For a decade, Allbirds made its name with sneakers crafted from wool and tree pulp. Now, the brand turns to recycled waste with its latest launch: the “Remix” collection. The two debut models—Runner and Cruiser—look familiar, but they tell a new story. Their uppers are made from discarded clothing destined for landfills, while their soles come from old sneaker scraps.
Facing declining revenues since its IPO, Allbirds is restructuring under CEO Joe Vernachio, who previously led Mountain Hardwear back to profitability. The brand has scaled down its retail footprint from 43 to 21 stores while focusing on fresh designs and storytelling. Remix embodies this revival strategy.
Chief Design Officer Adrian Nyman emphasizes that experimenting with new materials both honors the brand’s sustainability commitment and excites consumers. To achieve this, Allbirds partnered with Circ, a leader in textile-to-textile recycling, converting old cotton into strong lyocell fibers used in shoe uppers. Another partnership with Blumaka turns discarded foam from footwear production into new midsoles, creating a more circular system.
While many global brands have scaled back on sustainability due to economic pressures, Allbirds doubles down. “Sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, function, or style,” says Nyman. “We want to create products that thrill consumers while staying true to our values.”
With Remix, Allbirds delivers not just sneakers but a story of innovation and circularity in fashion.
