What are reps shoes? Everything you need to know in 2024!

Hola Amigos! How have y’all been?

This has been a crazy busy week—from making this website live to fixing a bunch of bugs here and there, we’ve been doing it all.

But hey! I can’t stop thinking and talking about shoes! This week, I played two games and came across one crazy pair of reps shoes—fortunately, not on the field.

Well, this was a pair of Air Jordan 1 Retro Brown sneakers and our goalkeeper was wearing these to drive back home. As someone who loves the design, I complimented him saying “Nice kicks bud!”

And he responded, “Well, these are reps shoes.”

That left me curious. While John doesn’t usually spend so much on luxuries, he also doesn’t favor cheap quality products. Seeing him wear reps shoes, I thought, maybe it’s a good pair! And I couldn’t help but talk more about this.

And that’s what got me to write this blog. Let’s get ready to discuss “what are reps shoes” and why you may care about them.

So, what does reps mean in shoes?

Oftentimes, you may like a pair of shoes but it may just seem unfit for the price. This is where a pair of reps can help you enjoy the experience of wearing these kicks, without spending a fortune.

To put it simply, reps are attempted replicas of the original shoes of any brand. For example, if you walk down to a thrift store hoping to find a good pair of Jordans to complement your casual look, you might as well come across a pair of reps being sold for a lower price. And there’s a ton of ways to distinguish.

For example, the one that John was wearing looked sturdy enough for brisk walks and runs, but its toe box had started wrinkling, with the rexine wearing off. And he has only used these for a little over four months. This is something that would never happen with the OG Jordans. I mean, I’ve owned my Jordan Why Not Zer0.4 for nearly three years and they are still pretty new (with a few scuffs here and there).

To ensure you are not falling for reps expecting them to be OGs, you may need to learn more about the key differences that distinguish reps from OGs. The section below will help you do that.

What is the difference between reps, replicas, and authentic shoes?

While several reps, replicas, and authentic pairs may sometimes come off as similar, they’re not. They differ greatly in terms of price, quality, and legality. Here’s a table highlighting their key differences.

For a more elaborate understanding, you can read below.

1. Reps

Reps are also known as high-quality replicas, since, in most cases, these are the precise copies that aim to replicate every single detail of the original product. Manufacturers of these shoes ensure this quality by:

• leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing
• using materials that closely mimic those of authentic sneakers
• paying attention to detail

2. Replicas

Replicas are imitations that look like authentic sneakers but lack the brand’s endorsement. They typically use lower-quality materials and are less durable.

These are fairly cheaper than genuine sneakers, making them more accessible and less reliable.

3. Authentic shoes

Authentic sneakers are the original shoes released by well-known brands. These are designed, manufactured, and sold directly by the company or through authorized retailers. Authentic sneakers are recognized for their high-quality materials, durability, and brand-backed warranty.

Are reps shoes worth buying?

So, here comes the important question—is it worth spending your money on reps shoes?

Well, while many reps shoes may look pretty similar to their OG counterparts, they don’t usually cut it to match the quality, durability, or even the appeal.

This takes me to one of my personal life experiences when I considered getting a pair of Crocs reps.

Nearly four months ago, I was out to play a Cricket match way far from home and didn’t carry my Crocs (basically, Crocs are my go-to footwear).

So, I was feeling the need for a pair of comfort footwear and that was when I saw these Crocs reps at a filling station store. I got those for something like $10 or $11. And I walked out happy.

It was all fine while I was driving, but as soon as I started walking, the metatarsal part of my foot sole started pressing too much against the walls of these reps (and I got the biggest size available, as I have big feet).

At first, I thought this was the shoe taking the shape of my feet, but this discomfort didn’t go away and kept growing with every step.

I had these reps for around 30–45 days and due to the discomfort, I thought I’d just keep them in my car for emergency situations. But these were too uncomfortable even when worn for a moment, and I didn’t want anyone else to go through that pain, so I dumped them off—a very good decision I believe.

In conclusion, I’d say most of these reps may be fit for temporary situations or needs, but if you are looking to replace your primary footwear with fake ones, you are signing up for disappointment, discomfort, and perhaps a damaged bone or joint or ligament.

How to tell if shoes are fake?

Some reps may be able to imitate the original product to a very great extent, but that still can’t blanket the fact that they are fakes. To ensure you are not falling for a rep thinking it to be an OG, you may want to check for the following factors: 

Serial number

Here’s a simple thing you can do to check whether a shoe is fake or not.

Check the serial number of the shoe you are considering and do a Google search with this serial number. If Google search shows you the same shoe you want to check, chances are it’s a real one. And if not, it’s definitely a fake.

Check the box carefully

The boxes, tags, and other components that buyers take for granted while buying from authorized stores are the ones that rep manufacturers may ignore. For example, reps’ shoes may often come in broken packaging, or their box can be torn, or inappropriately sized, or their tags may have fake numbers.

The good news is that you have your smartphone in your hand and you know how to do a Google search.

So, before you buy a pair of kicks from an unauthorized store and are suspicious of their authenticity, search the web for specific details such as the box design, tags, and serial numbers.

This will help you feel more confident while making the purchase.

Check the tags

The tag that contains all this information can be found inside the shoe. It’s either under the tongue or on the side. Its absence demonstrates the shoe’s uniqueness. The tag will include the shoe’s size and the location where it was manufactured. The serial code, also known as SKU, is the most important.

Also, if you’re buying a secondhand shoe or if you’re buying it online, make sure to ensure that the seller has a good reputation. Besides this, look for customer reviews or feedback.

Is the price too good to be true?

There’s nothing like a free lunch or a cheap sneaker that’s also an OG.

So, if the pair of shoes you are considering is costing way less than the usual price, you may want to reconsider your purchase—this could be a straight sign for fake shoes.

Size

If the shoe you are considering fits true to its size, the chances are that it may be an original. However, if it does not fit as said, it’s definitely a fake.

If it’s a Jordan, view it under a UV lamp

A UV lamp can be useful for identifying a non-original pair of Jordans. When you point the lamp at your Js, the original pair’s seams are highlighted, whereas the fake pair’s upper is highlighted.

Marty’s final words

Having talked about the reps shoes, I must say, that these can be highly attractive and interesting for the price that they come at. However, when buying a pair of reps for yourself, you must consider different factors, such as—do you want a shoe that may die out in around a year. And if yes, you must also ensure you get the right stitch, material, and comfort. While, I have included almost everything in this blog, some questions still may crop up. Let’s try to answer them in the section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still curious? Let’s try to fix that!

1. What are the different types of reps shoes?

In most cases, one can find the following three types of reps shoes.

AAA/Triple-A reps

These are lower-quality replicas, with noticeable differences in materials, construction, and details as compared to the original design.

For example, the Golden Goose reps in the image below display a poor attempt at replicating the distressed look. Plus, the color seems way too bright to match the GGs.

Considering this, it’s safe to say that this could be an AAA attempt.

UA/Unauthorized Authentic

Manufacturers often produce these replicas in the same factories as the OG pairs or use similar materials and production processes. As a result, more often than not the kicks also possess the same quality as the real ones.

In most cases, these are sold out of the factory, without the brand’s permission.

Super perfect/1:1 reps

Speak of perfection and you have the super perfect/1:1 reps. From offering a perfect match in quality to being slightly cheaper than the OGs, 1:1 reps do it all. The best thing about 1:1 reps is their material selection.

In fact, the material and stitch are often so good that on any good day, it can be super tricky to distinguish these from the OGs.

2. Why are some sneaker reps so expensive?

Fake shoes and replicas are primarily known for using sub-standard materials or techniques and technologies for manufacturing. And even if the material resembles the original product’s ingredients, the final product may still not match the OG product’s quality and durability. As a result, reps shoes usually cost less than the original ones. However, the price of the replicas can vary depending on the quality of the material, accuracy of imitation, demand in that particular region, and various other factors.

3. Why you should not buy reps shoes?

Well, buying reps shoes is a personal choice. You either buy them or you don’t. However, if you wish to know the downside of getting reps shoes, here are a few:

• quality may be cheaper as compared to the OGs
• may not be as durable as the original shoes
• it may be tricky to justify the price as one may not know the material, technology, and production technique.