UNIQUESOLES.COM
Frequently Asked Questions
EARTH® FAQ and SITE FAQ
Click here for site FAQ's

EARTH FAQs

1. Does Earth® still partner with Earth Share®?
   
   Answer:For some time, Earth Share® has been a loyal partner of Earth® given our common ideologies and our shared viewpoints on sustainability. 2008 marked the formal close to a joint program that included our contributing $5 to Earth Share for every Earth product purchased and registered online. This evolution coincides with our commitment to re-invest to more eco-considerate product design. The Spring '09 launch of BioFoam™, a unique footbed cushioning manufactured with 70% recycled content, is an example of what we're doing to bring more sustainability directly into our products. Currently, we're also working on projects that will reduce (or, where possible, eliminate) packaging, create new biodegradable midsole compositions, and even offer eco-friendly alternatives to leather. Each of these projects reflect the type of advances we're looking to bring to-market as more and more consumers value our sustainable reputation, and expect more in the area of environmentally-friendly product design.
   
2. Where are your shoes made?
   
   Answer:Consistent with the majority of the footwear industry, the bulk of our sourcing and manufacturing is done in China's special industrialized zones. Many of our relationships with partner factories in this country have been in place for more than 10 years.
   
3. What are your factory labor conditions?
   
   Answer:We do not own our factories, but we do work closely with our partner factories to ensure the highest of standards. Year after year, we work closely with our partners around the world to ensure that their own individual standards are on par with the high baseline and standards of our US offices. Specifically in China, where we've worked with regional partner factories in China's special industrialized zones for more than 10 years, our influence in this market has helped to affect progress. Our nature is to push the envelope in all aspects of our business model as we continually look for a better way of doing things, right down to the working and living conditions of our employees and those of our affiliates.
   
4. Are your shoes environmentally-friendly?
   
   Answer:For some time, we've been ahead of the curve when it comes to incorporating environmental-friendliness into our product. Within the shoe industry, we were one of the first manufacturers to dedicate 100% of our line to using water-based adhesives. While this is an important step toward creating 'green'-er product, it is not the only one. We continuously seek to improve on all that we do, and we've recently stepped up our use of recycled content in our footbeds (i.e. BioFoam™), the use of recycled cardboard shanks, and the use of more environmentally-friendly materials in our uppers.
   
5. What is Earth doing as a company to address their environmental footprint?
   
   Answer:Our commitment to being recognized as an environmental leader works internally from the top-down and bottom-up. Our senior management team is dedicated to seeing us reduce our carbon footprint. Beyond sizable changes we've made within the last several years to product design and material use, we've also invested into new manufacturing/operations to reduce added travel and carbon emissions. We've eliminated traditional box packaging wherever possible, and have upgraded all of our packaging configurations to a one-piece construction that is glue-less, and uses soy-based inks and recycled paper. Internally, each associate is encouraged to be involved with environmental concerns of their own choosing. During the month of April, and specifically on Earth Day, many associates are involved with Earth Day celebrations including community work with a natural farm right around the corner from our US headquarters. Energy offsets are also something that we're currently exploring to address the gap between the organic reductions we've already made, and our ongoing carbon footprint.
   
6. Do you have a recycling program?
   
   Answer:Inside our corporate headquarters, we employ an expansive recycling program that includes conventional office goods like paper, bottles, and plastic. At the Senior level, we're also adamant about reducing the use of white paper, and much of our senior leadership team has 'gone paper-less' to reinforce the importance and meaning behind such an approach. As more and more manufacturers explore re-cycled or re-purposed footwear, this is also something that's on our radar screen. To date, we've not yet formalized our product design and development in this capacity, although we're striving to do so.
   
7. What does Earth, Inc. do in the community?
   
   Answer:Community involvement is principally centered around our US headquarters and works in concert with local community partners. Our primary values partner is the Waltham Fields Community Farm, located in Waltham, MA. The farm promotes local agriculture through growing and distribution practices that are socially, ecologically, and environmentally sustainable. Much of our operations excess - like extra box packaging and giveaways - are also used as inputs on the farm. In this small way, we help to subsidize its' operations, and reduce cost that would otherwise go into sourcing these inputs.
   
8. Are your shoes considered biodegradable?
   
   Answer:Our shoes are not biodegradable (*if you do happen to come across some, please let us know*). We do, however, package our shoes in unique shoe bags - either made from earth-friendly hemp, or PLA. PLA is a recycled plastic and is 100% biodegradable.
   
9. How do your sizes run?
   
   Answer:There's some natural variability in sizes, particularly within our leather styles where natural leather nuances can affect how a given shoe will stretch over time. That said, our sizes are very consistent and are held to exceedingly tight fit tolerances during production. One notable benefit that emerges from the incorporation of Kalso Negative Heel Technology design is 'fit' - as the footwear tends to be more secure in the heel, and then also allows the toes to spread out in the forefoot. This general 'relaxed' fit accommodates a broader range of consumers, and helps to ensure the footwear  works effectively between half-sizes.
   
10. Is Earth Footwear slip-resistant?
    
    Answer:Most of our shoes are designed with slip-resistance in mind and it's a development area upon which we pride our footwear. Each season we test our soles with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) across a range of conditions. Consistently, we receive high-marks - particularly in Dry and Wet condition testing.
    
11. Are any of your shoes waterproof or water-resistant?
    
    Answer:Yes. The specific styles that are waterproof or water-resistant are marked with a hangtag or label to indicate as such - either on the product itself, in our catalog, or on-line. Our waterproof styles have not only been weather-treated, but the overall design has been modified to ensure that any moisture won't leak through stitching or lacing gaps. Our water-resistant styles have been weather-treated, but are not intended for extreme conditions.
    
12. What is a Vegan shoe?
    
    Answer:Simply put, a shoe with the Vegan Society's logo has been certified to not use any animal or animal by-products in its design or development. For many consumers who live the values of a Vegan lifestyle, having the opportunity to extend these principles into their footwear choice is especially meaningful, and we're proud that we can support these interests. Approximately 30% of our line uses such non-leather alternatives.
    
13. Are these the same Earth shoes that were worn in the 70's?
    
    Answer:Yes and no. The Kalso® Negative Heel Technology® found in each shoe of our Earth Footwear collection and offers the same whole-body benefits as found in the original 'Earth Shoe'. The angle of 3.7º is also identical to the original design. Where Earth Footwear makes a rather dramatic departure from the original Earth Shoe is in the area of style. Where many consumers found the original Earth Shoe to be a somewhat 'lovable creature', many were also more outspoken about (and less fond of) its box-y design. Synthesizing Kalso Negative Heel Technology, the positive healthy and whole-body benefits that are associated with this design, and upgrading product styling to make it both contemporary and trend-right, is a formula that we've brought to Earth Footwear, and has contributed to much of our success and far-reaching appeal.
    
14. Are these the same shoes sold at Wal-Mart?
    
    Answer:No. Earth Footwear are the only shoes with Kalso® Negative Heel Technology® and are sold exclusively at leading independent shoe stores and health food stores with staff who have been effectively trained, and can speak to the positive health attributes associated with wearing Earth®.
    
15. How can I clean my shoes/footbed?
    
    Answer:Cleaning your shoes will largely depend on the material used in the upper (i.e. the top or ‘covering' of the shoe). For our Earth Footwear styles with suede or leather uppers, after rinsing away dirt and dust, most any traditional suede or leather conditioner and toner will work best. For our non-leather, or Vegan styles, using a cloth with soap and water is most effective.
    
16. Is there a lifetime warranty?
    
    Answer:While we've heard from several Earth wearers who have happily worn their shoes for many, many years, we do not offer a lifetime guarantee. We do stand behind our products and want all of our consumers to naturally be happy with their purchases. If you feel you've received a defective product, we suggest contacting the retailer from where you've purchased your footwear to arrange for an inspection. Everyone wears her/his shoes a little differently. Some people wear a single pair each day in extreme weather conditions without proper treatment. Others alternate between several pairs, properly caring for them. Largely for these reasons, there is no guaranteed life expectancy on our footwear.

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SITE FAQs

1. Do you have a secure server? Am I safe submitting my credit card information to you over the Internet?
   Yes, you are safe submitting your credit card information over the Internet. Our websites are hosted by Pair Networks. Their servers are extensively tested against security exploits. All unnecessary services are disabled, all security patches are up-to-date, and servers are audited regularly for attempted break-ins. Their systems administrators actively maintain awareness of new security developments. Their custom network monitoring systems ensure that attacks are identified and responded to promptly.
   
   
2. Can I contact you by phone ?
   Yes we are reachable by phone at our toll-free number: 1-800-966-1780. If you call and reach voicemail, all lines are in use. Please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible. It would be helpful to know the reason you are calling. If you are calling about the status of your order, please leave your name, order number if you have it, and phone number. If you are calling to check the availability of a shoe, please let us know which shoe(s) you are interested in.
   
   
3. Do you have a catalog?
   No. Our website is our catalog. Generally you can request a catalog from the footwear company you are interested in.
   
   
4. Is there a store in my area?
   We are a retailer of the products we sell; therefore we do not have information about other retail store locations. You must contact the company directly to obtain this information.
   
   
5. Do you charge for shipping ?
   All ground shipments within the US are shipped to you free of charge.
   
   
6. Do you ship internationally?
   No. At this time we are not able to ship internationally, though we are currently researching this possibility. Please check back in the future for this option.
   
   
7. Do you offer expedited shipping?
   In-stock items can be shipped at a faster rate for an additional fee.
   Expedited Shipping:
   UPS Next Day Air $25 ($10 for each additional pair)
   **Please note we only ship via UPS
   
   
8. Which carrier do you use to ship?
   For packages going to a P.O. Box, Alaska or Hawaii we use United States Postal Service.
   For all other packages we ship via UPS.
   
   
9. How do I track my order?
   Most orders can be tracked by going to UPS.com. You will need your 5-digit order number (found in your e-mail confirmation) and the ship-to zip code. Your order number is your reference number. Simply enter this information into the proper fields and click on the track button. If there are no results, it does not mean that your order has not been shipped. Some of our locations do not support this tracking method. Please contact us via email if you need further tracking assistance.
   
   
10. Where do I return my shoes?
    All unworn shoes should be returned to our Ashland, OR address:
    
    UniqueSoles.com
    142 E. Main St
    Ashland, OR 97520
    
    We offer discounted return shipping for $7 per item. By taking advantage of our return shipping offer, you can print your own return shipping label from your own computer, eliminating any trip to the post office!
    
    Please see RETURNS for full details.
    
    
11. How long will it take to process my return?
    We process all returns in the order they are received, and we do process them as quickly as possible. On all returns and exchanges, processing may take up to 30 days.
    
    
12. Do you pay for return shipping?
    We offer discounted return shipping for $7 per item. By taking advantage of our return shipping offer, you can print your own return shipping label from your own computer, eliminating any trip to the post office! Please see returns for full details.
    
    
13. What if I have worn my shoes? Can I still return them?
    No. We cannot take back worn shoes, as we will not be able to resell them. If worn shoes are sent back to us they will be shipped back to you at your expense.