# Wool Running Shoes Allbirds Designs Help Keep Feet Smelling So Fresh and Clean By Meghan Young | Published 2016-03-02 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wool-running-shoes References: [fastcompany](http://www.fastcompany.com/3057259/the-recommender/these-wool-running-shoes-keep-your-feet-smelling-fresh/5) & [allbirds.workable](https://allbirds.workable.com/) Feet sweat, it's just the nature of things; and they sweat even more when put into strenuous action -- enter wool running shoes. It was designed by Tim Brown, who spent his twenties playing for New Zealand's national soccer team. Accustomed to getting covetable athletic wear for free, he was nevertheless always left wanting. He shares, "I got tons of shoes from brands like [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-sock-brand) that were brightly colored, covered in logos, and made of synthetics. But I was always interested in finding a shoe that was simple, beautiful, and made from natural materials." So he created [Allbirds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-m00nshot-zero). Producing top of the line wool running shoes, the brand worked in collaboration with" AgResearch, a textile institute, to enginner a new fabric that would be tough but also soft and comfortable enough to wear without socks," writes [Fast Company](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nail-care-system). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Wool Running Shoes:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sustainable and comfortable athletic footwear using natural materials like wool. - **Natural Material Shoes:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create shoes made from natural materials that are durable, breathable, and environmentally friendly. - **Sockless Performance Footwear:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design footwear that provides excellent performance and comfort even when worn without socks. ### Where This Applies - **Athletic Footwear:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new and sustainable materials for athletic shoes to enhance performance and improve environmental impact. - **Eco-friendly Textiles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative fabrics and textiles that are eco-friendly, durable, and comfortable for various applications. - **Sports Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine style and functionality by creating fashionable athletic footwear made from natural materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Merino Wool Sock Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uynner-hero-shoes.md) - [Sustainable Running Shoe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supernatural-runner.md) - [Net Zero Carbon Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-m00nshot-zero.md) - [Colorful Shoe Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wool-cruiser.md) - [Multi-Day Wear Wool Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/proof-72hour-merino-air-tshirt.md) - [Sustainable Single-Piece Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-cloudboom-strike-ls.md) - [Indestructible Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/005-model.md) - [Textile-to-Textile Recycled Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-remix.md) - [High-Performance Sock Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-sock-brand.md)