Tarkine is an Australian running shoe brand named after Tasmania's takayna/Tarkine rainforest, built around the idea that performance footwear and environmental responsibility don't have to trade off against each other. This guide covers the shoe lineup, the sustainability model behind it, what it costs, and who it suits.
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The Shoe Lineup
Tarkine splits its footwear into road shoes (Autopilot, Goshawk V3), trail shoes (Trail Devil 3, Bandicoot, Giants) and a casual line (Pademelon). The trail and road lines are built for actual training and racing rather than just a running-inspired casual look, with the naming convention drawing on Australian and Tasmanian wildlife rather than generic shoe-model numbering.
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The Sustainability Model
Tarkine builds its shoes with recycled content and states it manufactures with carbon-conscious practices, but the more distinctive piece is its Re-Run program: gently used pairs are refurbished and resold at reduced prices rather than discarded, extending each shoe's working life as part of what the brand describes as a circular economy approach. That's a more concrete sustainability mechanism than a recycled-materials claim alone, since it's a standing resale system rather than a one-time packaging or materials change.
Where the Money Goes
Tarkine states it directs 2% of revenue to the Bob Brown Foundation for rainforest conservation, and publishes monthly revenue reporting tied to that commitment — the brand frames this as accountability for an activism-integrated business model rather than a one-off donation claim. These are the brand's own stated figures and practices rather than numbers independently audited by us.
Pricing
Running shoes run AU$160–$270 depending on the model, with trail shoes generally at the higher end given the more technical build. Apparel — tees, singlets, shorts, hats and socks — runs AU$40–$100.
The Founders
Tarkine was founded by runners Sam Burke and Ross Johnson, and the brand states it has served more than 100,000 customers worldwide. The Tarkine name itself is a direct reference to the takayna/Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania, tying the brand identity to the specific conservation cause it funds rather than being a generic nature-themed name.
Who It Suits
Tarkine fits runners who want performance road or trail shoes from a brand that backs a specific, named environmental cause rather than a general sustainability claim, and who are comfortable buying in Australian dollars. The Re-Run program suits anyone interested in a lower-cost refurbished pair or in sending back old shoes rather than binning them. It fits less well if sustainability credentials aren't a purchase factor for you and you're shopping purely on shoe spec against the biggest global running brands.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tarkine mean?
It references the takayna/Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania — the same conservation cause the brand states it funds with 2% of revenue through the Bob Brown Foundation.
What's the Re-Run program?
A resale system where gently used Tarkine shoes are refurbished and sold at reduced prices rather than discarded, extending each pair's working life as part of the brand's circular-economy approach.
What's the difference between the road and trail lines?
Road shoes (Autopilot, Goshawk V3) are built for pavement running; trail shoes (Trail Devil 3, Bandicoot, Giants) are built for off-road terrain. A casual line (Pademelon) covers everyday wear.
What currency does Tarkine price in?
Australian dollars — running shoes run AU$160–$270 depending on the model.
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