Inside Allbirds’ Lighter, More Sustainable Running Shoe
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Since launching in 2014, Allbirds, the New Zealand-American clothing brand that makes eco-friendly essentials, has gained a cult-like following. Among them are tech bros, Barrack Obama, and some of our editors, who have praised its wool zip-up hoodies that "felt like a hug," its "genius" boxer briefs, and (of course) its signature Tree Dasher, a breathable, minimalist running shoe that can be worn at the gym, the office, or anywhere in between.
Lesser fashion upstarts would rest on their laurels once they've found a style formula that works, but not so with Allbirds. On Tuesday, the company unveiled its Dasher 2.0, an update on its marquee shoe. This version is .3 ounces lighter, thanks to its streamlined heel drop that manages to improve grip, along with a thiner (yet sturdier) SweetFoam midsole that reduces slips, in case you were planning to use these on the trails.
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"This was a major step forward from both a technical and sustainability standpoint,"Olivier Henrichot, the senior design director at Allbirds, tells Men's Health. "After gathering customer feedback, we tweaked elements like the grip, weight, heel fit, and sole shape of the shoe."
But many of Tree Dasher's (now) classic features are still there. It's still made with breathable New Zealand wool and ethically sourced by New Zealand farmers. The outsole still has a tastefully understated design that looks great with virtually any business casual or athleisure finish. Sure, most die-hard runners typically opt for more technical performance shoes, but these Dashers can still comfortably get you through most jogs and workouts.
And while the overall product is lighter, Allbirds is doubling down on its sustainable design. The 2.0 carbon footprint is 5 percent less than its previous model, which is surprising, given that Tree Dashers are already one of the lowest-carbon-footprint performance sneakers on the market.
"The result is a performance shoe that's better for both runners and the planet," Henrichot. Now available on Allbirds.com for $135.
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