Real vs. Fake: Authenticating the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver”

8th August 2025 EDT RELEASES

Real vs. Fake: Authenticating the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver”

With Salomon XT-6s selling out everywhere, learn how to spot a fake and ensure your "Black/Footwear Silver" pair is the real deal before you buy.

$Real vs. Fake: Authenticating the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver”$

$Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX$

Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX "Black/Footwear Silver" Retail US$

The popularity of Salomon’s XT-6 has made it a streetwear staple, with new colorways and restocks selling out instantly. However, this high demand has also led to a significant increase in counterfeit versions. For those looking to purchase a Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver” on the secondary market, it is essential to be aware of the key differences between a genuine pair and a fake.

What is the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver”

Initially a French company founded in 1947, Salomon gained prominence for its ski equipment before establishing itself as a staple in contemporary street style. The brand’s widespread popularity can be attributed in large part to its iconic XT-6 model. The GORE-TEX version of the sneaker, in particular, is in such high demand that it frequently sells out immediately upon being restocked.

Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX “Black/Footwear Silver”

View on SNKRDUNK

Key Authentication Details

Professional authenticators often focus on specific details to determine a shoe’s legitimacy. These are some of the critical points they examine:

• Heel Logo: A genuine pair features a clean, thin, and precise font for the heel logo, while fake versions often display a thicker, less-refined font.

• Toe Box GORE-TEX Logo: The “GORE-TEX” logo on the toe is another telling detail. Authentic shoes have a thinner font, and the surrounding frame is shaped differently than on counterfeit models.

• Tongue “S” Logo: The “S” logo on the tongue contains two horizontal bars. These bars are noticeably thicker on an authentic shoe compared to a fake.

• Mid-Shoe Brand Logo: The “O” in the brand logo is a near-perfect circle on a real Salomon shoe, whereas it is often more square-shaped on a fake. Some counterfeit versions may even have misspellings in the text below the logo, such as in the word “PRODUCT”.

• Insole Logo: The font of the insole logo differs between authentic and fake pairs. A notable distinction can be found in the curve of the “S”.

• Shoelace Parts: The signature quick shoelaces also show differences. Authentic pairs have a circular part of a specific size and a distinctly shaped square on the back of the lace system.

• Insole Printing: Authentic insoles feature bold numbers printed in the center, whereas fake insoles often have thin, off-center numbers.

Conclusion

Counterfeiters are becoming more sophisticated, making it increasingly difficult for the average consumer to spot a fake. Therefore, if a buyer is uncertain about a shoe’s authenticity, the safest course of action is to purchase from a reputable seller who provides professional authentication.

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?

As a leader in the industry, our lab is dedicated to tackling the social and economic problems caused by counterfeit goods. We aim to improve authentication technology and raise awareness about fakes by strengthening our partnerships with domestic and international experts and research institutions. By combining technology, data, and human expertise, we are creating the future standard for what is authentic.

Our Main Activities

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods
SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.

Improving Our Authentication Technology
By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.

Communicating for Public Awareness
We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.