Rothy‘s vs Allbirds Shoes: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Footwear Showdown
When it comes to stylish, sustainable shoes, two brands rise to the top of the list: Rothy‘s and Allbirds. Both are on a mission to create fashionable footwear while minimizing their environmental impact. But how do they really compare? I‘ll break it down for you in this ultimate Rothy‘s vs Allbirds shoe review.
As a fashion lover who also cares about our planet, I‘ve been eager to get my hands on (and feet in) these popular shoes. I‘ll take you through their signature styles, the eco-friendly materials they‘re crafted from, how they feel, customer feedback, and more. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide which brand is right for you. Let‘s dive in!
Meet the Brands
Rothy‘s
Rothy‘s burst onto the scene in 2016 with their line of chic, comfy flats for women made from recycled plastic water bottles. With their now signature 3D knitting process and seamless construction, they create machine-washable shoes in a range of eye-catching colors and patterns. Rothy‘s has since expanded to loafers and sneakers while staying committed to low-waste, sustainable practices.
Allbirds
Founded in 2014, Allbirds is all about simple, natural materials. Their first hit was the Wool Runner, a super soft sneaker made from merino wool. They‘ve added more styles over the years, all crafted from renewable materials like eucalyptus tree fiber and sugarcane. Allbirds‘ understated designs come in muted, earthy tones for men and women. The certified B Corp is dedicated to going carbon neutral.
Signature Shoes
Now that you know the basics on the brands, let‘s compare their most popular styles head to head.
The Flats
Rothy‘s offers two sleek flat options – The Flat with a rounded toe and The Point with a triangular toe. Both are knit from thread made of plastic water bottles (over 30 per pair!) with carbon-free rubber soles, a cushy insole with algae-based foam, and more recycled plastic. With their 3D knitting method, they shape to your foot with next to no break-in period.
I love how The Flat and The Point come in a fun variety of colors and patterns like leopard, stripes, and bright hues. With 20+ options, it was hard to choose! They feel light and flexible, and my feet haven‘t gotten sweaty thanks to the breathable knit. After a few wears, they loosened up to hug my feet just right.
Allbirds‘ flats, called Tree Breezers, are made from a silky, cooling eucalyptus tree fiber with a merino wool-lined insole and sugarcane SweetFoam™ sole. The thick, spongy sole feels exceptionally lightweight and bouncy. I like the formed collar that keeps my feet in place without digging in.
The Tree Breezers come in more understated, solid colors. While there are no fun patterns, the tones like lilac and mint are perfect to pair with jeans or dresses. Compared to Rothy‘s, the knit feels stretchier and there‘s more arch support. They did take a few wears to fully break in and soften up.
The Winner: Rothy‘s
While I love the breezy, cooling feel and bouncy sole of the Tree Breezers, I have to give this one to Rothy‘s. The seamless, 3D knit construction feels magically tailored to my foot, and the lack of break-in period is a huge plus. I‘m also a sucker for their vibrant colors and modern patterns.
The Loafers
The Rothy‘s Loafer has a structured, slightly elongated shape. The upper is knit from Rothy‘s signature thread with more give through the vamp to avoid pinching. The contoured insole contains recycled foam and bio-based castor oil, nestled in a vegan leather outsole.
Like the flats, Rothy‘s loafers come in a range of colors and prints like camo and bright color-block stripes. They have a smart, preppy look that pairs equally well with slacks or sundresses.
Allbirds offers two loafer styles: Wool Loungers and Tree Loungers. The wool version is crafted from super soft, odor-minimizing, temperature-regulating merino wool with a castor bean insole and sugarcane sole. The Tree Loungers trade wool for breezy eucalyptus tree fabric with a mesh knit upper. Both have a relaxed, slightly wide shape with a collapsible heel to wear as a slip-on.
Compared to Rothy‘s more structured loafer, Allbirds‘ versions feel slouchier and more like slippers (in a good way). They‘re definitely cozier with a more flexible, lightweight sole. I love the idea of the heathered wool for a traditional loafer look, but the Tree Loungers keep my feet cooler.
The Winner: Allbirds
The Rothy‘s Loafer is classic and polished, but Allbirds wins for sheer comfort. The plush merino insole, forgiving knit, and ultra-light sugarcane sole make their loafers feel truly slipper-like. Temperature regulating wool and cooling tree fiber are bonuses that edge out Rothy‘s recycled materials this round.
The Sneakers
Rothy‘s Sneaker is like a slip-on souped up with 20+ color and pattern options, the signature blue halo, and a wide, cushioned outsole. It‘s made of their thread from water bottles with a soft, moisture-wicking merino wool-lined insole. The seamless, 3D knit upper hugs your foot with a dash of give.
With the high back and thick sole, this Sneaker is sportier than Allbirds‘ version. It‘s flexible and light but feels sturdy enough for all-day wear. I love how easily it slips on and off.
Allbirds‘ lace-up sneaker is the Tree Skipper, crafted from eucalyptus tree knit on a low-density sugarcane foam sole. The mesh knit feels airy and cooling, while the castor bean insole wicks away moisture. The sole has an S-curve tread that flexes with your foot‘s movement.
Compared to Rothy‘s, the Tree Skipper feels flatter and more minimal, with a barely there feel. I can see wearing these for warm-weather adventures when I want something breathable and not too snug.
The Winner: Allbirds
Another point for Allbirds. While the Rothy‘s Sneaker is undeniably cute with its high back and thick sole, the Allbirds Tree Skipper is the comfier sneaker in my opinion. The bendy mesh knit upper and flex grooves on the sugarcane sole make it lighter and more agile. I‘d grab the Skipper over the Sneaker for all-day exploring.
Quality & Sustainability
Both Rothy‘s and Allbirds are committed to using low-impact materials and methods. How do they really stack up?
Rothy‘s
– Made from recycled single-use water bottles transformed into pellets, then thread (keeping 100+ tons of plastic out of landfills)
– Vegan, carbon-free rubber outsoles
– Merino wool from ethically-treated sheep on sustainable farms
– Algae-based foam and recycled plastic in insoles
– 3D knitting technology precisely shapes each shoe to minimize waste
– Streamlined, recyclable packaging
– Carbon offsets and renewable energy used in supply chain and HQ
Allbirds
– Merino wool from ethical New Zealand farms that uses 60% less energy than synthetic materials
– TENCEL™ Lyocell from eucalyptus tree fiber using 95% less water than conventional materials
– SweetFoam™ green EVA made from renewable sugarcane
– Recycled plastic laces and recycled cardboard packaging
– Certified B Corp meeting high standards for sustainability and social impact
– Carbon neutral since 2019 by supporting offset projects
– Takes back lightly used shoes to donate to communities in need via Soles4Souls
The Winner: Allbirds
Both brands get major kudos for finding smart ways to source sustainable materials and lower their footprint. I have to hand it to Allbirds here for going the extra mile as a Certified B Corp. They set the bar high with robust carbon offsetting, water conservation, and recycling programs.
Customer Reviews
I combed through hundreds of reviews from real Rothy‘s and Allbirds customers. Here‘s the consensus:
Rothy‘s
Pros:
– Comfortable right out of the box with no break in
– Washable and hold up beautifully
– Plenty of colors and patterns to choose from
– Packable and great for travel
Cons:
- Not ideal for wide feet
- Some complaints of rubbing and blisters
- Pricier than competitors
- Mixed experiences with customer service
Allbirds
Pros:
– Incredibly comfy, like walking on clouds
– No odor thanks to merino wool
– Easy to slip on and off
– 30-day trial period to test them out
– Responsive customer service
Cons:
- Not a lot of colors and zero patterns
- Need a short break-in period
- Don‘t always fit narrow feet well
- Less durable than expected
The Winner: Allbirds
This was close, but Allbirds squeaks out a win thanks to rave reviews on comfort and customer service. The 30-day trial also shows that they stand behind satisfaction. Rothy‘s has an edge for their colors and packability, but some customers were left with sore feet.
Ordering & Returns
Before you buy, here‘s the need-to-know info on shipping and returns for Rothy‘s vs Allbirds:
Rothy‘s
– Free standard shipping and returns/exchanges in the US
– Flat rate international shipping available to certain countries
– 30-day free returns or exchanges on unworn shoes only
Allbirds
– Free shipping on orders over $50 ($5 under $50)
– Ships to more international locations
– 30-day trial period to return or exchange even after wearing
– Free returns (minus original $5 shipping fee if under $50)
The Winner: Allbirds
With more lenient return policies and wider international shipping, Allbirds wins here. Being able to actually wear your shoes for 30 days and still return or exchange makes a big difference for customer satisfaction.
Price & Value
These sustainable shoes don‘t come cheap. Here‘s how the prices compare:
Rothy‘s
– The Flat: $125
– The Point: $145
– The Loafer: $165
– The Sneaker: $125
Allbirds
– Tree Breezers: $95
– Wool & Tree Loungers: $95
– Tree Skippers: $95
The Winner: Allbirds
Across the board, Allbirds‘ shoes are more affordable. When you factor in their trial period, certifications, and carbon offsets, you arguably get even more value for your dollar. Rothy‘s higher price point reflects their detailed designs and patterns.
The Overall Winner: Allbirds!
Between these two all-star brands, Allbirds emerges the victor in this Rothy‘s vs Allbirds ultimate shoe review. With their innovative natural materials, carbon neutral practices, and unbeatable comfort, Allbirds shoes check all the boxes. Still, Rothy‘s is a solid choice for their beautiful colors, packability, and lighter feel.
Ultimately, both Rothy‘s and Allbirds are doing their part to disrupt the wasteful fashion industry. Whichever you choose, you‘re investing in a pair of shoes that‘s thoughtfully designed with the planet in mind. Treat your feet and tread a little lighter by trying a pair for yourself!
