Allbirds
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
US footwear brand known for merino wool and plant-based sneakers.
Allbirds scored 21/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, and workers in Vietnam and Peru are very unlikely to earn a living wage.
Better-graded footwear
Graded higher than Allbirds, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Allbirds? Send a right of reply.
Compare Allbirds with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 4 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 21/100 in 2026). Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 4 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in Vietnam, Peru and the United States.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listPublishes its supplier list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: cotton
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 21/100 (2026)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Vietnam has the largest share, 40%. Peru is next, at 20%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 40% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Peru | 20% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Mexico | 20% | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | 20% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses cotton in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its cotton comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Publishes supplier list
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
Research notes Allbirds shoes are made mainly in Vietnam, and its apparel mainly in the US, China, Peru and Mexico. Its October 2023 factory list, still the one linked from its website, named finished-goods factories in Vietnam (2), Peru, Mexico and the US plus three subcontractors; shares shown count the five finished-goods factories. It requires independent social audits of Tier 1 suppliers but has no living wage commitment, and scored 21/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report. In 2026 the brand was sold to American Exchange Group and Allbirds Inc is winding down, so its past disclosures may not carry over.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Problem found | Scored 21 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), after 40 in 2024. View |
| B Corp directory | Certified | Allbirds Inc was certified as a B Corp in December 2016 (score 96.5) and is still listed in the B Corp directory; the 2026 buyers of the brand are not themselves certified. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Allbirds - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2026 Ethical Fashion Report: Allbirds scored 21/100 (average 31.5)
- Allbirds Inc Form 10-K for 2025 (SEC) · search the archive · Footwear made mainly in Vietnam; apparel in US, China, Peru, Mexico; supplier code of conduct; B Corp score 96.5 (2023); 362 staff
- American Exchange Group acquires Allbirds for 39 million dollars (FashionUnited) · search the archive · March 2026: Allbirds sells its IP and assets to American Exchange Group for about US$39m; Allbirds Inc to dissolve and wind down
- Allbirds secures distribution deals in Japan and Australasia (FashionUnited) · search the archive · Compendium Group appointed distributor for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands from July 2024
- American Exchange Group and WSG Brands complete deal to acquire Allbirds IP assets (SGB) · search the archive · AEG and WSG Brands co-own the Allbirds brand after the 2026 US$39m deal; AEG handles design and manufacturing
Published by Allbirds or its owner
- Allbirds Published Factory List, October 2023 · search the archive · Eight sites: Vietnam 2, Peru 2, Mexico 3, US 1 (five finished-goods factories, three subcontractors)
- How We Operate - Allbirds Australia · search the archive · Tier 1 suppliers need third-party social audits; aims to audit all factories yearly; worker sentiment surveys; no living wage commitment
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 362
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Allbirds ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/allbirds, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Allbirds.