Dunks Legit Check: How To Spot Fake vs Real (2023)

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Ch David
how to spot fake nike dunk
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Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by Ch David

If you are here because you want to learn how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers, then no wonder, you are in the right place.

You will learn how to tell if Nike Dunks are fake in this guide. We’ve linked comparison pictures with real vs fake Dunks so you can visualise the flaws of a fake pair of Dunks.

Knowing which Dunks are fake and which Dunks are real makes it easier for a buyer to make the right decision.

This guide works for all standard Nike Dunk Low colorways.

Alternatively, you can check out our Dunk High legit check guide. That’s a separate story.

Now, let’s waste no time and see how to legit check Dunks.

How to tell if your Nike Dunks are real (or fake)

You can tell if Nike Dunks are real by looking at the interior side of the tongue. Fake pairs always have slanted text and misplaced inscriptions, unlike the real pairs that are 100% flawless.

Search for any flaws in terms of font weight, shape, and positioning of the letters. If none are to be found, then congrats, you’re looking at a real pair of Dunks.

Now, let’s how do you check if Dunks are real or not using the step-by-step analysis.

1. Interior tongue label

Fast answer: Fake Nike Dunk pairs always have their letters wavy and at different font-weights.

real vs fake nike dunk

1.1. The “SWOOSH” text

  • The “SWOOSH” is text too thick on the fake Nike Dunks.
  • It is also too boxy compared to the real pair.

1.2. The “QUALITY” text

  • The fake Dunks also have their “QUALITY” text misplaced on the label, which gives it a wavy appearance.
  • Fake Dunks also tend to have thicker text. See how the authentic pair’s print looks thinner.

1.3. Registered trademark “®”

  • The “®” character is too thick and too wide compared to the authentic shoes.

1.4. The country print

  • The “FABRIQUE AU VIETNAM” text is too big, as it is stretched out.
  • Real Dunks must have thinner inscriptions — see the reference image for visual help.

Note that authentic Dunks are made in various different countries. Some legitimate Dunks are made in China, others in Vietnam, Indonesia, and other East Asian countries.

Seeing that your Dunks are made in China is not a sign that they’re fakes. Over 73.8% of the authentic Nike sneakers are built in China and sold in markets all over the world!

1.5. French inscriptions

  • The “VOTRE” text on the replica Nike Dunk sneakers is too thick.
  • Note how the authentic pair’s text is the opposite.

1.6. Second “SWOOSH” text

  • The fake Nike Dunk’s “SWOOSH” text in the middle of the tag is wavily positioned on the label.

Wavy text occurs more often on the lower “SWOOSH” text rather than on the upper print. See how even in this case, the fake pair’s first “SWOOSH” text is placed better than the second print.

To conclude the first step: Authentic Dunks must have their text at the same font-weight all over the label. The inscriptions should also be perfectly aligned on the label, without looking wavy.

2. Rear details

Fast answer: You’ll always see fake Dunks having the NIKE text with extra threads, and the 3 stitching below being inconsistent.

how can i spot fake dunks

Related Dunk legit check guides: Lobster Dunks, Travis Scott Dunks, Nike Dunk High.

2.1. “NIKE” text

  • The 1, 2, and 3 hand emojis show you how the fake Dunk’s “NIKE” text is too thin
  • Fake pairs always may have extra threads connecting each letter in the text like the one above

Authentic Nike Dunk Low sneakers never have their text connected, as each letter is independent.

2.2. Middle stitching

The 4th emoji in the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above shows you how

  • The fake pair’s cross-stitching on the middle side is very thick compared to the real pair’s.
  • It is also too small compared to the stitching met on the authentic Dunks.

2.3. Sole stitching

  • The 5th hand-emoji pointer shows how the fake shoes have no stitching on the midsole.
  • Blatantly, the stitching is not present at all on the fake pair.

Real Dunks will always have their stitching on the midsole looking consistent. You will notice it with ease, just like in the authentic example above.

Can’t tell if your Dunks are fake? Let 2 expert teams check them for you.

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At Legit Check, we have a professional service that helps you tell if your Dunks are fake or not, once and for all.

3. Swoosh

Fast answer: Replica Nike Dunk pairs don’t have the top of their Swoosh as sharp as the real deal.

fake vs real nike dunk low

On the fake Dunks, you can see how:

  • The Nike Swoosh logo is too big.
  • The logo is too close to the midsole of the midsole, leaving a gap that’s too small
  • The symbol is less curvy and sharp compared to the real logo.

On the other hand, authentic Nike Dunk Low sneakers have their Swoosh smaller, further away from the midsole. You’ll also see the logo very sharp and curvy at the top edge.

4. Size tag

Fast answer: Fake Nike Dunk Low pairs always have their text too thick. Sometimes, the text is also visibly too thin.

how to spot fake nike dunk low

In the Nike Dunk fake vs real image above, we have pointed out how:

  • Fake Dunks have their “CU1726-100” (style code) thicker and boxier than the inscriptions on the real shoes.
  • A different font is used on the fake pair’s text compared to the legit size tag.
  • The “MADE IN VIETNAM” text on the middle side of the size tag is also too thick

Opposite to the fake Dunks, the real pair’s inscriptions have the same font weight all over the label. You’ll also see the same font constantly throughout authentic Dunk size tags, regardless of the model + release + colourway.

It’s just a standard Nike procedure to use the same size tags for all their Dunks.

For instance, look at how this pair of Dunk Highs have the same font on the size tag. No other font like on the fake pair.

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. Exterior tongue

Fast answer: The ® symbol on the fake Nike Dunk’s tongue tends to be too thick.

nike dunk low legit check guide

In the real vs fake Nike Dunk Low image above:

  • Replica Nike Dunks have their registered trademark “®” two symbols too thick.
  • Authentic “®” symbols look thinner and smaller.

A helpful way to spot this flaw easier on fake Dunks is to check how much empty space is in-between the “NIKE” tet and the symbols.

If there’s too little room, then you’re 100% looking at a fake pair of Dunks.

6. Perforations

Fast answer: The holes on the fake pair’s toe box look too narrow and too little deep.

By perforations, we are talking about the little holes in the frontal area of your Dunks.

how to legit check nike dunks

In the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above:

  • The replica Nike Dunk perforations are too small and cover too little room.
  • Fake perforations don’t have enough depth and it shows.
  • Usually, fake Dunks also have their toe box’s perforations misaligned, visible to the naked eye.

You won’t see any of this on the real perforations. A legit pair of Dunks must have large, deep perforations.

7. Midsole

Fast answer: The replica Dunks have their midsole stitching being too thin.

how to verify nike dunk authenticity

In the real vs fake Nike Dunk Low image above:

  • Fake Dunks have their stitching too thin.
  • Threads look too small on the fake Dunks.

Rare flaw: See how the fake Dunks above have an extra blue stain on the midsole. Keep an eye out for these as well, because authentic sneakers are always properly crafted. Real Dunks never have such paint mistakes.

You may see this kind of issue on the Off-White “THE 50” Dunks as well. They also have stitched midsoles like the Dunks in the real vs fake image above.

8. Toe box

Fast answer: Fake Nike Dunks tend to have their toe box too bulky.

The authentic Nike Dunk Low sneakers are a pair that have their toe box looking inflated, specifically thicker and bulkier than usual. Especially on the SB Dunks!

how to spot real vs fake nike dunk
  • The fake Dunk’s toe box is too flat.
  • Real Dunk toe boxes must have as stronger, thicker look.

The toe box’s style differs from the regular Dunks from the SB Dunks. For instance, the toe box on the Nike SB Chunky Dunky is different from the one in the image above.

Shortlist: Quickly tell if your Dunks are fake

  1. Check the Interior Tongue Label: Fake sneakers are flawed in font weight or text placement.
  2. Verify the Rear of the Sneakers: Fake Dunks will have unusual font weighting and crafting on the rear. The stitching on the midsole can be faint or missing, and the stitching in the middle of the shoes will be too short and thick.
  3. Look at the Swoosh Symbol on the Side: The Swoosh will be too big on most fake low Dunks, as it’ll be too close to the midsole and curve off too much at the top.
  4. Inspect the Size Tag: The font weighting on the size tag of fake Dunks will be off, as it will look too thick or thin.
  5. Check the Exterior Tongue: The ® will usually be too thick on fake shoes.
  6. Verify the Perforations: Fake Dunks will have more shallow perforations on the toe box than authentic ones.
  7. Inspect the Midsole: The stitching on the midsole of Fake Dunks will often be much thinner than real ones.
  8. Look at the Toe Box: The fake Nike Dunks will have a thinner toe box than real Nike Dunk sneakers.

The 8 detailed steps mentioned might not be very practical when you’re in a rush or looking to buy sneakers online. This is why we’ve put together a quick 60-second guide to authenticate your sneakers.

Above are the top 8 indicators to check if you’re dealing with a genuine or counterfeit Nike Dunk Low.

If you’re having trouble distinguishing between real and fake Nike Dunk sneakers, contact Legit Check today! With just a few photos, we can help you determine the authenticity of your sneakers.

Why are Nike Dunks so popular?

Nike Dunks are so popular thanks to simple colour combinations for anyone’s style. Dunks were always hot, even before the release of the Pandas and other hype colourways.

In the 1980s, there were fewer pairings more ubiquitous than Nike and sneakers. Nike Dunks were first sold along the Air Jordan 1 in 1985. They’ve since become one of the most recognizable sneakers in the world.

The Nike Dunks were the first of Nike’s sneakers to make a move towards the Skateboarding industry in the late 90s. 

With the release of the Air Jordan 1s in the same period, there was no real demand for Nike Dunks. This meant that the shoes ended up on sales racks for young skaters to pick up.

Hence, the shoe became a staple of early skate culture.

A lot of the newer Nike Dunk shoes have become popular and collectable due to being emblematic of the streetwear culture that’s given rise to the ‘Sneakerhead’.

With famous artists such as Travis Scott releasing their own collectable versions of the sneaker, the Nike Dunk and Nike Dunk SBs are looking to be more collectable than ever.

We now see pairs like the Travis Scott Dunks or the Chunky Dunky selling for well over $1,000.

With this history in mind, it’s easy to see why they’re such a sought-after sneaker. It’s important to have the knowledge to figure out whether you own real vs fake Dunks. 

After all, even buying the lower-end Dunks can set you back over $100 or $150, and nobody wants to pay that much for fake.

Why should you authenticate your Nike Dunks?

You should authenticate your Nike Dunks for the peace of mind that you know what you’re spending money on. Whether it’s fake or real, you have the right to know what you’re buying.

Collectable sneakers have become a target for counterfeiters worldwide. Their high value combined with a very widespread design has meant that there’s been a proliferation of fake sneakers over the past few decades.

With this, it’s incredibly important to check that your Nike sneakers are authentic. Knowing the difference between fake Dunks and real Dunks is crucial when collecting them.

Checking can be the difference between a good collectable and a cheap knockoff within your collection.

It’s also important to check as soon as you receive the item, as delaying could mean that you become ineligible for a claim or a refund through the marketplace or payment processor you paid with.

That’s why if you’re uncertain about how to tell if Dunks are fake, getting in touch with an expert authentication service is key.

What is the difference between SB Dunks and Dunks?

The difference between SB Dunk and Dunk is one of design, not a signifier of inauthenticity or a cheaper model. Rest assured, buying SB Dunks is not a sign of buying fake Nike Dunks.

There are a few differences between the designs of each respective shoe, as one is made for basketball, and the other was tailored specifically for skateboarding.

Here are some of the key differences between SB Dunks are Dunks:

  • Nike SB Dunks have a wider and thicker tongue to provide more protection, whereas Dunks’ tongue is slimmer.
  • The grips on the SB Dunk outsole are designed to keep the wearer on a skateboard and look different as opposed to the Dunks’ focus on the basketball court.
  • The Dunk SB laces are much thicker and more durable than the Dunk’s laces, to withstand wear from skateboarding’s varied and extreme movements. The Dunks have thinner ‘flat’ laces, the standard for most basketball shoes.

Are there any authentic defective Dunks?

Yes, sometimes, even real Dunks have flaws. Factories manufacturing authentic Dunks sometimes have small errors too (e.g. missing 1 or 2 stitches), but never as deep as the fake Dunks who get labels wrong.

For instance, you may see a fake pair of Dunks having a jump-stitch or a crooked leather part, though never with slanted text on the interior tongue label or size tag.

Expert Nike Dunk authentication

Legit Check is the best service to professionally authenticate your Nike Dunks. Our service is quick and stress-free.

Simply send over a few snaps of your sneaker and instantly get an expert authentication check on whether you’re the owner of real Dunks vs fake ones.

Our service can even provide you with a certificate of authenticity, which can be used either to show that you own real Dunks or provide evidence for a refund if you have fakes. With our experts on hand, you won’t have to worry about figuring out if your shoes are real!

If you’re still worried, a great way to ensure that you’re getting real sneakers is by buying directly from Nike or trusted sellers. In any case, it’s good practice to check any high-value items bought from any reseller, including trusted ones. 

This is because fakes can sometimes go under a reseller’s radar, so checking yourself is the best way to ensure you never receive fake Dunks. 

That brings us to the end of our real vs fake Nike Dunk Low legit check guide.

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

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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.
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