Yeezys, the popular sneaker line designed by Kanye West and Adidas, are known for their sleek design, comfort, and limited availability. Thus, it’s not surprising that counterfeits have flooded the market. To ensure you’re buying genuine Yeezys, follow these 11 steps to identify fake ones.

1. Check the Box Label: The box label should be printed clearly and feature an accurate description of the shoe size, style, and colorway. Fake Yeezys often have discrepancies or misspellings on their labels.

2. Examine the Boost Sole: Authentic Yeezys utilize Adidas’ Boost technology — a distinctive material displaying a textured pattern of small dots. Fakes may exhibit inconsistencies or lack the iconic pattern.

3. Inspect the Pattern: Genuine Yeezys showcase a unique stitching pattern throughout the upper. Counterfeits might have irregularities in the pattern or inconsistent spacing.

4. Analyze the Heel Tab: Authentic Yeezy heel tabs consist of six red dots in a parallel arrangement; fakes sometimes deviate from this specific design.

5. Evaluate the Insole: A genuine Yeezy insole features an Adidas logo at the heel and an embossed Yeezy logo under the toe area. Fakes might have blurry logos or incorrect imprints.

6. Look for an RFID Chip: Legitimate Yeezys include an RFID chip as a sign of authenticity. Counterfeits won’t possess this chip or will use low-quality replicas.

7. Assess Stitching Quality: Authentic Yeezys boast quality construction and stitching; fake pairs tend to reveal flaws or frayed stitching.

8. Size Tag Inspection: The size tag must be clean and legible with clear print on genuine pairs; fakes often display poorly printed tags with inconsistent font sizes.

9. Appraise the Hang Tag: Original Yeezys come with a hang tag showcasing the Adidas trefoil logo and the words “Yeezy 350” or similar, depending on the model. Counterfeits may have incorrect information or lack hang tags altogether.

10. Compare the Laces: Genuine Yeezy laces are thicker and sturdy with tight weaving, whereas fake ones may be thin and poorly made.

11. Seek Expert Authentication: If all else fails, seek expert opinions or use third-party authentication services to confirm the authenticity of your Yeezys.

By following these steps, you can protect yourself from falling victim to counterfeit sneakers and ensure that you’re only investing in genuine Yeezys. Happy shoe hunting!