Meet Allbirds: The Sneaker Brand That Actually Walks the Walk

Let’s talk about Allbirds—the brand that made wool sneakers cool and sustainability a trend to follow. Rooted in New Zealand and a home base in the U.S., Allbirds started out with a simple goal: to “create better things in a better way.” Sounds nice, right? But they didn’t stop at good intentions—they followed through with planet-friendly materials, minimalist designs, and ridiculously comfy shoes (plus loungewear and activewear that make everyday dressing feel like a treat).

At Rank & Style, we love spotlighting brands that do more than just look good, and Allbirds totally fits the bill. Thanks to our data-driven picks, you’ll find the latest and greatest Allbirds styles worth adding to your closet. Ahead, we’re diving into the brand’s origin story and rounding up some standout styles we think you’ll love.

What Is Allbirds, Exactly?

In short? Allbirds is an eco-friendly footwear brand that everyone from tech bros to trendy moms can agree on. It’s a certified B Corp (meaning it meets high planet-first standards), crafting shoes and apparel inspired by nature and made with earth-loving sustainable materials, like so soft merino wool.

The brand was founded by New Zealand native Tim Brown, who believed that wool wasn’t just for cozy sweaters—it could be the ultimate sneaker material, too. And spoiler: he was right. After Allbirds dropped its first pair of kicks, it didn’t take long for celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Silicon Valley types to jump on board. Now, you’ll spot them on stylish travelers, busy parents, and pretty much anyone who values comfort without compromising on aesthetics.

Given their featherlight feel and cloud-like cushioning, it’s no wonder Allbirds consistently ranks high on our list of The Most Comfortable Shoe Brands. Translation: if you’ve got good taste and a thing for comfy footwear, these belong in your rotation.

What They Sell (Spoiler: More Than Just Wool Runners)

Though merino wool sneakers made Allbirds famous, the brand's expanded offerings include apparel and accessories. Ever since Allbirds released the Wool Runner, sustainable sneakers have been their star. 

Thanks to their ongoing success and rapid growth, Allbirds' expansive product range now includes:

• Footwear:
  Allbirds' footwear range contains Wool Runners, Tree Runners, Trail Runners, Tree Breezers, and more. These low- and high-top sneakers, slip-ons, and flats incorporate eco-friendly merino wool, eucalyptus tree fiber, and recycled materials.
• Apparel:
  Allbirds' range of casual basics includes tees, tanks, leggings, shorts, and underwear that have natural and recycled sustainable materials. Its Sea Tree T-shirts incorporate chitosan fiber from snow crab shells while clothes from the carbon-neutral "Natural Run" collection feature a blend of eucalyptus fiber, recycled nylon, ZQ Merino wool, and elastane.
• Accessories:
  To supplement your Allbirds sneaker collection, you can get shoe care kits and no-show, crew, and ankle socks, plus replacement insoles that use sustainable materials like merino wool, organic cotton, and tree fibers to keep your feet feeling great.

Backstory Time: From a Merino Wool Idea to a Movement

The best brands come from a desire to live a better life, and Allbirds is no exception. In the mid-aughts, Tim Brown, a former professional soccer player, dreamed of making a modern, merino wool shoe he could wear all day, in or out of town. Connecting with Joey Zwillinger, a biotechnology engineer, allowed the duo to develop an innovative wool fabric that draws on Brown’s island heritage.

After securing a grant from New Zealand’s wool industry and running a successful Kickstarter campaign, Allbirds released the Wool Runner, a simple, logo-free casual sneaker design that prioritizes comfort and practicality. In 2016, the brand officially launched as a certified B Corp that supports environmental responsibility by working toward carbon-neutral operations and making sustainable materials mainstream. They also measure their emissions in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Allbirds supports emission reduction through regenerative agricultural practices and responsible energy use.

Allbirds revolutionized the sneaker industry by emphasizing the importance of sustainability, simplicity, and comfort. They avoided flashy logos and limited their product line to a few core styles, using a direct-to-consumer business model to keep prices moderate. Natural materials like merino wool, sugarcane-based foam, and eucalyptus fibers are key to creating the brand’s clean-lined, soft, and durable sneakers. Following their initial success, Allbirds expanded their product range to include running shoes, flats, flip-flops, and athleisure apparel. Collaborating with companies like adidas and Outdoor Voices and independent designers helped them sustain their growth and gain a global presence. The company went public in 2021, and today, Allbirds calls San Francisco its home.

Top Hits: Bestsellers and Cult Favorites

When our editors take stock of which sneakers have staying power, Allbirds always comes out on top. Popular styles include the brand’s original models, plus collaborative and limited-edition releases. 

Here are some options we love:

• Wool Runners:
  The OG Allbirds merino wool sneaker is #2 on our list of the Top 10 Comfortable Walking Shoes. This sleek all-rounder comes in a range of neutral shades, plus limited-edition releases like the SF Neighborhood and Fluffs collections in unique textures and colorways.
• Tree Runners:
  These breathable, lightweight everyday sneakers and warm-weather MVPs use eucalyptus tree fiber. They frequently feature brighter colors. Some editions, like the Tree Flyer 2 from artist Zipeng Zhu, display bold geometric patterns.
• Tree Loungers:
  This model is #5 in our list of the 10 Best Slip-On Sneakers, and we’re impressed by their ultra-minimal profile. While neutral, monochrome colorways are their hallmark, you can also find high-contrast styles like the "Hanami Night" limited edition release.
• Tree Breezers:
  If you want a sleek flat with slipper energy, we’ve found it. Allbirds Tree Breezer is #1 on our list of the Top 10 Best Ballet Flats, and its elegant, slim-fit construction makes it a perennial favorite. You can choose from a variety of colors and textures, including the limited-edition knit flat in Mist Gray.
• Trail Runners SWT:
  For shoes that are comfy inside and rugged outside, pick the Trail Runners SWT. Designed for hiking and trail running, this shoe features a lugged, grippy outsole. Though most models follow Allbirds' simple design aesthetic, some editions, like the Forager Trail Runner SWT, feature uppers with bold graphic designs.

The Aesthetic: Simplicity Meets West Coast Chill

Allbirds owes a huge part of its success to its chill, laid-back vibe. The brand’s aesthetic is natural, functional, comfortable, and clean with design-forward West Coast appeal. Its minimalist shoes are stylish mainstays in contemporary wardrobes everywhere. Allbirds shoes have an uncluttered aesthetic that works with both casual and smart-casual looks. The logo-free design, earthy, neutral-hued palettes, and fun pops of color make these shoes endlessly versatile, making them a great pick for stylish airport outfits, coffee runs, capsule wardrobes, and those who hate logo overload. The brand's commitment to using sustainable, natural materials gives these shoes an aura of conscious yet understated cool that resonates with a modern audience.

What’s the Damage? (And How to Save)

Let’s be real—sustainable style usually comes with a steeper price tag. But Allbirds keeps things refreshingly reasonable. Most of their sneakers fall in the $100–$160 range, right in line with mid-tier staples like Nike and Adidas. As for the apparel? Think $30–$100 for planet-friendly pieces you’ll actually want to wear on repeat.

At Rank & Style, we’re all about smart buys, and Allbirds delivers on value. You’re getting thoughtfully made, durable designs backed by a 30-day trial, free shipping, and easy returns. Translation: no buyer’s remorse here.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out our Allbirds coupons to help you save a little green while going green.

If You Love Allbirds, You’ll Probably Love These Brands, Too

Shopping sustainably is a great way to keep the Earth healthy. 

If you love brands like Allbirds, we’d also suggest that you check out these other sustainable brands:

Rothy’s: 

This shoe and handbag brand transforms recycled plastic bottles into knit shoe uppers and uses 3D knitting technology to minimize waste. They make washable, reusable, and recyclable products in their own factories and actively work toward zero-waste, fashionable shoes and bags that minimize environmental impact. Try our Rothy's promo code to shop these for less.

Veja: 

If you want to shop with a sneaker company that prioritizes old-school style and ethical practices, look no further. Veja uses natural, eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, vegetable-tanned leather, and natural rubber and fair-trade production methods to produce premium vintage-style sneakers in Brazilian and Portuguese factories.

Everlane: 

When you need ethically produced, timeless basics made from durable premium materials, make Everlane your go-to brand. While most fashion brands have frustratingly opaque supply chains, Everlane’s business model champions "radical transparency," which shows customers the costs of materials and labor that go into their products.

Cariuma: 

This Brazilian brand offers a range of classic and modern footwear that’s designed for comfort, style, and durability. They make their shoes from materials like natural rubber, organic cotton, and recycled plastics and support the planet by planting trees, donating to environmental causes, and maintaining ethical business practices.

On Running Shoes: 

Athletes who want an eco-conscious shoe with no compromises will appreciate On’s high-performance options. On focuses on sustainability by working toward circular business models and using recycled materials. Its lightweight, stylish designs have a clean aesthetic, and its Swiss heritage is evident in its precise, high-quality construction. The brand offers an innovative CloudTec cushioning system, which uses horizontal hollowed tubes (or "clouds") in its soles to absorb impact and provide a soft and responsive feel.

Why We’re All in on Allbirds

When it comes to finding the perfect shoes for your environmentally conscious lifestyle, Rank & Style thinks Allbirds offers a wonderful mix of comfort, style, and values. Allbirds’ clothes are simple staples, and their footwear is stylish without being try-hard, which means they won’t go out of style. They’re great for running errands, working from home, or walking the dog, and really, they’ll take you anywhere.