Kicks Machine Authentication Process

Every order from Kicks Machine is verified for authenticity before it ships. This page explains exactly how we confirm that every sneaker, luxury bag, and streetwear piece sold at kicksmachine.com is 100% real, so you can shop authentic sneakers in India with zero doubt about what arrives at your door.

The short version

Every single item that leaves Kicks Machine clears a 6 step in house authentication before it is allowed to ship. High value or doubtful pieces get a second pass through two independent services, CheckCheck and LegitApp, the same authenticators global resale platforms like StockX and GOAT rely on. If a piece fails any check, it never ships. On request, we include a free LegitApp certificate with your order, and every purchase is backed by a 100% money back authenticity guarantee. If you ever receive something you suspect is fake, we refund you in full, no debate.

Why we authenticate every order

Kicks Machine started in 2021 with one job: get Indian sneakerheads, hypebeasts, and luxury fans the real thing, without flying abroad or gambling on a reseller app. Selling one fake pair would end us. We would lose the customer, the community on Instagram, and the standing we have built with 80,000+ buyers across India. So we over invest in verification on purpose. The math only works when every item is genuine.

This page walks through exactly what happens to your order between the moment it arrives at our Dehradun facility and the moment it ships to your door.

The 6 step in house authentication

Our team in Dehradun inspects every item by hand. Nothing is skipped, and nothing ships until it passes all six checks.

Box and label check

We start with the box. The SKU, size, country code, and barcode on the label must all match the item inside. Fonts should be sharp and correctly spaced, never blurry or crowded. A mismatched or sloppy label is the fastest tell that something is wrong, so this is where we begin.

Stitching and construction

Genuine pairs have tight, even stitching with no loose threads or skipped passes. We look closely around the toe box, the Swoosh or three stripes, the heel, and the seams. Crooked stitching, uneven spacing, or glue bleed are immediate red flags.

Materials and finish

Real leather has texture and slight natural imperfection. Genuine suede, mesh, and knit each have a specific feel and weight. Counterfeits tend to feel plasticky, uniformly smooth, or stiff in the wrong places. We check the materials against what the model is supposed to use.

Weight and feel

Most authentic sneakers feel slightly heavier and more balanced than fakes, because the midsole foam and outsole rubber are denser and better made. Our team has handled thousands of pairs, so an item that feels too light or hollow gets flagged for a closer look.

SKU and detail match

We verify the style code, colourway name, and production details against the brand's official references for that release. The tongue tag, insole print, country of manufacture, and size markings all have to agree with each other and with the box. Smudged printing or a tag that does not match the box fails this step.

Packaging and accessories

Finally we confirm the item arrives complete: original box, extra laces, dust bag, authenticity cards, hang tags, and any model specific accessories. Where newer Nike and Adidas releases ship with QR codes or NFC tags, we scan them and confirm they resolve to a brand owned page.

Third party verification: CheckCheck and LegitApp

For high value, hyped, or borderline items, we do not rely on our own eyes alone. We send them through CheckCheck and LegitApp, two independent authentication services used by major global resale platforms. An item has to clear both our internal checks and the external service before it ships. If it does not pass both, it goes back, not to you.

Your free authentication certificate

Want documentation in hand? Email or message us before your order is dispatched and we will include a free LegitApp authentication certificate with your parcel. This is the same paperwork you would normally pay a third party service for, and we provide it at no extra cost.

What happens if a piece fails

If any item fails any step, internal or external, it never enters the shippable pool. We do not "pass it anyway" or send it to a different customer. A failed item is pulled, returned to the source, and logged. The only items that reach you are the ones that cleared every check.

What to do if you doubt your pair

This is the question every first time buyer wants answered, so here it is plainly. If you ever believe an item you received from Kicks Machine is not authentic, message our team promptly with clear photos. We will either send the piece to a third party authenticator at our own cost, or refund you 100%, your choice. We have needed to do this only a handful of times since 2021, but the policy exists because it is the thing that actually matters to you.

How to tell if sneakers are real or fake

Whether you buy from us or anywhere else, every buyer should know how to spot a fake. Here is a quick real versus fake checklist that works across most Jordan, Dunk, Yeezy, Samba, and Air Force 1 models:

Box label: SKU, size, country code, and barcode should all match the item inside, with sharp fonts.
Stitching: Tight, even stitching with no loose threads. Watch the toe box and the logo area.
Materials: Genuine leather has texture and slight imperfection. Fakes feel plasticky and uniformly smooth.
Weight: Authentic pairs usually feel slightly heavier thanks to better foam and rubber.
Smell: Counterfeits often smell strongly of glue. Real pairs have a faint, neutral smell.
Tongue tag and insole: Size, country, and SKU on the tongue tag should match the box. Insole logos should be cleanly printed.
QR or NFC tag (where applicable): Scan it. It should resolve to a brand owned page.

If anything feels off, contact us and we will get the pair independently authenticated or refund you in full.

Talk to a real person

A scam does not pick up the phone, answer your sizing questions, and send you an authentication certificate before you have even paid. Our Dehradun care team does. Call us on +91 95480 57414, Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 6 PM, or message us on Instagram any time.

Authentication FAQ

What is the Kicks Machine authentication process?

Every item passes a 6 step in house check covering box and label, stitching, materials, weight, SKU and detail match, and packaging accessories. High value or doubtful pieces get a second pass through CheckCheck and LegitApp, the same independent services global resale platforms use. If a piece fails any check, it never ships, and a free LegitApp certificate is available on request.

Are Kicks Machine sneakers real or fake?

Real. Kicks Machine sneakers are 100% authentic, brand new, and never worn. Every pair clears a 6 step in house authentication plus CheckCheck and LegitApp verification on high value releases before it ships from our Dehradun facility. We have served 80,000+ customers across India since 2021, and every order carries a 100% money back authenticity guarantee, so you are never paying real money for a fake.

How can I tell if my sneakers are real or fake?

Check the box label first: the SKU, size, country code, and barcode should match the shoe, with sharp fonts. Then look at the stitching (tight and even), the materials (genuine leather has texture, fakes feel plasticky), the weight (real pairs feel slightly heavier), and the tongue tag and insole printing. Where a release ships with a QR or NFC tag, scan it and confirm it resolves to a brand owned page. If anything feels off, get the pair independently authenticated.

Does Kicks Machine authenticate luxury bags too?

Yes. Luxury bags from Coach, Michael Kors, Prada, and other designer labels go through the same hand inspection as our sneakers, checking hardware, stitching, lining, serial tags, and original packaging. High value pieces also get third party verification. Every bag arrives genuine, with its dust bag and tags, backed by the same 100% money back guarantee against counterfeits.

Who authenticates the products at Kicks Machine?

Our own trained team in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, inspects every item by hand through a 6 step process. For high value or borderline pieces, we add a second layer of verification through CheckCheck and LegitApp, two independent third party authentication services used by major global resale platforms. An item has to clear both internal and external checks before it ships.

Do you provide an authentication certificate?

Yes. Email or message us before your order is dispatched and we will include a free LegitApp authentication certificate with your parcel, at no extra cost. This is the same documentation you would normally pay a third party service to provide, so you have proof of authenticity in hand.

What happens if an item fails authentication?

If any item fails any step, internal or external, it never enters our shippable pool. We do not pass it anyway or send it to another customer. The failed item is pulled, returned to the source, and logged. The only items that ever reach you are the ones that cleared every single check in our process.

What if I think the item I received is fake?

Message our team promptly with clear photos. We will either send the piece to a third party authenticator at our own cost, or refund you 100%, your choice. Every Kicks Machine order is backed by a 100% money back authenticity guarantee, so you are never gambling on what arrives at your door.

Does Kicks Machine sell fakes or replicas?

No. Kicks Machine sells only brand new, never worn, 100% authentic product. Selling a single fake would cost us our customers, our community, and the brands we work with, so the math never works. That is why every item clears a 6 step in house check plus CheckCheck and LegitApp verification before it is allowed to ship to you.

Ready when you are

Now that you know exactly how every item is checked, browse with confidence: the latest grails, all sneakers, and the luxury edit are all 100% authenticated and ready to ship across India. Still curious? Read the proof on our Is Kicks Machine Legit page or the story behind the brand on our About Us page.