Real vs Fake: How to Legit Check the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Obsidian University Blue” (555088-140)

Real vs Replica

2026-02-13 12:17

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Obsidian University Blue” (style code 555088-140) is a classic AJ1 colorway that dropped on August 31, 2019, featuring a Sail, Obsidian, and University Blue palette inspired by the University of North Carolina — Michael Jordan’s alma mater. Built with full-grain leather and traditional Nike Air cushioning, this release quickly became popular among collectors and everyday wearers alike, leading to many counterfeits appearing on the market. Below is a detailed comparison of known differences between authentic pairs and replicas.

How to Spot a Fake Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Obsidian University Blue

1. Tongue Front

Authentic The NIKE AIR embroidery on the front of the tongue uses thicker, bold stitching. The ®️ symbol appears elongated and flatter.

Replica: The NIKE AIR letters are thinner with larger gaps between them, and the ®️ symbol looks overly rounded and wider.

2. Tongue Back

Authentic: On the back of the tongue, letters are clear and well defined, with correct spacing.

Replica: The embroidery looks blurry and unclear, with wider gaps between letters.

3. Size Tag

Authentic: The size tag shows the Jumpman logo, the factory code XC, and lists Made in China. The tag uses the stander QR code format.

Replica: The country of origin is wrong (Made in Vietnam). One line of letters and numbers under the QR code is missing, the “(2.5)” text is placed incorrectly, and the overall font layout looks larger and less compact.

4. Insole Back

Authentic: The back of the insole is blue with visible thin white glue lines distributed.

Replica: The insole back is white and has no glue marks; there are dark spots on the material instead.

5. Midsole Stitching

Authentic: The midsole is grey-white with two large circular holes. The stitching is dense and consistent, with no obvious needle holes.

Replica: The midsole is dark grey-black with too small holes. The stitching is loose and spaced too far apart, showing visible needle holes.

Quick AJ 1 High OG Obsidian University Blue Authentication Checklist

1. Check the thickness and shape of the NIKE AIR embroidery on the tongue.

2. The back tongue letters should be clear and evenly spaced.

3. Ensure the size tag shows correct factory code and country (XC / Made in China).

4. The insole back material and glue details must match the authentic version.

5. Midsole stitching should be dense and regular, with correct hole sizes.

Note: Production variations can occur across factories and batches. All comparison points are for reference only and not intended as the only method of authentication. For a reliable result, use a professional authentication service like LegitApp.

Get Your Jordan Sneaker authenticated with LegitApp

If you’re still unsure, you can upload photos of your pair to LegitApp for professional authentication. Our team of experienced authenticators, supported by AI tools, will examine every detail from the tongue, insole, size tag, and midsole to the box label and help confirm whether your sneakers are real in minutes. This is a helpful next step if you want added certainty before buying, selling, or collecting.

LegitApp is available on iOS and Android — or tap “Get Items Authenticated Now” to begin your authentication.