People are becoming more conscious of what they wear on their feet and want to make a fashion statement by wearing shoes that fit their needs.
With so many shoe brands to choose from, it’s hard to know which one is best for you.
Allbirds and Brooks are two of the most popular shoe brands, but which makes better shoes?
In this article, we’ll compare Brooks and Allbirds and point out their main differences to help you decide which brand is best for you.
Comparison Table Between Allbirds And Brooks
| Brooks | Allbirds |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1914 | Founded in 2016 |
| Well-known for Running shoes | Well-known for comfortable Everyday shoes |
| Cannot be worn without socks | Can be worn without socks |
| Dry Clean only | Machine Washable |
| Popular among Runners | Famous among Travelers |
| Fit slightly shorter | Mostly True to size |
| More Popular | Popular |
Overview of Brooks:
Brooks, a Seattle-based fitness apparel manufacturer, is well-recognized for its high-quality and durable running shoes.
The company was started by John Brooks Goldenburg in 1914, and it used to make ballet slippers and shoes. In the early 1970s, they began producing baseball cleats and roller skates before focusing on running shoes.
Once Brooks changed its attention to running, the demand for its men’s and women’s footwear designs, as well as its accompanying apparel, such as sportswear, shorts, and socks, skyrocketed.
With its present headquarters in Washington State, Brooks continues to manufacture running gear.
It’s also important to note that Brooks only makes running shoes, so all of their technology, R&D, etc. is very focused on running.
If you’re searching for a dependable everyday running shoe, the Brooks Ghost 14, one of their best sellers, is an excellent option with many positive online reviews.
The Ghost 14 is a versatile shoe that excels at both road running and cross-training due to its good fit, neutral support, and plush cushioning.
The brand also maintains a commitment to sustainability by producing its products using eco-friendly methods and by supporting a diverse running community.
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Overview of Allbirds:
Allbirds makes eco-friendly shoes for both men and women from sustainable materials. The company’s purpose is to reduce its impact on the environment by using sustainable production methods.
Tim Brown, a native of New Zealand, and Joey Zwillinger, an engineer and renewables expert based in San Francisco, founded the company in 2016.
The high-quality merino wool used in Allbirds shoes is sourced from New Zealand, processed in an Italian textile facility, and then manufactured in China.
Overall, its products are breathable, light, simple to maintain, and undeniably comfortable, also each one has some unique features.
Allbirds Wool Runners, for both men and women, made from high-quality materials, giving them a luxuriously soft texture, are their best sellers with so many positive reviews on the website.
Allbirds has developed a massive fan following due to its eco-friendly business strategy and reasonable return policy. The brand allows customers to try its shoes for up to 30 days; if they’re not satisfied, they can return them for a full refund.
In my experience, this is uncommon in the market, as shoe companies rarely accept returns on already-worn shoes.
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Major Differences between the Brands:
I have listed the key differences between Allbirds and Brooks so let’s get straight into it.
1) Comfort:
Comfort is the most important feature of any shoe. When you’re on your feet for long periods, you want a shoe that offers plenty of cushioning which both Allbirds and Brooks provide.
Allbirds shoes are famous for their comfort, and the fact that they are durable and lightweight contributes to their commitment to giving incredibly soothing comfort.
They can even be worn without socks. They fit your feet perfectly and hold them well during exercise.
The midsole of their shoes is flexible and shock-absorbing. The shoes are versatile and water-resistant, making them ideal for a variety of outdoor activities.
In addition, Brooks Running shoes offer softer cushioning due to DNA LOFT technology that makes sure your feet stay comfortable inside. It’s also flexible and moves perfectly with each bend.
DNA loft cushioning is made up of EVA foam, rubber, and air. Even air is considered a cushioning material in their shoes.
The brand did changes to the foam formula and the way it was created before, which made the DNA LOFT v2 even lighter. Nitrogen is infused into their DNA LOFT foam, giving runners a very smooth experience.
DNA LOFT v3 is the newest version of the DNA LOFT used in the latest models, and it’s more comfortable, lightweight, and responsive than previous versions.
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2) Popularity:
Brooks has been around for more than a century now and is popular among casual and long-distance runners because of its durable and comfy footwear.
The brand was awarded “Best Women’s Running Shoe” and “Best Winter Running Shoe” by Runner’s World and Sports Illustrated, respectively.
The brand has been well-known for technical innovations and projects to protect the environment.
On the other hand, Allbirds are especially popular among famous people such as Google co-founder the legend Larry Page and Hollywood celebrities including Jessica Alba Mila Kunis, Hilary Duff, and Blake Lively.
In addition to the popularity of the company’s environment-friendly footwear, customers appreciate them as well. Allbirds became a public benefit corporation under Delaware law and received B Corporation certification.
Additionally, professionals like medical staff, students, nurses, and others who have long hours job prefer Allbirds.
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3) Target Market:
Brooks Shoes are suitable for everybody, from young athletes to professionals or for those seeking comfy footwear.
Brooks targets “self-defined” runners, who run at least 50 times each year. Around 43 percent of their typical clientele falls in the 25-44 age group. Furthermore, Brooks is especially for people who have had a running-related injury.
However, Allbirds’ primary target market consists of young adults in their twenties and thirties (Millennials and Generation Z) who have the desire to travel.
Their client base is someone who cares about the environment and wants to try new shoe styles.
Also Check Out: Allbirds VS New Balance: Which Brand Is Better For You?
4) Price:
The prices of these two brands are comparable. Allbirds shoes range in price from $50 to $160, whereas Brooks Shoes cost between $100 to almost $250.
You’ll notice that every brand offers a different price for each model and this is indeed due to a difference in technology and where they sell the shoes.
In general, Allbirds shoes tend to have a slightly low price point than Brooks shoe models.
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5) Design:
Allbirds are designed with a focus on simplicity. Since they only use natural materials, such as merino wool, to manufacture their footwear, there is no extra padding or cushioning. This makes them incredibly light and ideal for daily use.
The footwear is designed to perform effectively on different terrains such as mountains and wetlands that’s why it is preferred by travelers.
The majority of their construction consists of a tear-resistant mudguard. Your feet are shielded from the rough terrain.
The zero-drop design of Allbirds shoes, in which the heel and toe are the same height, makes them more comfortable than conventional sneakers.
Whereas, Brooks offers traditional running shoes with different levels of support and control for pronation. The brand’s running shoes are designed to provide stability and traction on all surfaces. These shoes are made to match your gait rather than change it.
The midsole of a cushioned trainer and a lightweight speed trainer will be made of different kinds of foam because the shoes are made for specific situations.
Typically, these shoes have a wider toe box to fit which makes them an excellent option for runners with wide feet, bunions, metatarsalgia, or a square-shaped forefoot.
Many runners, professionals, and beginners consider Brooks the best brand available.
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Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Consequently, Allbirds and Brooks are multimillion-dollar companies for a reason, offering a vast selection of styles, colors, and materials that are sourced responsibly with a priority on fashion. It’s really hard to decide between them!
However, it seems to me that Brooks is more popular among its customers than Allbirds.
Allbirds has a price range that makes it appealing to casual and everyday wear. Brooks, on the other hand, has shoes for both athletes and professional runners, they also work better when you want to run fast or walk in rough terrain.
So, now you can choose the right footwear according to your requirements. And if you want to buy from Allbirds we highly recommend you to go with either Allbirds Tree Runners or Tree Pipers. You can read the comparison of that by clicking here.