How to Spot Fake Nike Dunks: 13 Things to Look For

Easily identify fake Dunks by appearance, quality, and packaging

Co-authored by Matt Underhill and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: June 23, 2025 Fact Checked

Nike Dunks are simple and stylish, making them prime targets for counterfeit manufacturers. Fortunately, there are several ways to confirm their authenticity, and we’re here to walk you through the entire process! From checking the logos and soles to inspecting the stitching and labels, here’s everything you need to see if you have fake or real Nike Dunks.

Fake Dunks vs Real

Sneaker authentication expert Matt Underhill says fake Nike Dunks often have messy, inconsistent stitching.
Fake Dunks often have a sloppily stitched “NIKE” logo on the back of both heels.
The toe box on fake Dunks usually lays flat on the ground while the toe box on real pairs lifts upward.
The Nike logo on the sole is usually imprinted weakly on fake sneakers compared to real pairs.

1

Rear Logo

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Most fake Dunks have sloppy and crooked embroidery, while real Dunks have neat embroidery with little to no excess threads. Both fake and real Dunks have “NIKE” logos located in the center of the heel stamp, but fakes often have a thinner font.^{[1]
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2

Rear Stitching

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For the 3 stitching lines placed on the back of the shoe, fake Dunks have thin, long, and inconsistent stitches, while real Dunks have thick, small, and symmetrical stitches. Some fakes have a scallop-like stitch pattern, while real Dunks are always straight.^{[2]
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3

Collar

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Fake Dunks have a thick and foam-like collar (the top edge of the shoe near the heel), while real Dunks have a thin, mesh-like collar that has tiny holes throughout it.

4

Swoosh Logo

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Fake Dunks have a thick and angular logo that’s located close to the midsole, while real Dunks have a naturally curved logo that’s located near the center of the shoe panel. The swoosh stitching is also thin and long on fakes, while real Dunks have thicker, smaller, and more consistent stitching overall.^{[3]
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5

Toebox

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From the side profile, fake Dunks lay completely flat on the ground, while real Dunks lift upward (near the tip of the shoe). The circular perforations on the toe box are more shallow and inconsistent on fakes, while real Dunks feature deep and evenly spaced perforations throughout the toe box.^{[4]
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6

Midsole Stitching

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The stitching on fake Dunks is usually loose, thin, and inconsistent, while real Dunks have clean stitching that’s consistent in thickness, depth, and color. Some counterfeit shoes may have paint stains throughout the midsole because of the lack of quality control.^{[5]
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Chance Dubinick
Sneaker Authentication Expert & Digital Creator

Expert Interview}

7

Sole

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Fake Dunks have a weakly imprinted “NIKE” logo that blends into the background of the sole, with lots of space between each letter. Real Dunks have a deeply engraved logo near the middle of the sole, with little space between each letter, plus 2 registered trademark symbols on opposite corners of the logo.

8

Insole

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On fake Dunks, the registered trademark logo on the insole is thick and bolded, with the “R” touching the surrounding circle. Real dunks have a thin registered trademark logo, and the “R” does not touch the surrounding circle at all.

9

Interior Tongue

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The text throughout the interior tongue label looks wavy, boxy, or uneven in fake Dunks, while the text is the same font weight, height, and thickness in real Dunks. The country inscription is usually placed near the bottom of the label in fakes, but it is perfectly aligned in the center for real Dunks.^{[6]
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10

Exterior Tongue

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Both fake and real Dunks have a “NIKE” logo with 2 registered trademark symbols, but the symbols on fake Dunks look thicker and larger. The symbols are almost touching the “NIKE” logo in fakes, while authentic Dunks have much more empty space in between.

11

Size Tag

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On fake Dunks, the size tag has a thick font with inconsistent spacing between each letter, while the font is thin and evenly spaced on real Dunks.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Chance Dubinick
Sneaker Authentication Expert & Digital Creator

Expert Interview} If you look up the style number (the 9-character code in the upper righthand corner) on Google, fake Dunks do not match the exact model and color online.^{[8]
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- The style number for the Nike Dunk Panda is DD1391-100.

12

Packaging

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Most fake Dunks arrive in a low-quality box that does not include a manufacturing sticker on the outside. Real Dunks come packaged in a sturdy box that has an official manufacturing sticker with the color, size, country of origin, barcode, and QR code.^{[9]
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Chance Dubinick
Sneaker Authentication Expert & Digital Creator

Expert Interview}
- Tip: Authentic Nike Dunk Pandas come with filler paper in each shoe.

13

UPC Code

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All the details of the universal product code (UPC) won’t match your Dunks if they’re fake. Find the 12-digit alphanumeric code above the QR code on the interior label, then type in the code onto Barcode Lookup. From there, you can check whether your Dunks are real or counterfeit.^{[10]
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Patrick Klima
Vintage Clothing Expert

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Tips

Try to buy Dunks directly from Nike to avoid purchasing fakes. If that’s not possible, stick to reputable retailers like Foot Locker, Finish Line, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.^{[11]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

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If you’re buying Dunks from a reseller, check that the product label is clearly visible on the box and each shoe. Most counterfeit manufacturers hide them to scam people.

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If you’re buying Dunks from a third-party platform, like StockX or GOAT, be doubtful of any shoes that are being sold below retail price. Popular models, like the Dunk Low UNC and SB Travis Scott range anywhere from $300-$1000+.

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