Image via Complex Original
Crazy Fake Lead
We've all been there before – spotted a friend, an associate or complete stranger sporting some footwear that looked a tad suspect. You've always prided yourself on staying current with Nike and Jordan's latest releases, but, for some reason, you've never seen, or heard of, what this fraudster is wearing. You want to tell this person that their kicks might be a sham, yet you're afraid that they'll get offended. But let's be real, fake sneakers are the offenders!
Nevertheless, we've still got to pay homage. In a humble factory somewhere in Putian, China, a lot of toil and creativity goes into the making of counterfeit, one-of-none Lime Green Jordans; they've also got designers and buyers that masterfully put their heads together, much like the guys in The Kitchen of Beaverton, Oregon. Furthermore, there's definitely something paradoxically intriguing about fake sneakers – some of the concepts are outlandish and their telltale, arbitrary prices give us the giggles. So, let's take a look at what's out there and please, do not purchase anything you see in the 20 Craziest Fake Kicks on the Internet!
Air Jordan VIII x Air Force 1 Fusion "NY Liberty"
Air Jordan VIII Retro x Nike Air Force 1 Fusion "NY Liberty"
Price: $64.99
Complex Says: "Imagine if Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty had her own Jordan Brand PE... Nevermind."
Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Rastafari"
Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Rastafarian"
Price: $86.00
Complex Says: "Haile Sallasie – all praise due to Jah that these aren't real!"
Air Jordan 2011
Air Jordan 2011 x Nike Air Max 2011 Fusion
Price: $45.00
Complex Says: "MJ offered these to Kyrie Irving, if he'd consider becoming a Tar Heel – the rest is history."
Air Jordan Retro XIII "Magic Eye"
Air Jordan XIII Retro "Magic Eye"
Price: $75.00
Complex Says: "There were always some 'Magic Eye' images that just didn't work, no matter how long you stared at it. The 'Magic Eye' print on the side panel of these could create the illusion of Kate Upton's bare chest and they still wouldn't be a go!"
Air Yeezy I "St. Vincent-St. Mary"
Nike Air Yeezy I "St. Vincent-St. Mary"
Price: $69.99
Complex Says: "Yo, Yeezy! Yo, 'Bron! We know we aren't going to have to wait until UNKWN opens to get our hands on these, give us the deets!"
Air Jordan Retro XIII x Nike Air Max LeBron VIII Fusion
Air Jordan Retro XIII x Nike Air Max LeBron VIII Fusion
Price: $75.00
Complex Says: "Who said LeBron's signature line would never be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan's?"
Nike Air Force 1 Foamposite "Copper"
Nike Air Force 1 Foamposite "Copper"
Price: $69.99
Complex Says: "Is it a rule that a Foamposite always has to pay homage to Penny, and thus, copper? If not, get these outta here!"
Nike Air Force 1 x Air Max Fusion
Nike Air Force 1 x Nike Air Max Fusion
Price: $67.72
Complex Says: "Air Max sole and a patent leather upper. If the AF1 was really dead, and it had a grave, it'd be spinning in it!"
Air Jordan "Unsolved Mystery" Retro
Air Jordan "Unsolved Mystery" Retro Fusion
Price: $75.00
Complex Says: "We'd need an abacus to count all of the actual Jordan inspirations within this one fraud. We also need to contact Robert Stack in effort to discover who put this blasphemy together!"
Nike Blazer "Burberry"
Nike Blazer "Burberry"
Price: $54.88
Complex Says: "Burberry Blazer? We don't even know 'er!"
Nike Zoom Hyperfuse LeBron James "Grinch"
Nike Zoom Hyperfuse LeBron James "Grinch"
Price: $84.09
Complex Says: "Granted, these are probably photoshopped rather than completely fake. However, one thing's for sure: 'Bron 'Bron definitely wasn't the Grinch that stole the NBA Finals! Wait, LeBron Grinch?"
Air Jordan IV OG x Nike Air Max 2011
Air Jordan IV OG x Nike Air Max 1 x Nike Air Max 2011 Fusion
Price: $69.99
Complex Says: "Gotta admit, the colorway's not too shabby – it's just the concept that leaves us lost, confused and totally amused."
Nike Zoom Kobe II x Nike Air Max 2 CB 94
Nike Zoom Kobe II x Nike Air Max 2 CB 94
Price: $68.72
Complex Says: "[Insert bewildered remark, here]."
Air Jordan VI Retro x Nike Air Yeezy I
Air Jordan VI Retro x Nike Air Yeezy I
Price: $59.99
Complex Says: "At least they both lived in Chicago at one point, right?"
Air Jordan 3-5-9-11 x Air Force 1 Fusion
Air Jordan 3-5-9-11 x Nike Air Force 1 Fusion
Price: $58.99
Complex Says: "Out of the 6.93 billion people in the world, someone, somewhere has these on. We'll continue to pray for that poor soul."
Air Jordan XI Retro
Air Jordan XI Retro
Price: $67.72
Complex Says: "See those symbols in the right hand corner? Translation: "HAHA, can't believe we actually got you to 'Add To Cart'!"
Air Jordan XIII Retro x Air Max 2011 Fusion
Air Jordan XIII Retro x Nike Air Max 2011 Fusion
Price: $71.82
Complex Says: "In terms of being fake, these are 'In Like Flint.'"
Air Jordan XII Retro "Russell Stover"
Air Jordan XII Retro "Russell Stover"
Price: $69.99
Complex Says: "They don't make enough Chocolate and Red kicks to commemorate Valentine's Day. <3 <3 <3."
Nike Zoom Huarache Trainer x Nike Air Max 2011
Nike Zoom Huarache Trainer x Nike Air Max 2011
Price: $74.11
Complex Says: "Imagine if Amar'e hooped in these Huaraches? We'd still love him, though!"
Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Kermit"
Nike Zoom Kobe VI "Kermit"
Price: $54.99
Complex Says: "Kermit was the man, though (or amphibian) – he bagged Miss Piggy, and she was like the Muppet version of Brigitte Bardot. Jim Henson, salute!"
