Determining whether an Adidas garment is genuine or counterfeit can seem complicated, but often the internal label provides all the necessary clues . Whether it's clothing, shoes, or vintage items, carefully checking the label is one of the most reliable ways to verify the authenticity of an Adidas product.
As a supplier of vintage clothing , we explain how to recognize an original Adidas label, what details give away fakes, and what labels looked like on vintage garments from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. If you work in the resale sector or own a second-hand shop, this content can help you identify authentic products and avoid mistakes when buying or selling .
Why focus on the Adidas label?
People often check the box, the price, or the overall quality of a garment to determine if it's authentic. But in our experience, the label is one of the most reliable and easiest elements to analyze when it comes to Adidas products.
Official labels include information that, if analyzed carefully, can reveal:
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Whether the product was manufactured by Adidas or is a counterfeit
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Country of origin and approximate year of production
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The exact model through its serial number or code
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If the label actually corresponds to that garment or shoe
For those who resell Adidas clothing or shoes, understanding original labels can prevent failed purchases, claims for counterfeit products, or loss of stock value.
Common features of original Adidas clothing labels
Authentic Adidas clothing labels usually have:
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Clear and well-printed typography
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Product code (usually alphanumeric)
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Information about country of manufacture
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Sizes in different systems (EU, US, UK, etc.)
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Soft yet durable label material
They often also include a logo in good condition , without imperfections or poorly finished edges.
How to identify original labels on Adidas sneakers
Authentic Adidas shoes have an inner label (usually on the tongue) that includes:
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An item code (SKU) that must match the one on the box
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The country of manufacture
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A unique factory code and serial number for each foot
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Adidas logo clearly visible
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Detailed sizes for each market (EU, US, UK, JP)
If the labels on both feet have exactly the same serial number, it is a clear sign of counterfeiting.
Countries of manufacture and codes that usually appear
Adidas products are manufactured in many countries, but some of the most common are:
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Vietnam
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China
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Indonesia
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Cambodia
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India
The presence of these countries does not indicate that a garment is fake, but it must match the model, the collection and the type of product .
For example, sneakers with a 2012 design and a "Made in USA" label would raise suspicions, since that production has usually been done in Asia for decades.
Signs of a fake Adidas label
Counterfeits are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but labels remain one of the easiest things to spot if you know what to look for. Below, we share the most common mistakes we find on fake Adidas labels.
Poorly printed typography and logo
One of the clearest signs that a label is not original is irregular typography : misaligned letters, uneven spacing, or blurry print. In the case of the logo, many imitations have a poorly defined swoosh , a disproportionate logo, or a design that doesn't match the style of the era.
Poorly made seams or low quality labels
Authentic Adidas labels are usually well-stitched, with clean edges and durable materials. If a label peels off easily, looks very shiny, is too stiff, or is poorly finished, it's probably a fake. Counterfeit labels also commonly have faded colors or low-quality printing.
Duplicate or inconsistent codes
With Adidas shoes, each shoe should have a different serial number , even if they share the same product code (SKU). If both shoes have the exact same number , they are very likely counterfeit.
Furthermore, it's common for the codes on counterfeit labels not to match the model they're supposed to represent . Therefore, we always recommend checking the SKU on the official website or using image searches to verify if it corresponds to that design.
What if it's vintage? This is what old Adidas labels looked like.
For those involved in reselling, especially sportswear from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, knowing what original Adidas labels looked like can make a huge difference. Often, an old garment can look fake… when in reality it's a vintage gem.
70s and 80s: cotton labels and classic logos
Adidas labels from the 1970s and 80s were typically made of thicker materials, such as cotton or heavy polyester. They featured the classic Trefoil logo, and the design was very different from today's: larger, with less information, and without alphanumeric codes.
The most common country of origin at this time was West Germany or France , depending on the market.
The 1990s: Transitory Labels and Globalization
During the 1990s, Adidas changed its manufacturing and global production processes. It's common to see labels with the three-stripe logo (which replaced the trefoil on many products), basic codes, and a mix of languages.
These labels may still seem "strange" to those unfamiliar with them, but they are perfectly authentic if they match the rest of the garment's features.
Summary table: differences between original and counterfeit labels
This chart can help you quickly identify whether an Adidas label is genuine or not , whether on clothing or shoes. It's a useful tool for both resellers and buyers who want to be sure before making a purchase.
| Element | Original Adidas label | Fake label or replica |
|---|---|---|
| Typography | Crisp, clear, without errors | Blurry, misaligned, or irregular letters |
| Logo | Well proportioned, defined, without distortions | Poorly cropped, pixelated, or incorrectly shaped |
| Seams | Precise, clean, durable materials | Loose threads, stiff edges, poor fabric quality |
| Internal codes | Valid and verified SKU, different for each shoe | Generic or duplicate codes between both shoes |
| Country of manufacture | Consistent with the times and the model | unlikely or unregistered country for that type of garment |
| Sizes and measurement systems | Includes EU, US, UK, JP, etc. | Sizes are missing or poorly distributed |
Do you want to make sure you're selling original Adidas?
If you're starting out in reselling vintage clothing or want to make sure that the Adidas items you have in stock are original, checking the labels carefully can make a big difference .
Our team works with verified authentic clothing and has a deep understanding of the details that help identify imitations. If you have any questions about a garment or want to confidently enter the world of authentic vintage clothing, please contact us . We'll help you take the next step with confidence.