Allbirds
- Leah Kane
- Nov 7, 2017
- 3 min read
Alright, I'm going to make a big statement so let me first set it up.
*Cue dramatic music and movie teaser voice*
Allbirds are the best shoes in the world.
<End Scene>
<Road Of Applause Breaks Out>
Now before you start talking to me about how dope your new Nikes are, let me explain why.
A Little Background
The Allbirds company originated in New Zealand and was created by this dope guy named Tim Brown. Growing up there, he was surrounded by adorable sheep - 29,221,344 of these fluffer nutters to be exact.
Now, I can't confirm this is how it went down for sure, but if I was a betting girl, which I am, I think this is what happened:
These cute little sheep spent their time roaming around and loving life, but they all kept having the same fight about the clouds. "It looks like me!" "NO! It looks like ME!"
I think this fighting made Tim very sad.
"Shouldn't they have more purpose then just looking like beautiful clouds?" He most likely thought.
Then it hit him. Sheep are the wonderful providers of merino wool - one of the most sustainable products out there with an array of benefits like...
1. It's natural
2. Minimizes odor
3. Regulates temperature
4. Wicks moisture
And we already use merino wool for clothing, so why not shoes?
And this, is how Allbirds was probably but not really born.
"Not a bahd story" - Happy baby sheep
Impacting The World, Not Just Your Style.
Allbirds does a lot that I'm proud to talk about as a consumer. Let me break it down.
Humanity
They treat their sheep with the love and respect that all beings of our world deserve, and they're ZQ-certified to prove it. (This means their wool meets super tough standards of sustainable farming and animal welfare.)
Responsible Packaging
Their shoebox use 40% less materials than the typical shoebox. Not to mention it has an artistic spin on it with their designs on the inside. Honestly, opening a pair of Allbirds is a super fun experience. Maybe this is why I have so many pairs...
Textiles
Did you know merino wool requires 60% less energy to produce than typical synthetic materials used in shoes? And, although you can't eat them, castor beans are an incredibly sustainable source that's used for the green polyurethane used in the insoles.
B-Corp
They're a certified B Corporation, meaning they meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
SOLES4SOULS PARTNERSHIP
This partnership is amazing. Soles4Souls is an organization out of Nashville that provides used shoes to those in need. Allbirds participates with them by donating used shoes to them.
Every Day Benefits
To start, these are the most comfortable shoes I own, hands down. Your toes aren't pushed down and they don't rub and give you blisters, seems simple but that's seemingly hard to come by nowadays.
Another mind-blown-moment is that you don't have to wear socks with them! Sure, after a few weeks a funk will set in, BUT when that happens you can literally throw them in the washer to clean them. I leave mine by the vent to air dry and the next day, they're brand spankin' new!
Ok wait, can I go back and reference that cute baby sheep up there? Now, I know they use adult sheep, but, alas not as cute, I like to imagine I'm bringing that little guy everywhere I go, and I invite you to do the same. Best benefit of all.
Let's Get 'Em!
This is where I'll leave you -- a link to their site and an insight, if you find a color you want, buy it that day. They switch them out with the seasons and partnerships, you won't regret it! You'll see you have the option between sneaker and loafer, both are amazing and the loafers look even better in person. You can even customize your shoes if you visit their NY location! They have a lace bar and everything. (No, I haven't been yet. Yes, I'm dying to go)