Skip to main content

Allbirds is Turning Trees into Stylish and Sustainable Sneakers

tree runners

Those sustainable and stylish shoe makers are at it again, but this time with two new profiles and a new in-house textile: tree fiber.

Yes, you read that correctly. Allbirds, the guys who make “the world’s most comfortable shoes,” has released a new line of sneakers made out of wood pulp spun from eucalyptus trees.

Although the latest design deters slightly from the popular Merino wool runners, the San Francisco-based footwear company have kept to their commitment to  using natural and sustainable materials while refreshing the casual and comfortable silhouette we’ve all come to fancy. 

Sporting the same casual aura of the wool shoes, the Tree Runners ($95) — available in Kauri Stone, Cloud, and Navy colors with white soles — are crafted with a mesh construction that gives the silhouette a refreshed and refined upgrade. The Tree Skippers ($95) feature a brand-new look, as this is Allbirds’ first take on a low-cut boat shoe-style. The Skippers come in Kauri Stone, Navy, and Rose.

The tree fiber, TENCEL Lyocell, is sourced from farms in South Africa that are dedicated to minimizing fertilizer use,  relying on rainfall for water as opposed to irrigation systems. This textile not only helps cut Allbirds’ carbon footprint in half — it uses 95 percent less water and one-third of the land than traditional crop-based materials like cotton — the finished product also boasts similar softness and elasticity as your everyday cotton-polyester blends.

Much like the wool footwear, the Tree sneakers are machine washable, can be worn without socks, and promote  moisture-wicking benefits. However, the perforated mesh knit upper is a lighter texture and boasts even more breathability than their wool cousins. Officially dubbed the “light and breezy” line of  Allbirds, the collection can be dressed up or dressed down for almost any occasion, and are even comfortable enough to be worn as an everyday shoe.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Bryan Holt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Bryan Holt is a writer, editor, designer, and multimedia storyteller based in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate from the…
Your Guide to Handmade Shoes and Sneaker Brands
handmade shoes boots

Along with a suit and a watch, there are few pieces in a man’s wardrobe that bring a touch of style to his appearance like refined footwear.

But what's so special about handmade shoes? Aren't all shoes technically handmade? Well, no. Some are made entirely by robots and machines. Handmade shoes and sneakers, however, are meticulously crafted by experts set on ensuring an exceptional end result: a pair of kicks that prize longevity over short-term sufficiency. The materials used in handmade shoes are high-end, polished, and sophisticated. The best handmade shoes and sneakers are crafted using a combination of superlative stitching, top-quality materials, and dedicated, bespoke craftsmanship. A great pair of handmade shoes should fit like a glove and reflect your individuality while hopefully not breaking the bank.

Read more
Allbirds and Just Water Collaborate on Sneakers to Save the Amazon Rainforest
Allbirds x JUST

What do Silicon Valley founders, Woody Harrelson, President Obama, and your mom have in common? They’re all devoted to Allbirds, the cute, comfy sneakers made from super sustainable materials like eucalyptus fiber and merino wool. Since they debuted, they’ve become a darling of the social media age and their popularity is well-deserved.

In September, Allbirds upped its sustainability cred with the debut of a new collection of sneaks. Produced in collaboration with Just Water, another leading B-Corp with an emphasis on sustainability, every purchase of these new kicks supports Earth Alliance’s Amazon Forest Fund. And we’re not just talking a little off the top. Allbirds is sending 100% of the proceeds to rebuild the Brazilian rainforest decimated by recent wildfires.

Read more
Oliver Cabell’s New Phoenix Sneakers Are 3D-Printed With Recycled Plastic Bottles
Oliver Cabell Phoenix

We've adored Oliver Cabell sneakers since the brand was released in 2016. The independent footwear brand has been deep in hard-nosed research for the last two years, studying ways to mitigate the growing single-use plastic waste epidemic. Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year, and only about 9% of that plastic heads to recycling. The England-based shoemakers have found a method to help curb the madness with an innovative development that utilizes recycled plastic water bottles in new sneakers.

Previous

Read more