I first heard of Allbirds footwear again in 2016 from my New Zealand good friend who was sporting them. She claimed these footwear (which had been constructed from New Zealand merino wool) had been tremendous snug—they definitely regarded snug. Then a number of months later I began seeing them throughout New York Metropolis so I wished to attempt a pair out for myself since they regarded like nice footwear for journey.
As of this writing, I’ve worn my Allbirds Wool Runners for about 12 months and I’ve spent an excellent quantity of time pounding the pavement in these snug so I wished to do my very own Allbirds Assessment to share my ideas.
FTC Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks which suggests I could obtain a fee for purchases made by hyperlinks on this article. I used to be not paid to put in writing this submit and all opinions are my very own.
UPDATE: This text was initially posted in October 2018 so I’ve had a bit of extra time with my Allbirds Wool Runners. I discovered they did a pleasant job conserving my ft heat through the NYC winters (however I didn’t put on them within the snow/rain/winter muck).
Naturally, they’re displaying a bit of extra indicators of damage and tear however nothing out of the unusual. I’ve learn experiences from different Allbirds wearers who stated their footwear lasted round 8-10 months of average use and I’m seeing related outcomes.
UPDATE 2: Now that the climate is getting a bit of nicer, I’ve examined the Allbirds Tree Runners (learn my Allbirds Tree Runners evaluation).
UPDATE 3: Allbirds lately launched their waterproof Allbirds Mizzle line of Runners, Runner-Ups, and Dashers. I’m sporting them as we communicate and I’ll write up a evaluation as soon as I put a number of extra miles on them.
UPDATE 4: Allbirds simply launched their new Tree Dasher working shoe. Learn my Allbirds Tree Dasher Assessment to listen to my ideas.
UPDATE 5: I’ve examined the Wool Pipers. Learn my Allbirds Wool Pipers Assessment to her what I feel.
UPDATE 6: I’ve completed testing the brand new Allbirds Tree Pipers. Learn my Allbirds Tree Pipers evaluation.
UPDATE 7: Allbirds lately began making attire constructed from wool and different recycled cloth. I’ve tried the Pure Run Tee and Pure Run Shorts however they’ve socks, underwear, sweats, hoodies, and a bunch of different objects.
UPDATE 8: Allbirds simply up to date their Tree Dasher trainers—now referred to as the Tree Dasher 2. I’ve simply completed my Allbirds Tree Dasher 2 evaluation.
UPDATE 9: Allbirds simply launched their Tree Flyers—which is trying to be a legit working shoe. I’ve simply completed my four-month take a look at and you may learn my Allbirds Tree Flyers evaluation right here.
As you’ll be able to see, Allbirds now has a number of completely different footwear so I created an Allbirds Comparability Information the place I take a look at most of their footwear and a few attire.
Fast Background of Allbirds
For a little bit of background, Allbirds is a brand new shoe firm from New Zealand (a rustic well-known for its wool) that made its debut with their Wool Runners — a pair of footwear constructed from merino wool and different sustainable/recycled supplies.
They went the direct-to-consumer route (though they do have a number of bodily areas now) and all their footwear promote for $95 by way of the Allbirds Web site (free delivery and returns). Folks appear to actually dig them and their recognition is skyrocketing.
Allbirds additionally has a mannequin referred to as “Tree Runners” (that are made out of eucalyptus pulp as an alternative of wool).
We additionally like how Allbirds put an enormous concentrate on sustainability — their soles are constructed from sugarcane and their laces are constructed from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.
My Allbirds Assessment
I’m all the time raving out wool in the case of journey clothes however I’ve by no means considered wool for footwear. So once I noticed the Wool Runners I used to be intrigued — particularly since Allbirds claims their wool is tender, moisture-wicking, and reduces odor.
And as you’ll be able to see from the chart above, Allbirds makes numerous claims about their footwear so I wished to check them for myself.
In-Retailer Expertise
I truly ordered my Allbirds footwear on-line however I nonetheless headed to their NYC location in SoHo to examine them out.
First-Put on Ideas
The superfine merino wool was instantly tender and cozy — the shoe could be very slipper-like. The froth of the only real is spongy and supplies a pleasant quantity of cushion.
I additionally instantly observed how loopy light-weight the Wool Runners are — a pair of measurement 9 is 17oz. They’re nice for journey as a result of you’ll be able to simply throw these into your baggage with out including hardly any bulk/weight.
Allbirds says you’ll be able to comfortably put on their footwear each with and with out socks. With that in thoughts, I went sockless throughout my maiden voyage to the park with Henry. Even after an excellent quantity of strolling, I discovered them very snug straight out of the field and I’ve by no means gotten any blisters.
That stated, I’m not an enormous fan of sporting them with out socks on longer walks. Going sockless is okay for working to the shop or bumming round, however I discover the consolation goes down with prolonged put on.
Seems to be
I’m actually digging the look of the Wool Runners. They’re a pleasant mix of style, athletic, and informal. They usually’re opening a retailer in Europe so I’m positive you’ll begin seeing them throughout Europe very quickly.
I selected the Pure Black with Black Sole. Additionally they have an ever-changing number of limited-edition colours. If I had been to do it another time, I in all probability wouldn’t get the all-black as I feel having some distinction between the sole and the higher a part of the shoe could be good — however that’s simply private choice.
I additionally like how there isn’t any actual branding on the footwear so it retains with the minimalist look.
Consolation & Sizing
After a number of months of sporting my Wool Runners across the streets of NYC, I nonetheless discover my Wool Runners to be completely snug. The soles have numerous cushion and bounce. The insoles + soles truly supply a good quantity of arch help—which is pretty uncommon in different minimalist footwear.
That stated, Allbirds Runners aren’t trainers—regardless that they’re referred to as “Runners”. They’re firmly informal strolling footwear.
If you’d like trainers (or simply extra total help), get the Tree Dasher 2 or Tree Flyers
Moreover, the wool is loads tender so Allbirds isn’t exaggerating once they say you’ll be able to put on these with out socks.
One factor I discovered a bit of annoying is that Allbirds at present solely are available full sizes (i.e. no half-sizes). Their web site says that their footwear naturally stretch to suit your foot after a number of wearings. Fortunately, they offer you 30 days to completely take a look at the footwear and their return course of is tremendous easy.
The one small gripe I’ve is with the tongue. It generally folds onto itself so I have a perform a little adjustment after placing the shoe on. It’s not that large a deal however it’s an annoyance.
I’ve worn my pair for a number of walks (normally one to 3 miles at a time) with none points however a majority of the time I’ve worn them across the neighborhood/metropolis and on walks with Henry. That stated, I frequently stroll for 10+ miles/day once I journey so I’m undecided how my ft would really feel if I put in that type of mileage with these footwear.
So, to sum it up, I feel the Wool Runners have a superb weight/size-to-comfort ratio — they’re so gentle that you could simply throw them into your baggage with out including any bulk.
So are they the “World’s Most Snug Footwear”? That could be a little bit of an overstatement. However they’re definitely snug and I take pleasure in sporting them — particularly contemplating how loopy gentle they’re.
Word: I’ve learn experiences that some ladies felt the toe field was a bit of tight so that they had been advised to attempt the marginally wider males’s model — fortunately the return/change course of is easy.
Heat & Cool Climate Put on
Allbirds say their Wool Runners “keep cool within the warmth and heat within the chilly.” Properly, on scorching days my ft nonetheless obtained a bit heat and sweaty so don’t anticipate these to be like air-con to your ft. That stated, I didn’t really feel like these had been an excessive amount of completely different than different sneakers I put on they usually did dry pretty rapidly.
Nonetheless, the Allbirds Tree Runners are way more gentle and breezy than the Wool Runners so that they’re higher fitted to the summer time.
And now that Autumn’s cooler climate has arrived in NYC, I discover that my Wool Runners hold my ft cozy once I take Henry out on his nightly walks across the block.
Allbirds aren’t made for wet climate so your ft will get moist pretty rapidly in case you get caught within the rain.
Odor and Washing
Allbirds are definitely tender sufficient to put on with out socks. Wool is of course odor-resistant so this was one factor that intrigued us about wool footwear. I’ve worn our Wool Runners a number of instances with out socks and have but to expertise any noticeable foot odor. Good!
I nonetheless advocate sporting socks in case you’re going to put on yours all day lengthy as a result of they may in all probability ultimately begin to odor from prolonged barefoot put on.
That stated, you’ll be able to merely toss your Allbirds straight into the washer (chilly water) in the event that they do get smelly or soiled. They do have to air dry — I haven’t personally washed our Allbirds but however individuals on-line say they take a couple of day or two to air dry.
I do like how Allbirds sells alternative insoles for $15 since insoles are what maintain probably the most quantity of stink. So, ought to yours begin to odor, simply throw in a brand new pair of insoles.
Sturdiness
Earlier than I obtained my Allbirds I learn some experiences that the Wool Runners’ toebox had a bent to stretch out over time. I solely observed very minimal stretching — so I did some analysis and it seems that Allbirds made a number of enhancements in 2017 to bolster the toe lining and tongue (in addition they improved the insole and made the only real extra versatile).
My Wool Runners are nonetheless holding up fairly nicely after a number of months of sunshine to medium use. I usually put on them across the neighborhood, to the espresso store/retailer, and once I take Henry for his walks. I’ve performed a handful of multi-mile journeys with them they usually’re nonetheless holding up nicely. They’re beginning to present a little bit of age however that’s to be anticipated.
I’ve learn a handful of experiences on Reddit from different individuals who have worn their Allbirds fairly exhausting (i.e. daily for 6-8 months) and the max lifespan appears to hover round 8 to 10 months of heavy use — which is basically the identical outcomes as I get with my Nike or New Steadiness footwear.
I’ve learn that the wool tends to draw hair and canine/cat fur so that you may have to de-fur your footwear occasionally. Additionally, some individuals additionally reported that their footwear had a little bit of extra clear glue the place the only real attaches to the higher.
Closing Ideas
After spending a strong period of time sporting Allbirds Wool Runners we are able to see why Allbirds has develop into so well-liked (they’re now valued as a billion-dollar model). They’re cool-looking, snug, have pretty strong sturdiness, they usually’re made utilizing sustainable manufacturing processes. I additionally like their easy return course of and their 30-day assure.
They’re nice footwear for sporting across the neighborhood, working errands, and concrete exploration. I wouldn’t hesitate to throw these into my suitcase earlier than our subsequent journey as a result of they’re light-weight and take up nearly no area.
Are you touring quickly? Take a look at our different favourite journey footwear for extra footwear suggestions.
My Different Favourite Footwear From Allbirds
Since introducing their Wool Runners, Allbirds has launched greater than 20 completely different footwear—together with superior trainers, all-terrain climbing footwear, weather-resistant footwear, and a number of different choices.
I’ve personally owned about eight completely different kinds of Allbirds and you may try my ideas and opinions in my Allbirds Purchaser’s Information.
However listed below are a number of of my favourite Allbirds footwear you may wish to try.
WOOL RUNNER MIZZLES
The Wool Runner Mizzles are principally the identical shoe because the Wool Runners however they’ve an added weather-resistant layer and the wool is handled with a water-repellent coating. I additionally consider the Mizzles have a barely larger sole that helps put a bit of extra distance between the footwear and puddles.
It’s vital to comprehend that the Mizzles are weather-resistant however not waterproof — from my expertise they do nicely in gentle rain or brief stints in heavier rain.
WOOL RUNNER-UP MIZZLES
The Wool Runner-up Mizzles is a boot model of the Wool Runner Mizzles so that they too have a weather-resistant layer and the wool is handled with a water-repellent coating.
The Wool Runner-up Mizzles are a bit of hotter than the Wool Runner Mizzles due to their boot design they usually supply a bit of extra safety from the weather.
Allbirds TREE FLYERS
The brand new Allbirds Tree Flyers is the model’s first true working shoe (they usually have a really cool futuristic fashion). They’re light-weight, ethereal, springy, and tremendous snug. They’re designed for on a regular basis runs as much as 6-9 miles or all-day strolling. I examined these for 4 months and I’m an enormous fan.
Allbirds TREE DASHER 2
The Tree Dashers are true legit trainers. The Tree Dashers are constructed from eucalyptus tree fiber versus merino wool discovered within the Wool Dashers. I discover that the Tree Dashers are extra breathable than their Wool Dasher counterparts.
The Dashers have probably the most quantity of cushion of all of the Allbirds however they’re additionally probably the most athletically styled of the footwear. That’s why some individuals may assume they lose a few of that “on a regular basis” fashion discovered within the Runners.
UPDATE: The Tree Dashers have been up to date to the Tree Dasher 2 so many points of the Tree Dasher has been improved (I’m at present testing them).
WOOL DASHER MIZZLES
The Wool Dasher Mizzles are true waterproof trainers with Allbirds’ bio-based weather-resistant protect they usually’re handled with a water-repellent coating. It is a good possibility in case you’re searching for a extra rain-friendly working shoe however I’d look into the Tree Dasher in case you want one thing for the summer time.
TREE RUNNERS
The Tree Runners are the identical because the Wool Runners however they’re made out of eucalyptus tree fiber as an alternative of wool. Once more, the Runners are an off-the-cuff on a regular basis shoe so that you’ll need the Dashers in case you want a real working shoe.
When in comparison with the Wool Runners, I’d say that the Tree Runners breathe higher so that they could be a greater possibility in case you’re sporting them in scorching climate. Nonetheless, I personally just like the look of the wool cloth higher than the eucalyptus tree fiber cloth — however that’s only a private choice.
Extra Journey Gear Recommendation
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James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the creator of the ebook “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Finances”. He is been running a blog about finances journey in Europe since 2010.
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