Footwear Sensation Allbirds Second Chance

Measure twice, and cut once. It’s an ancient wisdom that is often forgotten or ignored, sometimes at a steep price.

That seems to be what has happened to Allbirds, the New Zealand-inspired fashion startup that captured imaginations with its novel and eco-friendly product—a low-tech sneaker-loafer made of merino wool. (Allbirds because New Zealand’s wildlife is almost entirely birds. Wool because the country is home to some 30 million sheep.)