The Nike SB Dunk is coming back with full force this year. Over the past two years, sneakerheads like Travis Scott have been paramount in making sure the SB Dunk gets the credit it deserves. As one of the most important sneakers in history, the Nike SB Dunk is woven into the fabric of the community. Since the start of the new decade, Nike has been slowly bringing back some old favourites as well as future classics. One of those pairs is the Strangelove Skateboards x Nike SB Dunk.
Dropping earlier this year, the Strangelove SB Dunks has quickly become one of the most sought after pairs. The brainchild of Sean Cliver, Strangelove Skateboards is all about pushing boundaries. Playing on the connotation of love in its name, Strangelove Skateboards first Nike Dunk was a real hit. Crushed pink velvet is matched with equally as romantic colours, making for one of the most unique Nike SBs ever made.
With that in mind, a large number of fake Strangelove Dunks have begun to enter the market. Our resident authentication expert Dr KLEKT decided it was about time he showed you how to spot a fake Strangelove Dunk. In the video below, you’ll get a better understanding of just what to look for. From small details in the sole to big differences in the upper, Dr KLEKT is here to educate you on how to tell a fake Strangelove SB Dunk. Check it out below!
Now, we’re going to help you tell the difference between real vs fake Strangelove Dunks below. But before we do that, we’re going to put your knowledge to the test…
The Test
In the image below, one of these Nike SB Dunk Low “Strangelove” sneakers is real and one is fake. We want you to pick which you think is which without our help. Your time starts…now!
The Price
Now, as with any of our Real vs Fake guides, we’re going to talk to you about the price. For the most part, fake sneakers will tend to lure you in with a cheaper price. Retailing at €110, the Strangelove Dunks quickly sold out on release day and now cost upwards of €990+ on KLEKT. For that reason, you should be slightly wary if the price is a bit too low.
For the most part, replica sneaker websites tend to list the price at that of the retail. Given the rarity and hype surrounding this SB Dunk, it seems a little strange to find a pair at retail. We aren’t saying that bargains can’t be had, but if it looks a little too low then you need to ask yourself some questions. Remember, if it’s too good to be true that usually means that it is!
The Reveal
If you said that the shoe on the right-hand side was, in fact, the real Strangelove Dunk…you were correct! A big well done if you got that right. If you got it wrong then don’t worry. We’re here to teach you just what to look for. This was a tough comparison from afar, but once we explain the details it’s much easier. Let’s take a look at how to tell fake Strangelove Dunks!
The Box
Packaging can be vital when it comes to fake sneakers. Most fake sneakers tend to get the box incorrect and there are some signs on this fake Strangelove SB Dunk that you can look out for too. Below, we’ll explain what they are.
The Colour
Now, this Nike SB Dunk Low used the classic Tiffany box colouring. The detail was a knowing nod to the previous skate shops that were given the chance to create their own Nike SB. When you look at the real vs fake Strangelove SB Dunk boxes, they look fairly similar. However, there is one subtle difference.
The fake SB Dunk box is simply much brighter than the real box. If you look at the teal colour, you will see that it is not as sharp on the real, however, it is much more vibrant on the fake. It is a relatively small detail but one that you should definitely take note of!
The Text
Another area that links into this colouring is the text. On most SB Dunk boxes, you can see that the white text merges into the teal colour nicely. It is well-balanced and lets the colour do most of the talking. However, this same thought has not been used on the fake Strangelove box.
You can see in the image below that the text is quite overpowering. It is very defined and takes a lot of attention away from the teal colouring. Whilst this box is actually very close to the authentic Nike SB box, this was a big difference in person. Although this is a very small detail, you should definitely check yours looks like the real and not the fake.
The Velvet
This is one of the signature details of this sneaker and for very good reason. The Nike SB Strangelove featured a predominantly crushed velvet upper, a material that had not been used on an SB Dunk before. Strangelove Skateboards use a white and pink crushed velvet, in keeping with the love story surrounding this sneaker. With that in mind, Strangelove Skateboards and Nike SB really wanted to get this Dunk right.
When looking at the real sneaker, you can clearly see what we mean. The crushed velvet is soft and also long on top. When you rub your finger over it the velvet should be reactive to the touch. However, the fake Strangelove Dunks tell a different story. On this SB Dunk, the material is short and rough, which makes a big difference in hand.
The Tongue
With this being an SB Dunk, the tongue is much wider than regular Dunks. Skaters need a lot more padding to protect the tarsals and metatarsals in the foot, for good reason. Anyway, enough with the science. When looking at the tongue of the Nike SB x Strangelove Skateboards Dunk, there are some key areas to remember.
The Padding
On the authentic Strangelove Dunks, you should see a thick, padded tongue. This tongue should be quite soft and also feel reactive. Now, on the real shoe, you can see just how much padding is in the tongue compared to the fake. When the shoes are laid next to each other, the difference in thickness becomes very clear.
The Tongue Tab
Another element to look out for lies in the tongue tab. This tab is located behind the tongue itself and plays a big part when comparing them below. You can see on the real Strangelove Dunks that the tab fits perfectly in the centre and is not sewn into the velvet. However, on the fake shoe, the tag has been sewn into the velvet, almost looking like it is underneath the top of the tongue. The devil really is in the detail on these sneakers!
The Strangelove Emblem
Let’s face it, if you’re getting your own signature Nike SB Dunk, you’re going to want to put a logo on it. When it comes to skate shops, Strangelove Skateboards has one of the most unique emblems in the business. The heart and skull are instantly recognisable and fits perfectly with the aesthetic. Located on the heel of the sneaker, this is one biggest details that set the real vs fake Nike SB Dunk Strangeloves apart.
On the real Strangelove SB Dunks, you can see that the heart and skull are very big. It takes pride of place on the rear quarter panel and is extremely detailed. So detailed in fact that you can see through the teeth of the skull. However, on the fake Strangeloves, the logo is nowhere near. It is much smaller in comparison and has been finished quickly. If you want to know how to tell fake Strangelove Nike SB Dunk Lows, this is a big sign to look out for.
The Heel Tab
Without a doubt, one of the most iconic parts of any Nike Dunk is the heel tab. Adapted in 2002 for the SB Dunk, the heel tab features a much lower cut compared to the traditional basket version. The heel tab can play an important part in determining the authenticity of a Strangelove SB Dunk, as you will see below.
The Velvet
On this Nike SB Dunk Strangelove, the heel tab also features that same premium velvet that we all know and love. You can see on the real Dunks that the colour is pristine. The pink is allowed to shine and the white looks extremely clean. However, the fake is not as well finished. It looks much grubbier in comparison to the real and was an easy giveaway when up close.
The Font
When it came to the heel comparison, the font was a very big giveaway. The fake SB Dunk has text that is simply far too big. It is also positioned slightly too far to the right and is far too slanted. If you look at the real Strangeloves, you can see the difference is huge. This is a detail that you definitely want to keep your eye on.
The Sole
As with any fake Nike SB Dunk, the sole has a number of elements for you to check for. Strangelove Skateboards really went the extra mile with this design though adding some unique touches to it completely. The pink SB Dunks featuring a semi-translucent pink midsole. On top of that, there are hearts placed underneath making for an entirely unique sole unit altogether. When comparing the real vs fake Strangelove Dunks, you can see some big differences.
The easiest of parts to catch on this Real vs Fake comparison was the heart placement. You can see in the image below that there is a larger cluster of hearts on the forefront of the sneaker with a smaller cluster towards the heel. However, the fake has managed to get this the wrong way round. More than anything, this is a poor finish from the fake. We are not saying that all replica Strangelove Dunks will have this, but its definitely something you should check for.
The UV Test
As with nearly all our Real vs Fake comparisons, we’re going to take you to the UV Studio. If you don’t have a UV light, we could not recommend getting one highly enough. They are a cheap tool that can show you details the naked eye cannot see. For us, they play a vital role in determining the authenticity of a sneaker on a daily basis. Below, you’ll see just how to spot fake Strangelove Dunks with a UV light.
The Stitching
On all authentic Nike sneakers, there are only a few visible glue lines with no stitching showing up under the UV light. However, on the fake, you can see the stitch lines shine very brightly. You can also see a UV stamp on the midsole, a calling card of all fake sneaker manufacturers. This is a small factor that can help you out a lot when looking at all fake sneakers. Authentic Strangelove SBs are miles apart from replica Strangelove Dunks for reasons like this.
The Sole
This was a surprising one. Under the UV light, the soles of the real vs fake Nike SB Dunk Low “Strangelove” were completely different. On the authentic pair of Strangelove Dunks, the sole shines a pinkish-blue. This coincides with the colours of the hearts placed underneath a sole, whether it was intentional is another story. If you look at the fake, however, the sole shines completely pink, a nice detail but one that is incorrect.
Recap
If you ever want to know how to tell fake Strangelove Dunks, then just remember to look for a few key signs:
- The Price – if it sounds too good to be true then that usually means that it is!
- The Box – this should be a soft teal colour and have subtle white lettering, not be too bold or bright
- The Velvet – this should be soft to the touch and also appear long on top, make sure that it isn’t short and rough
- The Emblem – as one of the signature elements, the Strangelove logo should be quite big with clear definition and bold colouring
- The Heel – make sure that “Nike” is placed in the centre and is not too slanted, also check that the velvet looks clean and crisp
- The Sole – there should be a big cluster of hearts at the forefoot and a small cluster of hearts at the heel, NOT the other way around
- The UV Test – make sure there are no visible stitch lines and that the sole glows a pinkish-blue
Final Thoughts
Well, that concludes this week’s episode of Real vs Fake! We hope you enjoyed this fake education guide on how to tell fake Strangelove Nike SB Dunk Lows. As always, we want to make sure you have all the guidance you can in your sneaker life. If you ever need a helping hand, then head over to the KLEKT Blog for more. Of course, if you’re looking to buy a pair of Strangelove Dunks, then head over to the KLEKT Store today!
