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Allbirds have taken the sustainable fashion world by storm.
A small sneaker brand founded by a New Zealand-native Tim Brown and San Francisco-based Joey Zwillinger, Allbirds has rapidly evolved into a billion-dollar brand.
Allbirds focuses on creating comfortable and cool shoes out of sustainable materials, such as merino wool sourced from New Zealand.
Across the manufacturing process and the materials used, Allbirds is about trying to be as sustainable as possible to create all-purpose shoes that are otherwise notorious for being environmentally unfriendly.
Originally starting with the classic Wool Runners, the company has now expanded its line to sneakers, slip-ons, high-tops, water-resistant footwear, and even apparel.
Generally, Allbirds shoes range in price from $95-$135 and are available in a multitude of colors.
For this post, our deep dive into Allbirds will be centered around the most popular product: the classic Wool Runners.
But, many of the points will still be relevant for other products such as their sustainable running shoes, the Tree Dashers.
Are Allbirds really that comfortable?
The short answer, yes!
But don’t just take our word for it. Pretty much everyone who buys a pair raves about how lightweight the Wool Runners are and how comfortable and breathable the shoes are.
Check out a few of their recent reviews:
Whether you’re out all day running errands or just need a quick grocery store run, Allbirds are that reliable pair that you’ll end up reaching for each time.
There’s enough cushion and bounce to keep it comfortable and a decent amount of foot support that’s uncommon in these kinds of shoes. People have ended up wearing them on long trips traveling and short trips, and there doesn’t seem to be a long breaking in process. You’ll get used to these shoes pretty quickly, and you’ll have a hard time taking them off.
The one big question that we see pop up a lot is whether socks are needed with Allbirds shoes.
The answer is that it’s a preference. The wool used is moisture-wicking and anti-bacterial, so going sockless won’t be a smelly challenge.
Some people feel weird wearing shoes without socks and others embrace it, so it’s totally up to you.
Based on what we’ve seen, though, they won’t smell particularly bad if you decide to go sockless, and even if they do, the shoes are machine-washable. However, if you just can’t wear shoes without socks, Allbirds offers silk socks to go with their shoes for $15.
Can Allbirds Get Wet?
Allbirds have been put to the test, and it is pretty much an all-weather shoe. However, there are some caveats.
The shoes are not water-resistant, so they can get wet reasonably quickly, but they also dry quickly on the upside.
If you expect to be getting your Allbirds wet, consider choosing a pair of Wool Dasher Mizzles.
The Wool Dasher Mizzles have a bio-based shield treated with fluorine-free water repellent coating, making them a perfect winter alternative to the Wool Runner.
Are Allbirds Worth The Money?
Allbirds shoes range between $95 – $135. The quality of the materials, the comfort, and the durability of the shoes make them a good investment.
Unlike other popular shoe brands, Allbirds take sustainability incredibly seriously, which is refreshing to see.
Paying for the shoes isn’t just about the shoes themselves (although they are worth it), but you’re also supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.
The company also offers replacement parts for shoes such as insoles for $15, so you won’t need to purchase their shoes over and over again.
The best part?
Allbirds offer a free 30-day trial. You can wear your new shoes, test them out, and if you don’t like them, you can return them for a full refund. Yes, even if they’ve been worn!
Why are Allbirds So Popular?
There are a lot of reasons why Allbirds are so popular.
- Style
- Comfort
- Brand values
The shoe styles look great – minimal, and a good mixture of smart-casual.
Although they end up showing minor signs of wear over time, which is natural for most shoes, they are usually still in excellent condition and can last at least 10-12 months of heavy usage, if not more.
The Wool Runners go with many different outfits, making them incredibly versatile and more appealing.
They’ve been given a near-perfect rating for comfort across customers, contributing to their popularity.
The brand’s sustainability mission is another reason why they’ve grown in popularity.
Allbirds is a trustworthy brand, doing as much as it can to be sustainable and create a better manufacturing process, which has attracted many different demographics.
Consumers have said that wearing Allbirds is like “walking on a cloud” and that these are the “comfiest sneakers” they’ve ever owned.
Where Can You Buy Allbirds?
The best place to buy a pair of Allbirds shoes is from their website, here.
You can head straight to specific products using the links below:
You can also visit one of their 18 brick-and-mortar locations around the US.
Allbirds also has a global presence, with stores in London, Amsterdam, Auckland, Berlin, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
How Sustainable is Allbirds?
Allbirds dedicates itself to being as sustainable as possible.
The company is a B Corporation, so they are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, customers, community, supplies, and the environment.
This is often a difficult process for shoes compared to clothing as there are multiple types of material used through shoes.
However, Allbirds are setting a pretty high standard.
They only source natural fibers that follow ethical standards, including their merino wool and TENCEL Lyocell. Merino wool used for the shoes is certified by groups monitoring animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Recycled water bottles are used for the polyester in laces. They’ve also released Sweetfoam, a new sole material derived from ethically grown Bazilian sugarcane.
Allbirds has offered to share the technology with other shoemakers to help limit synthetic rubber used in shoes. For the insole, castor bean oil is used.
Even their packaging and delivery are designed from 90% recycled materials and they use their own shoeboxes for transport rather than boxes within boxes.
How Do Allbirds Fit?
Allbirds run true to size.
They have a decent amount of arch support, but nothing incredible, so if you need shoes with arch-support they may not be perfect. You can still insert your own custom insoles inside them, though.
The shoes are lightweight and cushiony, and won’t feel bulky. These are designed to be comfortable and ideal for moderate to heavy usage. Even if you wear them walking around a city all-day, you’ll stay comfortable.
Can I Use Allbirds for Exercise?
Allbirds Wool Runners are not gym shoes.
But, they have a separate line for exercise, the Tree Dashers.
If you’re looking for good gym shoes, the Wool Runners aren’t a good choice. They’re ideal every day shoes, but they don’t have the necessary support or design to be suited for intense training or exercise.
If you want to do exercise, go with the Tree Dashers. They’re more supportive and designed to be worn while doing sports.
Wrapping Up Our Allbirds Review
Overall, Allbirds shoes are a great choice if you’re looking for comfortable, stylish shoes that are also sustainable.
You’ll be able to get at least 10-12 months of usage (more if you don’t wear them every day), and customers rave about how comfy the shoes are, the high-quality materials, and that they’re super versatile.
While these aren’t gym or running shoes, the Allbirds Wool Runners are perfect for both cold and hot weather and can be styled in a lot of different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our experience (testing the Tree Dashers and Tree Pipers), yes, they are. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out their customer reviews!
Yes. The insoles they ship with are made of sugar cane and merino wool to wick moisture and make for comfortable sockless wearing. But, you can easily swap them out for your own pair of insoles if you wear a custom pair.
Allbirds don’t run many promotional events. But, you can always keep an eye out for discounts on their website.
They upper material has natural stretch, but, nothing extreme. If you buy a pair that feels too small out-of-the-box, we’d recommend returning them and choosing another pair.
Allbirds are not available on Amazon. The only place to purchase Allbirds shoes is through their website or at one of their brick-and-mortar locations.
