Frequently asked questions
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS?
Earthbound designs and produces radically ecological sneakers, made from 97% natural materials. Our sneakers contain no chemicals toxic to human health, and Earthbound™ is a certified B Corporation.
WHERE ARE EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS FROM?
Earthbound sneakers are designed and developed in Croatia, materials are sourced in Europe, sneakers are assembled in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ARE EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS VEGAN?
All new models of Earthbound sneakers contain wool and are not vegan. Nevertheless, our wool is produced without any harm to sheep, with strict animal welfare standards and without toxic chemicals.
IF THE SNEAKERS ARE 97% BIO-BASED, WHAT IS IN THE REMAINING 3%?
The 3% of non bio-based materials are synthetic glue and polyester thread. Both components help make the sneaker stronger and more durable.
ARE EARTHBOUND™ SNEAKERS BAREFOOT SHOES?
Earthbound sneakers are lightweight, flexible and have flat and low outsoles, but they aren’t barefoot sneakers. They are not “zero-drop” with an average height difference heel-to-toe of 5mm. Earthbound™ sneakers have insoles with arch support.
ARE EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS UNISEX?
Yes, all Earthbound sneakers are unisex.
DO YOU STOCK OR SELL EXTRA LACES?
We include 2 pairs of laces with every pair of Earthbound sneakers but we don't stock, sell or send extra laces.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF MY EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS?
There is no right way to dispose of shoes, even Earthbound™ sneakers. This is the reason why we are trying to develop a shoe which is toxin-free. We could organize the process of disassembly and recycling ourselves, but the CO2 emissions of shipping a used pair back to our facility would cause more harm than good. Unfortunately there is no standardized-recycling-of-shoes method out there, so shoe-recycling is not an option yet. The best would be to use them until they are no longer usable, and then have them repaired at your local repair-shop and use them some more.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS TO BREAK DOWN AFTER DISPOSAL?
Our ultimate goal is to create products with zero impact on the environment — bio-based, biodegradable, compostable, toxin-free and locally produced. We are not there yet.
We are continuously working to minimize the environmental impact of our products while balancing durability, comfort and responsible material choices.
HOW TO CHOOSE MY EARTHBOUND SNEAKER SIZE?
On each product page of our webshop, you will find a link called Size Chart, with instructions to help you determine your recommended size.
You can also use Footprint software for further measurement of your feet. Just click "Scan and find your size" on the product page.
If you need further advice, contact our Customer Service at webshop@earthbound-sneakers.com.
WILL MY SNEAKERS STRETCH?
Earthbound™ sneakers won't stretch significantly, so it is important to measure your feet correctly before choosing your size.
Measure both feet and use the larger one when determining your size.
HOW WIDE ARE EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS?
Our sneakers are optimized for a regular or average foot width. They are not narrowed at the front, but they are not barefoot shoes.
DO EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS HAVE GOOD ARCH SUPPORT?
Earthbound sneakers have lightweight, ergonomically shaped natural-cork insoles with arch support. The insoles are removable, so you can take them out or replace them with your own.
HOW DOES THE PRE-ORDER WORK?
The pre-order campaign runs for 30 days. You can reserve your pair by placing a pre-order through our website, but you will not be charged immediately.
Once the campaign ends, if the minimum production goal has been reached or exceeded, we will begin production. Your payment method will only be charged once the campaign is closed. If the goal is not reached the order will not be charged.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY PRE-ORDER SHOES?
March 2027. That's when we plan to start shipping, provided the campaign reaches its minimum production goal.
Once the campaign ends and production is confirmed, we'll email you a more specific delivery window.
WHY DO YOU NEED A MINIMUM OF 1,600 PAIRS?
We need to produce at least 1,600 pairs in total to make this collection possible.
This minimum allows us to secure the necessary materials, plan production and manufacture all the ordered styles and colours at a viable production cost.
The minimum applies to the campaign as a whole, not to an individual style, colour or size.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CAMPAIGN DOESN'T REACH 1,600 PAIRS?
If we don't reach the minimum of 1,600 pairs by the end of the campaign, production will not go ahead and you will not be charged.
WILL THESE MODELS BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE CAMPAIGN?
No. The models featured in this campaign are exclusive to this pre-order and will not be added to our regular collection.
The campaign is your only opportunity to purchase these models. Once the 30-day pre-order ends, they will no longer be available to order.
CAN I CHANGE MY SIZE OR SHIPPING ADDRESS AFTER ORDERING?
Yes, you can request changes while the 30-day campaign is still live.
Once the campaign ends and production begins, changes to your style, size or shipping address may no longer be possible.
Need to change something? Contact us as soon as possible.
WHAT ARE YOUR SHIPPING CHARGES?
Shipping charges are calculated at checkout and depend on the delivery country.
For regular orders, shipping is calculated based on the destination and delivery method selected.
For pre-orders, shipping costs are also shown at checkout when you place your pre-order.
DO YOU SHIP WORLDWIDE?
We don't ship worldwide. We currently ship across EU countries, the UK, Switzerland, Norway and the USA.
WILL I HAVE TO PAY CUSTOMS OR IMPORT TAXES?
For US customers, applicable import duties and fees are included in the shipping cost shown at checkout, so there should be no additional import charges upon delivery.
For other countries outside the EU, additional customs duties, import VAT or other local charges may apply depending on the destination country. These charges are the customer's responsibility.
HOW LONG WILL DELIVERY TAKE?
For regular, in-stock orders, delivery usually takes 3–8 business days after the order is dispatched, depending on the country and courier. Delays caused by the courier may occur and are outside our control. Order processing time is 1-3 working days.
For pre-orders, the delivery timeline is different. We expect to start shipping in March 2027, assuming the campaign reaches its minimum production quantity. A more specific delivery window will be provided after the campaign ends and production is confirmed.
WHICH COURIERS DO YOU WORK WITH?
We work with DHL for international orders and GLS for EU orders.
WHY ARE SHIPPING AND IMPORT COSTS TO THE US SO HIGH?
Shipping to the US includes the actual cost of international shipping and applicable import-related costs.
Due to recent changes to US import rules and rising international shipping costs, the cost of sending and importing goods to the US has increased significantly. We therefore charge the actual estimated cost rather than subsidising these expenses.
WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DOES EARTHBOUND SUPPORT?
For regular orders, we support:
Major credit cards via Shop Pay
* PayPal
* Klarna via Mollie
* Apple Pay
* Google Pay
* Revolut Pay
* COD for Croatia (€2 fee)
For the pre-order campaign, only Shopify Payments and PayPal are available.
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK FOR PRE-ORDERS?
When you place a pre-order, your payment method will be authorised but not charged immediately.
If the campaign reaches or exceeds the minimum production goal, production will begin and your payment will be charged once the campaign is finished.
If the campaign does not reach the minimum of 1,600 pairs, you will not be charged.
MY PAYMENT FAILS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
For regular orders, try deleting your cookies and cache data, using a different browser or selecting a different payment method.
If this doesn't solve the problem, please contact our Customer Service at webshop@earthbound-sneakers.com.
If the purchase amount has been deducted from your bank account but the website says that the order failed, contact us as soon as possible with a screenshot of the payment so we can investigate.
WHAT DOES VAT MEAN?
VAT is a value-added tax.
For regular EU orders, VAT is already included in the displayed prices. Customers outside the EU see prices without EU VAT and may be charged applicable import VAT and duties upon import.
For pre-orders, the applicable VAT treatment and final price are shown at checkout based on the shipping destination.
HOW CAN I GET AN INVOICE?
If you need a regular or business invoice, please contact us at webshop@earthbound-sneakers.com with your order number and company information for business invoices.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS?
Pure wool is antistatic and does not attract dirt like other fabrics. The fabric is also water repellent, so spillages are slow to penetrate. To maintain the beautiful colour and appearance, we recommend gentle vacuuming with a soft nozzle.
For dust and mud stains, leave the stains to dry and vacuum clean them. After vacuuming, use your clean shoe (or tooth) brush.
For liquids always soak them up with a white kitchen towel as soon as possible. If the stain has dried on, remove as much of it as possible by vacuuming. Most stains and dirt can be removed using an ordinary ph-neutral detergent diluted in lukewarm water at normal strength.
Over time white dust will appear on the surface of the rubber outsoles. This is a natural process of curing of rubber and you can remove it with a soft cloth dipped in olive oil or baby oil.
Water repellence: all Earthbound sneakers come protected with a water-repellent coating which is completely natural, perfectly safe for the environment, human health and any type of material. We recommend to re-apply the Earthbound™ Eco-dry Spray every 6 months in order to preserve the water and stain repellency of the fabric.
IMPORTANT: do not use water-repellent sprays other than the original Earthbound Eco-dry Spray. Other sprays can contain solvents or other aggressive and toxic chemicals. These chemicals are not only bad for the environment but they can damage the natural water-repellency of wool.
ARE EARTHBOUND SNEAKERS WATERPROOF?
No. They are water-repellent, not waterproof.
All Earthbound sneakers come with a natural water-repellent coating. We recommend reapplying the Earthbound Eco-dry Spray every 6 months to maintain the water and stain repellency of the fabric.
Do not use other water-repellent sprays, as they may contain solvents or aggressive chemicals that can damage the natural water repellency of wool.
CAN I RETURN OR EXCHANGE MY SHOES?
Yes. Our return and exchange policy applies to both regular orders and pre-orders.
For regular orders, you may return or exchange your items within 30 days of receiving them.
You can initiate your return or exchange of regular order on the link:
For pre-orders, you may return your shoes within 30 days of receiving them as well.
Items must be unworn, undamaged and in re-sellable condition, with no creases or visible wear on the outsoles, and returned in their original packaging.
For pre-orders, size exchanges cannot be guaranteed, as each pair is produced specifically based on the pre-orders received. If a desired size becomes available due to another customer's return or exchange, we may be able to arrange a size exchange.
You may also exchange your pre-order for another Earthbound product that is currently available.
If you receive a defective or incorrect item, please contact us and we'll arrange a solution.
WHO PAYS FOR RETURN SHIPPING?
We cover the cost of return shipping for both regular orders and pre-orders.
Exchange or return is free the first time. If you wish to make additional exchanges, you may be required to arrange and pay for additional shipping.
HOW CAN I RETURN OR EXCHANGE MY SHOES?
For regular orders, you can initiate your return or exchange through our [Return Portal].
For pre-orders, please contact us directly at webshop@earthbound-sneakers.com.
After your request has been processed, we'll either provide a DHL return label or organise a GLS pick-up, depending on your country.
If you choose to ship the item on your own, we cannot provide a GLS return label or refund the shipping costs you paid yourself.
If you pick “Ship by yourself” option, please send your return to the following address:
MIRET d.o.o.
Brezovac 31
47250 Duga Resa
Croatia
WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY REFUND?
We are legally entitled to process refunds within 30 days from the return of the sneakers.
Refunds are processed chronologically, and we usually initiate them between 14 and 30 days. Depending on the payment platform, it may take up to 5 working days for the funds to appear in your account.
If 30 days have passed and you still haven't received a refund notification, please contact us at webshop@earthbound-sneakers.com.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY TRACKING NUMBER?
For regular orders, we send tracking information once your order has been processed and shipped. Orders are usually processed within 1–3 business days.
For pre-orders, tracking information will be sent once your shoes are produced, processed and shipped.
I WASN'T HOME DURING A DELIVERY ATTEMPT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you weren't home during a delivery attempt, please contact the designated courier (DHL or GLS in your country) using your shipping number and arrange a second delivery attempt.
