The Nike Air Max 90 is, no doubt, one of the Beaverton brand’s most hyped silhouettes. Designed by Tinker Hatfield back in, you guessed it, 1990, its unique aesthetic pays homage to the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Even after three decades it remains as popular as ever, so naturally, these will be plenty of fake pairs flooding the market. While the quality of these illegitimate pairs have improved hugely over the past couple of years, there are still a few tell-tale signs that can prove that a Nike Air Max 90 is fake. If you’re not sure where to begin, this handy article will guide you through it all, by examining everything from the most obvious to the smallest details.
If you’re thinking of adding a pair of Air Max 90s in your collection and you’re not entirely sure whether or not they’re legit, here are some of the main things to look out for:
Not all second-hand Air Max 90s will come in a shoebox. However, if they do, you should check the quality of the box, which should have a sturdy structure. On top of that, take a look at the Nike logo, which should be proudly displayed on the box. If any of the small details of this iconic logo are different, this could be a sign of forgery.
Also on the box, be sure to examine the box sticker. Found on the side of the box, this sticker will present all of the essential information about this exact sneaker including the size and colourway product code. The sticker is the ultimate way of telling if your shoes are real, as fraudulent shoe manufacturers will often make plenty of mistakes here.
Now, take the Air Max 90s out of the box and inspect them thoroughly. The logo should be firmly sewn onto the tongue tag. If this is not the case, you may have found a fake pair. Additionally, you need to check the logo itself. If you have a genuine pair of Air Max 90s, the tongue logo should read “Nike Air Max,” followed by the legendary Swoosh mark.
The Swoosh should be connected to the “e” of “Nike.” If the logo has been faked, the letter E and the Swoosh will most likely not be connected.
Next stop, get up close with the sole of your Air Max 90s. The quality of the sole is one of the easiest ways of deciding whether or not these trainers are the real deal. While it is possible, very few fake manufacturers will be able to construct soles that are comparable to the quality of real Nike ones.
The sole of a Nike Air Max 90 will have an intricate pattern. Often, the soles will have two contrasting colors that match the rest of the shoe, though this is not always the case. The main thing to look at when reviewing the sole is to see whether you can find the Nike logo. Often, if your Air Max 90 is fake, they will not have this.
It’s also advised that you also check the inside of the shoe. The insole should have a solidly printed logo towards the heel of the trainer. This may appear somewhat worn if you have found a counterfeit pair of Air Max 90s.
It’s also worth reviewing the quality of the stitching. The stitching of a legitimate pair of trainers will be consistent and even. These stitches will be close together, while fake versions will have poor-quality stitching.
And last but not least, the paint job of the sneaker can be a clear indication of legitimacy. Specifically, you should check the paintwork around the Air unit.
Authentic Air Max 90s won’t necessarily have a perfect paint job, but it should appear slick and crisp with minimal errors. However, painting mistakes will be much more dramatic and noticeable if your Air Max 90 are fake.
If you want to ensure that you only purchase legitimate Air Max 90s, it’s best to follow these simple tips:
As mentioned already, the Nike Air Max 90 is one of the American sportswear company’s most popular models. As a result of this hype, many factories have started manufacturing fake pairs to make a quick buck. If you want to buy a pair of these sneakers, make sure you use this guide to check if your Nike Air Max 90 are fake!
To ensure you buy a genuine pair, we recommend shopping via the following retailers:
Nike – SHOP HERE
END – SHOP HERE
Office – SHOP HERE
Foot Locker – SHOP HERE
