Why Your Sneaker Choice Can Help the Planet
Lillian Ashbaugh 2025-08-13
In a world where fashion often comes at the expense of the environment, your footwear can either be part of the problem—or part of the solution. Sneakers, in particular, are one of the most widely purchased fashion items globally. And yet, most conventional sneakers rely heavily on petroleum-based materials, synthetic fabrics, and manufacturing processes that consume vast amounts of energy and resources.
What if you could choose a pair of sneakers that not only look good and feel comfortable—but also help the planet? That’s exactly what Allbirds set out to do from day one. They create shoes using natural, renewable materials like merino wool, tree-fibres, and sugar-cane foam.
“Allbirds replaces petroleum-based synthetics with natural alternatives wherever possible. Using wool, tree fibre, and sugar cane means softness, breathability, and sustainability—win, win, win.”
Let’s explore how this works and how the three models below deliver both style and sustainability.
Material Innovation That Matters
Merino Wool
This brand uses responsibly-sourced ZQ Merino wool in many of their shoes (including the Wool Runner Go and Wool Dasher Mizzles). This wool is ultra-fine, soft, naturally odor-resistant, and breathable—ideal for comfort. But the sustainability story is just as compelling: wool is a renewable resource (sheep regrow their coat), biodegradable, and generally lower in synthetic content than typical textile uppers.
For the Wool Runner line, Allbirds states: “Our responsibly-sourced Merino wool provides a cozy fit that’s soft and itch-free on the inside and durable on the outside, while a sugarcane-based SweetFoam® midsole offers cushy support for all-day wear.”
Tree-Fibres
In the Tree Runner Go, Allbirds uses an upper made from eucalyptus tree-fibres. This tree-based textile is lightweight, breathable, and created via a manufacturing process that uses fewer resources than traditional synthetic fabrics (less water, fewer chemicals).
Wired’s review described how Allbirds produced a new shoe collection “featuring Tree Runners … made from eucalyptus fiber textile” as part of the shift.
Sugar-Cane-Based Foam (SweetFoam)
The midsoles of many Allbirds shoes, including all three models featured here, are made using SweetFoam—a foam derived from sugar-cane rather than traditional petroleum-based EVA.
SweetFoam was developed in collaboration with Braskem (a Brazilian petrochemical company) and marks a major material innovation for sustainable footwear.
This combination of wood-fibre, wool, and sugar-cane foam demonstrates how material innovation can drive meaningful reduction in environmental impact without sacrificing comfort, durability, or style.
Model Spotlight: Three Sustainable Sneakers
1. All-Day Comfort in Classic Navy
The Wool Runner Go women’s model (and its men’s equivalent) is a great example of natural material performance in everyday style. It features the wool upper and sugar-cane foam midsole we’ve described. The navy-toned colourway adds style versatility. The Wool Runner line is positioned as a casual, all-day sneaker suitable for work, travel, or errands.
Why it helps the planet:
The wool upper replaces synthetic knit uppers.
The SweetFoam midsole replaces petroleum-based foam.
Both materials help reduce reliance on fossil-derived textiles and foams.
2. Breathable, Lightweight Urban Sneaker
The Tree Runner Go model takes the material story further by emphasising tree-based fibre uppers in place of wool or synthetics—making it ideal for warmer weather and those who prefer non-wool materials. The breathable eucalyptus-based knit offers sustainability with comfort.
Why it helps the planet:
Tree-fibre uppers reduce synthetic textile use.
Supports a circular mindset by choosing renewable plant-based materials.
Maintains the same SweetFoam midsole innovation.
3. All-Weather Performance with Natural Materials
The Wool Dasher Mizzles model brings performance and sustainability together. Designed for more all-weather use (the “Mizzles” suffix suggests light rain or mist), it still uses wool uppers and sustainable midsoles. It demonstrates that sustainable materials can serve sporty, technical use cases—not just casual wear.
Why it helps the planet:
Extends sustainable footwear options to more activities.
Encourages more people to choose sustainable shoes, not just basic fashion.
Reinforces the idea that sustainability can be versatile and functional.
Why Smart Shoppers Are Making the Switch
Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons consumers are choosing sustainable sneakers over standard ones:
1. Reduced Environmental Impact
By opting for wool, tree-fibres, and sugar-cane foam instead of conventional materials, you reduce your carbon footprint and diminish reliance on fossil-based resources. It’s a commitment to “Materials from the Earth” and replacing petroleum-based synthetics wherever possible.
2. Long-Term Value
When a shoe uses high-quality natural materials, durability often improves. And because you’re choosing sustainability, you’re also choosing a brand with a mission—so your purchase can mean more than just a pair of shoes.
3. Comfort + Performance
Sustainable doesn’t mean compromise. These models deliver comfort, style, and usability comparable to mainstream sneakers. The Wool Runner, for example, is described on the site as offering “Wear All Day Comfort … Lightweight, bouncy, and wildly comfortable.”
4. Making the Statement
When you wear a sneaker made with sustainable materials, you signal your values. You’re showing that you care about the planet, and about the choices behind what you buy. That can be a powerful part of modern style.
How to Choose & Use Your Sustainable Sneakers
If you’re interested in making the shift, here are some tips:
Pick materials that suit your lifestyle:
Wool for cooler climates, comfort, and casual style.
Tree-fibre textiles for warmer seasons and non-wool options.
Performance styles (like the Mizzles) for active use and all-weather versatility.
Care for them properly: natural materials need gentle washing (cold water wool cycles, air-dry rather than tumble).
Use them often: the more you wear sustainable shoes instead of disposable ones, the more meaningful the environmental impact.
Mix sustainability with style: these models prove you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for ethics.
Think longevity over trend: a well-constructed sustainable sneaker can last longer, reducing the need for replacements and thus lessening waste.
Walking Towards a Better Future
Every step you take in a pair of sustainable sneakers is more than just movement—it’s a choice. A choice to support material innovation, to demand better production standards, and to align your purchase with your values.
The Wool Runner Go, Tree Runner Go, and Wool Dasher Mizzles from Allbirds are proof that sustainability and style can go hand-in-hand. By choosing wool, tree-fibres, and sugar-cane foam, you’re actively participating in the shift toward a footwear industry that respects the planet and its resources.
In short: your sneaks can help the planet. And when they look good doing it, that’s a win-win.
