FAQS
Build tech-augmented footwear and services that enhance quality of life.
At the foundation of our culture, our employees are dedicated to serving customers through leading technology, simplicity, adaptability and responsibility.
333 W. Maude Ave Ste 207
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Baliston® (BAL Inc) is based in Silicon Valley, with offices in Kansas City, Denver, and an international team in France and Luxembourg.
Sustainability has never been more important than today and in times of limited resources, climate change, and growing pollution, Baliston® wants to raise awareness of the planet in multiple ways. While we are a young company, sustainability is at the forefront of our daily activities.
Baliston+ Members
Simply request a replacement pair of shoes and new custom fitted insoles when your current pair of shoes’ cushioning has reached 20%. We’ll send you the new pair and new insoles, along with a prepaid shipping label and instructions on how to return your old ones for recycling.
Baliston Customers
Contact our Customer Support team when your pair of shoes’ cushioning has reached 20%. We’ll email you a prepaid shipping label and instructions on how to return your old shoes, insoles, and electronics for recycling.
To contact our Customer Support team, you can visit the “Support” page from the website header and raise a ticket, call, or send an email to support@baliston.com.
The Baliston ConnectTM app tracks the wear of each shoes' cushioning and when the cushioning is below 20%, the shoes are ready for recycling. Simply drop your pair in the mail with our prepaid shipping instructions. We’ll ship the shoes directly to our logistics and recycling facility in Denver, CO.
At Baliston®, we use only 5 materials in a simple and elegant design so that materials can be separated and recycled in the most efficient way. In our Denver facility, the shoes are deconstructed down to the raw materials. At that point, the raw material manufacturers will collect the used materials. Some portion of those materials will be used in the next collection of Baliston shoes, whereas other materials will be used by the manufacturers for other products. Note that any of the recycled material may be used to manufacture other components of the shoe; not necessarily the same component cycle over cycle. Baliston does not support downcycling.
Usually a shoe is made with around 20 - 30 materials. This makes its recyclability almost impossible due to the labor required to separate them. At Baliston®, we use only 5 materials in a simple and elegant design so that materials can be separated and recycled in the most efficient way. In the future our goal is to reduce the number of materials, and components made from those materials, even further.
Yes, the worn materials will be recycled and repurposed by the raw material manufacturers. Some portion of those materials will be used in the next collection of Baliston shoes, whereas other materials will be used by the manufacturers for other products. Note that any of the recycled material may be used to manufacture other components of the shoe; not necessarily the same component cycle over cycle.
We believe sustainability comes with a cost and we spared no expense and testing time to develop Baliston® footwear.
By buying Baliston® shoes you are participating in Baliston’s commitment to using sustainable materials and most importantly, to recycling 100% of its footwear. Your Baliston shoes will not join the 25 billion pairs that end up in landfills each year. While other companies may ask their users to recycle their shoes, customers have no way to know when it is actually the time to recycle the shoe. Moreover, most brands, except e-commerce brands, do not have any direct access to their customers. For example, with shoes purchased at retail, the brand has no connection with the end user. What is unique about Baliston is that we have created a strong incentive for the users to recycle a shoe and provide them a replacement. We even provide a prepaid return shipping label and we will take the responsibility of recycling the shoes.
Philippe Starck, world famous creator with multifaceted inventiveness, is always focused on the essential, his vision: that creation, whatever form it takes, must improve the lives of as many people as possible. This philosophy has made him one of the pioneers and central figures of the concept of “democratic design”. By employing his prolific work across all domains, from everyday products (furniture, a citrus squeezer, electric bikes, an individual wind turbine), to architecture (hotels, restaurants that aspire to be stimulating places) and naval and spatial engineering (mega yachts, habitation module for private space tourism), he continually pushes the boundaries and requirements of design, becoming one of the most visionary and renowned creators of the international contemporary scene. Philippe Starck and his wife, Jasmine, spend most of their time on airplanes or in "middle of nowhere". Philippe Starck | About
Five environmentally friendly materials are combined to create the Baliston by Starck shoes in order to assure sustainability. These materials consist of the following:
- The laces and upper portion of the shoe are made of castor yarn.
- The charger housing and sensor module housing are made from recycled plastic.
- Sugarcane Green EVA and organic cotton are used to make the shoe's insole.
- The sole of the shoe is made of Sugarcane Green EVA.
- Natural rubber is used to make the anti-slip pads found on the sole of the shoe.
The shoes are manufactured in China. The sensor modules and charger are manufactured in South Korea. Both are shipped to our logistic and recycling center in Denver, CO. There, the components go through quality control and then are packaged into one shoe box and sent to members.
Baliston® aspires to manufacture future shoe collections in the US.
Yes. See the line-up of our shoes by visiting our Shop page. When you select a particular model you will see the range of sizes available.
Baliston® does not allow custom orders at this time.
The shoes are not waterproof. The sensor modules are rated to IP-67, meaning they can be submerged in up to 3 ft of water. However, Baliston® does not recommend washing your shoes with the sensor modules still inserted.
Yes! Using a size 9 shoe as a reference, each shoe weighs 10 ounces.
- DISCLAIMER : Cleaning and care for your Baliston® shoes is your responsibility and at your discretion. We recommend following the guidelines below if you wish to clean your shoes. Baliston is not liable for misuse of its products nor liable for any damage resulting from cleaning and care.
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Cleaning the insole
- We recommend removing the insoles and clean them with a sponge, soap, and water. When finished, rinse your insoles with warm water.
- Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and then allow the insoles to completely air dry before reinserting them into your shoes.
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Cleaning the outsole
- We recommend dipping a soft bristled scrub brush or toothbrush into soapy water and brush the outsoles to remove any chunks of mud. Then, you can use sponge, soap, and water to wipe down the outsoles. Finish by wiping your shoes with a clean wet cloth to remove any remaining soap.
- Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and then allow your shoes to completely air dry before reusing them.
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Cleaning the upper shoe
- We recommend cleaning the upper of the shoe with a dry clean, lint-free cloth or cloth dampened with only water. Do not use a brush.
- Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and then allow your shoes to completely air dry before reusing them.
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Cleaning the laces
- We recommend removing the laces and then placing them in sink or bucket of warm soapy water. Let the laces soak and if necessary, rub them with a sponge. Then, rinse your laces with warm water.
- Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and then allow your laces to completely air dry before relacing your shoes.
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Cleaning the sensor modules
- We recommend cleaning the sensor modules with only a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
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CAUTION
- Do not clean shoes or sensor modules with corrosive chemicals, oil, acetone, or petroleum-based products.
- Do not place the shoes or sensor modules in a washing machine, dryer or use a hair dryer to dry the shoes.
- Avoid immersing the shoes and sensor modules in water.
As firmware releases for the sensor module are released, those updates will be silently downloaded to your phone through the Baliston ConnectTM application and then sync’d to the sensor modules silently. The sensor module firmware will update when the sensor modules detect that you are inactive.
Based on expected use, the batteries will last up to two weeks. To charge the sensor modules, first remove the insoles from your shoes and then the sensor modules from their pocket in the soles. You can remove the sensor modules by pulling on the colored ribbon to help eject them from the pocket. Once free, align the charging contacts on the modules with the charging contacts on the provided charger and then plug the charger into power. The modules are done charging when the light on the charger turns off. This may take up to 2 hours if the sensor modules' battery levels are very low.
The sensor modules in your Baliston® shoes contain inertial measurement units (IMUs) that measure both linear and rotational movement in 3D. To see a list of the various metrics and analyses that users can see in Baliston ConnectTM, please visit our Science page.
iOS 16 or higher for iPhones. For Android-based smartphones, Android 7.0 or higher is required and the phone must natively support the Google Play Store. Tablets are not supported.
Attach the shoe’s sensor modules to the provided charger by aligning the contacts on the modules with the charging contacts on the charger. Plug the charger into power. Charge the modules until the light on the charger turns off. This may take up to two hours if the sensor modules' battery levels are very low. Next, download the Baliston ConnectTM application from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open the app and follow the onboarding prompts to pair the application with the sensor modules that go into the shoes. Be sure to only pair the modules with your phone through the Baliston ConnectTM app and not directly through the Bluetooth system settings on your phone.
No. Apple Health users may associate their Baliston ConnectTM app with their Apple Health account so that Baliston Connect can receive basic profile information about you (e.g. birthdate, height, weight, etc.). However, there is no additional data synchronization supported yet. As we expand our Apple Health integration and add other integrations, we will notify our customers.
Provided that there is sufficient battery in the sensor modules, the modules can record data even if you go for a walk without the phone that is running the Baliston ConnectTM application. Next time you open the Baliston ConnectTM application on your phone with your shoes and the included sensor modules nearby, the data recorded by the modules will sync into Baliston ConnectTM.
Height, Weight, Sex, and Birthdate can all be updated in the Baliston Connect application. If you wish to change your name or email address information, you can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
Make sure you are walking on a straight flat surface at a steady cadence for the full 1 minute. You may need to go outside to meet these conditions. You can skip this assessment and you will get an automatically generated Walking Quality Score as you wear the shoes throughout the day.
To refresh your data in the Today view, just pull down on the screen and that will force a refresh.
Please make sure that your smartphone’s Bluetooth is turned on.
Please make sure that your smartphone has a stable internet connection with either a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Attach the shoe’s sensor modules to the provided charger by aligning the contacts on the modules with the charging contacts on the charger. Plug the charger into power. Charge the modules until the light on the charger turns off. This may take up to two hours if the sensor modules' battery levels are very low.
If you are still having trouble, please try restarting your smartphone.
Please check that your device meets the minimum requirements for the app. For iPhones, the device should have at least IOS 16.0, and for Android smartphones, the device should have at least Android 7.0. If your smartphone does not meet these requirements, you may need to upgrade your device or use a different one to access the app.
Please ensure you entered the email address you purchased the shoes with without any errors. If the email address is correct, please check your email spam or junk folders in case the email was filtered there. If you still cannot find the email, you can visit the “Support” page from the website header and raise a ticket there or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
If you entered the wrong email address for verification, you can visit the “Support” page from the website header and raise a ticket there or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
If none of the solutions provided have worked for you, please visit the “Support” page from the website header and raise a ticket there or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
At this time, the Baliston+ membership is only offered in a personal capacity, which is suitable for a single user. We will keep our customers updated as we launch new plans.
All shoes will be equally priced at $150. We will keep our customers updated as we launch new plans.
The Baliston+ membership plan is only offered in a personal capacity (a single user) due to the need to connect the AI sensor modules to the user's Baliston Connect app. We do offer gift cards that can be purchased for friends and family.
The annual Baliston+ membership costs $250. This includes a new pair of shoes, two sensor modules (one for each shoe), the Baliston ConnectTM app, a pair of custom-fitted insoles chosen based on how the customer walks, the ability to replace the shoes once they have met their lifecycle criteria, the collection and recycling of the worn shoes - at no additional cost.
Let’s go into a bit more detail..... Using the personalized data collected, users will unlock insights and recommendations about how to improve their walking form in Baliston Connect. Driven by sophisticated algorithms, Baliston Connect will recommend a new pair of fitted insoles – at no additional cost! Not only does Baliston Connect measure when it is time to send users a new pair of customized insoles, it also measures when it is the right moment to replace a user's shoes. That right moment to replace a pair of shoes will be different for each user based on their personalized data like usage, gait pattern, weight, and more. When it comes time for a new pair of shoes, users have the option to select a new color or other design options.
You can sign up during the purchase of Baliston shoes or click on the account icon in the header of our website to set up your account.
You can select the “Forgot password” link on the account sign-in or sign-up form to change the password.
You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
You can update your height, weight, sex and date of birth inside the Baliston ConnectTM app, under Profile. Profile can be found in the upper left corner of the Today screen.
You can sign in to your account and check the “My Shoes” tab under your profile for order history.
You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
You can delete your account at any time through the Baliston ConnectTM app under Profile (Profile can be found in the upper left corner of the Today screen) or by logging into your Baliston account on our website. For Baliston+ members, deleting your account will cancel your membership. Deleting your account will delete all of your data from the Baliston ConnectTM app and our servers. You can continue to use your shoes but the data will not be recorded. When you wish to recycle your shoes, please contact our Customer Support team and we will provide you with instructions on how to return your shoes to us for no charge. You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
Currently, we only support one member per account/membership.
Users can select “unsubscribe” at the footer of email communications to unsubscribe from all marketing-related email communications.
8 AM to 5 PM (Mountain Time), Monday-Friday for the phone line and 1-2 days response time for email / web ticket support.
Yes, please email to support@baliston.com
A member from our staff or third-party partner will assist with your queries
We will reply back in 1-2 days from the receipt of your email or message
Our support team will keep you updated on the progress of the ticket via email or phone chat.
We will keep adding new tutorials, videos, and articles and you can view them on the website as available. To get started, please visit baliston.com/blog.
The negative effects of poor gait and negative gait changes are often obvious: You find it more challenging, uncomfortable, and awkward to walk. But gait changes may have additional long-term consequences like arthritis or stress on other muscles and joints. One of the biggest problems with poor gait and negative gait changes is the increased risk of falls.
Please learn more about the health metrics Baliston® tracks on our Science Page
Please learn more about health metrics that Baliston® tracks on our Science Page
Please learn more about the health metrics that Baliston® tracks on our Science Page
Baliston’s proprietary sensor modules embedded in the tech-augmented shoes measure biomechanical data and provide insights into the wearer’s walking DNA, going well beyond what any wrist wearable can achieve. In the Baliston ConnectTM app, this information is transformed into a suite of personalized analyses and recommendations, helping the wearer understand their body, and how to reduce fatigue, back pain and injury risk while incenting them to move more. Baliston® also uses this advanced gait-analysis technology to provide a fitted comfort insole designed to support how the wearer walks, enabling them to experience ultimate personalized support.
Baliston ConnectTM is the tool for tracking and analyzing walking data from your Baliston® footwear. Once the sensor modules been paired with the app, the modules accurately capture the user’s unique walking dynamics, like step quality, level of pronation, symmetry, and more. That data, analyses of the data, and personalized recommendations are then shown in Baliston Connect.
Using the personalized data collected, users will unlock more analyses and recommendations about how to improve their walking form. Driven by sophisticated algorithms, Baliston Connect can measure when a user is ready for a new pair of fitted comfort insoles and it also measures when it is the right moment to recycle and replace a user's shoes – at no additional cost!
Unfortunately, if you choose not to use the sensor modules or the Baliston Connect app, you will miss out on the value of all the key insights and recommendations that the Baliston Connect app provides, the analysis required to recommend a fitted comfort insole to support how you walk, and you lose visibility into when the shoe is ready to be recycled and replaced.
Whether you have a problem or not, getting qualitative or quantitative information about your daily activities can be a good motivational tool. In addition, the gait analysis part can be a good indicator of your health and provide insight on how to reduce fatigue and potentially prevent future pain or illness. The measurements we provide are similar to the ones used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and podiatrists to help their patients.
Your feet know more than you think. Unlike the position of sensors embedded in watches, rings, straps, or phones, the position of our sensors directly in the shoe produces more accurate and unique measurements for specific families of movements done with your feet.
The delivery time depends on the chosen model/size and your shipping address. Typically, orders are delivered within 5-7 business days, unless otherwise stated during checkout. Once an order is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information.
Shipping and returns are free!
After logging into the Baliston® website, you can manage your Baliston+ membership by clicking the membership tab located under “Profile”.
After logging into the Baliston® website, you can cancel your Baliston+ membership by visiting the membership section under “Profile” or you can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
- You may cancel your order and Baliston+ membership (if applicable) within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Please contact Customer Support.
- Between 31 and 90 days after delivery, you are eligible for a 50% refund on your shoe purchase and Baliston+ membership (if applicable), if you return your shoes in new or unused condition. Please contact Customer Support.
- If you have used your shoes, you may cancel your Baliston+ membership (if applicable) and return used shoes for recycling but will receive no refund. When you wish to recycle your shoes, please contact Customer Support and we will provide you with instructions on how to return your shoes to us at no charge to you.
Yes. You can continue to track your metrics and receive personalized insights and guidance. You will also receive new features that are rolled out to the application and to the sensor modules. However, you will no longer be eligible for the free fitted comfort insoles nor replacement pairs of shoes. When you wish to recycle your shoes, please contact our Customer Support. You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com. We will provide you with instructions on how to return your shoes to us for recycling for no charge.
- You may delete your account (which cancels your Baliston+ membership, if applicable) within 24hrs of placing their order for a full refund, by contacting Customer Support. You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
- Within the first 30 days of delivery, you may delete your account (which cancels your Baliston+ membership, if applicable) and receive a full refund if you return their shoes in new or unused condition. Because you will have deleted your account, all of your data will be deleted and you will be unable to log into account.
- Between 31 and 90 days after delivery, you may delete your account (which cancels your Baliston+ membership, if applicable) and receive a 50% refund if you return your shoes in new or unused condition. Because you will have deleted your account, all of your data will be deleted and you will be unable to log into account.
- If you have used your shoes, you may delete your account (which cancels your Baliston+ membership, if applicable) and you can return the used shoes for recycling whenever you want, but will receive no refund. Because you will have deleted your account, all of your data will be deleted and you will be unable to log into account. When you wish to recycle your shoes, please contact Customer Support and we will provide you with instructions on how to return your shoes to us for no charge. You can visit the “Support” page from the website header and there raise a ticket or contact the Customer Support team via phone or email at support@baliston.com.
Yes. Baliston® warrants all footwear to be free of defects in material or workmanship. The footwear warranty covers defect of workmanship and materials, but does not cover damage caused by accident, improper care, negligence, normal wear and tear, or the natural breakdown of colors and material through time, exposure or extensive use.
Baliston’s return policy matches our cancellation policy. If you want to replace defective shoes, sensor modules, or charger, please contact Customer Support.
Baliston® allows exchanges for products within 30 days of delivery. Please contact Customer Support.
Yes! You may cancel your order and Baliston+ membership within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, by contacting Customer Support.
Currently, Baliston by STARCK shoes are only available in the United States and its territories.
Users can learn more about private data by referring to our privacy policy & terms page.
Users can learn more about privacy by referring to our privacy policy & terms page
Users can learn more about cookies by referring to our cookie policy page