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I’m loving: Allbirds merino sneakers

I’m loving: Allbirds merino sneakers March 2, 2016Fashion, Trendwatch0 Comments

I’m loving: Allbirds merino sneakers so much! Allbirds are the most comfortable and sustainable sneaker- made of New Zealand merino wool and designed by Tim Brown, a NZ former pro soccer player who was skipper of the All Whites, and who is now creating these minimalist, logo-free eco merino trainers from a San Fransisco start-up they began on Kickstarter.

Back in 2014, Tim held a high-profile Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to develop his shoes under the title Three Over Seven and was so successful that it reached its goal of $100,000 in under a week and attracting a host of well-known investors including Wayby Parker.

Now the shoes have been named “Allbirds” and they re-write the book on sneaker manufacturing, which has had a bad rap for using poor labour practices and lots of plastic and unsustainable materials. Designed by influential Kiwi designer Jamie McLellan, Allbirds are made from New Zealand’s own ultrafine merino and milled in Milan at the same fashion house that makes Tom Ford suits. The merino fabric is extremely durable, incredibly soft against the skin and wicks away moisture to stop sweaty foot dramas.

Without the large overheads of footwear giants such as Nike and Adidas, they can put more money into things like eco-friendly insoles, customer service and product guarantees.

Shoes and components are made in South Korea. They say on their website, “We hold all of our suppliers to the highest standards for environmental and labor practices, and are proud of how factory workers are treated, and the responsible approach we take to manufacturing with minimal environmental impact.”

Any used shoes that are returned are donated on. They have partnered with Soles4Souls, and we donate used shoes to them for distribution to people in need.

Oh- and Allbirds takes its name from the description of New Zealand by early settlers; “it’s all birds.”

They are sold direct to consumers without retailers at their website, www.allbirds.com They currently ship to New Zealand and the USA.

Megan Robinson
2nd March 2016