Since Allbirds and Toms are two of the most popular brands of casual and everyday shoes, you may have wondered what differentiates them from one another.
With both consistently featuring some of the best sneakers for every season, it’s time to learn more about these two stylish shoe brands so you can pick between them.
I’ll try to distinguish the difference between Toms and Allbirds, and by the end of this article, you’ll know if one is better than the other or if they’re pretty much the same.
Comparison Table Between Toms And Allbirds
| Toms | Allbirds |
|---|---|
| Founded in 2006 | Founded in 2016 |
| Vegan Shoe Options | Sustainable Shoe Options |
| Cannot be washed in the machine | Machine Washable |
| Popular for “One for One” Idea | Popular for public benefit corporation |
| Comfortable | More Comfortable |
| Cannot be worn without socks | You can wear them without socks |
| No traction on a slippery surface | Provide a good grip on all surfaces |
| Affordable | Pricey |
| Small Logo on Heel-side | No flashy Logo |
| Size runs big | Can be small |
Overview of Toms:
Toms is a for-profit company headquartered in Los Angeles, California that designs and sells, shoes, clothes, eyewear, coffee, and bags.
Toms Shoes was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, who was motivated by his trip to Argentina, where he witnessed children without shoes.
When he got back to the U.S., Mycoskie start planning for what would eventually become Toms brand, a company that sells shoes and whose profits go to support his One for One charity.
Under the “One for One” idea, for every pair of shoes bought, a pair would be given to a child in need. The unique concept inspired people to associate with the company and support the cause.
Over 70 countries have benefited from shoe donations made by Toms. Today, the brand donates one-third of its sales to community charities. Since the establishment of Toms, their community has positively influenced over 100,000,000 lives, and they continue to do so.
Toms is best known for making espadrilles, or Alpargatas, these shoes typically have a rope or rubber sole and a canvas upper. Although the company also produces a wide variety of other styles, including sneakers and boots.
One of their iconic best-selling styles, the Alpargata which retails for under $60 is a must-have for any casual outfit.
When you wear these shoes, you’ll always feel like you’re walking on air because the soles are made of recycled materials and are flexible.
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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:
Now, to help you choose between these two brands, we’ve made a guide that compares some of their features.
1) Comfort:
The construction of the Toms Shoes is the secret to comfort, but they are not as soft as Allbirds. Toms uses premium materials and skilled craftsmanship to make each shoe.
Consequently, they provide excellent support and cushioning, even after hours of use. In addition, the soles are built to give traction and stability, making them suitable for a variety of activities.
The company’s iconic slip-on shoes are made from a soft, breathable fabric and include a padded insole for enhanced comfort. Their casual sneakers are perfect for everyday use because they are so easy to wear and don’t have the hassle to use laces.
In the same way, Allbirds shoes are exceptionally comfy, need minimum maintenance, and require no break-in period.
The slipper-like quality of the shoe is due to the use of the finest merino wool and other eco-friendly materials in its manufacturing.
The sole foam is smooth and provides sufficient cushioning. Regardless of the weather, you can spend the entire day in your Allbirds, with or without socks, because they keep your feet cool and comfortable.
These shoes are ideal for travel because of their dependable comfort and fashionable design.
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2) Popularity:
Toms is an exceptional example of a brand whose reputation has been established for doing good. The brand is popular for its “One for One” marketing strategy in which it donates a pair of shoes to a person in need for every pair it sells.
Toms also works with other organizations to support health, education, and community development programs. They grew rapidly because of endorsements from celebrities and publicity on social media.
On the other hand, Allbirds have become very popular among travelers, Hollywood Celebs, and other well-known people like Google Co-Founder. Customers love the brand not only because it is well-known around the world, but also because it is committed to making shoes that are good for the environment.
Under Delaware law, Allbirds set up a public benefit corporation and got certified, which explained how they think about their activities affect the environment.
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3) Target Market:
The main customer base of Allbirds consists of millennials, Men, and Women in their twenties and thirties. Approximately 49% of their customers are male, while 51% are female.
Customers of Allbirds care about the environment, are interested in trying different shoe styles, and have the desire to travel.
Furthermore, Toms typically targets all genders, people with a high school diploma or above, and those in their early twenties to thirties. Also, North America is the brand’s primary market but shoes are available in many other countries.
Many people who purchase Toms Shoes are interested in participating in the wellness of society.
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4) Price:
It depends on the shoe model, but in general, Toms are less expensive than Allbirds. Allbirds shoes roughly cost $50 to $160, whereas Toms Shoe price range from $49 to $120.
Most Toms shoe styles are under $80 so if you’re on a budget, Toms may be the best option for you.
5) Design:
Allbirds are known for their simple design, has no flashy logos or unnecessary details, and their flexible construction. These most comfortable sneakers are crafted from natural materials for functional design.
Since the shoes may be worn for athletic and casual purposes, so they have made their way into modern fashion. Their designs combine sophistication and elegance with a touch of activity and creativity.
Conversely, Toms Shoes are designed to be light and comfortable, and their soles are made to last through wear and tear. Their shoes are thin, light, and simple, they don’t have thick padding to protect your feet from shocks or thick leather to keep your feet from getting hurt by the ground.
Toms are made of canvas, rubber, or foam, so they are not as soft as padded shoes, but they are much more supportive. They are based on the concept of barefoot running, thin-soled shoes make running easier than thick-soled ones, but they are designed for fashion not for running.
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Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Summarily, Allbirds and Toms offer great options for elegant, casual, and comfy footwear. Toms is known for its stylish and charitable business model, whereas Allbirds is renowned for its comfort and association with sustainability.
Toms Shoes are less expensive than Allbirds but they did not provide as much comfort as Allbirds shoes do.
The use of canvas in most Toms made them less durable because it is easy to tear and might not last long, if you want shoes that will last a long period consider Allbirds.
You can choose each brand according to your preference, you will be happy with your purchase from both brands due to their efforts for the environment and community.
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