. Below are the top indicators that can help you determine if you have a fake item or the real deal.

  1. Check the size tag of your shoes. Mostly, the fake VaporMax pairs have their text at the wrong thickness
  2. Examine the toe box of your shoes, since the fake VaporMaxes usually have their toe boxes too curvy
  3. Look at the inscriptions on the soles of your shoes, as the replica pairs sometimes have no inscriptions on the soles, and the authentic shoes must have the “VAPORMAX” and the Nike Swoosh logo prints there
  4. Inspect the text on the insole. Mostly, the replica Nike Air VaporMax pairs have their “VAPORMAX” text looking too thick, too wide and generally too big
  5. Brief the opacity of the midsoles, in case you have VaporMaxes with black midsoles. Usually, the fake pairs don’t let light pass through their midsoles, and the authentic shoes must let light pass through
  6. Check the “VAPORMAX” text on the back of the shoes, in case your pair has this text. In most cases, the fake pairs have this text too thick

Where can I get my Nike Air VaporMax authenticated? The Nike authentication service

Well, that’s what we’re here for. Our guides will help you to look through a pair of Nike Air VaporMax shoes and check if they are authentic. If you will like to be even surer, feel free to get in contact with us and we will be able to look into the shoes on your behalf.

So, there you have it; the guide on how to spot fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax pairs in just a few simple steps.

We hope this fake vs real Nike Air VaporMax sneakers guide is useful to you. Also, we hope to see you in our next legit check guides.

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Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David

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About the Author

Ch David is the co-founder and CEO of Legit Check By Ch. Ch David is in charge of the Legit Check By Ch Library of real vs fake authentication guides, where hundreds (soon thousands!) of free guides on how to authenticate various items are published under his supervision.
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