We are raising the funds we need to make and release our first Orba Ghosts in black. By pre-buying your Orba Black Ghosts now, you’re helping us go ahead and make them, and in a sustainable way, knowing we have the customer demand to do so.

If you pledge to this campaign, you’ll be one of the first people in the world to own a pair of the new Orba Black Ghosts - and you’ll get some great discounts too. Our Orbas currently come in sizes EU36-47 which is US Women 5-16 & US Men 3-14.

Who are we?

We’re Orba, a New Zealand company with a focus on sustainability by eliminating waste in the shoe industry.. 

The word "sustainability" can be overused and misused.  We think the definition from the World Commission on Environment and Development (The Brundtland Report) is best:

“Meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

All Orba shoes are made from natural materials that are designed to break down to nothing when you’ve finished with them.  In this we are actively supporting the opportunity for future generations to enjoy this planet as we found it. 

Orba is looking to "close the loop" in footwear.  We support ethical sourcing and manufacturing to ensure sustainable growth in the communities we work with. Orba represents a design revolution that focus's on reducing landfill, one pair of shoes at a time.

Why have we created Orba?

Footwear is one of the world's most polluting industries - from the synthetic materials used through to the production processes and eventual disposal. The toxins leach into our food chain, water and affect people’s health. There are over 24 billion polluting shoes made every year!

Made from the earth, returns to the earth.

All Orba shoes are made from over 95%+ bio-based materials, made from nature are designed to biodegrade and compost in the right microbial environment at the end of their useful life.  

Our rubber sole material is the first and only in the world to receive this USDA certification.

All our dyes are 100% plant-based, including the dye for black Orba Ghosts.  It is reported that 20% of the world's fresh-water pollution is caused by synthetic fabric dyes.  We are addressing this problem.  The run-off from our dyeing process is natural, and goes to irrigate the banana plantations surrounding the dye-house.   

This means you can feel good knowing that when you’re ready to say goodbye, your shoes will return to nature, going back into the soil where they came from.

Made from nature and kind to the planet.

We carefully chose each material for its unique properties and low environmental impact. 

Natural rubber, coconut oil and rice husk ash, a waste product from food production, for the sole.

Cork and coir (coconut husk), waste product from food production, for the footbed.

Flax, ramie (nettle), kenaf (hemp) for the upper.  These crops grow on waste land, without the need for irigation, pesticides or fertilisers.  They don't interfere with the food chain.

We craft our renewable plant-based materials into a shoe of comfort, style and good vibes, and one that does not compromise durability.

Read more on our website including our sustainability framework, plan and code of conduct.

Made from nature.

More sustainable.

Biodegradable materials.

What is the Ghost?

Our range of shoes is named "Ghost", because when they reach their end of life they will eventually vanish, leaving no trace. 

We started with our first shoe, the Orba Off-white Ghost.  This has been in the New Zealand market and delivered internationally for over two years, a consistent, yet lonely, player attracting attention from customers all over the world.

Our customer feedback has always been very positive, 96.2% satisfaction and we receive constant requests for additional colours, sizes and styles.

What are we crowdfunding for?

Since we’ve heard from many of you that you love your Orbas, we want to raise the funds we need to release our next two shoes, the new "Black Ghost" and the "Black Ghost / trimmed in White".  They are dyed black using natural plant-based dyes.  The run-off from our natural dyeing process irrigates a banana plantation!

By pre-buying our shoes, you’ll help us to make the right number of our shoes. You’re helping us do that in a more sustainable way knowing we have the customer demand to do so. 

The Black Ghost range is ready-to-go, we have the final samples from the production line, we just need the funds to make it happen.

Check out the available rewards to help us raise the funds we need.

Reserve your pair NOW!

Black / Off-white

Black / Black

What do others say about Orba Shoes?

Hey it's not always about us and what we say, others also believe that the intent, design and success of the off-white Ghost warrants our decision to produce the two black Ghosts.

As featured in...

Industry recognition ...

Global accreditations ...

Customer feedback ...

Over 500 five-star reviews for comfort and style. Here are some of our favourites.

A little bit more about us.

Our mission.

To be the world-leading supplier of non-polluting footwear and related industrial materials that are more sustainably mass-produced.

Our vision.

An industry where all polluting and unsustainable factors can be entirely removed, while providing quality products, economic sustainability, and social and environmental benefits.

Our Sustainability Framework.

The Sustainability Framework details our overall vision and business governance structure, product materials selection criteria, preferred third-party eco-certifications and scientific testing for biodegradability and compostability. See our full Framework here.

Stretch targets.

  > If we get to $50k we’ll launch more colours. And you can vote on which one is for you!

  > If we get to $100k we’ll launch another style. And you can vote on which one is for you!

Production timeline.

   November 2023: PledgeMe Campaign commences

   17 April 2024: PledgeMe Campaign closes

   24 April 2024: Orders sent to factory

   1 May 2024: Off-white shoe orders dispatched

   31 July 2024: Black and Black/White shoe orders available for dispatch

Risks and Challenges.

There’s no risk to you as the order you make won’t proceed unless we reach our target. What risks do we face, only that we don’t reach our target. The design is finished, the material supply and production facility is ready to go, the packaging and distribution is already in place for our current range, the final samples ahve been provided and approved. We just need the pre-orders to launch the campaign.

Who's behind Orba?

Marshall Westlake

Development and Production Manager - over 60 years in the footwear industry, the past 30 in Indonesia and now known as a grandfather to the Indonesian footwear industry which employs over 800,000 people. He’s watched the changes there, from when product was wrapped in banana leaves that could be thrown away and composted, to the massive plastic problem that the footwear industry has contributed to and he was a part of.

“I see this as a product that had to happen if the planet is going to avoid choking on plastic and related poisons.”

Gillian Boucher

Sustainability Advisor - professional musician turned International and Sustainable Development leader.

“My commitment to taking action to solve problems related to waste and pollution followed a life-changing visit to one of the largest open refuse sites in the Philippines, “Smokey Mountain,”. I was invited to perform in the Philippines to raise funds to build a school there. Amidst the toxic haze and hazardous landscape were shanties full with thousands of families with children walking bare foot in piles of garbage. What struck me the most was that number of children working.”

Scott Anderson Operations and Finance Manager - 35 years of business and operations experience, working in sustainability since 2014.

Sam Marshall Designer - five years of product design experience in internationally recognised studios.

Greg Howard 20 years entrepreneurial experience in ecologically aware apparel.

Reward Delivery.

If we’re successful, we will ship the white Ghost orders in May 2024 once pledges are processed.

For new ranges, black, black/white trim and new sizes, orders will be available for dispatch by 31 July 2024.

We will send you vouchers, and final payment is required before dispatch.

Freight will be added to the balance payment for black and black/white orders and charged before dispatch. International freight will be an additional charge.

Deliveries ex New Zealand to your region may be subject to local fees or taxes. These will be calculated by your local customs office, subject to the policies in your country. The recipient is responsible for these additional charges if there are any. Normally they are charged to the recipient through the courier service.

Contact us.

Have questions, or want to partner with us? Send us an email on [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

What do you get in return?

Shoes. That are designed to biodegrade and compost. We’ve created a limited range of rewards from our existing Ghost shoes (at a discount to thank you for helping us get this over the line) through to our new range. 

All Orba Ghost shoes normally sell at $150. The special launch price for Black and Black/White shoes is $100. Order now and save $50. Also look for rewards for our existing Off-white shoes at the special launch price and available immediately. You can read more about these rewards down the side of this campaign page.

All new Black, Black/White trim and new-sized sneakers will be available for dispatch in July 2024.

We offer sizes EU36-47. (US Women 5-16) (US Men 3-14).

Select your reward before 17 April 2024 to reserve your Orba Black Ghosts and help us reduce waste in the shoe industry.