In this edition of legit check, we’ll learn how to quickly detect the Fake Air Jordan 1 Low Travis Scott x Fragment Design 2.0 . This is a shoe that is doing tremendously well on third party marketplaces and you know counterfeiters targeted it. Some of the fakes I’ve come across are so well built that even the greatest authenticator cannot identify them without a real pair on hand. We’ll lean on Jacob Marcellus’ side by side comparison again for this authentication. Areas we’ll focus on will include the back, tongue, laces, panels, insole, outsole and laces. How To Tell…
Author: tayib salami
tayib salami
My Name is Tayib Salami and I'm the founder of Housakicks. The platform is part of a Network made up of 2 websites ( Housakicks.com and Tayibs.com) operated by Tayib Salami who creates content that delivers Eternal Value to the sneaker community and mankind in general . I have spent a lot of time writing projections on sneakers as far as the retail market is concerned. I also educate my audience on ways to identify fake/ replica sneakers. The network covers a variety of sneaker related topics
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Welcome back to our Wednesday’s legit check edition, today we’ll be learning how to quickly identify the Fake Air Jordan 4 Lakers Imperial Purple. This is a new colorway that was introduced and certainly highly coveted by both sneaker heads and consequently counterfeiters. Once again, we’ll heavily on Jacob Marcellus’ side by side comparison to spot the differences. Areas of our focus will include the back, midsole, tongue, insole, outsole and more. So grab your shoes and let’s get started. How To Tell If Your Air Jordan 4 Lakers Imperial Purple Is Fake? Back Yellow tone on the NIKE AIR:…
If you’ve been rocking with Housakicks for a while, then you already know what we’re about—real sneaker talk, honest reviews, resale insights, and most importantly, helping you tell the difference between authentic pairs and fakes. Today, I’m excited to share a major milestone with you all. Housakicks has officially been recognized by Feedspot as one of the Top 100 Sneaker Blogs on the web for 2026. This recognition comes from Feedspot’s expert panel, who evaluate thousands of blogs based on factors like content quality, consistency, industry relevance, and audience engagement. To be included on a list like this is not…
The Jordan 5 Wolf Grey real vs fake comparison became especially important after the shoe returned this past Saturday and, to my huge surprise, caused such a pandemonium that folks were literally fighting over it.. We haven’t seen such a frenzy over a general release pair in quite some time so that was definitely a surprise. Consequently, counterfeiters are going to have a field day and you’ll do well to check out this comparison below in which you’ll learn how to quickly spot the fake Air Jordan 5 Wolf Grey from the 2026 release. I was able to watch a…
Fashion is often seen as a cycle of trends, with seasonal colors, styles, and silhouettes rapidly changing. Yet, a growing number of fashion enthusiasts are shifting their focus from fleeting trends to timeless pieces, items that hold value, elegance, and personal significance over decades. This shift reflects not only a smarter approach to spending but also a deeper appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and heritage in fashion. The Appeal of Timeless Fashion Timeless pieces possess a rare combination of versatility and enduring style. Unlike trend-driven items, which may feel outdated after a season or two, classic garments and accessories maintain their…
I have been off the grid for quite some time mainly because of my regular job as a teacher but since I have an off day today, I wanted to take this opportunity to write about the quick ways to identify the fake Air Jordan 6 Reverse Infrared that released on Valentine’s day. The 6’s are one of my favorite Jordan silhouettes especially in a black and red hue and many in the sneaker community are drawn to this colorway as well so you know counterfeiters were going to heavily target it. I was able to find a video courtesy…
Today I want to talk about a seasonal sneaker that I recently came across and honestly didn’t expect to see this early: the 2026 Air Force 1 Valentine’s Day, also known as “Love Is in the Air.” This pair is clearly designed with Valentine’s Day in mind and marketed toward the ladies, but as with most Air Force 1s, the appeal definitely goes beyond just one audience. Let’s break it down. First Look & Concept The first thing that stands out is the theme.Behind the tongue, Nike adds the phrase “Love Is in the Air”, which perfectly ties into the…
Today we’ll a special edition of our legit check, we’ll quickly learn how to identify the Fake Stranger Things Nike Dunk Low. The shoe is performing pretty well on third party marketplaces , in the mid $250’s thanks to the popularity of the show on Netflix. So it is no surprise that the replica industry has produced their own counterfeit versions. In this side by side comparison courtesy of Snide , I’ll show you how exactly what to look for to expose the fakes. Areas of our focus will include the toe, the back, the side panels, the tongue, the…
When it comes to basketball shoes, there’s a big difference between trying a shoe on and actually hooping in it. For this review, I wanted to go beyond first impressions and let real players who’ve logged serious minutes tell the story. The Nike GT Cut Cross has been gaining traction among guards and slashers, so I interviewed two players who’ve worn the shoe consistently—one as he is going through his season and another through months of regular runs. Here’s what they had to say. Nike GT Cut Cross Basketball Shoe Review | Real Players, Real Performance First Impressions & Design…
Jordan Brand continues to make the end of the year the ideal time to release the Jordan 11 and 2025 won’t be the exception- sneaker enthusiasts were graced with the return of the Gamma blue 11’s which originally dropped in 2013, a shoe that certainly is amongst the top picks for certain demographics. This colorway also didn’t escape the sight of the replica industry in 2013 and certainly hasn’t escaped in in 2025 or I wouldn’t be writing this post. Today we’ll quickly learn how to identify the fake Air Jordan 11 Gamma Blue out of the 2025 release and…
Today I want to break down a shoe that completely surprised me: the ASICS Gel Citrek. I originally picked these up for $29.99 at my local DTLR outlet as a cheap backup to my trusted New Balance 574, which has been my daily teaching shoe for years. But after wearing the Gel Citrek for  close 6 months (both in the classroom and even while playing pickleball), I’ve realized this pair deserves a full review. Here’s everything you need to know before grabbing a pair. Initial Observations The first thing that caught my attention was the aesthetic. For a budget shoe, the…
I just received a new pair of Li-Ning Yueying 5 running shoes from the Li-Ning Global Store, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much at first. But after a full day wearing them at work (I’m a teacher, on my feet 8 hours straight), these shoes completely changed my mind. Let’s get into my first impressions and how they performed throughout the day. Initial Observations Right out of the box, Li-Ning impressed me with their presentation. The Yueying 5 comes in a simple but well-designed cardboard box with branded tags and even shoe trees inside. Small details like that…
You are planning a wedding, as a bride-to-be, and as such, your brain is buzzing. There is so much to think about, relating to everything from the dress to the bridesmaids, and of course, choosing the right venue. This can all be overwhelming, especially if you are someone who is humbler and doesn’t want a lot of fuss or to spend too much money. So, how do you ensure that your wedding is both simple and affordable, while also being appealing? Here are some tips to help you tick all of those boxes. Catering Starting with the food and the…
A move to a new city is more than a change of address: it’s an exciting leap into fresh opportunities, relationships, and adventures. Whether you’re relocating for work, education, or a long-awaited lifestyle shift, one point often gets overlooked until the last minute: your shoes. For those who treasure their footwear (whether it’s a carefully curated sneaker collection, luxury heels, or simply the perfect pair of everyday boots) moving isn’t just about packing boxes. It’s about protecting your investment and arriving in style. Continue reading to discover how, with thoughtful planning and the right tools, you can relocate your footwear…
I wasn’t planning on writing any projection articles tonight but I couldn’t resist the urge of talking about the upcoming Nike Kobe 9 EM Elite pack that will be including a total of three distinct color ways. Nike continues to ride the Kobe wave heavily and rightfully so, he left his mark in every single arena in the NBA and his legacy is untouchable. He was a defender’s nightmare not only for his versatility offensively but also for his relentless desire to be a student of the game even off the courts. Â Putting a pair of Kobe’s on is a…
Welcome to Saturday’s edition of legit check, today we’ll learn how to spot the fake Air Jordan 5 Tokyo T23. The shoe was reintroduced this morning after its initial release in 2011 and although it isn’t quite fetching the incredible margins that it did 14 years ago it is still a gem that most folks are looking to grab. With that said, fakes and I mean good fakes have hit the market and I won’t be surprised if even the replica industry sells out of their counterfeits. Well, if you’re looking to pick up an authentic pair, I’ll invite you…
Back in 2011—a year that, in my opinion, marked the beginning of the sneaker community’s downfall with the chaotic release of the Air Jordan 11 Concord—the Air Jordan 5 Tokyo first appeared. Exclusively released in Tokyo, this pair instantly became one of the rarest and most coveted Jordans ever made. Now, more than a decade later, Jordan Brand has decided to bring this gem back. Honestly, I’m not surprised, but I still find it ridiculous to recycle such a legendary shoe given its iconic status. JB has a reputation for watering down classics—as we saw with the Uptempo—so we can…
In today’s legit check edition we’ll learn how to quickly spot the fake Awake NY Air Jordan 5 Arctic Pink Bubblegum. The colorway has been limited to only 7,000 pairs worldwide so you know counterfeiters are going to try to capitalize on it. We’ll lean on a side by side comparison I found on Youtube courtesy of The Authentication Guru. Areas we’ll zero in on in this comparison will include the toe, the tongue, the netting, the heel, the heel logo, the insole, outsole and more. How To Tell If Your Awake NY Air Jordan 5 Arctic Pink Bubblegum Is…
Jordan Brand continues to run parallel with the edit to amplify campaign by going back to its roots and recycling some of its classics. This time around they chose to recycle the Air Jordan 5 Fire Red in its 90’s format, basically 35 years after its original release, here’s what Nike had to say about it on their own website, To celebrate 35 years of MJ’s 5th signature shoe, Jordan Brand’s bringing back one of its most coveted launch colorways—the AJ5 Fire Red “Black Tongue.” The OG edition honors Tinker Hatfield’s 1990 design, complete with the jagged midsole, bump-out collar,…
Welcome back to another legit check edition, today we’ll make a quick detour and learn how to spot the Fake Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Pour Homme Cologne. We’ll lean on a video I came across on YouTube courtesy of face cip for the side by side comparison. Areas we’ll focus on will include the bottles, the bottle caps, the logos, tags, boxes and more. How To Tell If My Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Pour Homme Cologne Is Real? Bottle Comparison The quickest tell is the center insert—the fake uses a heart-shaped medallion, while the authentic Devotion Pour Homme has a…
The swoosh brand is back at it again with its marketing prowess and releasing the long awaited Harris Tweed Nike Dunk Low Collection comprised of four distinct colorways, but for this post we’ll stick to the two iterations that most capture my attention, the Black Phantom and the Sesame and Violet Mist. Each colorway is unique in its own way and here’s what the brand had to say about each one, The luxe design combines multi-color underlays with Baroque Brown accents and Sesame sidewalls for a vintage touch. Complete with a Harris Tweed® tongue label and ultra-comfy finishes, this wool…
Jordan Brand to no surprise continues to exploit the Jordan 4 silhouettes with a plethora of colorways that we’ve never seen before. For the Fall season, the brand is gracing sneaker heads with yet another colorway, the air Jordan 4 Cave Stone, an iteration that certainly screams the Fall. The shoes come dressed in Cave Stone, Black, and Moon Particle with premium suede across its uppers and a smooth brown base . Black mesh netting, plastic eyestays, and tongue tags provide contrast, while soft black lining keeps the look sleek and seasonal. If you’re interested in picking up a pair,…
Welcome to Friday’s edition of legit check, today we’ll learn how to identify the fake Air Jordan 4 Undefeated. This is a shoe that many in the sneaker community couldn’t wait to get their hands on, it was definitely long overdue. However replica pairs have been circulating for almost half a year now and you’ll do well to check this side by side comparison below courtesy of the Authentication GURU so that you get dealt a fake one. Areas we’ll focus on will include the toe, the back, the air unit, the tongue and the box. How To Tell If…
Use this guide to find authorized U.S. sneaker retailers, boutiques, and core skate shops. Each entry includes a quick note on what they’re known for plus a link to releases or raffles (where available). National Chains Foot Locker Where: Nationwide  | Known for: Broad allocations, app-based Launch Reservations. Releases / Launch Reservations Champs Sports Where: Nationwide  | Known for: Athletic sneakers & apparel; FLX app reservations. Releases JD Sports Where: Multi-state  | Known for: STATUS rewards; frequent launch calendar updates. Releases Finish Line Where: Nationwide  | Known for: Lifestyle & performance drops (JD family). Releases Hibbett | City Gear Where:…