Are Nike Shoes Made in China Fake? See Where They Are Made

Nike is a popular brand that produces sports goods. There have a huge following and consumer base, which means large production. Their footwear – shoes – pulls in one of the biggest sales they have. So the question arises, where are Nike shoes made?

Nike shoes are made in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other parts of the world. To meet up with global demands, the brand uses manufacturing factories that provide standard quality at a standard price. However, this also raises the stakes for counterfeiting.

With brand designs around different factories in the world, it becomes easy to make duplicates. So all products that come from producing countries need to be scrutinized.  

In this article, I will delve into where Nike shoes are made from and what country fills in the highest production percentage.

Are Nike Shoes Made in China?

Yes, Nike shoes are manufactured in China. However, not all shoes or products and equipment are made in China. It shares production with other countries. Nonetheless, China counts for about 22% of the production, just below Vietnam.

Nike outsources its manufacturing to different factors in various countries. China is one of them. Consequently, while China may not handle the design, marketing, or product planning stage, they have factories in contact with the Nike brand to make their products.

SEE: Can You Wear Nike With Adidas All The Time?

What Percentage of Nike Shoes Are Made in China?

As to the product map provided by Nike in 2021, China produces about 46 different footwear, which is part of the 22.89 percent of total products produced in China.

Nonetheless, it comes just behind Vietnam’s 49 pairs and 24.03 percent production. Vietnam has the highest production numbers for Nike products.

Why Is Nike Made In China?

Nike has, for years, outsourced the production of their wear to countries outside due to two things: the production cost and the high percentage of trade skills.

The production cost of making single footwear is much cheaper to make in China and other parts of the world that have poured resources and workforce into working factories.

The other reason is the high trade skills, which is also due to the increased resources poured into the production and manufacturing sector. Trading skills include handling machines, natural resources, and tooling (artisan) skills.

These skills are essential in running a successful factory, which, unfortunately, is reducing in America. As the US is transforming into a service country, these essential skills are reducing, thereby, reducing the working skills needed to run factories effortlessly.

SEE: Ways to Style Jordans You Never Knew Existed

Are Nike Shoes Made in Other Countries Original?

Yes, they are as long as they have the authentication and are sold at approved retail stores affiliated with the Nike brand.

These countries are only outsourced to produce the products; they do not own the produced products. Nike still has rights to their shoes.

Nonetheless, there are leaks in the factories, which leads to counterfeits or inferior knockoffs being made. However, this should not discourage you when you buy a Nike shoe and notice it is made in another country.

If you need reassurance, the following are authorized countries where Nike is made:

  • Argentina
  • Bosnia
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Croatia
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Georgia
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan 
  • Jordan
  • Korea
  • Lithuania
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Netherlands
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Vietnam

Are Manufactured Nike Shoes in China Cheap?

No, they are not. They cost the same as the Nike shoes made in other countries.

While making Nike products in other countries is cost-effective, there is a uniform price tag on products made from different countries; the prices do not change (except for the exchange rates and shipping costs in getting your finished products to you, if you are outside America).

If you encounter a made-in-China Nike shoe lower than the average or advertised cost, it is most likely fake or an imitation. Be sure to buy your shoe from licensed third-party retail outlets or Nike stores themselves.

SEE: How to Save $5 on Sneakers at Converse Store

How to Tell a Nike Shoe Is Fake

You can take all the precautions and still end up with a subpar product. If you want to tell your Nike shoe is fake, pay attention to the following:

1. Where are you buying the product?

This is the first red flag you should notice. This is especially true for people buying online. You can buy Nike shoes at Nike’s official website or merchandise app SNKRS. If you are buying from somewhere else, check reviews from other buyers before committing to the site.

2. Packaging

Nike shoes come in specific colors and designs for each shoe line. Furthermore, each shoe comes with a serial number written on the package. The information is usually on the side box, including shoe size, color, style, and barcode.

SEE: Do Nike and Jordan Mean the Same Thing?

3. Pricing

No doubt fake or imitations will be lesser. The low price tag is to get people’s attention. To know the right price, visit the Nike website or e-commerce stores. However, for e-commerce stores, check reviews to know what people are saying about the vendor.

4. Check the shoe

This includes parts of the shoe like midsoles, tongues, and outsoles. The inside of the tongue at the upper part of the shoe usually has production information, including place of manufacture, size, and Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) or serial number. The information should also match the ones written on the box.

Furthermore, the tongue has the brand logo and name of the shoe line. The midsoles also have the brand logo and name.

Similarly, the outsoles feel different from what you’ve seen. Rather than feel rubbery, it looks more plastic. The rubber feel helps improve flexibility. Be careful when you see the stiff outsoles of a Nike shoe.

SEE: Is A Yeezy Made In Vietnam Fake Or The Real Deal?

5. Weight

Fake shoes feel lighter because they do not have the technology used in making quality shoes. Also, the stitching style will be different. For instance, Nike uses glues, not stitching, for its midsoles.

Additionally, the technology used in making the Nike Air technology to provide adequate support and comfort for the feet is obvious with a fake shoe.

SEE: Find Out How to Mix Athletics With Fashion

FAQs

Is Nike breaking any labor laws by producing in China?

No, it is not. Nike has outsourced the production of shoes and other wear outside the United States. Contracting production to other countries is not controversial.

Can you buy unpackaged Nike shoes online?

Do not buy. Unless you are buying at a thrift shoe, do not buy any shoe without confirming the barcode and serial number.

Are counterfeit Nike shoes also sold in Nike stores?

No, they are not. You will not find counterfeit Nike in licensed stores. Therefore, before buying out Nike retail stores, check retail outlets or shoe stores to confirm their legitimacy.

Are all Nike shoes made in China imitations?

No, they are not. Not all Nike shoes made in China are imitations. So you do not have to worry if the label reads Made in China. However, China produces; therefore, imitations or fakes are likely rampant.

To spot a fake Nike shoe, check the box, the shoe’s style and weight, and stitching for small details and differences.

Conclusion

Yes, Nike shoes are made in China. However, this does not mean they are all fake. Nike outsources their production to factories in other countries.

Nonetheless, it makes the spread of counterfeit faster. But if you can spot these fakes and imitations with existing knowledge about the shoe, you will be safe from falling into a trap.

Therefore, you don’t have to worry if you see “Made in China” or “Made in Vietnam” on your Nike shoe’s label. They are as original as they can be.

Thanks for reading.

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