How to Spot Fake Jordan 4’s: What to Look for Before You Buy

The Air Jordan 4 is one of the most iconic sneakers in the world of footwear, with its bold design and rich history making it a highly coveted pair. Unfortunately, with its popularity comes a rise in counterfeit versions hitting the market. Buying a fake pair of Jordan 4’s can not only leave you with a pair of poorly made shoes, but it can also be a costly mistake. To help you avoid purchasing counterfeit Jordans, we’ve put together a guide on how to spot fake Jordan 4’s, ensuring that you invest in an authentic pair that lives up to its reputation.

1. Check the Box and Packaging

The first thing to inspect when purchasing Jordan 4’s is the packaging. Authentic Jordans come in a high-quality, branded box, typically featuring a graphic design or the Jumpman logo. The box should be sturdy, and the lid should fit securely. Counterfeit boxes often look flimsy, poorly printed, or may be missing key branding elements.

The Box: Authentic Jordan 4 boxes will have a detailed design with the iconic Nike Air or Jumpman logo, depending on the release. Fake boxes often feel cheap and are poorly printed.
The Paper: Genuine Jordan 4s are often wrapped in special tissue paper with a print of the Jumpman logo or the design of the sneaker. Fake shoes often have plain or cheap-feeling wrapping paper.

2. Inspect the Materials and Construction

Jordan 4’s are crafted with premium materials, and the quality of the materials used should be one of the first things you check. The suede, leather, and mesh used in authentic Jordan 4s will feel soft, durable, and high-quality. Fake Jordan 4s, on the other hand, often use low-quality synthetic materials that feel stiff and cheap.

Suede and Leather Quality: Real Jordan 4’s use soft, premium leather or suede. Counterfeits typically use stiffer, lower-grade materials.
Mesh: The mesh on real Jordan 4s has a smooth, breathable feel, while on fake pairs, it may feel rough or overly stiff.
Stitching: Authentic Jordans are crafted with precision, and the stitching will be tight and even. On fake Jordans, the stitching often appears sloppy, uneven, or loose, especially around the toe box and heel area.

3. Analyze the Sole and Tread Pattern

The soles of Jordan 4’s are a crucial part of the design, both for style and performance. Authentic Jordan 4s feature a high-quality rubber sole with a well-defined tread pattern that provides traction. The tread should be deep and have a sharp, clean design. Fake Jordan 4s usually have poorly made soles with uneven patterns or shallow treads.

Sole Construction: Authentic Jordan 4 soles are made of durable rubber, with well-placed lines and a solid, defined tread. Fake soles tend to feel lighter, thinner, and sometimes uneven in their tread pattern.
Nike Branding: Pay attention to the branding on the sole. Genuine Jordan 4s will have precise, crisp logos and text, while fakes might have irregular fonts or misplaced branding.

4. Inspect the Jumpman Logo and Branding

The Jumpman logo is a key feature on Jordan 4’s, located in various spots such as the tongue, heel, and sole. The logo should be sharp, clear, and well-defined. On authentic Jordan 4’s, the Jumpman logo is usually stitched or embossed perfectly, with no imperfections. Counterfeit versions often have poorly applied logos, with uneven stitching or blurry details.

Tongue and Heel Logos: On the tongue, the Jumpman logo should be embroidered or stitched with precision. The stitching should be tight, and the logo should have clean lines. On fake pairs, the logo might be poorly stitched or feel like a cheap iron-on patch.
Heel Branding: The Nike Air branding on the heel of older Jordan 4’s should be clean and precise. Fakes often use poorly printed or uneven fonts.

5. Look at the Shape and Silhouette

The silhouette of the Jordan 4 is a key part of its identity. Authentic Jordan 4s have a distinctive shape, with a slightly rounded toe box and a well-defined profile. Fake Jordan 4s can often look slightly off in terms of proportions, with a toe box that might look too pointy or too flat.

Toe Box: Authentic Jordan 4s have a rounded, slightly angular toe box that complements the overall shape. Counterfeit Jordan 4s may have a boxier or awkwardly shaped toe area.
Heel and Ankle Area: Real Jordan 4’s have a defined, smooth ankle collar that provides comfort and structure. Fake models often have a poorly padded or loosely constructed ankle collar.

6. Check the Weight and Feel

Jordan 4’s are a solid and durable sneaker, and they should feel substantial when you hold them. Counterfeit versions often feel lighter and flimsier due to the use of cheaper materials. When you pick up an authentic pair, it should have a solid feel with a bit of weight to it.

Weight: Authentic Jordan 4s are relatively heavy due to their quality materials and solid construction. Fake versions often feel much lighter, which is a sign of inferior manufacturing.
Flexibility: The real Jordan 4s are flexible but still have structure. Fake versions may feel overly stiff or flimsy when you try to bend them.

7. The Price and Source

One of the biggest giveaways of a fake Jordan 4 is the price. While discounts and sales can happen, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Authentic Jordan 4s rarely go for anything less than retail, especially for new releases. If you come across a pair priced significantly lower than market value, be wary.

Price: Authentic Jordan 4’s can range anywhere from $150 to $300, depending on the model and rarity. If a pair is listed for much less, it’s likely a fake.
Source: Only buy from reputable sources, such as official retailers, well-known resale platforms, or trusted sneaker boutiques. Be cautious of unknown sellers, especially if they lack positive reviews or have questionable return policies.

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