Though, you can authenticate any Ramones with this guide.
How to tell if Rick Owens shoes are REAL
You can tell if Rick Owens Ramones (DRKSHDW) are real or not by checking the “MADE IN ITALY” text inside the shoes. A fake pair always has thin inscriptions.
Join me for the detailed steps.
1. Serial number
On high-tops: Next to the zipper, visible when you open it.
On low-tops: On heel area, inside your shoes.
Authentic: Thicker, way more solid inscriptions.
Fake: Thinner, visibly smaller letters and numbers.
Finding it too hard? Verify your Ricks with us:
2. Insole
Authentic: Deeply engraved “Rick Owens” text logo.
Fake: The text is just outlined, but not fit deep into the leather.
Hence, the fake text is level with the rest of the insole — instead of being fit deep into the leather, like on the real pair.
3. Stitching
The fake Rick Owens pair has, longer and thicker stitching lines than the authentic sneakers’ stitches.
Extra threads are also found hanging on the fake pair.
Fake Rick Owens Ramones commonly have stitches that are out of the line, while authentic pairs never do so. A real pair always has all stitches in place.
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.
4. Tongue
This tell is only for high-tops.
Inside the tongue, you’ll see a stitched badge. There are 3 variations of it:
One with just the logo
Another with a picture of Rick Owens
And a picture that’s reversed in colors.
4.1. Logo
Authentic: Thinner stitches at the top.
Fake: Thicker, way more solid threads.
Look at the bottom as well: see how the fake logo is completely filled with white threads. The authentic one has more detail, with a few lines cut in the middle instead of filled with white stitches.
4.2. Picture of Rick
This is the black-on-white picture of Rick Owens.
Authentic: Denser stitching with way thicker threads.
Fake: Fewer stitches, and they’re also thinner than the original.
Also note how the fake stitches are longer than the real ones — they’re shorter.
4.3. Inverted picture
Below is the same picture, only with inverted colors: now it is white-on -black.
Authentic: Has a distressed look even though the shoes are new.
Fake: Completely filled white, without any distressing.
Note how the fake threads are also thicker and less dense compared to the real ones.
5. Toe box
On the fake sneakers, the toe box is a lot higher and lifted up compared to the authentic sneakers’ toe box.
Usually, fake Ramones have the toe box arched and curved more than the authentic Ramones.
6. Back
The replica Rick Owens DRKSHDW have a lot more distance in length between the rear tab.
The authentic pair is narrower inside the tab. There’s less space from the left edge to the right one on the real pair.
7. Perforations
As you can see in the fake vs real Rick Owens DRKSHDW image above,
On the fake Rick Owens DRKSHDW shoes, the two holes are placed irregularly, as they don’t fit on a straight line.
The legit Rick Owens Ramones have the wholes holes placed on a straight imaginary line — which we made it real this time by drawing it.
8. Sole
Some models may have the “DRKSHDW” logo on the soles.
Authentic: Thicker “W” in “DRKSHDW”.
Fake: Thinner vertical leg on the right side of the letter “W”.
9. Box label
Authentic:
Thicker, more solid text.
Letters in “MADE IN ITALY” are close to each other.
Fake:
Thinner prints.
“MADE IN ITALY” has too much space between each letter.
Shortlist: Legit check Rick Owens quickly
First of all, inspect the stitching around the sneakers. Most of the time, the replica Rick Owens Ramones sneakers will have their stitching on the toe box area looking thicker and longer than the authentic stitching. Even more, the fake shoes are most likely to have extra threads which wouldn’t have to be there
Verify the toe box area of the shoes. Mostly, the fake Rick Owens DRKSHDW sneakers have their toe box looking curvier and more lifted up than the authentic one
Check the rear details on the Rick Owens Ramones. Usually, the fake shoes have a larger distance from the left to the right edge on the rear tab, while the authentic Rick Owens DRKSHDW pairs have a smaller distance between the two edges
Analyze the perforations on the side of the shoes. Mostly, the fake Rick Owens Ramones pairs have their two holes placed uneven, as if you draw an imaginary line, they wouldn’t be on the same line, while the authentic sneakers will always have their holes placed correctly and on the line
There are situations, where you may be unable to go through each detailed step, explained above when you need to authenticate your Rick Owens DRKSHDW (Ramones).
That is why we have compiled this quick 60 seconds solution to authenticating your sneakers.
Where are Rick Owens Ramones made?
Rick Owens Ramones are made in Italy — in the designer’s own factory at Concordia, Modena.
All Rick Owens sneakers and +90% of the clothes are manufactured in Italy.
Expert Rick Owens Authentication
If you have read this guide and are still uncertain about whether your shoe is real or fake, the Legit Check App offers an authentication service to put your mind at ease.
Should you either not be confident in your ability to follow this guide or are simply lacking time, all you have to do is send us high-quality pictures of your Rick Owens DRKSHDW (Ramones) 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.
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About the Author
Ch Daniel is the co-founder and co-CEO of Legit Check By Ch, one of the world's leading companies in product authentications. Daniel's experience: 8+ years in the luxury industry, 7+ years in the authentication industry, 10+ years of business development. Currently, Daniel is overseeing the development of new products of Legit Check By Ch.
