Replicas vs real shoes – How to tell the difference

Introduction

There’s nothing more frustrating and disappointing for sneaker fans than buying a pair of exclusive designer shoes that turns out to be fake. If you’re paying good money for your dream sneakers, it’s understandable to want to avoid imitations and counterfeit goods. In this guide, we’ll highlight the key differences between reps and real shoes to ensure you don’t fall foul of scams.

Reps vs real: What’s the difference between reps and real shoes?

Reps, short for replicas, are imitations of genuine, branded shoes. They are not authenticated by brands and won’t have passed the same manufacturer quality checks. One of the biggest problems for fashionistas who want to get their hands on must-have designer items is that it’s often tricky to tell the difference between reps and real shoes. Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of top tips to show you how to tell if shoes are reps:

1. Check the materials: it’s always a good idea to check the materials before you buy. Real shoes tend to be made using the highest quality materials.

1. Assess the quality: there’s nothing quite like the feel of a brand-new shoe that has quality written all over it. Inspect shoes before you spend money to check the quality of the material and the overall construction and fabrication of the shoe.

1. Pay attention to the detail: with an authentic shoe, the devil is in the detail. Every element, from the stitching to its unique design features, should be perfect.

Check the logo and brand name: in some cases, copycat logos and replica branding can be a surefire sign that you’re looking at a copy.

Conclusion

If you’re crazy about sneakers, or you’ve been hyped about a particular collab or limited edition release, the last thing you want is to buy a replica thinking that you’re spending money on the real deal. Use this guide to show you how to tell if a shoe is fake before you buy.