Allbirds

Intrigued by the innate comfort of Merino Wool, Allbirds set out to push the boundaries when it came to simple styles, comfortable designs, and harnessing the beauty of renewable resources. Achieving that and flying high in A-list circles, Allbirds has certainly left its mark in fashion. Whilst their carbon-neutral status is just another feather in their cap. We guess you could say Mother Nature made them do it. And as always, we’re siding with her.

Behind Allbirds

Allbirds history

After captaining the New Zealand team in the South Africa 2010 World Cup, Allbirds founder— Tim Brown—retired from professional football with a single-minded goal: to create a pair of trainers that he was actually excited to put on. And whilst it may be a bit far-fetched to propose the lack thereof as the cause for his retirement, very few understand the importance of a comfortable shoe as one who earns a living off sprinting up and down a field.

Brown may have been sponsored by big brands such as Nike and Adidas, but the popular labels didn’t fit his minimalist everyday sense of style. And over the many years as an athlete, he failed to find a trainer that ticked all his boxes: comfort, sustainability, and simplicity. With more time on his hands, he became intrigued with Merino wool as a premium, soft material that was yet to enter the footwear market. He began working with the New Zealand Industry Group and agricultural scientists to patent a wool shoe that was tough enough to endure maximum stress whilst maintaining the fabric’s intrinsic comfort.

New Zealand’s unusual number of sheep (over 5 sheep to every person) may have been the inspiration for the aspirational sneaker, but Brown certainly didn’t follow the flock when it came to challenging fashion trends. We’ve already mentioned that Merino wool was at the heart of the design, but Sweetfoam (a sugarcane-based rubber) comprised the soul (and sole) of the sustainable shoe.

In 2014, Brown debuted the sockless model on Kickstarter, cutting the campaign short after selling out and raising the necessary funds in only five days. In 2016, he teamed up with co-founder Joey Zwillinger (an engineer and renewables expert) and together they launched Allbirds. Their USP was environmentally friendly footwear. And their business model revolved around perfecting one or two simple Allbirds shoes and selling them directly to the consumer at lower prices. Simple, sustainable comfort proved popular amongst the eco-conscious, utilitarian dressers and minimalist millennials alike. And Allbirds sold over a million pairs in only two years.

Interesting facts about Allbirds

Allbirds mission statement is to create better things in a better way. And whilst they’ve achieved carbon-neutral status through a number of innovative green initiatives, simply put—they source natural fibers, use recycled materials and offset the difference. Allbirds shoelaces are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, meaning that for every discarded plastic bottle, a pair of Allbirds laces emerges. Yes, reincarnation is a beautiful thing—especially when it preserves and protects the planet.

Allbirds shoes’ signature Sweetfoam soles are a prime example of the brand’s trailblazing approach to natural materials. Sweetfoam is made from sugarcane, a fully renewable resource that grows quickly and removes carbon from the atmosphere in the process, making it the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA. But besides being a sustainable sweetheart, Sweetfoam’s low-density is extremely lightweight, bouncy, and malleable—allowing the shoe to mold effortlessly to your foot.

Since its launch in 2016, the radical brand has extended its line of Allbirds sneakers to include minimalist, comfortable lifestyle sneakers—because these days it’s cool to wear runners to run errands too. We’re particularly obsessed with the Plant Pacer, which is inspired by tennis court classics. The light earthy hues are a winner for everyday versatile sophistication. And their signature plant-based leather aces a featherlight footprint, reducing carbon emission by 98%. Needless to say, these Allbirds sneakers are unmatched in style and sustainability.

Allbirds product range

Staying true to the Allbirds vision statement, create better things in a better way, every Allbirds product is made with perfection and preservation in mind. And whilst they started with simple, sockless Merino shoes, in 2022 their product range extends to apparel and accessories. Although (sole)-restoring footwear remains their hallmark. Allbirds men’s shoes now include luxury fashion sneakers, utilitarian water-repellent shoes, and casual everyday trainers. We also love the Allbirds slip-ons, high tops, as well as their shoes designed for standing all day.

Amongst their collection of women’s sneakers, you can expect to find the most comfortable flats, our favorite white sneakers and the iconic Allbirds Tree Runners—made from natural eucalyptus fibers. Sweetfoam flip-flops and wool loungers are well worth adding to your arsenal of comfort-wear. And their line of Smallbirds for kids is both adorable and practical. After all, you only have so long to indulge in Insta-worthy matching outfits.

Signature materials and craftsmanship

With Mother Nature as their muse, Allbirds’ sustainability is intrinsic to the trailblazing brand. And all of their renewable materials are carefully considered and ethically sourced. Starting out as Allbirds’ trademark, Merino Wool was chosen for its premium softness as well as its low impact on the environment. New Zealand’s enormous sheep count provides all the wool for Allbird’s materials, using processes that require 60% less energy than it typically takes to manufacture synthetic fabrics. Plus, the superfine natural material is breathable, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating.

Continuing to build on Mother Nature’s brilliance, Allbirds has extended its footwear range to include Tree Runners and Tree Dashers made from eucalyptus fibers. Not only is the material biodegradable, but the chemicals used are recoverable and recyclable. The eucalyptus trees also rely entirely on South Africa’s rainfall, requiring no irrigation and minimal fertilizer. This means that the process uses 95% less water and half of the carbon emissions of materials like cotton.

Sugar Cane is another one of the brand’s superheroes in nature. Hitting the sweet spot (sorry, we had to) between comfort and sustainability, the lightweight soles also come with a non-existent footprint. In fact, Sweetfoam is the world’s first carbon*-negative* EVA polymer, meaning that it actually has a net-effect of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rather than adding to it. This comes down to the fact that it relies fully on Brazil’s rainfall, grows incredibly quickly and its biomass is used to fertilize the following season’s crop.

When transformed into Sweetfoam, the naturally soft, light, and bounce material adds a sweet spring to each step. Sweetfoam soles also contour to your foot for an effortlessly tailored fit. And they’re totally machine-washable—adding a whole new dimension to functional fashion in footwear.

Where is Allbirds made?

Designed in San Francisco with an on-the-go modern minimalist lifestyle in mind, Allbirds’ products are then manufactured around the world, depending on what eco-conscious materials are required. Most of their sneakers are assembled in Busan in South Korea. They work with a team that offers environmental education and training programs for workers in Peru. And they support partners in North Carolina and Vietnam, amongst others.

But regardless of where the product is made, Allbirds takes a responsible approach to ensure safe, lawful, and ethical manufacturing processes with frequent third-party audits. They also partake in the annual ILO Better Work Initiative in Indonesia, which aligns factory practices and local laws to the UN International Labor Organization standards.

Who wears Allbirds

The answer is simple—everyone wears Allbirds. Whether you’re a professional athlete, career-driven boss, vegan yogi, or fashion aficionado, Allbirds has its place in your rotation. Take a page out of Blake Lively’s elegant sartorial style and opt for the Allbirds Wool Runners in white. Or follow in Mila Kunis’ footsteps (literally) with a pair of Tree Dashers.

Leonardo DiCaprio made his thoughts on the burgeoning brand known early on. Not only did he walk the walk, but he put his money where his mouth was and invested in the eco-chic label. And Barack Obama, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Oprah Winfrey also count themselves among the brand’s fans. But at this point, we’ve lost count of how many star-studded feet Allbirds has styled. All we know is they’re not your *run-*of-the-mill shoes.

Where to buy Allbirds

Allbirds has opened 18 brick-and-mortar stores around the US and Europe. But to buy their sustainable shoes and apparel from anywhere in the world, we recommend ordering directly from their official online store. The effortless e-retailer features all the brand’s styles in every colorway and size. It is also very easy to filter to find exactly what you’re after.

Allbirds price

Allbirds are as comfortable on our wallets as they are on our feet. They are priced well below other affluent labels, making them excellent value for money. Allbirds sneakers are priced around $100-$160. Allbirds sandals start at around $30. And their sweatpants range between $70 and $120.

Allbirds shipping

Whilst Allbirds doesn’t ship to every country, they do ship to most European countries, Australia, and all US states. All orders over $75 dollars are free of charge. For orders under $75, standard shipping costs $5 and takes about 6-8 business days. 3-5 day express shipping costs $6. 2-day expedited shipping starts at $16. And next-day shipping starts at $25.

Allbirds return policy

Allbirds offers a money-back guarantee on shoes within a 30-day trial period. That means that you can return your shoes for free, no questions asked, even if you’ve worn them out in the wild. Yes, they’re that certain that you’ll love your shoes. This policy, however, does not apply to other apparel. In order to return other products, they must be unworn, undamaged, and in their original packaging.

Frequently asked questions about Allbirds