What Happened to Earthies Shoes? A Look at the Brand’s Disappearance

The Rise and Fall of Earthies Shoes

Earthies was a popular footwear brand founded in the 1990s that was known for its comfortable and fashionable shoes. However, in recent years the brand seems to have disappeared from the market, leaving many wondering what happened.

The origins of Earthies can be traced back to the original Earth Shoe invented in the late 1950s by Danish yoga instructor Anna Kalsø. Her innovative “negative heel” design featured a sole that was thinner at the heel than at the toe, mimicking the natural angle of feet in sand. This was said to align the body for better posture and breathing[3].

In 1970, Raymond and Eleanor Jacobs launched the Earth Shoe Company in the U.S. after discovering Kalsø’s design in Copenhagen[3]. Sales grew rapidly, reaching $14 million by 1974[11]. However, the company struggled to meet demand. It filed for bankruptcy in 1977 and closed down after disputes with regional franchise owners[3][5][11].

In 1986, Michel Meynard revived the Earth Shoe under a new company called Earth Inc[23]. He restored the original negative heel technology and expanded the styles to be more fashion-forward[23]. By 1999, the brand name was simplified to just “Earth”[23].

It was out of Earth Inc. that the Earthies brand emerged in the 1990s. Earthies shoes incorporated comfort features like negative heels and cushioned footbeds into stylish designs for women[1]. The brand was likely trying to capture the success of original Earth Shoes while appealing to modern fashion tastes.

So what led to Earthies’ eventual disappearance? Industry experts propose a few possible reasons:

Changes in fashion trends: Earthies may have struggled to adapt its styles to keep up with shifting consumer demands[1]. As tastes changed, its shoes may have lost relevance.

Competition from lower-priced brands: Other comfort shoe brands potentially ate into Earthies’ market share by offering similar looks at cheaper price points[1]. This could have weakened Earthies’ customer loyalty.

Company restructuring: Earth Inc., Earthies’ parent company, may have been bought out, merged, or changed leadership in a way that led to phasing out the Earthies brand[1]. There is little public information to confirm.

By the 2010s, the Earthies brand seems to have vanished from retail stores and online shopping sites. The Earth Inc. website remains active selling Earth shoes, but no longer lists Earthies[23]. Some shoppers still search secondhand sites hoping to find their favorite discontinued Earthies styles[1].

So in summary – Earthies rode the momentum of the original Earth Shoe craze, likely as an offshoot targeted at female fashion. But the brand did not sustain long-term demand. Changes in consumer tastes, cheaper competitors, or company restructuring may have led Earthies to shutter operations by the early 2010s after roughly two decades in business. Though short-lived, Earthies left behind a legacy of comfortable and stylish shoes for its loyal fans.