How do I know if my Jordan 1s are real?

For years, the Jordan 1 has been one of the most iconic and sought-after sneakers in the world. Due to its popularity, it has unfortunately also become one of the most counterfeited models. These are sufficient reasons to pay attention to the authenticity of the shoe when you're looking for a new pair online.

Especially exclusive collabs, such as those with Travis Scott, are hugely popular. But before you whip out your credit card, there are a few things you should pay close attention to. We'll explain them in this blog.

The popularity of the Nike Air Jordan 1

The Nike Air Jordan 1 is one of the most popular and iconic sneakers of all time. What started as Michael Jordan's first signature shoe in 1985 has now grown into a shoe with countless collabs and colorways.

Both the OG fan and the regular sneaker wearer appreciate the Jordan 1. From the very first 'Chicago' to the striking Travis Scott x Fragment collab. Other popular colorways include the Rookie of the Year, Bred Toe, Not for resale red and the A Ma Maniere.

The dangers of that popularity

The Jordan 1's success is, of course, great. However, this enormous popularity also has a downside. Because demand exceeds supply, prices on the resale market are skyrocketing, and more and more counterfeit products are appearing. Especially with popular colorways and collaborations, such as with Travis Scott or Off-White, the chance of counterfeits is very high.

Many fake copies appear authentic at first glance, but are of inferior quality. Although the quality is getting closer to the original, there are still subtle differences visible.

What to look for when buying

Fortunately, fake Nike sneakers can still be identified. Besides things you often notice in the appearance, there are also other signals that may indicate a counterfeit. We are happy to share them with you:

1 - The price is too good to be true

Sneakers that typically cost over 600,- are listed on Website A for only half the price. A great deal, you might think, but that's often exactly where things go wrong. Counterfeit or scam webshops and rogue sellers lure buyers with extremely low prices to cash in quickly. In reality, you receive a counterfeit product, or worse: nothing at all.

2 - Always check if the reseller is reliable

If you don't buy your sneakers from an official retailer, you should be extra wary. The risk of counterfeits or scams is much higher, especially with popular models like the Jordan 1. Therefore, pay close attention to the reseller's reputation.

What can you do? Check for reviews, search online for the reseller's status, and see if others have good experiences with the company. Also, check if the website has clear contact details and a return policy. For example, can you also pay with iDEAL? Be extra vigilant!

3 - Check the product numbers

The product numbers don't lie. Every authentic Nike sneaker has a unique style code (also known as SKU), consisting of 9 digits, separated by a dash (for example: 555088-105). This code is on the label inside the shoe and on the label on the shoebox.

Check if these numbers match exactly. Do you see deviations, is the number missing, or is the label poorly printed? Then there's a good chance you're dealing with a counterfeit shoe.

4 - The shoebox says enough

Specific colorways and collabs often come in a different shoebox. Do you receive your pair of shoes in the classic orange Nike box? Then there's a chance something isn't right, especially if you ordered an exclusive release.

Limited editions like the Jordan 1 x Travis Scott usually come in unique packaging, often with custom prints, extra laces, or even special labels. If you feel something is off, we advise against ordering.

5 - Check the stitching

One of the first signs of a fake sneaker? Glue residue, loose stitching, or a logo that isn't quite in the right place. Especially with high-end sneakers, the finish should not appear sloppy. Nike maintains strict quality controls for authentic models.

Also pay attention to symmetry: the left and right shoes must be identical in finish. With fake sneakers, you often see deviations here. And if the Jordan logo looks more like an unclear smudge? Then you can be almost certain it's not right.

Buy your real Jordan 1s at JHypes

At JHypes, you are guaranteed 100% original sneakers. Each pair is carefully checked by experts, so you can confidently buy, wear, collect, or resell your Jordans.

Ordering is easy and fast in our webshop, after which we carefully package your sneakers and ship them as quickly as possible. This way, you can shop for the coolest Jordans worry-free, exactly as it should be.