Because when it comes to longevity, genuine leather is still the go-to. It lasts longer, wears beautifully, and means you can buy less (and better). It’s strong, durable, and only gets better with age. By choosing real leather, we're creating bags that stand the test of time so you won’t need to replace them every season. In the long run, that means producing less, consuming less, and wasting less.

Great question. Let’s break it down:

• Cowhide leather is the umbrella term for genuine leather. It can range from the most rugged to the most refined, depending on how it’s processed.
• Top grain leather is a type of cowhide that’s been refined to remove imperfections, making it smoother, more flexible, and more consistent without sacrificing strength. It hits that sweet spot of durability and elegance.
• Vegan leather sounds good in theory, but most versions are plastic-based (think PU or PVC), which may not last as long & often end up in landfill far too soon. There are exciting plant-based options emerging, but most aren't there yet in terms of long-term durability. But we’re keeping an eye out for it.
  

Good leather gets better with age, if you treat it right.

• Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Too much heat can dry it out, and damp, humid spots? Not leather’s best friend.
• Use your Roots etc dust bag (or even a cotton pillowcase) to keep dust away and let the leather breathe.  Avoid plastic - it traps moisture, which can lead to mould.
• Stuff it with paper or fabric when not in use to help it hold its shape. A saggy bag isn’t the vibe.
• Keep it away from oils, liquids, and dark materials that could rub off or stain.
• Wipe it down gently with a soft cloth to remove dirt or spills. For tougher stains, you can use a leather cleaner with a soft cloth. Every now and then, treat it to a little leather conditioner and apply a protector because even bags need self-care.  But always test any product first on an inconspicuous part of your item before applying it to the entire bag.  Be sure to use leather care products only from reputable brands.  
• Got caught in the rain? No stress. Just blot (don’t rub!) the water off gently with a dry cloth and let it air-dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight. Don’t use a hairdryer or heater; leather prefers the slow, gentle route back to dry.  

We mainly adopt a pre-order model which means we only produce what’s truly wanted. You get better bags, the planet gets a breather, and everyone wins. More importantly, we know our bags will go to someone who truly wants it.

We also carry small inventory because by skipping mass shipments and massive warehouse rent, we can afford to provide you with genuine leather, timeless design, and quality products without the overblown price tag. When our on-hand stocks get depleted, our bags automatically go into the pre-order option until re-stocked.

Items marked as pre-order are not yet in stock but will be made-to-order. Your bag will be delivered within 4 weeks (up to 6 weeks) from your order confirmation date. This is part of our commitment to produce only what’s truly wanted. Full payment is required upfront to secure your piece or avail of our Pay Half Now, Half Later option. If you order multiple pre-order items, dispatch dates may differ across the items and will ship separately, if needed.

Please refer to our full Pre-order Policy.

1. Pay in Full Now

When you pre-order and pay upfront, you’ll receive a FREE GIFT from us which you’ll receive with your bag! It’s our way of rewarding your early commitment with real value. Think of it as a little thank you for being decisive and stylish.  

2. Pay Half Now, Half Later

Just need a little more time to save? We get it. Place a 50% deposit to secure your spot in our production queue. Then, we will automatically settle the rest within 28 days from order confirmation date. Since each bag is made to order, if the balance isn’t paid, we will forfeit 10% of the product price to help cover the costs already put in. Fair? We think so.

Please refer to our full Pre-order Policy.

Note: If your product is ready ahead of schedule, we’ll notify you via email. For Half Now, Half Later orders, the remaining balance may be charged earlier.

Orders can't be cancelled once confirmed.

Once your order is confirmed, it heads straight into our production queue so changes are tricky. However, you can refer to our Returns & Refunds Policy.

In the rare case your item cannot be fulfilled, we will get in touch with you to offer you a full refund.

Within Australia? Good news, it's FREE! Standard shipping is on us. We send all local orders via Australia Post, because we like to keep it close and reliable.  Need it faster? Select Express Post at checkout for $10 flat rate and we’ll hustle harder.

Heading abroad? We’ve got you covered.  We do standard shipping to the following regions: NZ at a flat rate of A$25.00, while Asia Pacific, US/Canada, UK and Europe* at a flat rate of A$40.00.

*Our European deliveries are limited to the countries covered under Australia Post’s Zone 4.

A heads-up for our international friends:
We ship from Australia, so your country might ask you to pay duties or taxes if your order goes over the tax-free threshold. These fees are your responsibility and paying them quickly will help get your bag into your hands sooner.

We rely on Australia Post to deliver your orders worldwide. From time to time, they may suspend services to certain countries, which means our shipping destinations may change.

Please refer to our full Shipping Policy.

Within Australia? It takes a few days to pick and pack orders, and then sent out from our Sydney warehouse where your Roots etc bag begins their journey. We dispatch daily from Monday to Friday (except weekends and public holidays because we believe in rest too).  Here’s how long standard shipping usually takes according to Australia Post:

• Within the same state: 2–4+ business days (standard); 1-2+ business days (express)
• Interstate: 3–6+ business days (standard); 1-3+ business days (express)

During busy times, like sales or seasonal events, things might take a little longer to leave the nest. Thanks for your patience while we make sure everything gets to you just right.

Heading abroad?  Standard international shipping usually takes at least 10 business days for metro areas in major cities as the best estimate provided by Australia Post.  This doesn’t include any time your order might spend making friends with customs, and delays can happen beyond Australia Post’s control (we’ve seen it all).  But rest assured, we’ll get your bag on its way as soon as possible.

We rely on Australia Post to deliver your orders worldwide. From time to time, they may suspend services to certain countries, which means our shipping destinations may change.

These delivery timelines are approximate. For better estimates, you can check: Australia Post Timelines

Also, please refer to our full Shipping Policy.

Once your order’s on the move, you’ll get an email with all the tracking details because no one likes a mystery package.

If your bag was damaged in transit, faulty or incorrect, we offer refunds or replacements whatever suits you within 30 days of delivery date. We will require you to provide images of the damaged packaging prior to opening, and/or images of the damage or fault.

If you simply had a change-of-mind, ordered the wrong item, or no longer wants it, ordinarily under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses are not required to provide a refund, exchange, or credit.

But because we’re genuinely grateful you’re here and we want you to shop with confidence, we offer change-of-mind returns as part of our policy for Australia-based orders. We accept returns on full-priced items (yep, even if you used a discount code) within 30 days of delivery date.

All returns require the product to remain unused, in original condition, and packed up just like it arrived - tags, dust bag, and all. Items not meeting this criteria will not be eligible.

Sale items and international orders are final sale and can’t be returned (unless faulty, damaged or incorrect item delivered).

Just email us at info@rootsetc.com.au with Subject Title: RETURNS.  Include your order number and brief description/images.

Please refer to our full Returns & Refunds Policy.

Please note: Return shipping costs are covered by you, unless the item is faulty.  We will refund the amount you paid for your bag.

Where Every Purchase Plants Deeper Roots.  The more you buy, the more you save!

• Earn Rate: You automatically earn 1 Roots & You rewards point for every A$1 dollar spent on our site, plus earn 10 Roots & You rewards points for every social follow on Facebook and Instagram
• Redemption Rate:  Money Off Your Next Purchase! 200 points = A$5.00 off.  The more points you have, the greater the discount.  For your next purchase, make sure you log in first to your Rewards account to get your coupon code and use it at check out.  

Find out more on Roots & You Rewards Program

Your Roots & You reward points may take up to 24 hours to be issued to your account.