New Zealand-American footwear brand Allbirds has just released their latest innovative running sneaker called The Tree Flyer. The sneaker features the company’s SwiftFoam™ as part of the midsole for extra bounce while walking or running. The company exclusively unveiled the Tree Flyer at a launch event at the brand’s Flatiron district location in New York on May 5th. Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown, Chief Brand Officer Kate Ridley, VP Innovation & Sustainability Jad Finck, and Material Innovation Director Romesh Patel were in attendance. Allbirds tested the new sneaker for over a year amongst 115 runners with nearly 6000 miles before the release.
The company has a mission to reduce material waste in the production of footwear through use of their SwiftFoam™ process. The process is a method of midsole foam production which uses the company’s castor bean oil based resin (compared to petroleum based materials) which reduces energy use and less material is needed. The finished product is 30% lighter than the company’s Sweetfoam, and delivers an energy return with a rebound of 70% to the wearer. The Tree Flyer’s light cushioned midsole allows runners the ability to go longer distances. More technical specs of the sneaker include a 22.0mm forefoot and 30.5mm heel for a total offset of 8.5mm. Overall the entire weight of the sneaker with midsole, upper and laces combined is 269g [9.49oz] size M9.
Other features of the sneaker’s design include a flared external heel that provides additional support, an increased toe spring that provides better transition, a traction pattern on the sole for great grip, new reflective eye-stays, and flat laces. The “Tree” upper provides a sleeker fit that holds the wearers foot in while being more breathable and durable, and it is the that gives the sneaker its name.
The carbon footprint of the sneaker is also carefully taken into consideration, incorporating an emission number representing carbon use output into the design of each pair of the shoe. In reducing the carbon footprint of the sneaker each pair has an emission number of 9.92kg CO2e. Speaking on the importance of understanding the effects of carbon use and waste and it’s effect on the environment, and emission number use Jad Finck stated, “Everything we use and consume has a carbon footprint and the science behind that emission number is confusing, just like the science behind calories. You’re not always going to choose the lowest calorie food – sometimes you’ll go for the chocolate cake or the steak dinner – but you’re able to make that choice with all the nutritional information. Producers and service providers have an obligation to tell people the environmental impacts associated with what they’re making.”
The Tree Flyer is available in three colors: Lux Beige, Buoyant Yellow, Natural Black and comes in woman’s sizes 5-11, and men’s 7-14 including half sizes. The sneaker retails for $160 and can be purchased at Allbird stores and on Allbirds.com
