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If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you’re really into lightweight, sustainable shoes made of merino wool. You’re always telling me that. Such a rascal.
Sounds a lot like Allbirds. There’s no denying that the ubiquitous B Corp makes some super functional, super cozy shoes. But for whatever reason, here you are looking for shoes like Allbirds. Maybe the O.G.s aren’t as budget-friendly as you’d prefer. Maybe you’re tired of reading about plummeting shares. Hell, maybe you just hate the word Allbirds.
Doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve got dozens of Allbirds alternatives to choose from, six of which I’ve taken the liberty of highlighting below. The athleisure community, which is probably a thing, won’t know what hit it.
Key Takeaways
To find the highest quality shoes like Allbirds, I began by researching dozens of brands and their materials, sustainability practices, customer reviews, and photos.
The resulting six are the best of the best based on factors that include but aren’t limited to comfort, style, price, and materials used. Edging out the competition is my top overall pick of the APL Techloom Wave, followed by a budget-friendly pair from Bruno Marc.
Why they’re great: Los Angeles-based Athletic Propulsion Labs goes all in on hyper-functional travel and lifestyle gear manufactured using vegan materials. Its Techloom Wave sneakers—made with 3D stretch rebound TechLoom—are breathable, keeps your feet dry and supported while you’re on your excursion. This is a handsome and versatile pair of shoes that will serve you well on day hikes, quick jog, or less harrowing adventures like coffee and grocery store runs.
How they feel: Foot crash pads, internal caging, and Propelium midsole work together to seamlessly create a pillow-soft feel regardless of what you’re getting into.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Though APL is on the pricier side, you’ll find more types of shoes, styles, and colors over at Allbirds.
Sizes Available: 7-15 | Colors Available: 12 | Material: TechLoom, Propelium
Why it’s great: Looking for an Allbirds alternative that doesn’t sacrifice style or sustainability? The Suavs 247 Sneaker might just be your new go-to. These versatile kicks are like the chameleon of the shoe world – they blend seamlessly into any environment. From crushing your morning commute to spontaneous after-work hikes, these shoes adapt faster than you can say “business casual.”
What really sets them apart is their travel-friendly design. Unlike your bulky options, these compact champions can squeeze into the tiniest corner of your carry-on, leaving room for that “I heart NY” shirt you definitely don’t need.
How it feels: Imagine if a cloud and your favorite sock had a baby – that’s what sliding into the Suavs 247 feels like. They hug your feet with just the right amount of “ahh” without crossing into sloppy flip-flop territory. The breathable knit upper means your feet can finally break free from their sweaty prison, whether you’re rocking socks or going commando (feet-wise, that is).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Alright, let’s get real for a second. If your feet need more support than a helicopter parent, you might want to consider adding an insole. The knit material, while comfy, isn’t exactly Fort Knox for your feet. And if you’re the type who likes to match your shoes to every outfit down to the exact Pantone shade, you might find the color range a bit limited compared to the Allbirds rainbow.
But here’s the kicker – these minor quibbles are like complaining about the free peanuts on a first-class flight. For a shoe that can hang with you from boardroom to bar to light trail, all while keeping your conscience as clear as your stride is comfortable, the Suavs 247 is hard to beat. Plus, they won’t empty your wallet faster than a weekend in Vegas.
Sizes Available: 8-13 | Colors Available: 6 | Material: Upper made from 100% Recycled Water Bottles, Cushioned Lining, Lined Foam Insole, Non-Slip Rubber Sole, Vegan Friendly
Why they’re great: Calfskin likely isn’t a material you’d associate with shoes like Allbirds. Yet here we are, drawing that unlikely comparison. Why? These lightweight, breathable, undeniably cool sneakers from Tod’s take the Allbirds aesthetic and elevate it by way of eye-catching colors and technical uppers and EVA outsole with rubber pebbles. Basically, they forgo the athleisure look in favor of a dressier take more reminiscent of a “galavanting around a Mediterranean resort with an Aperol spritz” vibe.
How they feel: That calfskin works overtime to create a luxurious feel that will conform to the contours of your feet over time. Further sweetening the cozy pot are calf inserts and extra-padded insoles.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Tod’s Sock Sneakers are a significant detour from Allbirds, so purists need not apply. But the incorporation of quality materials and the general aesthetic are more than enough to earn it a slot on this list.
Sizes Available: 5.5-14.5 | Colors Available: 3 | Material: Technical fabric, Calfskin
Why they’re great: Breathable knit uppers. Lightweight construction. Materials ranging from recycled polyester to recycled polyurethane foam. Sound familiar? It should, because here comes the Louie from LA-based Clae, which nails Allbirds’ greatest hits in terms of materials and aesthetics. It should go without saying that this is the perfect coffee-run pair, but the Louie’s durability and functional details also make it suitable for light training or lowkey outdoor adventures.
How they feel: Much like the other shoes on this list, the one-two punch of knitted uppers and lightweight soles create a pillowy soft feel from day to night.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Clae’s shoes are often more expensive than Allbirds, making them more suitable for those who are interested in checking out different looks and brands as opposed to saving money.
Sizes Available: 7-12 | Colors Available: 3 | Material: 100% Cotton
Why they’re great: As you might expect from a budget-friendly alternative, the materials and construction used to make these knit-mesh sneakers from Bruno Marc aren’t on par with those of Allbirds and other higher-end brands. That said, if you’re looking for a similar aesthetic and an adequately comfortable shoe at around half the price, this is a great option.
How they feel: EVA memory foam insoles, lightweight outsoles and surprisingly breathable microfiber uppers pack a punch in terms of overall comfort—especially for the price.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Unlike Allbirds and other sustainability-minded companies, Bruno Marc isn’t upfront about the exact material composition of these shoes.
Sizes Available: 6.5-13 | Colors Available: 5 | Material: Microfiber/Not Specified
Why they’re great: Yes, Australian brand Woolloomooloo is a mouthful. But what it lacks in roll-off-the-tongue-ness, it more than makes up for in comfort thanks to its knitted merino wool uppers, wool-lined footbeds, and cushy outsoles. The machine washable Belmont is a particularly versatile pair that can be used as a running shoe or the sneaks you reach for before hitting the gym, but also as a solid go-to for life’s casual, everyday affairs.
How they feel: Merino wool is one of the most comfortable and functional fabrics out there and is the material Allbirds employs throughout much of its product line. The combination of the Belmont’s merino wool uppers and its wool-lined footbeds makes this one of the coziest alternatives available.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Woolloomooloo’s Belmont is comparably priced with much of Allbirds’ current lineup, making them less than ideal for bargain hunters.
Sizes Available: 3-12.5 | Colors Available: 12 | Material: 100% Merino Wool
Why they’re great: Based in Rio de Janeiro, Cariuma is a certified B Corp that’s been manufacturing meticulously crafted, sustainable shoes since 2018. Made from bamboo and recycled plastics, their low-profile Knit Sneakers are available in 17 colors from everyday white to eye-popping yellow. This is the pair you stock up on in as many colors as possible. The lightweight, breathable pair that you blindly reach for any day, for any reason. Cariuma checks all the comfort, style, and eco-friendly boxes that Allbirds does and throws in an effortlessly cool skater aesthetic for good measure.
How they feel: All Cariuma process, design, and material roads lead to lightweight, breathable comfort. You won’t even know they’re there. Unless you get one of those aforementioned eye-popping colors. Then you’ll definitely know they’re there.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: While most of Cariuma’s style offerings take a detour from the Allbirds look, the variety of styles and colors you can add to your everyday rotation should more than make up for it.
Sizes Available: 5-13 | Colors Available: 18 | Material: Bamboo & Recycled PET
Buying Considerations To Find Shoes Like Allbirds
Materials & Sustainability
Everyone has their own reasons for gravitating toward Allbirds. The way they feel and look? Of course. But if you’re into this brand, chances are you’re also into its dedication to using sustainable materials and practices.
Breathable, moisture-wicking wool instead of the more standard canvas. Laces made from recycled plastic bottles. Castor bean oil incorporated into the insoles. The best shoes like Allbirds also prioritize sustainability in their own ways.
Comfort
If you’re in the market for a pair of Allbirds-adjacent shoes, comfort has to be a prerequisite. To nail down the next best thing in the cloud-like coziness department, look for merino wool uppers and midsoles made of light, cushy materials. To find the best pair for you, prioritize lightweight, breathable, and durable alternatives.
Style
Allbirds and shoes like Allbirds offer a very specific style. So it should go without saying that if you’re in the market for similar alternatives, which you are, you’ll definitely want to nail the look. A knitted fabric is a good place to start. Cushy, chunky soles are a close second. Basically, shoot for easy-breezy shoes with an athleisure vibe and you’re good to go.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, I’m into it.
For this review, I pored over trusted sources, dozens of brands, materials, sustainability practices, and customer reviews to understand what makes the best shoes like Allbirds. After comparing over 40 products, I chose the resulting six based on considerations like comfort, style, materials used, and value for money. Ultimately, I want to see everyone find the right shoes similar to Allbirds.
Final Verdict
There are shoes that look like Allbirds, then there are shoes that look and feel like Allbirds while also emphasizing the use of sustainable materials and practices.
Save for the occasional style and fabric tweak, my top picks stay mostly true to the original shoes’ intent. The most versatile, durable, well-rounded option I’ve seen is APL’s lightweight and versatile Techloom Wave.
FAQ
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You won’t have a hard time finding multiple alternatives to Allbirds loungers, though quality and materials run the gamut. One of the best pairs out there is the IBI slip-on from Cariuma. Like Allbirds, these slip-ons are incredibly light, similarly priced, and are made using sustainable materials and practices.
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Kelly Larson is a writer and editor with over 12 years of professional experience. In addition to writing articles for sites like UrbanDaddy and Visit The USA—America’s official travel site—Kelly has led editorial newsrooms in the creation of award-winning content in the digital space. When he’s not writing, Kelly enjoys running, spending time outdoors with his two sons, and searching for his next exceptional finger of bourbon.