How To Tell If Dunks Are Fake (Updated 2023)

Ch David
how to spot fake nike dunk
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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.

In this real vs fake Nike Dunk article, you will learn how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers in just a few basic steps which will always help you authenticate the fake vs real Nike Dunk sneakers.

At the same time, each step of this fake vs real Nike Dunk guide will have linked real vs fake Nike Dunk side-by-side images in order for you to understand the flaws of the fake Nike Dunks easier.

What are Nike Dunks?

In the 1980s, there were fewer pairings more ubiquitous than Nike and sneakers. The Nike Dunks were released alongside the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, and have 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 mostly ended up on sales racks for young skaters to pick up, meaning that the shoe became a staple of early skate culture.

Nike decided to redesign the Dunk with this in mind for their SB re-release in the early 2000s. This rehash of the iconic basketball shoe was enough to give it new life, with the low-cut SB Dunks becoming one of the most important shoes of the millennium.

A lot of the newer Nike Dunk shoes have become incredibly 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.

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 $150, and nobody wants to pay that much for fake.

Why should you authenticate your Nike Dunks?

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 best way to check whether Nike Dunks are real vs fake? 

LegitCheck is the best service to authenticate your collectable goods. 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. 

How to spot fake Nike Dunk Low

To put it shortly, the quickest way to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers is to check the interior tongue label with multiple lines of text and search for any flaws in terms of font weight, shape, and positioning of the letters.

Step 1: Real vs fake Nike Dunk interior tongue label

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

real vs fake nike dunk

First of all, looking at the “SWOOSH” text at the top right corner of the label, you can easily notice how the fake Nike Dunks look too thick and too boxy compared to the retail shoes.

Then, the same flaw is visible in the “QUALITY” text. At the same time, the fake sneakers also have their “QUALITY” text looking wavily placed on the label.

Up next, you have to verify the registered trademark “®” symbol. On the fake Nike Dunk shoes, you can easily notice how the “®” character is too thick and too wide compared to the authentic shoes.

Going to the “FABRIQUE AU VIETNAM” text at the bottom side of the real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers, you can notice how the fake Dunks have their text looking too big, as it is stretched out.

The fifth hand-emoji pointer in the fake vs real Nike Dunk Low image above shows you how the “VOTRE” text on the replica Nike Dunk sneakers is too thick compared to the retail shoes’ text.

Lastly, the sixth-hand emoji pointer shows you how the fake Nike Dunk’s “SWOOSH” text in the middle of the tag is wavily positioned on the label.

The text on the authentic Nike Dunk sneakers’ interior tongue label is supposed to be perfectly positioned and to have the same font-weight for each letter.

Step 2: Fake vs real Nike Dunk rear details

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

For the second step in this guide on how to authenticate Nike Dunk sneakers, we are going to check out the real vs fake Nike Dunk shoes for the rear details.

how can i spot fake dunks

Related Nike legit check guides: Off-White Dunks, Travis Scott Dunks, Nike Dunk High.

The hand-emojis 1, 2, and 3 show you how the replica Nike Dunk sneakers’ “NIKE” text at the top of the patch is too thin and not only that but how it also has extra threads connecting each letter on the text.

On the other hand, the authentic Nike Dunk Low sneakers will never have their text connected, as each letter is independent.

The fourth pointer in the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above shows you how the cross-stitching on the middle side of the fake shoes is too thick and too small compared to the stitching met on the authentic Dunks.

Lastly, the fifth hand-emoji pointer in the real vs fake Nike Dunk image above shows you how the fake shoes miss the stitching on the midsole. On the other hand, the authentic sneakers will always have their stitching on the midsole looking consistent.

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The rear details are flawed in a similar way on the Travis Scott Dunks as well. Always keep an eye out!

Step 3: Check the Nike Swoosh logo on your Dunks

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

For the third step in this guide on how to spot fake Nike Dunk sneakers, we are going to check out the real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers for the Nike Swoosh logo on the side.

fake vs real nike dunk low

In the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above, you can easily notice how the Nike Swoosh logo on the replica Dunks is too big, as it is too close to the midsole of the sneakers. On the other hand, the authentic Nike Dunk Low sneakers have their Swoosh looking smaller, as it isn’t too close to the midsole.

Besides, looking at the top of the fake vs real Nike Dunk Low sneakers’ Swoosh logo, you can notice how the replica Dunks are less curvy and sharp than the authentic shoes.

Step 4: Verify the size tag of your Dunks

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

Moving on, for the fourth step in this guide on how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers, we are going to check out the real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers on the size tag.

how to spot fake nike dunk low

In the Nike Dunk fake vs real image above, we have pointed out how, first of all, the fake Dunks have their “CU1726-100” text at the top-right corner of the size tag looking too thick and too boxy.

Then, you can see how the “MADE IN VIETNAM” text on the middle side of the size tag is too thick on the fake sneakers, and how on the authentic shoes, it is thinner.

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 5: Analyse the exterior tongue tag of your sneakers

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

For the fifth step in this guide on how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers, we are going to check out the fake vs real Nike Dunk sneakers for the exterior tongue tag.

First of all, let’s have a quick look at the reference real vs fake Nike Dunk image in order to understand the flaws of the fake Dunks easily.

nike dunk low legit check guide

In the real vs fake Nike Dunk Low image above, we have pointed out how the replica Nike Dunk sneakers have their registered trademark “®” two symbols looking too thick compared to the symbols met on the authentic shoes.

Looking at the genuine Nike Dunk shoes, you can easily notice how both of the “®” symbols are thinner than the ones met on the fake shoes.

Step 6: Inspect the toe box perforations of your shoes

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

Up next, we have the perforations on the toe box. By perforations, we are talking about the little holes in the frontal area of the real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers.

how to legit check nike dunks

In the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above, we have pointed out how the replica Nike Dunk shoes have their toe box’s perforations looking smaller and less deep than the ones met on the authentic shoes.

Most of the time, the replica Nike Dunk sneakers also have their toe box’s perforations misaligned, which is visible with the naked eye.

Step 7: Fake vs real Nike Dunk midsole stitching

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

For the seventh step of the guide on how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers, we are going to check out the real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers for the stitching on the midsole.

how to verify nike dunk authenticity

In the reference real vs fake Nike Dunk Low image above, we have pointed out how the replica sneakers have their stitching on the midsole looking too thin compared to the stitching met on the authentic shoes.

Besides, we have also pointed out how the fake sneakers have an extra blue paint stain on the midsole – keep an eye out for these as well (since the authentic sneakers are properly crafted, and they 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.

Step 8: Check the toe box of your sneakers

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

For this step of the guide on how to spot fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers, you’ll have to flip your shoes to the side, and check out the inflation level of the toe box, just as the previous step from inspecting the shoes from the rear side.

how to spot real vs fake nike dunk

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

Looking at the replica shoes in the fake vs real Nike Dunk image above, you can easily notice how they have their toe box looking too deflated, while the authentic Dunks have their toe box looking thicker.

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.

How can I spot fake Nike Dunk Low in 60 seconds?

The 8 detailed steps outlined above might not be so practical when you are in a hurry or when you want to buy sneakers online.

That is why we have compiled this quick 60 seconds solution to authenticating your sneakers. Below are the top 8 indicators that can help you determine if you have a fake or real Nike Dunk Low pair.

Check the Interior Tongue: Fake sneakers are flawed in font-weight or text placement.

  1. Verify the Rear of the Sneakers: Fake Nike 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.
  2. Look at the Swoosh Symbol on the Side: The Swoosh will be too big on most fake Nike Dunk Lows, as it’ll be too close to the midsole and curve off too much at the top.
  3. Inspect the Size Tag: The font weighting on the size tag of fake Nike Dunk Low sneakers will be off, as it will look too thick or thin.
  4. Check the Exterior Tongue: The ® will usually be too thick on fake shoes.
  5. Verify the Perforations on the Toe Box: Fake Dunks will have shallow perforations on the toe box than authentic ones.
  6. Inspect the Midsole: The stitching on the midsole of Fake Dunks will often be much thinner than real ones.
  7. Look at the Toe Box: The fake Nike Dunks will have a thinner toe box than real Nike Dunk sneakers.

If you’re still struggling to tell the difference between real vs fake Nike Dunk sneakers, get in touch with LegitCheck today! We can easily help you find out if your sneakers are authentic or fake with just a few pictures.

Are there any authentic defective Dunks?

Yes, sometimes, even real Dunks have flaws.

Why is that? Because the authentic Nike Dunk factories sometimes have small manufacturing errors too, but never as deep as the fake Dunks.

Where are Nike Dunks Made?

Nike Dunks are manufactured in Vietnam. However, some recent SB Dunk Pandas have been known to be made in China.

What is the difference between Nike Dunk and SB Dunk? Is one fake or lower quality?

The difference between Dunk and SB 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:

  • 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.

Where can I get my Dunks authenticated? The Dunk authentication service

If you need help with the authentication of your Nike Dunk Low we’ve got you covered.

All you have to do is send us good-quality pictures of your Nike Dunk Low sneakers 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 real vs fake Nike Dunk Low legit check guide. We will continue to update this article as better and newer comparisons are put out.

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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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