FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS

  • Pre-Walker: For crawlers, cruisers, and assisted standers. Ultra-light, ultra-flexible — as close to barefoot as possible.

    First Walker: For first independent steps. Still barefoot-friendly, with added grip, protection, and our patented FlotActiv™ suspension system.

  • Yes — all our shoes are unisex. Children's feet are the same at this stage, so there's no need for gendered models. Creating gendered ranges not only reinforces outdated norms but also contributes to overproduction and waste. We've chosen a thoughtful range of colourways that work for any child.

  • Pre-Walker: Best for indoors. Can handle short outdoor use (like smooth paths) but not built for rough terrain.

    First Walker: Great for both — footpaths, playgrounds, and adventures.

  • No. We prioritise breathability and safety over chemical waterproofing. First Walkers handle splashes, but aren't puddle-proof.

  • 6 months to 3 years — when foot development is fastest. Bigger sizes coming soon.

  • Yes — larger sizes are on the way. Stay tuned.

  • Nope. We're all in on little feet — and doing one thing really well.

MATERIALS + SAFETY

  • Yes, all materials are certified non-toxic and skin-safe to EU REACH standards.

  • No. We use wool for its breathability, odour resistance, and natural performance. Many "vegan" shoes rely on fossil-fuel based synthetics that persist in the environment long after the life of the shoes.

  • Bio-based materials are made from things that come from nature — like plants, trees, or even food waste — instead of fossil fuels like oil or gas. They can be made from materials such as corn, sugarcane, natural rubber, or castor beans. These are often processed into usable forms like bio-based plastics, foams, or textiles. They can look and feel like synthetic (man-made) materials but are created from renewable, plant-based sources, making them more sustainable and better for the environment.

  • Natural materials are used in their original form or with minimal processing. Think of wool, cotton, natural rubber, or cork. They come from nature and are typically biodegradable. Biobased materials, on the other hand, start with natural sources but are processed or engineered to behave like man-made materials. A common example is bio-based foam made from castor oil, which can replace petroleum-based foam.

  • Not easily, and that's a footwear-wide issue. We're simplifying materials, ditching plastics, and working toward a take-back scheme. Stay tuned for updates. For now, the best thing? Pass them on and make the most out of their use phase.

SIZE + FIT

  • Use our easy size guide to measure at home or cross check foot measurements with our size chart available via a link on the product selection pages. If in doubt, size up, little feet grow fast. Or just drop us a note we'd be happy to advise as needed.

  • Yes — but every foot is different. Check our fit guide or contact us for help.

  • No. EU sizing has smaller increments than UK and kids grow fast.

  • Totally up to you. They're comfy with or without socks — soft, breathable, and skin-safe either way.

ORDERS + CHANGES

  • If it hasn't shipped yet, email us ASAP at hello@brightland.cc and we'll try to help.

  • Oops, email us at hello@brightland.cc and we'll fix it fast.

SHIPPING + RETURNS

  • We ship across the UK and to the US (from the UK) using Royal Mail's tracked service. For other countries please send us a message via the website or directly to hello@brightland.cc and we can arrange it for you.

  • We ship in 1–2 business days. In the UK orders are expected within 3 working days. For international orders to the US delivery times are estimated to be 5-8 days. You will receive notification that your order has been shipped and a link to track your order. If you have any doubt please drop us a line at hello@brightland.cc

  • Yes we ship to the US. We can also arrange international shipping to other countries on request.

  • No additional import duties or customs fees should be due on delivery. Any applicable import costs are included in the price you pay when ordering from the US.

  • Return unworn shoes within 30 days in original packaging. We understand you'll want to try your child's shoes on for fit. We simply ask that they are tried on indoors and not worn outside before deciding whether to keep them.

    If you'd like to exchange your shoes for a different size or colour, we'll be happy to help. Drop us a note at hello@brightland.cc.

    In the UK

    • Customers are responsible for the cost of returning the original item.
    • We'll send your replacement order free of charge.

    In the US

    Customers are responsible for the cost of returning the original item to the United Kingdom.

    Shipping costs for replacement orders are the responsibility of the customer.

    Any applicable customs duties, taxes or import charges on the replacement shipment are also the responsibility of the customer.

    Refunds will be processed to your original payment method within 5–10 working days, although your bank or card provider may take a little longer to complete the transaction.

    See our Returns and Refund page for more details.

ABOUT BRIGHTLAND

  • We're a UK-based children's footwear brand, founded by two friends who couldn't find the shoes their kids needed — so we built them, with experts and low-impact materials.

  • Most kids's shoes compromise on foot health or sustainability. We don't — we do both without compromising on style.

  • Our shoes are made in Portugal and that's a very deliberate choice. Portugal is home to some of the world's most skilled shoemakers, with a long tradition of craftsmanship. We didn't just want a factory; we wanted partners. We know the people who make our shoes and how they're made. That matters.

  • We only work with EU factories that meet strict labour, safety, and environmental standards and are regularly audited.

  • No, we sell direct to avoid overproduction and waste — and stay connected to the families we're designing for. Pop-ups might come later.

CONTACT + SUPPORT

  • Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

  • Click 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of any email — or drop us a line at hello@brightland.cc.

  • Reach out anytime - hello@brightland.cc

  • Feel free to DM us on Instagram or drop us a note on email via hello@brightland.cc

FOOTWEAR FACTS

  • Every year, the world produces over 24 billion pairs of shoes, a number that’s still growing by around 20% each decade. Most of these are made from plastics and synthetic materials that are hard to recycle.

    Source - RunRepeat “Footwear Production Statistics,” 2019; Running Shoes Guru
    “The Global Economy of Sneakers,” 2021.

  • Shockingly, around 90% of shoes end up in landfill, often within just 12 months of purchase. That’s because they’re usually made from mixed plastics, glues, and composites that are almost impossible to recycle.

    Source: Deloitte UK “Protecting Our Feet and Planet,” 2023; Forbes “Vivobarefoot Walks the Line Between Ultramodern & Ancient Wisdom,” 2024.

  • Today, fewer than 5% of the 24 billion pairs made each year are ever recycled or reused. The rest are either burned, sent to landfill, or sit unused in wardrobes.

    Source: EU LIFE Re-Shoes Project Report, 2022.