Fakes have improved dramatically in the past three years. The obvious tells from 2019 — wrong box label fonts, clearly off colours, plastic-looking Boost — are largely gone from mid-tier and above fakes. What remains are subtler details that require knowing specifically what to look for on each model. This guide covers the highest-leverage checks: the ones that are both reliably present on genuine pairs and consistently wrong on fakes.
Yeezy 350 V2 — Legit Check Points
1
Sidestripe font weight and character spacing
This is the tell that most fakes get wrong, even expensive ones. Every 350 V2 colourway has a unique sidestripe rendering. Zebra's SPLY-350 is a specific font weight. Cream White's is lighter. Bred's characters have different spacing. Get the retail reference image for your exact colourway and compare character by character.
2
Primeknit weave direction and density
Genuine 350 V2 Primeknit has a specific diagonal weave direction that varies by colourway. Fakes often use a generic knit pattern that looks similar from a distance but reads wrong at close range. The weave should have consistent density with no visible tracking errors.
3
Inner bootie tag font
The inner bootie has an Adidas tag with size information. The font, spacing, and layout on genuine pairs is distinctive. Fakes frequently use slightly wrong fonts or different character spacing on this tag. Pull the tongue back and photograph the bootie tag directly.
Yeezy Slide — Legit Check Points
1
Outsole ribbing sharpness
Genuine Yeezy Slide outsoles have sharp, well-defined ribbing. Budget fakes have flattened or rounded ribs that catch less light and look less defined. This is visible from normal viewing distance.
2
Colour accuracy
Yeezy Slide colour matching is tight on genuine pairs. Pure Oat is a specific off-white tone, not cream and not stark white. Desert Sand is a specific muted tan. Fakes frequently push these tones slightly wrong. Compare against official Adidas colourway reference photos.
Yeezy 700 — Legit Check Points
1
Reflective detailing
Genuine Yeezy 700s have specific reflective panels. These are actual reflective material, not just grey fabric — they should flash clearly in direct light or flash photography. Fakes often use non-reflective grey fabric in these areas.
2
Sole layering and material transition
The 700's sole has multiple material layers with distinct transitions. The chunky sole profile should match the retail reference with the correct curvature and proportion at each layer boundary.
Most reliable check across all models: The box label. Genuine Yeezy box labels have specific font, spacing, and barcode formatting that fakes frequently get slightly wrong. The easiest fake identifier is comparing the box label font against a verified genuine pair's label — the character weight and spacing is very consistent on genuine labels.
350 V2 tell
Sidestripe font
700 tell
Reflective panels
When to Use Third-Party Authentication Services
Third-party authentication services (Legit Check App, CheckCheck, StockX authentication) are useful when: buying from an individual seller rather than a retailer, paying a premium resale price that warrants the authentication fee, or when you want a documented authentication for resale purposes. These services have access to databases of genuine and fake comparison data across thousands of colourways and have higher confidence rates on complex authentication decisions than self-checking from YouTube guides.
For rep buyers doing QC rather than authenticating a potential genuine purchase, these services are less useful — the question is "is this rep accurate to the retail version?" rather than "is this genuine?" The community QC photo comparison approach, comparing against retail reference photos, is the more appropriate method for rep quality verification.
Before submitting QC photos for review, build a reference folder. Take five minutes to find the official Adidas product page for your specific colourway and save the official photos. Find three to five verified genuine pair photos from authenticated sellers on StockX or verified haul threads on r/FashionReps. These become your comparison baseline. When your QC photos arrive, open them side by side with the reference folder and compare: sidestripe position and font weight, Primeknit texture pattern, Boost sole colour and shape, box label font. This process takes ten minutes and is the difference between an informed QC decision and a guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell fake Yeezys from real?+
The most reliable tells vary by model. For 350 V2: sidestripe font weight and Primeknit weave direction. For Slides: outsole ribbing sharpness and colour accuracy. For 700: reflective panel material authenticity. Box label font and spacing is a reliable check across all models.
What is the easiest way to legit check Yeezys?+
Compare the sidestripe font on 350 V2 against a retail reference for the exact colourway — this is the highest-leverage check because it's consistently different on fakes and requires no special equipment. For all models, check the box label font and character spacing.
Are expensive fake Yeezys hard to tell apart from real?+
Mid-tier and above fakes have improved significantly. The obvious tells are largely fixed. What remains are subtle details: sidestripe font weight on 350 V2, Primeknit weave direction, bootie tag font, and material authenticity on reflective models like the 700.
Can I legit check Yeezys from photos?+
Yes — most key tells are visible in clear, close-up photos. The sidestripe font, Primeknit texture, and outsole ribbing are all visible in good QC photos. For box label checks, a direct flash photo of the label in good lighting is sufficient.
Browse Related Guides
PK batch vs Basf batch -- which is better for Yeezy 350?+
Neither is objectively better -- they optimise for different things. PK batch (179-199 CNY) prioritises visual accuracy: Primeknit weave texture, sidestripe font, toe cap shape. Basf batch (219-249 CNY) uses genuine Basf boost material for authentic underfoot cushioning. Most daily wearers prefer Basf batch.