Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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As an avid thrift shopper, I love finding my favorite brands for less. So when I heard Allbirds launched the ReRun program, which resells gently used, second-hand Allbirds at a discount, I was immediately intrigued. After all, the brand’s shoes have lots of fans—including some of my fellow Reviewed testers, who’ve previously tried the brand’s signature Wool Runners, Tree Dasher sneakers, and Tree Breezer flats. But can you really still put your best foot forward in old—albeit refurbished—shoes? We ordered two pairs to find out.
What is Allbirds ReRun?
Allbirds ReRun takes the brand’s sustainability efforts a step further.
Allbirds, which started in 2016 with a single wool sneaker style, the Wool Runners, has since expanded its offerings to include a wide range of footwear and apparel. The brand prides itself on creating its products with sustainability in mind and has a “Flight Plan” of environmental commitments, including a goal to “to double the lifetime of its products by the end of 2025.”
To fund all of that effort, Allbirds’ shoes cost between $50 and $160 and the brand rarely has sales, meaning they could be out of reach, price-wise, for some consumers. To meet the demand and provide a way to keep still-wearable Allbirds from entering the waste stream before they’re at the end of their usable life, Allbirds launched the ReRun platform, an online marketplace for used Allbirds shoes, in early 2022.
If you have a pair of gently used Allbirds to trade out, you can bring them to one of three store locations: the Century City store in Los Angeles, the Oakbrook store in Chicago, and the Upper West Side store in New York City. (There’s currently no mail-in option.) In-store, the staff will assess whether your kicks are in the right condition for the program, and reward you with a $20 discount on a new Allbirds purchase over $98 if they pass muster. Otherwise, the pair will be donated.
Once the shoes reach ReRun’s warehouse, the brand and its “recommerce” partner Trove “sort and grade” the shoes, according to a press rep for Allbirds, as well as refurbish them where needed, though it's unclear what the "refurb" process entails. Shoes that make the cut are sold online, where they’re described as in either “excellent” or “very good” condition—the latter of which means higher savings, along with more discoloration and wear.
How did I test Allbirds ReRun?
In testing out ReRun, we ordered two of the brand’s bestselling styles: A pair of gray Wool Runners, graded in “excellent” condition, for which we paid $76 (they cost $110 new), and white Tree Dasher 1s, an older iteration of its running shoe, in “very good” condition for which we paid $79 (compared to $135). I assessed the condition upon receiving them and wore them around for two weeks to see how it felt to, quite literally, walk in what were once someone else’s shoes.
What I like about Allbirds ReRun
The soles of the second-hand shoes look pristine.
The styles are majorly discounted
The Wool Runners I tried were $31 less than the full-priced version, while the Tree Dasher 1s were $46 off. If you’re looking to add Allbirds to your closet but aren’t sure you want to commit to its full-priced footwear, the resale platform could be a good way to try them out for less. (And if you’re already a fan of the brand, it also means a second chance to score discontinued styles or colors.)
The shoes are in good condition
Both shoes look barely worn, and I was shocked by how clean both the bottoms and outsoles are. The Wool Runners are truly in “excellent” condition, with no pilling, discoloration, or dirt in sight on their gray uppers. While the Tree Dashers, advertised as in “very good” condition, had some small dirt spots on the white upper, they otherwise looked brand new.
The site is easy to shop
Because the site’s stock fluctuates depending on demand and contributions, I appreciated the option to sort by size, style, and condition. It saved me from sifting through shoes I wasn’t interested in—and the disappointment of seeing styles that weren’t available in my size.
What I don’t like about Allbirds ReRun
There was some discoloration on the Tree Dasher.
It’s unclear how much the shoes were used
As a runner, I keep track of my sneakers’ mileage so I know when they’re losing support. The Tree Dashers are marketed as running shoes (though the jury is out on whether they’re as good as, say, Brooks or Nikes). Because I’ve previously incurred injuries thanks to unsupportive shoes, I shudder at the thought of running in sneakers without knowing how long they’ve been pounding the pavement. While the “very good” Tree Dashers I received seemed cushy enough for a quick jog down the block, I wish I knew what support level they started at based on how many miles (if any) were run in them.
While exact mileage isn’t as important to me for sneakers I’ll only be wearing to the office or for errands, I was still a little concerned about the longevity of the support provided by the “excellent” used Wool Runners. Although they felt sufficiently supportive when I tried them for a couple of weeks, more long-term testing would be needed to determine how quickly they’d wear out compared to a brand new pair.
There’s no usage data, even for running shoes like the Tree Dasher.
You’re still paying a decent amount for used shoes
The Tree Dashers I tried had those light dirt spots on the outsoles, noted as “faint discoloration” in the product description. Although brand-new white shoes would probably end up looking the same after a few weeks or months of wear, I still felt the over $60 pricetag was a lot for shoes with any visible dirt. If you decide to go with the “very good” condition Allbirds, perhaps consider opting for a darker color that better hides soiling and wear.
What’s more, ReRun isn’t the only game in town or on the web selling Allbirds: You can set up a search on other resale sites such as eBay or Thredup, where you may find better prices.
The options are limited
As a consignment store shopper, I’m all too familiar with discovering a great-priced style I love, only to realize it’s not the color or size I wanted. Because Allbirds ReRun shoes are second-hand offerings, the shopping experience comes with similar disappointment. While I was able to find my shoe size (a women’s 8) in several colorways, designs, and condition levels, many were sold out in my size. The brand claims it updates the site regularly, however, so it’s possible shoes will be restocked eventually. (That said, I wish there was an option to get notified when certain styles become available in my size—which you can get on eBay and Poshmark, for example.)
Is Allbirds ReRun worth it?
If you’re wary of spending over $100 to try Allbirds, ReRun could be a good first step.
Possibly, depending on why you want Allbirds
The “excellent” condition shoes I received looked brand new and came with a lower price tag. If you’re purchasing a pair simply for the aesthetics, buying from ReRun is a great way to save a chunk of change—assuming you can find what you want in your size.
But if you’re concerned about the supportiveness of your shoes or plan to use them for athletic activities, I’d recommend exercising some caution. And if you’re patient about using other second-hand sites, you may find better prices.
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