Image via Complex Original
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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's and Jordan's latest releases but, for some reason, you've never seen or heard of what this fraudster is wearing (aside from in a random Facebook virus). 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 Innovation 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 Worst Fake Hybrid Air Jordans on the Internet...
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taxi
Air Jordan XII Retro x Nike Air Max "Rising Sun + Taxi"
Price: $129.99
These "Taxi's" will take you straight to Faketown. This is your tip.
oreo
Air Jordan VI Retro x Nike Air Max "Oreo"
Price: $98.99
To be fair, Oreo cookies started this whole fraud thing when they ripped off Hydrox in 1912.
jordan converse
Air Jordan VII Retro x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star "Hare"
Price: $55.99
This was never, NEVER supposed to happen.
air jordan 9 cool
Air Jordan IX Retro x Air Jordan Big Ups "Cool Grey"
Price: $86.99
Praise the lord that it's the former getting a release in the upcoming holiday season.
aj 2
Air Jordan II Retro x Nike Air Max
Price: $75.99
We often wonder if bootleggers, frustrated with no legal remedy, get angry and say "Hey, we made the Jordan 2.0 first!"
cement
Air Jordan IV Retro x Nike Air Max x Nike Zoom Huarache TR Mid "Cement"
Price: $129.99
That "Mars" logo isn't the only crack in these "Cements."
cool grey
Air Jordan XI Retro x Nike Air Max "Cool Grey"
Price: $68.99
More like, "Not cool, bro" Grey. Probably should have gone and Winterized them, too. WE DIDN'T SAY THAT.
air jordan 6 infrared
Air Jordan VI Retro x Nike Air Max "Infrared"
Price: $70.99
We're doing our best to ignore the embroidered "23."
grape
Air Jordan V Retro x Nike LeBron 8 PS "Grape"
Price: $129.99
Looks more like BS from here.
aj 1
Air Jordan I Retro x Air Jordan I Retro Patent + Air Jordan Big Ups "Black Toe"
Price: $98.99
Patent leather? Oh, you shouldn't have! No, really, you shouldn't have.
true blue
Air Jordan III Retro x Air Jordan Big Ups "True Blue"
Price: $86.99
"True Blue" never looked so false.
spizike
Air Jordan Spizike x Air Jordan Take Flight
Price: $129.99
Hybrids on hybrids on hybrids. :/
raging bull
Air Jordan V Retro x Nike Air Max "Raging Bull"
Price: $77.99
It's OK, bull, we'd be mad, too.
black cat
Air Jordan IV Retro x Air Jordan Big Ups "Black Cat"
Price: $129.99
If seeing a black cat gives you bad luck, then these are such an ominous superstition.
wolf
Air Jordan V Retro x Nike LeBron 8 PS "Wolf Grey"
Price: $129.99
Amazingly, switching these "Wolf Greys" to patent was only the 6,974th biggest mistake in creatingt this pair.
flint
Air Jordan XIII Retro x Nike Air Max "Flint"
Price: $64.99
Even Flint, Michigan is offended by these.
air jordan 8
Air Jordan VIII Retro x Nike Air Max
Price: $129.99
Sad thing is, the Air Jordan 8.0 makes these look like OGs.
charcoal
Air Jordan IX Retro x Air Jordan Big Ups "Charcoal"
Price: $78.99
Someone go get the lighter fluid and some matches.
doernbecher
Air Jordan III Retro x Nike Air Max "Doernbecher"
Price: $55.99
Massacring a shoe designed by a sick child — that's it, fake makers have no souls.
jordan 2011
Air Jordan 2011 x Air Jordan XI Retro x Nike Air Max "Year of the Rabbit"
Price: $129.99
Bugs Bunny had no comment.