There are few sneakers on the planet as historic as the Air Jordan 1. Designed by Peter C. Moore in 1984, the Air Jordan 1 was Michael Jordan’s first signature shoe. It combined Nike’s experience in the basketball world with Jordan’s natural flair. Over the past 35 years, the AJ1 has remained a firm favourite of sneakerheads all over the world. However, when it comes to original colourways, one is the clear winner.
The Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” has become a cultural icon in itself. Debuted by Michael Jordan in 1985, the sneaker features the colours of the Chicago Bulls. When it originally released, it caused chaos. Now, three decades later, the shoe is just as popular. Remixed by Virgil Abloh in 2017, the Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” cemented the importance of the Chicago Jordan 1. With this being one of the most celebrated sneakers on the planet, it is one of the most replicated shoes of all time.
This week’s episode of Real vs Fake sees Dr KLEKT take on the Jordan 1 “Chicago.” As KLEKT’s resident sneaker expert, Dr KLEKT examines just what the differences between a real vs fake Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” really are. If you haven’t checked out the video then make sure you do below! There’s a giveaway for you to enter so pay attention.
Of course, we’ll help to break down just what you need to look out for on a fake vs real Air Jordan 1 “Chicago.” So, without further delay, let’s take a look at how to spot a fake Air Jordan 1 “Chicago.”
The Test
You didn’t think it was going to be that easy, did you? As always, we want to put your sneakerhead knowledge to the test. One of the sneakers below is a real Jordan 1 Chicago and one is a fake. We want you to take 10 seconds and pick which one you think is which.
The Price
As with all of our Real vs Fake guides, we want to give you some advice to live your sneaker life by. For the most part, fake sneaker sellers will try and lure you in with a lower price point. In the video above, Dr KLEKT is looking at a 2015 Chicago AJ1. Now, this Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” retailed at €160. It was an instant sell-out and has remained a very valuable shoe to have. Right now on KLEKT, prices start at €1750 and only go up.
With the release of The Last Dance, the price of this shoe has only continued to grow. Now, we aren’t saying that bargains aren’t out there. You might get lucky and manage to score a worn or VNDS pair for a good price. However, if you see a Chicago Jordan 1 listed for under retail or suspiciously below market price, then walk away. As we always tell you: if it’s too good to be true, that usually means that it is!
The Reveal
If you guessed that the shoe on the left-hand side was the real Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” then congratulations…you were right! This was one of the toughest comparisons that we have done so far so well done if you got it correct. If you got it wrong, not to worry! We’re here to help educate you on how to tell a fake Jordan 1 Chicago so don’t be disheartened.
The Smell
Now, one of the first things that Dr KLEKT explains in the video is the smell of the shoe. This is a great way of determining whether or not you a real or fake sneaker. Let’s face it we, all love that new Jordan 1 smell. However, the fake pair has a strong glue like odour, something that you should be wary of. Replica Jordan 1 manufacturers will use cheap adhesive to put the shoe together which leaves a strong smell behind. If the shoe smells like chemicals then chances are its fake.
The Laces
As you would probably expect, there are some big discrepancies between the real vs fake Jordan 1 Chicago. One of the simplest things to check out for is the spare laces. In the video above, Dr KLEKT explains how the laces on the real Air Jordan 1 Chicago come in a cocoon shape. This may be an ode to the original lacing system used in 1985.
However, when looking at the fake Jordan 1, the spare laces are simply round to form a circle. The bag that the laces come in is much thicker too, with more of a gap at the top. On this particular fake Chicago Jordan 1, the laces did also not come attached to the sneaker, whereas they do on the real pair. It may be a small detail, but it makes a big difference.
The Tongue
We all know and love the shape of a Jordan 1 tongue. There is a couple of characteristics that help to set the real vs fake Jordan 1 Chicago apart, with the tongue being one of them. We’ll explain just what they are below.
The Padding
On the real Air Jordan 1 Chicago, the tongue uses nice, soft padding. It is what makes the inside of the sneaker so comfortable, with a nice level of sponge used in between the padding. However, the fake Air Jordan 1 Chicago uses almost no padding, with the material used not being sponge-like at all. It is much firmer when pressed down on and actually takes away from the shape.
The Shape
As we mentioned, the padding has a big impact on the shape of the tongue. You can see in the image below that the authentic Jordan 1 Chicago has a nice curve at the top of the tongue. This is because there is a good level of padding and Nike has taken the time to ensure the shape is set properly. However, the fake Jordan 1 Chicago is miles off. There is no curve at the top and the shape is off. As Dr KLEKT explained in the video, the arc is a key part of the Jordan 1 tongue, something this fake has got badly wrong.
The Wings Logo
Without a doubt, one of the most iconic logos in sneakers is the Wings Logo. Designed by Peter C. Moore on the back of a napkin, the logo fuses the idea of basketball and flight; something synonymous with Michael Jordan. Of course, this logo is also one of the easiest ways to determine whether or not you have a real or fake Jordan 1.
On the authentic Jordan 1 Chicago, you can see that the Wings Logo is debossed nicely. It has a nice shine to it and there is also a good spacing between the top and bottom of the ankle strap. However, the fake Chicago Jordan 1 is off. The Wings Logo is, in fact, too glossy. It has also not been stamped into the leather hard enough, meaning it is slightly too high compared to the real Chicago 1s. It’s one of the most important parts of this shoe so it has to be done correctly!
The Insole
Another key part of the Air Jordan 1 Chicago is the insole. Although this may seem like a small detail, it can play a very big part in determining whether or not you have a real or fake Jordan 1. On this particular Air Jordan 1, it helped Dr KLEKT identify the shoe immediately.
Now, the insole of an Air Jordan 1 features “Nike Air” on the inside in a matte finish. It is also pressed down just enough to make sure that the logo stays without bleeding too much into the insole. However, when looking at the fake Chicago Jordan 1, it’s a different story. You can see the glossy finish used on the “Nike Air” means it is shiny. The “R” on the replica Air Jordan 1 is also cut off slightly and does not appear to have a round shape.
The Stitching
Without a doubt, one of the biggest areas that all replica Jordan 1s struggle with is the stitching. It is one of the most important parts of putting the shoe together, something that replicators struggle to understand. On this particular fake Air Jordan 1, the stitching was easy for Dr KLEKT to spot right from the get-go.
Now, on the real Air Jordan 1 Chicago, there is only one complete smooth stitch line. This is down to Nike’s far superior quality control and experienced machinists. However, you can see in the image below that there is a double stitching mark towards the lace eyelets. This is a sign that the replicator went over the stitch to get it right. It’s a big detail and one that you should definitely check out.
Recap
If you want to know how to spot a fake Air Jordan 1 Chicago then just remember a few key things to look out for:
- The Price – if it’s too good to be true, that usually means that it is!
- The Smell – a fresh pair fo Air Jordan 1s should smell clean, not like chemicals
- The Laces – check that the laces come in a cocoon shape and are attached to the shoe
- The Tongue – this should be spongey and have an arc-like shape to it, not be firm and straight
- The Wings Logo – make sure that the logo has a slight gloss finish and is debossed properly into the leather
- The Insole – check that the “Nike Air” has a matte finish and the letters are all printed correctly
- The Stitching – there should only ever be one single stitch line, never a double!
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to tell a fake Jordan 1 Chicago. With the shoe currently experiencing a huge surge in popularity, prices are soaring. Don’t get caught out by fakes on the market! If you’re looking to cop a real pair of Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” sneakers, then head to KLEKT! We’ve got a full size run just ready for you to purchase. What are you waiting for? Cop your new pair of Jordan 1s today!
