What Makes Allbirds Shoes Different

Tim Brown (a former soccer player) and Joey Zwillinger (an engineer) started Allbirds in 2016. They changed the shoe industry with a simple idea: comfortable shoes made from natural, reusable materials.

Their best sellers—Wool Runners, Tree Dashers, and Tree Breezers—use merino wool, eucalyptus tree fiber, and sugarcane foam. They do not use materials based on petroleum. The company now sells clothing, but shoes are still their main product.

Allbirds was worth $1 billion by 2018. They became the popular shoe for tech workers in Silicon Valley. You have likely seen them in offices or coffee shops.

Why this helps you: Many wealthy, green-minded shoppers already know Allbirds. This makes sales faster. You are just giving them a push, not teaching them about the brand.

Allbirds Affiliate Program

Two Programs, Very Different Payouts

This part can be confusing. Allbirds runs two separate affiliate programs based on where you promote them:

1. Social Ambassadors Program (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)

If you promote mostly on social media, join the direct Social Ambassadors program. You will get:

  • Commission on all sales (the rate is not public).
  • Possible free products.
  • A direct connection with the Allbirds team.

Best for: Influencers, content creators, and those who post videos or pictures.

2. Media Publications Program (Blogs, Websites, Email)

If you publish on websites, blogs, podcasts, or email lists, join through Impact (an affiliate network). You will earn:

  • 5% commission on sales to new customers.
  • 3% commission on sales using student/teacher discount codes.
  • 1% commission on all other sales.

Best for: Bloggers, review sites, comparison sites, and email marketers.

This split is important because of how they track sales. Most affiliates promoting via a website should join through Impact. This gives you clear payout rates and reliable tracking.

Commission Reality: What You Actually Earn

Let’s do the math on the Media Publications program since the rates are clear:

At 5% commission (new customers):

  • $98 Wool Runners = $4.90 per sale
  • $135 Tree Dashers = $6.75 per sale
  • $180 order (multiple items) = $9.00 per sale

At 1% commission (existing customers, sale items):

  • $98 Wool Runners = $0.98 per sale
  • $135 Tree Dashers = $1.35 per sale
  • $180 order (multiple items) = $1.80 per sale

Here is the problem: After a customer’s first purchase, your rate drops to 1% forever. You are paid to find new buyers over and over. You don’t get much for repeat customers.

To earn $500 per month (at 5% average):

  • You need about 70 to 100 new customer sales.
  • If only 2–3% of visitors buy, you need 2,500–5,000 qualified visitors each month.

We see a pattern with eco-fashion: The 5% rate looks great, but people buy shoes slowly (maybe 1–2 pairs yearly, not monthly). Most affiliates earn $100–$350 per month from Allbirds. Think of it as a helpful side income, not your main paycheck.

Cookie Time and Payment Details

Allbirds gives you a 15-day cookie window. If someone clicks your link today and buys in the next two weeks, you get credit.

This is a good amount of time for shoes. People do not buy shoes instantly, but they also don’t spend months deciding. The 15-day window covers most purchases in this category.

Payment processing:

  • Monthly payouts using PayPal, BACS, or direct transfer.
  • $10 minimum payout (very low—you will hit this fast).

Items that do not earn commission:

  • Gift cards.
  • Sale items marked as “Affiliate Exempt.”
  • Returns and canceled orders.

Key point: The low $10 minimum means new affiliates get paid within weeks. This helps avoid the waiting and frustration that comes with higher payment limits.

The Honest Pros and Cons

After looking at green fashion affiliates for the last two years, here is what changes your earnings:

What Works for You

  1. Strong brand name. Allbirds is well-known among younger, working professionals. You don’t explain what Allbirds is; you explain why someone should buy now.
  2. Customers care about values. People buy Allbirds to make an environmental statement. This focus on values means people pay more attention to content about sustainability.
  3. Good 5% rate for new buyers. This rate is solid compared to fast fashion (2–4%) or old shoe companies (3–5%). The key is finding a lot of new buyers.
  4. Low $10 minimum payout. You see your first money quickly. At 5% on a $100 order, you need only 2 sales to get paid.
  5. 15-day cookie is right for shoes. People research sizing, read reviews, and buy within days—the cookie window fits this perfectly.

The Challenges You Need to Know

Let’s be real about the problems.

  1. Commission drops to 1% after the first buy. Allbirds pays you only for new customers. After their first order, you earn very little from future purchases. This is different from services that offer ongoing monthly commissions.
  2. Few promotional tools. Allbirds gives you simple text links. They offer no product feeds, no banner ads, and no seasonal graphics. You have to build all your content yourself.
  3. Limited products. They make great shoes, but how many ways can you write “comfortable wool sneaker”? It is hard to keep finding new ways to talk about their small product line.
  4. Price targets only wealthy buyers. At $98–$135 a pair, Allbirds is a premium brand. Your audience needs extra money. This is not a cheap impulse buy.

What we see often: Eco-fashion affiliates promote 6 to 10 green brands because no single one makes enough money alone. Allbirds becomes one small, important piece of a larger eco-friendly portfolio.

5 Steps to Join the Program

Ready to apply? Here is the exact process for the Media Publications track (most website affiliates):

  1. Go to the Allbirds affiliate page. Visit Allbirds.com, go to the bottom of the page, and click “Affiliates.” Choose “Media Publications.”
  2. Click “Apply Now” and pick Impact. You will go to the Impact platform to create your affiliate account.
  3. Fill out the Impact form. Give your website link, traffic numbers, what your content focuses on, and payment information. Be clear that you write about sustainable topics.
  4. Wait for approval (usually 1 business day). Allbirds looks for good content about eco-values, not just huge traffic.
  5. Get your dashboard access. Once approved, log into Impact to get your unique tracking links and start promoting.

Tip for your application: Emphasize that you align with Allbirds’ mission. Do not write, “I run a fashion blog.” Write, “I publish content reaching 12K readers who want ethical consumption and eco-friendly choices. My audience actively looks for brands that help the environment.”

How to Sell Allbirds Shoes Smartly

Simple fashion tips will not work here. Allbirds buyers are moved by their values. Here is what works best:

  • Focus on the green story, not just the features. Write titles like, “How Allbirds Cuts Carbon Footprint by 40%” instead of “Review of Allbirds Wool Runners.” The environmental angle attracts the right kind of buyer.
  • Write detailed sizing and comfort guides. Many people say Allbirds fit large. Content like “Allbirds Sizing Guide: I Tried 3 Sizes” helps shoppers who are ready to buy.
  • Compare Allbirds to other green shoes. “Allbirds vs. Veja vs. Rothy’s: Which Eco Sneaker Is Best?” catches shoppers who are deciding right now. Include real testing and details on sustainability.
  • Use visual sites like Instagram and YouTube. Style guides like “10 Outfit Ideas for Wool Runners” or try-on videos get much better results than text reviews alone.
  • Target specific needs. Titles like “Best Allbirds for Travel” or “Allbirds for Standing All Day” catch people searching for an exact solution.
  • Time content with new releases. Allbirds drops new, limited colors. Posting reviews when these new colors come out captures existing fans who want to buy right away.

Bottom line: Affiliates who earn $200–$400 per month from Allbirds do the same thing: They create 4–6 key comparison/sizing/sustainability articles, and then they add new content when seasons or colors change. Those who only post simple product reviews earn very little.

Is Allbirds Worth Your Time?

Here is my honest take after looking at many eco-fashion accounts:

Join Allbirds if:

  • Your audience values sustainability.
  • You write for well-off younger professionals (Millennials/Gen Z).
  • You can create visual content (photos, videos).
  • You are building a list of many sustainable brands.

Skip Allbirds if:

  • Your audience looks for cheap options.
  • You need high commissions to make your effort worthwhile (the 1% repeat rate hurts).
  • You need many ready-made ads and tools.

The truth is, Allbirds has a famous brand name and a premium price. You will get sales from people who already care about the environment. You will not convert budget shoppers.

Pattern we see: The most successful eco-fashion affiliates earn $1,500–$3,000 per month total. They get only 10–20% of that from Allbirds. The rest comes from apparel, accessories, and home goods. No one builds an entire business on green shoes alone.

Should you join? Yes—if you already create green lifestyle content. Allbirds belongs in your portfolio of eco-brands. Just don’t expect it to be your biggest moneymaker.

5 Higher-Paying Sustainable Shoe Alternatives

Looking for similar brands with better ways to earn money? Here is what converts well:

Cariuma Affiliate Program: This Brazilian sneaker brand has much higher payouts, sometimes reported around 32% commission. They offer a standard 30-day cookie. If your audience cares about planting trees, Cariuma offers a lot more money per sale.

Nike Affiliate Program: This huge brand offers up to 11% commission with a 30-day cookie. Nike gives you many banner ads and tools. If you cover workout and sport shoes, Nike converts a wide range of buyers with higher rates.

Adidas Affiliate Program: Available on Impact with up to 10% commission and a 30-day cookie. They have a huge selection of products worldwide. This works well for content that compares different products.

Rothy’s Affiliate Program: These women’s shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles. Their tiered commissions are about 2.4–4.8% (lower than Allbirds’ 5%, but it applies to all purchases, not just new customers). They are very popular in sustainable women’s fashion.

LØCI Affiliate Program: This is a vegan sneaker brand with a 30-day cookie. It is a good option next to Allbirds for eco-friendly shoe lists. It appeals to people who follow plant-based and animal-rights causes.