How To Spot FAKE Air Jordan 12 in 2023 (All Colorways)

Rear View

We are starting our comparison between the real and fake Jordan 12 sneaker from the rear end.

Jordan 12 Flu Game 2015-2016 (9.5 US)

Denoted in a yellow line, we can see the difference between the real and fake Jordan 12 sneaker. Notice how the first stitch is aligned almost with the letter J, while fake beyond that letter J reaching the letter O.

Next is how translucent the lower midsole, indicated in a yellow square just above the 23, see how translucent that rubber is and how the inner part sloped, while in fake pairs, you can barely see that transparency.

One obvious thing to point out is the color tone of that rubber midsoles, notice how vibrant the color is for real pairs when compared side by side fake pairs tend to be more pale red.

Let's move on to the latest released pair of the Jordan 12, 2021.

Jordan 12 Playoffs 2021 (9.5 US)

For the latest released pairs, there are some discrepancies to notice.

Indicated in a yellow arrow, the stitch above that Jordan embroidery for real pairs is well made and shaped correctly. While checking the replica pair shown in a red arrow, see that squared shape embroidery is missing.

Just like the Jordan 12 Flu game, by using a yellow line, we can see the line crossing that letter O for retail, while fake pairs stitched are aligned with the letter J.

Take note of those yellow and red circles, a big difference to see here is the boldness of those 23 on a replica, while retail pairs are much thinner and defined.

Hence, the most obvious part here is the color of that Jordan embroidery for fake pairs is colored in red, while retail pairs are colored in white threads.

Box Label

2015-2018 box

Having a keen eye for details is what we always practice here at Dype. To give you more value let's now move and check the box.

2 Key points to check

1. Alignment

Denoted in a yellow line, when we compare the real vs fake boxes for Jordan 12 2015 released pairs we can easily see the alignment is not right. The tendency with alignment issues is that the Jump Man on replica pairs is placed lower than the real Jordan 12.

2. Jordan.com

Next to check is how crisp the letterings and prints for retail pairs are when compared with replicated box prints. This is denoted in yellow oval shape for retail and red oval shape for fake boxes.

Here's how retail boxes have evolved.

Real Box label 2003

Real Box label 2012

Jordan 12 Dark Concord 2019 Box label

Here's a better-replicated box coming from a famous replica manufacturer. Here we can check indicated in a red circle, notice how thin the wrist of Jump Man is when compared with real pairs, it's much thicker.

The font boldness of Suggested Retail is also slightly different.

Recently released 2021 Box label Playoffs

Now here's a no-brainer comparison of the Jordan 12 Playoffs. Notice how other replica manufacturers still use the old sticker from the latter released Jordan 12 Playoffs.

Note: We have seen 1:1 replica boxes for this particular release, so be extra careful.

Size Tag

Flu Game Jordan 12 2015-2016

One of the mistakes is the size label inside the sneaker, although codes and SKU matched the pair, we just couldn't be relying mostly on this type of indicator. Some may be bolder than the others and some are also on point because replica manufacturers also update their products. Site fr example of the font used for retail indicated in yellow rectangle, notice how thin the font are for retail, in particular the flu game.

Now let's site another t example for Jordan 12 Indigo size tag 2020

Now here's another example that not all size labels are the same on printing. Now checking the yellow circle, notice how bold the letterings for retail vs fake size tag encircled in red.

Jordan 12 Dark Grey 2019

For the last example of our fake vs real Jordan 12 size label encircled in red is the fake size label, notice how bold the font is vs retail it's thinner.

Next to check is that outline is denoted in a yellow arrow, we can differentiate the fake and real size label by checking how thin that border is for retail and how thick the fake labels are.

Footbed / Insole Stitching

Let's check the footbed material and stitching & discover the real and fake Jordan 12.

Jordan 12 Flu Game 2015-2016

The next thing to check is the footbed material. Denoted in the yellow circle, see for any markings inside that footbed, retail footbeds for Flu Game are clean without any markings, compared with fake pairs with Chinese characters and size is printed on that footbed.

The next obvious difference is the stitching pattern, using a yellow arrow, retail pairs use black threads, while fake pairs denoted in red arrow, replicated pairs are using white and stitching is very inconsistent.

Jordan 12 Playoffs 2022

Another example of the footbed stitching on the recently released Jordan 12 Playoffs. Notice how the stitch pattern on fake pairs is inconsistent(Denoted in a red line) vs retail spacings are consistent. Also, if we take a look at the retail pairs they have this white stitching above that footbed stitch(denoted in yellow arrows) on fake pairs there is none.

In conclusion, check if your footbed got those Chinese markings and stitch consistency. Take note that other retail pairs have manual writings on that footbed, so not all are fake or replicas if you have those. There are more things to consider.

Back Insole

The following are patterns of real vs fake back insoles. You can differentiate which is fake or real based on how weak or strong the glue is.

Back insole glue pattern is a good indicator to determine the authenticity of the sneaker, why? because replicated pairs don't focus much on details.

A clear example of the real and fake back insoles of the Jordan12 Flu Game. Let us see the yellow circle where we focus our attention on those small vertical lines for retail is present, on fake pairs, they do not have this kind of texture or lines.

Jordan 12 Playoffs 2022

We also need to consider that these insoles are also evolving, like the Jordan 12 Playoffs insoles are not like those blue insoles. In this comparison, there's nothing much but the placement of that letter R on fake pairs should be in the middle part of the insoles.

Toe Box

The shape of the toe box is key in determining whether it's real or fake Jordan 12. Moving on, denoted in a yellow curve, the shape of the retail is more round than the ones with the replica

Next to check is how well that toe box is raised. Denoted in a red angular line, see how close the toe box is on the ground vs retail, they are raised higher.

Jordan 12 Indigo both are size 9.5. Let's check the shape via aerial view, here we can see that the real pair denoted in the yellow curved line is sharper than the fake pair, replica pairs are round in shape. Another thing to take note of is how small the window above the toe box is, while fakes are wider this is denoted in a red rectangle, while real pairs are more narrow in this part.

Side View

Checking now the side view of the Jordan 12

We focus our attention on the yellow and red arrows pointing at those lace holders.

Denoted in yellow arrows, see how matte the lace holders are, while fake pairs are shinier. We can also see in a red oval shape pointing out how dark the color is for fake pairs, while retails are lighter in shade in a yellow oval shape.

Jordan 12 Royals, denoted in yellow is the Jump Man tab, notice how elongated the shape is for retail, and on fake pairs, these are wider and thicker.

Let's not forget the texture of those mid-soles and toe caps.

Denoted in a yellow rectangle see how the scales are more defined, while fake pairs scales are more shallow. the same case on the fake pair name JUMP MAN tab in close-up, the shape is not the same.

Sole

Another good indicator to include when checking is the outer sole of the Jordan 12. Soles for the Jordan 12 are partly covered with carbon fiber plates. Denoted in the yellow and red circles, we just want to point out the texture on real and fake Jordan 12 outer soles. Retail pairs have streaks more pronounced and rough, while fake pairs have that texture, however, it still looks smoother and undefined.

Another thing to point out here is the color of those 23, denoted in yellow is the retail where the #23 is colored red, while fakes are more on the orange side.

Here's another close-up example of what we are talking about.

Let's check the pattern of that Carbon fiber plate, see the streaks on retail pairs denoted in yellow are pronounced. While the replica is looking crackled and undefined, more of low quality.

We do hope you enjoyed this Jordan 12 comparison we did for you. Cheers!

Note: Comparison done for every pair illustrated are with the same size.