I've just been sold a pair of fake Red - White - Neutral Grey Nike Air Max 1987's through eBay. Currently I am pursuing the vile little rogue trader, whose name, for now at least shall remain anonymous.

I have been buying these shoes right from their original introduction back in 1987 and always tried to keep a pair 'in stock' as I like their timeless styling and most of all their fit. This is the first time I have used anything other than a reputable sports shoe retailer for purchasing them though.

It seems that fakes are becoming the norm on eBay so, for those who are considering using this medium for their next pair of Red - White - Neutral Grey Nike Air Max 1987's please see below for some sure fire ways of checking if you have been sold a pair of lemons or not:

1. The outer sole was originally black then reissued in full red then reissued again in red/white/grey - the latter colour is most common as there are very few 'brand new' pairs of the 1987, 1995 or 2002 models up for sale. The colours on the sole should never over run into each other and should not have a chalky residue on them - this shows substandard manufacturing and with cheaper rubber.

2. The white midsole with the window in it should not be heavily grained or textured and should have two well defined horizontal lines set into and around it, one of which is interupted by the window. Also there are two indentations that act as flex joints below where the red suede that wraps around the front of the shoe dips to its lowest point - at least there should be. These may be missing. The window itself should be free of paint marks, 100% transparent and easily compressible. Check both shoes and see that both windows have the same amount of compression.

3. The tongues should carry model number 313097 - 161 on their labels (I do not know too much more about the manufacturers labels) and the tongue itself should extend beyond the top of the shoe by about 15mm. The rear of the tongue should be red in colour and there should be white piping around the tongue in the same material as the white ankle cushion (which differs from the white toe box material - see next). The Nike label on the outside should show the Nike logo and the words 'AIR MAX' below and should be sewn under the piping.

4. There are two types of white nylon material used on the shoe - a coarse open weave type used on the toe box and tongue outer and a smoother silk-like one used around the outer ankle cushion and also the small section at the end of the swoosh's that sits in between the grey sections.

5. The insoles are always red in colour with their undersides bearing a copy of the outer sole impression and also a small rectangle shape which is there to show you where to fix the anatomical arch supports adhesive pads.

6. Anatomical arch supports are always supplied in their own sealed bag with adhesive pads. I have seen the supports in black, blue, red and yellow. These should never be missing.

7. The small red plastic double lace holes near the tongue are in the shape of a figure 8 but more importantly, the outer stitching should follow the figure eight profile, not simply surround it in a rounded rectangle shape.

8. The smell. Go to a sports shop and compare the smell of any genuine Nike trainer with a suspect fake. All Nikes have a certain smell that I cannot describe. Fakes smell of gloss paint.

9. The box - Nike boxes can withstand atom bombs. Even the worst tempered postman in the world would struggle to damage one. Also the inks used on the boxes colours (orange lid only - rest cardboard colour unless early 87's then red all over with big Nike logo on top) should not mark the untreated cardboard.

10. Finally, put them on. If they feel like you are wearing a couple of cornish pasties then you, like I just have, have been sold fakes. Chase them down and seek justice (but not in your fake Nikes as they will probably fall apart).

I hope this is of some use to others and I'll update you to let you know if I get my money back and black-ball this hawker of tat.