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Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Questions

What size women's sneakers should I order?

For help finding the perfect fit for each style, please reference the sizing guidance on each product page. We typically recommend ordering the same size that you normally wear in sneakers to ensure the most comfortable fit. If you are between sizes, we recommend ordering the larger size.

Still unsure? Send us an email. We'd love to help you find the right size!

What size men's sneakers should I order?

For help finding the perfect fit for each style, please reference the sizing guidance on each product page. We typically recommend ordering the same size that you normally wear in sneakers to ensure the most comfortable fit. If you are between sizes, we recommend ordering the smaller size.

Still unsure? Send us an email. We'd love to help you find the right size!

Why 'Nothing New'?

When we started playing around with some of the materials that led to Nothing New, we had zero intention of launching a new brand. We were just asking questions and doing tests that we thought were interesting and frankly, fun. Can we get vibrant colors on 100% up-cycled post-consumer plastic thread using a sustainable dying process? Can we make heel counters out of 100% up-cycled post-consumer plastic thread? The answer to the second question is "no, not good ones!" We needed a firmer material and we make our heel counters out of 100% up-cycled industrial fishing nets! It was more of a gravitational pull than anything else. Once January 2019 came around we had a product that we were really proud of and had one of those "what do we do now?" moments. Everyone who saw the sneakers was excited about them. We knew we want a positive impact, how eco-friendly doesn't need to look eco-friendly, and how a luxury designer aesthetic and sustainability can co-exist! Then one night we were dreaming about 'what if we launched' a brand around the sneakers we loved so much. We almost didn't do it. There are other cup-sole sneakers in the market. There are other sustainable brands. Then at some point I blurted out "let's just go for it, and we'll call it NOTHING NEW."

For more info about us, please check out our Our Story page!

Where are you located? Do you have any stores?

Most of our team is based in New York City. As of right now we do not have a physical location, but if you would like to visit us in-person or open a physical location in your city, drop us an email here!

What type of materials do you use?

For more info about the materials we use in our sneakers, please check out the Our Materials page!

How do I start an exchange or return?

We want you to love your order. If you’ve ordered the wrong size or have any other issue, you can always exchange or return so long as:

  • Your items are unworn, undamaged, in re-sellable condition (i.e. no marks on the canvas or wear on soles), and in their original packaging.
  • Your return request is submitted within 30 days of receiving your original order.

We offer free exchange or return shipping for items valued at $80 or more within the contiguous United States. Exchanges or returns for items under $80 may be subject to a $5 handling fee. Please view our full return policy here for more details.

Click here to get started on an exchange or return. And remember, our customer care team is always here to help if you need us! Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns.

About Us

Why 'Nothing New'?

When we started playing around with some of the materials that led to Nothing New, we had zero intention of launching a new brand. We were just asking questions and doing tests that we thought were interesting and frankly, fun. Can we get vibrant colors on 100% up-cycled post-consumer plastic thread using a sustainable dying process? Can we make heel counters out of 100% up-cycled post-consumer plastic thread? The answer to the second question is "no, not good ones!" We needed a firmer material and we make our heel counters out of 100% up-cycled industrial fishing nets! It was more of a gravitational pull than anything else. Once January 2019 came around we had a product that we were really proud of and had one of those "what do we do now?" moments. Everyone who saw the sneakers was excited about them. We knew we want a positive impact, how eco-friendly doesn't need to look eco-friendly, and how a luxury designer aesthetic and sustainability can co-exist! Then one night we were dreaming about 'what if we launched' a brand around the sneakers we loved so much. We almost didn't do it. There are other cup-sole sneakers in the market. There are other sustainable brands. Then at some point I blurted out "let's just go for it, and we'll call it NOTHING NEW."

For more info about us, please check out our Our Story page!

Where are you located? Do you have any stores?

Most of our team is based in New York City. As of right now we do not have a physical location, but if you would like to visit us in person or open a physical location in your city, send us an email!

Where are your products made?

All of our manufacturing partners are carefully selected with an emphasis on quality, sustainability, business ethics, and operational excellence.

We believe customers should hold the companies they purchase from to a high standard. As a company, we believe in holding our suppliers and partners to a high standard on behalf of our personal and customer values. Having personally been to more than 150 factories throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, we can confidently say that we believe we are working with the best partners, and that all partners have been and will continue to be vetted with our core values in mind. Below is a summary of our origin country for each product category along with information as to why that decision was made. If you have additional questions, if you disagree with our logic, or simply want to share your perspective- please do not hesitate to let us know. We appreciate your input.

All of our BetterCanvas™ sneakers are currently made in the Sichuan province of China.
For decades, the USA and other countries have been sending the bulk of our plastic and mixed paper recycling to China. Because of this, most of the raw material suppliers for sustainable goods are also based in China. By keeping assembly and finishing production close to our material suppliers, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint. Sichuan, colloquially known as the "Province of Abundance" also has some of the highest minimum wages in all of China. Concepts such as fair labor and workers' rights are more established there, as compared to other Southeast Asian countries with lower or non-existent minimum wages. After over one year of discussions, multiple in-person visits, and third-party audits, we decided to work with our assembly and finishing partner in Sichuan, who produces footwear for other well-known luxury USA and European brands, because of their record for quality as well as their shared interest in sustainability.

All of our Beyond Leather™ sneakers are currently made in Portugal.

All of our socks and shirts are currently made in the USA.
By producing in the USA, we are best able to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure are values are being upheld throughout the supply chain. While there are not material suppliers in the USA who had the interest or operational capabilities to develop new sustainable shoe components with us, we have found fantastic manufacturing partners to work with on developing sustainable socks and shirts made from upcycled cotton.

Who should I contact if I have a collaboration idea or business opportunity?

We love working on exciting things with new people. If you have a great idea, send us an email and we'll get in touch if it's something we can work on together.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes! You can pick up an electronic gift card here.

How can I verify the statistics found on your website?

Below you will find a comprehensive list of source articles used for reference statistics on our website:

  • "A whopping 91% of plastic isn't recycled", National Geographic
  • "Footwear's (carbon) footprint", MIT News
  • "Global and regional sea level rise scenarios for the United States", NOAA Technical Report NOS CO-OPS 083
  • "Measuring Fashion 2018: Environmental impact of the global apparel and footwear industries study", Quantis
  • "Plastic recycling facts and figures", The Balance Small Business
  • "Recycling with sole", Waste360
  • "Sea-level report cards", Virginia Insitute of Marine Science
  • "Coastal nations, megacities face 20 feet of sea rise", Climate Central
  • "The problem with plastics", Ocean Conservancy
  • "The stark truth about how long your plastic footprint will last on the planet", The Telegraph
Do you offer a discount for government / military / teachers / first responders?

Yes! We offer these discounts through GovX, a partner service. Please visit our Hero Discount page for more details.

Sizing & Fit

What size men's sneakers should I order?

For help finding the perfect fit for each style, please reference the sizing guidance on each product page. We typically recommend ordering the same size that you normally wear in sneakers to ensure the most comfortable fit. If you are between sizes, we recommend ordering the smaller size.

Still unsure? Send us an email. We'd love to help you find the right size!

What size women's sneakers should I order?

For help finding the perfect fit for each style, please reference the sizing guidance on each product page. We typically recommend ordering the same size that you normally wear in sneakers to ensure the most comfortable fit. If you are between sizes, we recommend ordering the larger size.

Still unsure? Send us an email. We'd love to help you find the right size!

What width are your men's sneakers? Do you offer wider/narrower widths?

All of our men’s sneakers are listed in our custom ‘Standard’ width. The Standard width most closely conforms to a traditional D width, which fits about 80% of the United States population. It’s also slightly wider in a few areas to make the fit more comfortable. We also recommend the Standard width for customers who commonly purchase E widths.

If you wear a size or width that is not currently available, let us know by filling out this form. We’re always evaluating what sizes to add, and this really helps us decide what to do next!

Any additional questions? Send us an email!

What width are your women's sneakers? Do you offer wider/narrower widths?

All of our women's sneakers are currently available in a traditional B width, which fits about 80% of the United States population. If you are slightly wider (C width), we suggest trying a ½ size up. We don't currently offer wider or narrower widths for women's sneakers.

If you wear a size or width that is not currently available, let us know by filling out this form. We’re always evaluating what sizes to add, and this really helps us decide what to do next!

Any additional questions? Send us an email!

Product & Quality

What type of materials do you use?

For more info about the materials we use in our products, please check out the Our Materials page!

What are the advantages of recycled post-consumer plastic vs cotton?

Post-consumer plastic destined for a landfill, or worse (improper disposal), is given a new life. Polyester, basically plastic thread, is longer lasting than cotton and was developed specifically because it could handle more wear and tear. This is why approximately 50% of the world's clothing is made from polyester. Recycled post-consumer plastic thread is almost the same as virgin polyester in terms of quality, but its production requires 59 percent less energy compared to virgin polyester, according to a 2017 study by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. Cotton also takes an enormous amount of water to grow. If we were to use cotton as opposed to recycled-post consumer plastic thread, 160 gallons of water would be needed for the cotton in a single pair of sneakers. That's a lot of water savings!

What are micro-plastics and is recycled post-consumer plastic eco-friendly?

First, our post-consumer recycled plastic thread is Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certified to ensure that our fabric isn’t causing human or ecological harm, and we partner with the Better Cotton Initiative for sourcing materials that are the most sustainable option so we can feel good about making products that reflect our values and that our customers can feel good about purchasing. Below is a summary of what micro-plastics are, why they have some people worried, and why we confidently stand behind our material selection decisions.

Micro-plastics are tiny fibers less than 5 millimeters in length, with diameters measured in micrometers (one-thousandth of a millimeter).

Approximately 50 percent of the world’s clothing is made of polyester and Greenpeace forecasts this percentage to nearly double by 2030. Polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a derivative of crude oil, and the most common type of plastic in the world. When you wash your clothing, fibers break loose and can get into the water stream. Naper and Thompson found that for an average wash load of 6 kg, over 700,000 fibres could be released per wash. Brown et. al. from the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences found that 1,900 fibers could be released from a single synthetic garment in a wash. Sustainability advocates worry that micro-plastic fibers are particularly hard to filter and the release of them in a wash can be extremely detrimental because micro-plastics can be toxic to wildlife. While some people debate this point, it doesn't seem far fetched- it isn't a good idea to eat plastic! Some sustainability advocates say the solution is for everyone to be wearing all organic cotton or wool clothes. Those options are good for apparel but don't come without their own issues, a big one being the enormous water strain. For instance, it takes more than 2,500 liters of water to grow the cotton for just one t-shirt and over 500,000 liters of water to produce a kilogram of wool, not to mention the methane emissions from sheep, which is a legitimate issue in New Zealand.

Recycled post-consumer plastic is almost the same as virgin polyester in terms of quality, but its production requires 59 percent less energy compared to virgin polyester, according to a 2017 study by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. Because polyester is made from crude oil, using recycled post-consumer plastic also reduces the environmental damage associated with the extraction of crude oil and natural gas from the Earth needed to make polyester. Using recycled post-consumer plastic also means there is less plastic in our landfills and oceans. Should we reuse post-consumer material or not? For us, it seems like a no-brainer.

The main concern with micro-plastics isn't with production, it is washing plastic-based apparel in the washer, which can then get into our water systems and the ocean.

If you are concerned about micro-plastics, the solution is pretty simple. Clean your Nothing New sneakers with a shoe cleaner or rag and a bit of water, and do not put them in the washer.

Why is stitched construction better than cement (glue or vulcanized construction)?

Stitch construction may be significantly more expensive than cement construction, but it’s far superior for both your feet and the environment. Stitch construction creates a more flexible and durable bond between the outsole and upper and lessens the harmful byproducts of glue or sulfur emission caused by cemented or vulcanized sneakers.

Why are Nothing New sneakers so comfortable?

Comfort is a function of the last, insole, outsole, and construction. The last defines the shape of the shoe and we custom developed our lasts to hug the foot in all of the right places. Our insoles are made in partnership with Ortholite, the leading manufacturer and supplier of open-cell foam insole technologies for the world’s leading footwear brands. Built with our signature recycled post-consumer plastic liner in addition to recycled rubber, recycled foam, and virgin foam for long-lasting, anti-microbial, high performance. Our outsoles were made with a leading manufacturer to balance our environmentally conscious mission with high performance and longevity. The outsole was built to be comfortable with a bit of bounce, while having flexibility and traction in all of the right places. Lastly, stitched construction helps a lot. By having a true stitch construction, the outsole is able to flex more easily with every step you take.

Where do you get the recycled plastic from?

The majority of our post-consumer plastic is collected in Vietnam, Haiti, and Thailand. Our raw material supplier has over 3,600 full-time collectors employed in accordance to the United Nations Global Compact principles, International Labor Organization and other internationally recognized standards. The 'trash' is collected and sent to China where it is re-processed into thread, dyed for color and then woven into canvas.

Are the insoles removable?

Yes, our insoles are a removable molded Ortholite insole. If you wish to switch it out for your own footbed, you can easily swap it!

How do I clean my sneakers? Are they machine washable?

To clean your sneakers, we recommend using our All-Natural Sneaker Cleaner, but any all-purpose shoe care product should clean your Nothing New sneakers well. For the outsole, it can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. We do not recommend washing any of our sneakers, especially not in the washing machine. We suggest air drying after cleaning or if it gets wet on rainy days.

For more details on how to clean your sneakers, check out our guide here.

Shipping & Order Details

How much does domestic (U.S.) shipping cost? How long will it take to get my order?

Standard shipping is free anywhere within the contiguous United States. Orders typically have a 1-3 business day processing time at our warehouse before they ship, but may take longer during the holidays due to high order volumes. As soon as your order ships, you will receive a tracking number and within 24 hours you will be able to see the estimated delivery date. Orders placed within the US typically take 1-5 business days to be delivered once shipped.

Expedited shipping is available if you need your order in a hurry. You can upgrade your shipping method at checkout for an additional fee. Currently, this option is only available to customers in the contiguous United States. (Note: Expedited orders placed after 2pm ET will process the next business day. Orders do not ship on Saturday, Sunday, or United States holidays.)

If you need your order even faster or have any special circumstances, please send us an email and we will see what we can do!

Do you ship to Armed Forces (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses?

Yes! Orders sent to these addresses will be sent via USPS Priority shipping. While it is more expensive to ship to these addresses than to a residential address, we are proud to support our friends in the Armed Forces and are happy to cover the cost of shipping for these orders. We kindly request the customer cover the cost of return shipping if a return or exchange is needed.

Do you ship internationally (i.e. outside of the U.S.)?

Yes, we ship internationally! Although it’s more expensive and logistically complex, we work hard to ensure our products are available in as many locations as possible and are constantly evaluating ways we can improve the experience for customers around the world.

Cost for international orders, including shipping rates and duties & taxes (where applicable), vary by country and are calculated in the checkout process. Most international orders are shipping delivered duty paid (DDP) through the “DHL Parcel International Direct” shipping method. If your order ships using this method, all duty and tax charges are included in your final price, so you don’t have to worry about extra charges once it arrives at your door!

Typically, international shipments take approximately 10 business days to arrive. We don’t currently offer expedited shipping for international orders.

Unfortunately, we don't yet offer shipping to every country. If we don't currently ship to your country, please fill out the survey here so we can take your country and location into consideration.

As we mentioned, we’re very grateful for our customers everywhere around the world and are working hard to make international purchases easier for everyone. Our customer service team is happy to help with any questions or concerns you have, so please don’t hesitate to send us an email if we can help in any way or if you have feedback to share!

I haven't received my order/shipping confirmation email. What should I do?

If you haven't received an email confirmation yet, there are a few things you can do:

  • Check your spam folder. Some email providers might mark our emails as spam.
  • If you're using Gmail, check your Promotions inbox by clicking the “Promotions” tab at the top of the page (see image here).

If neither of those things work, send us an email. We'll help update you on your order status. To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add team@nothingnew.com to your address book and safe-sender list.

How do I track my order?

Once your order ships, you'll receive a shipping confirmation email and tracking number. If it has been more than two business days since you placed your order and you still have not received a tracking number, send us an email and we will gladly assist you!

My tracking number isn't working. What should I do?

New tracking numbers can take up to 24 hours to activate from the time you receive your shipping confirmation. If it's been more than 24 hours and your tracking number still isn't working, send us an email and we'll help get you a status update!

Can I pay for my order in installments? How does it work?

Yes! We accept payment through Sezzle, which allows customers to pay for their order in 4 equal installments that are automatically charged every two weeks. They don't charge interest, and your order will ship immediately!

Sezzle is currently available for orders shipping within the United States and Canada. To use it, just select "Sezzle" at the Payment step in the checkout process. All you need is a debit or credit card, and you'll receive an instant approval decision.

Exchanges & Returns

How do I start an exchange or return?

We want you to love your order. If you’ve ordered the wrong size or have any other issue, you can always exchange or return so long as:

  • Your items are unworn, undamaged, in re-sellable condition (i.e. no marks on the canvas or wear on soles), and in their original packaging.
  • Your return request is submitted within 30 days of receiving your original order.

We offer free exchange or return shipping for items valued at $80 or more within the contiguous United States. Exchanges or returns for items under $80 may be subject to a $5 handling fee. Please view our full return policy here for more details.

Click here to get started on an exchange or return. And remember, our customer care team is always here to help if you need us! Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns.

How do international (i.e. non-U.S.) returns/exchanges work?

If you ordered the wrong size or have any other issue, you can always exchange or return as long as:

  • Your items must be unworn, undamaged, in re-sellable condition, (i.e. no creases or wear on soles), and in their original packaging.
  • Your return request must be submitted within 30 days of receiving your original order.

Please note that for all international (non-U.S.) orders, customers are responsible for return shipping fees and may be charged additional VAT and/or duties by their local government when processing a return. If you're processing an exchange, we will happily cover the shipping cost for up to one shipment per order! Please view our full return policy here for more information.

We’re very grateful for our customers everywhere around the world and are working hard to make international purchases easier for everyone. While we can’t currently offer free returns or exchanges for international orders, our customer service team is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. To contact us or get started on an international exchange/return, send us an email!

Where is my return?

If you placed a return or exchange through our online portal and it's been longer than 14 business days since our warehouse received your return, drop us a line so that we can expedite the process. Contact us here.

When should I expect my refund?

Once our warehouse has received your return, please allow up to 15 business days for a refund or store credit to be issued. If it has been longer than 15 business days, please contact us here.

Still Stumped?

No problem! We're here to help. Click below to send us an email.