Allbirds Shoes Review [2024]: Are They Really Worth It?

If you're an active traveler, you'll know the importance of a good, reliable pair of sneakers, especially one that'll last through all of the adventures you're going on.

I'm a big believer of buying good quality shoes, even at a premium, because they often last a while. That's when I came across, through all of the hype online, the proclaimed "World's most comfortable shoes" called Allbirds.

Claiming to be a sustainable footwear and "the world's most comfortable shoes," Allbirds sure is a tempting purchase for frequent travelers like ourselves.

Their bestselling Wool Runners and Tree Runners are frequently talked and praised about, but are the AllBirds shoes as comfortable as they claim to be?

We all have our doubts about sustainable materials and their durability. So are Allbirds shoes worth the hefty price?

The growing awareness of the environment and the carbon footprints we leave behind has produced the sustainability phenomenon we experience today.

How do Allbirds fair in their environmental impacts as a prominent sustainable brand? How do they stack up to their competitors, like Vessi?

We'll answer all of these questions and more, so keep scrolling to see if Allbirds meets their bold claim as the world's most comfortable shoe.

What is AllBirds?

AllBirds is an American company, headquartered in San Fransisco ,California, that sells footwear and apparel.

Being heavily committed in sustainability, Allbirds is a certified B-Corporation, which we'll cover on a bit more later.

Who created Allbirds?

Allbirds was founded by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger.

As a native New Zealander, Brown was inspired by their native merino wool and teamed up with biotech engineer Zwillinger to create Allbirds, a sustainable footwear brand.

As pioneers of sustainable footwear, Allbirds strives to use eco-friendly materials while still producing quality shoes.

Are they the "worlds most comfortable shoe"?

Boasting lightweight soles, walking with Allbirds is like walking on clouds. Although providing little arch support, their sneakers are great for walking and light jogging.

If you're looking for a little more support, travelers have recommended switching out the insoles for a pair with more arch support. This takes advantage of the Allbirds' sustainable and breathable features without sacrificing your workout endurance.

Allbirds were made to be worn without socks.

Imagine gloves on your feet like gloves on your hands. That's the breathability Allbirds offers.

The soft merino wool contributes to the sneaker's moisture-wicking and temperature regulating qualities, making them an especially worthwhile purchase for those with sweaty feet.

How about Allbirds socks?

If you prefer to keep your socks on, opt for Allbirds' own line of socks made to complement their breathable shoes.

Their large range of shoes offers flexible toe-boxes and mold-to-fit technology, keeping your feet comfortable in every aspect. They even offer a line of water-resistant sneakers allowing you to go on any adventures without fear of soggy feet.

When choosing your Allbirds sizing, pick a size that fits you. Allbirds sizing runs true to size, but if you're still unsure of the fit, size up. These shoes are made to fit like a glove, giving flexibility to those with wider feet.

Top Picks: My Favorite Allbirds shoes!

Having so many options to choose from, choosing the right pair of Allbirds can be a difficult decision.

I've even seen people who own multiple pairs of Allbirds shoes because of their incomparable comfort.

Oh, did I mention you can easily toss Allbirds shoes into the washing machine to clean? Just make sure you wash them on cold, and do not put them into a dryer. It takes significantly longer to air dry, but it's the most optimal way to go!

With that being said, here are the most popular and best-selling Allbirds shoes! Keep in mind that prices are accurate to the time the review was published but may fluctuate. Check Allbirds for the most updated prices!

Allbirds Wool Runners

Price: $110

This is Allbirds most popular pair of shoes!

The wool runners' simple design makes styling with a limited travel wardrobe much easier. They're perfect for everyday wear, especially for travelers strolling through museums and art galleries.

A significant positive attribute of wool shoes is that they're super odor-resistant, so feel free to slip on a pair without socks! They're super comfortable as-is.

If they get dirty during your adventure, toss them in the wash for a quick cycle before heading out to your next trip.

One thing about the wool runners is that they're not the most compatible with heavy snow or rain, which brings me to my next recommendation. 

AllBirds Runner-Up Mizzles

Price: $145

If you're looking for a pair of AllBirds shoes to wear in rainy or snowy weather, take a look at the Wool Runner-Up Mizzles!

Compared to the AllBirds Wool Runners, the Runner-Up Mizzles has a slightly hardy style that have a water-repellant finish.

While they're water-repellant, I would still only recommend them for light to moderate rain or snowy weathers.

Allbirds Tree Dashers

Price: $135

The Allbirds Tree Dashers is an excellent choice for those looking for a bit more foot support. It integrates the mold-to-fit technology to give you support and comfort when going for a light jog.

They're also great for different terrains, so consider getting a pair of tree dashers for hiking or visiting the natural wonders.

Allbirds wool pipers

Price: $110

The Allbirds Tree Dashers is an excellent choice for those looking for a bit more foot support. It integrates the mold-to-fit technology to give you support and comfort when going for a light jog.

They're also great for different terrains, so consider getting a pair of tree dashers for hiking or visiting the natural wonders.

Sustainability at Allbirds

Many companies, like Allbirds, claim to be heavily committed to sustainability and sourcing eco-friendly materials to build their products.

However, most companies usually just do a lot of greenwashing instead of being actually sustainable.

Is Allbirds greenwashing?

In order to answer this question, let's talk briefly on what is greenwashing.

Greenwashing is an advertising approach used by some companies to promote and market their brands as environmentally friendly without actually making sustainability efforts. Greenwashing has run rampant in consumer industries struggling to rapidly pivot towards sustainable processes without losing profit or increasing costs.

So, is Allbirds participating in greenwashing?

I don't believe so. Allbirds is a certified B-Corporation, meaning that they're a for-profit company assessed for their significant social and environmental performance.

Allbirds is also committed to using regenerative agriculture, renewable resources, less energy in production, and maintaining transparency in their sustainability journey.

Let's dive a bit into Allbird's sourcing of materials and whether they're sustainable or not.

Sustainable Materials

A major component of Allbirds' shoes is Trino, a combination of merino wool and Tencel lyocell. Merino wool is a natural fiber that Allbirds has made considerable effort to ethically source.

At the same time, Tencel lyocell is a tree fiber that uses 95% less water to process than cotton. Their sweet foam soles are made from sugarcane, and each pair of shoelaces is made from 1 recycled water bottle.

Allbirds shoes are also made with a blend of recycled polyester from the laces. Even their packaging is 90% recycled cardboard. There's a clear social responsibility on their part towards becoming a carbon-neutral company.

There are still improvements to be made in terms of brand transparency. Still, they're on the right track and making significant strides in sustainable fashion.

If you'd like to dive deeper into Allbirds' sustainability claims, I suggest ecocult's detailed article on the brand's environmental contributions.

Where to buy Allbirds footwear?

Allbirds began as an online retailer selling exclusively online before establishing storefronts around the world to offer an in-store experience.

If you find yourself near an Allbirds store, pop in to check your sizing and experience the comfort yourself before dropping a pretty penny on these pricey shoes.

Most still choose to purchase their Allbirds online and have them shipped to their front door. They currently ship internationally to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Japan, the UK, Europe, and the US.

Allbirds refund policy

Allbirds offers a 30-day trial period with free returns and exchanges for all shoes, no questions asked. They're especially generous during the holiday season, offering returns for up to 3 months past the purchasing date.

Be sure to check their FAQ section on returns and exchanges to see if your purchase applies.

Is Allbirds worth it?

Overall, Allbirds is an excellent brand that makes comfortable shoes. They are definitely worth the money if you choose to get one!

Allbirds shoes are great products considering their lower environmental impacts and great quality.

Allbirds also offer reliable comfort during your day-to-day activities as well as light traveling. But you'll have to turn to other brands if you're looking for sneakers that can handle high-intensity workouts or something with more arch support. That said, if you're looking for the arch support for atheletic performances, Allbirds Runner shoes, or their new Pacers, are your best bet.

Whether walking to work or traveling around the world, Allbirds sneakers are a must for your packing list.

If you're looking to compare Allbirds with its alternatives, check out Vessi and their waterproof sneakers to see which pair of shoes are the best for your type of travel or wear!

Our Rating: 4.4/5

Pros:

• Sustainable products and practices 
• Reliable comfort
• Great for day-to-day walking 
• Variety of shoe styles 
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Pricey cost
• Little arch support
• Limited international shipping

Start planning your travels!

Looking to go exploring with your new AllBirds shoes? Bring them with you on your next trip! Start planning with Pilot.