Fakes have gotten good enough that photos alone rarely settle it. Here's what an actual physical check looks for — the things that are genuinely hard to fake, not the myths that get repeated online.
Stitching tells the real story
Genuine pairs use consistent stitch length and spacing, following precise patterns specific to that model. Fakes often show slightly irregular stitching — not always visible in photos, but obvious once you're looking at the actual pair under good light.
Materials feel different before they look different
Genuine leather and suede have a specific texture and weight that's difficult to replicate cheaply. Many fakes use synthetic substitutes that look right in a photo but feel wrong immediately in hand — too light, too stiff, or too uniform in texture.
The box and tags matter more than people think
Font weight, spacing, barcode placement, and even the cardboard stock used for boxes are all details brands are consistent about and fakes frequently get subtly wrong. It's rarely one obvious mistake — it's several small inconsistencies that add up.
Size tag placement is a genuinely reliable signal
The exact placement, font, and information layout on a size tag varies by model and factory batch in ways that are well documented for genuine pairs and frequently inconsistent on fakes.
Why this needs a physical check, not a photo
Every one of these checks requires actually handling the pair — feeling the material, examining stitching under proper light, checking tag placement against known reference points. A seller's photos, however detailed, simply can't substitute for this.
This is exactly what MASBOD's authentication service does — a full physical check with a written report, whether you're buying or selling.