Beginning to see a few Kobe 8 "What the Kobes" out there. Anyone please help with identifying featured of the replicas. Thank you!
I usually check for the Engineered Mesh (EM). You should be able to find the KB24 right below the laces and the 2 diamonds right below the KB24. Since online pictures do not usually capture this unless the design is minimal (like elites or superhumans), I just try to look for the EM texture, which is holes in various places.
I look at the logo on the heel. Some shoes are supposed to have only the 2 stripes while some has the full logo. Christmas, BHM, supernaturals, blue corals, sulfurs have only two stripes. "greater china" (GC) versions of the shoes mentioned have a full logo. purp grad, red camo, blitz, volts, graffiti, asgs, easters, etc. have full logos. A quick google search will allow you to find what logo belongs to what shoes.
There is this tape that runs along the shoe. width and symmetrical placement is very important. while most kobe 8s are symmetrical when it comes to this, some fakes, like the BHM, show very wide tape placement. Even if it may be legit, I would stray away from that just for aesthetic purposes.
I look at the ankle curve. The ankle curve should be very pronounced. A lot of fake Kobe 8s, like MCs, have very flat ankle curves. Again, a quick google search will allow you to compare the ankle curves.
The box is usually a dead giveaway. No matter what the circumstance, the style code should match the tag of the shoe. If the label says Nike zoom Kobe, it is a fake. It should say Kobe 8 System. If the top of the box says Kobe VIII System, it is a fake. It should say Kobe8System. A quick google search will allow you to see what the font should be.
Sometimes, a certain pair of shoes will have different insoles. The fake MCs have a small flimsy insole that says nike elite instead of a green lunarlon insole. Check what the insole looks like. Of course, sellers may just swap it out so you may refer to the other features above to determine authenticity.
lastly, i look at overall shoe shape. Though that sounds very vague, there are those replicas that just look either too bulky...or too narrow...or whatever. Just google search a legit pair and try your best to compare.
*This is for Kobe 8 Mambacurials: Because the swoosh is placed on the tip of the shoe, there should be a "ghost swoosh" on where the swoosh check is supposed to be. All it is is an outline of the swoosh check. MCs have translucent bottoms. You can always make out a clear part on the bottom of the shoe. The tape that is mentioned above does not fully cover the interior side of the shoe. It should stop right before the huge NIKE words. anything that overlaps that is fake.
I hope this helps anyone who is suspicious of any online listings.
