Look, I get it. We’ve all been there. That “limited edition” price tag can sting worse than stubbing your toe in the dark. And seeing those sweet kicks on Insta makes you wanna join the club, right? But before you click “add to cart” on that suspiciously cheap pair from, uh, *some website,* let’s pump the brakes for a hot minute.
First off, let’s be real – sometimes you can score a legit deal. A clearance rack at a reputable store? Totally possible. But if it looks too good to be true, especially online, alarm bells should be ringing louder than your grandma’s cuckoo clock.
Now, how do you tell the difference? This is where it gets tricky. I’ve seen some fakes that are, like, *seriously* good. Like, scary good. But there are a few things to look for. Apparently, according to some internet sleuths, the size tag is a biggie. Scrutinize it! Is the font weird? Is it slightly off-center? Does it look like it was printed with a potato? Red flag!
And scratched paint? Dude, run. Just run.
Also, materials. Real New Balances usually (but not always, because manufacturing is a wild card sometimes) use decent materials. If the leather feels like plastic wrap or the suede feels like sandpaper… yeah, probably fake.
Honestly, sometimes it’s just a gut feeling. Does the whole thing just feel…off? Trust your instincts!
And here’s a tip, and this is just my opinion, but if you are really unsure go to a real store.
The thing that always gets me, though, is this: is it *really* worth it? Like, yeah, you save some cash, but are you actually getting a good shoe? Probably not. You’re probably getting something that will fall apart after a few weeks, look janky, and maybe even give you blisters. Plus, you’re supporting, like, potentially sketchy business practices, which isn’t cool.
Maybe consider saving up a little longer and getting the real thing. Or, and this is a radical idea, maybe explore some other brands that are in your budget. There are tons of cool shoes out there that won’t break the bank and that *are* actually legit.
