Whether you're buying a Jordan, a Dunk or a pair of Sambas, a few checks tell you almost everything about a pair's authenticity.

1. Stitching & glue

Genuine pairs have clean, even stitching and no visible glue spill along the midsole. Wobbly stitch lines and messy bonding are the fastest giveaway.

2. The box label

Check the size, style code and country of manufacture on the box label match the shoe's inner tag exactly. Mismatches are a red flag.

3. Size tag & font

Real size tags use crisp, correctly-spaced fonts. Blurry printing, wrong logos or off spacing point to a fake.

4. Weight & materials

Authentic materials feel substantial — premium leather, dense foam, quality mesh. Cheap, light, plasticky materials are a warning sign.

Buy from a source you trust

Every pair at Kick Dept is checked against these standards before it's listed. Browse the full range knowing the details have already been verified.