Authenticity
Our authentication process
Every pair verified. No exceptions.
Before anything leaves the Vault, it passes through our in-house authentication centre, inspected point by point by specialists trained to catch what counterfeiters can't replicate.
Six checks. One pair. No shortcuts.
This is the same sequence every pair goes through whether it's a $200 general release or a four-figure grail. Nothing is listed until it clears every stage.
Stage 1
Source verified
Intake & provenance check
Every pair arriving at 412 Vault is logged against its source, an authorised retailer or a supplier we've personally vetted. If the paper trail isn't clean, the pair is rejected before it ever reaches a specialist's bench.
Stage 2
Visual match confirmed
Visual forensics
Every pair is verified through high-resolution photography from multiple angles, then compared against our reference collection for stitching patterns, panel alignment, logo placement, and label details. We combine this manual review with advanced verification technology to ensure authenticity.
Stage 3
Construction passed
Materials & construction test
Specialists physically inspect materials, glue lines, weight, tongue tags and insole print the details that are hardest and most expensive for counterfeiters to reproduce accurately.
Stage 4
Cross-check agreed
Independent specialist cross-check
A second specialist reviews the pair without seeing the first inspector's notes. Two independent verdicts have to agree before anything moves forward, a deliberate blind spot no single inspector can talk themselves around.
Stage 5
Certificate generated
Certificate issued & sealed
Once a pair clears every stage, it's assigned a unique authentication number and a digital certificate is generated and emailed to you on purchase. A tamper-evident 412 Vault seal goes on the box.
Stage 6
Vault sealed
Sealed & shipped
Your pair leaves 412 Vault tracked and signed, exactly as it was inspected, no repacking, no swaps, no middle hands between our bench and your door.
What you receive
Proof, not just a promise.
Every purchase includes a digital certificate of authenticity, emailed to you the moment your order is confirmed carrying the same unique authentication number applied during Stage 5.
Keep it with your pair. It's your record that this exact sneaker, in this exact size, passed our full six-stage inspection.
- Unique authentication number, tied to your specific pair
- Model, size and colourway on record
- Emailed automatically nothing to request
The people behind every pass.
Questions, answered.
What happens if a pair fails authentication?
It never gets listed. Pairs that don't clear every stage are rejected, returned to the supplier where possible, and the source relationship is reviewed. You'll never see a failed pair in our catalogue.
Do I get proof of authenticity with every order?
Yes a digital certificate is generated automatically and emailed to you when your order is confirmed, no request needed. It carries the same authentication number applied to your pair during inspection.
Where are your authentication centres?
We operate one: our original centre in Sydney, Australia. Every pair is inspected at the centre before it's added to stock.
Who actually checks the sneakers?
Our in-house specialist team not a third-party API or a single automated scan. Each pair goes through two independent human inspections before it's approved.