The stitching under the shoe isn't the best way to determine if you have a GM pair, it's actually a very inaccurate way, because all the stitching is different. There are 3-4 very easy ways to tell if you have a GM pair. if you have a straight $70 straight replica you should know the second u look at them. I never have to rely on anyone for legit checks because I off hand educate myself on the grey and replica markets. YouTube has great comparison videos and reviews of both authentic and replicas. There is even side by side photos floating around with the differences circled. If they are that close, that your resorting to the stitching under the midsole, I would rest easy. lol, that's a little OD. I'm sure you're fine. It's a lot easier to post a legit check than call Nike asking about thread counts and colors.
The elephant print on the GM pairs is more yellowish grey and the embossed print is much fatter and darker. The perforations on the tongue aren't as clearly punched on GM pairs. And the Nike Air on the insole the font is off and not lined up correctly. Lastly, the laces are super super white and the tumble leather and sock liner is more of a cream white on the GM, the authentic pair the laces match the leather much better.
Are most people wearing spenco insoles with theirs to prevent cracking? I've worn mine once and nothing so far...but I'm thinking about buying a pair. Do you guys wear them on top of the current insole or replace it with the spenco?
