Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 QC: stripes, heel tab and thin sole, what to look at on photos

Sneakers QC & Legit Check
1

For the Mexico 66 we have a thread on sizing and fit, but nothing on QC. It’s a simple shoe, low and slim, and that’s exactly why flaws show: there are no thick soles or complicated panels to hide them. The three key points are the Onitsuka Tiger stripes on the side, the heel and the sole.

[[PHOTO: Mexico 66 di profilo, lato esterno, strisce, tallone e suola interamente visibili]]

Editorial summary, not independently verified.

2

The side stripes:

  • clean crossing of the stripes, no crooked overlaps;
  • stitching parallel to the edges, even stitches;
  • same position and same angle on both shoes.
    It’s the detail you notice first, even from a distance.
3

The heel: the tab should be centred and straight, with symmetrical stitching. Above the heel counter, check the logo with a photo from behind at sole level, not from above.

[[PHOTO: Mexico 66 da dietro, all’altezza della suola, talloni e linguette affiancati]]

4

The sole is thin, so glue smears on the edge show straight away. Small marks are common on originals too, but a continuous line of glue along the whole edge should be flagged. Toe profile: low and tapered, not puffy.

5

Question: can you judge the shape of the shoe from photos, or only by wearing it?

6

Partly yes: a side photo at sole level shows whether the toe is too high or the shoe is chunkier than the model. But how it sits on the foot only shows when you wear it, and for that there’s already Mexico 66 on feet: sizing and shape.

7

If you’re new to sneaker QC, the order for reading the photos is in reading sneaker QC photos for the first time. Another low, slim shoe with a similar QC: Samba and Gazelle QC.

8

Summary:

  1. Side stripes: clean crossing, even stitching, the same on both shoes.
  2. Heel: tab centred and straight, photo from behind at sole level.
  3. Sole: a few small glue marks are normal, a continuous line isn’t.
  4. Shape: low, tapered toe, judged from the side.
    Can’t be judged from photos: how it fits on the foot.

Editorial summary, not independently verified.

9

Exactly. On shoes this thin, point 3 matters more than elsewhere.