Review: Are Allbirds Really the World's Most Comfortable Sneaker?

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Is Allbirds really the world’s most comfortable sneaker? I wore their flagship Wool Runner for a few weeks to find out.

00:32 The Allbirds brand and aesthetic
01:18 Allbirds wool and
02:14 Allbirds sole
03:15 Allbirds fit & sizing
05:17 Allbirds price
05:58 Allbirds Pros
07:18 Allbirds Cons

If you spend any time on Allbirds’ website you’ll learn that their commitment to sustainability is serious: sustainably sourced wool for the uppers and castor oil for the sole, recycled-plastic-bottle laces, and the company is a certified B Corp (look it up, it’s legit).

This isn’t a shoe for sneakerheads: it’s super minimalistic, simple design. In fact, it’s really just one piece of wool sewn together at the back. But for people who want comfy, squishy shoes (looking at you, sweatpants dads and NYC startup guys…) they’re a perennial favorite.

Plus, they come with a money back guarantee.

Was it weird to wear a sneaker made entirely from wool? Let’s check it out.

MATERIALS
Merino wool upper
Sourced from sustainable and ethical farmers
Lightweight
Easy to wash

Allbirds proudly advertises that their wool is not itchy and while I’m usually too dainty to wear wool, I had no discomfort wearing these sneakers - even without socks. The whole upper is made from New Zealand Merino wool, which is thinner and softer than regular wool. Plus, because the sheep spend a lot of time outside, the fibers are both temperature regulating and moisture-wicking.

It’s not the strongest wool you can get (which tends to be pretty scratchy) but it is the softest, and Allbirds runs it through a proprietary system which strengthens the material enough to withstand everyday wear without driving you mad with itchy feet.

One note: the minimalist construction means it has next to no volume, and the longer you wear it, the more the shoebox flattens out.

SOLE
Low density foam outsole
Made with sustainable castor oil instead of petroleum
Padded insole to reduce odor and increase moisture wicking

The outsole is a very lightweight rubber and foam polymer. Made with sustainable castor oil, it’s extremely squishy, and lined with a merino wool insole for moisture wicking and odor reduction.

FIT & COMFORT
Very comfortable
No half sizes
Not intended for exercise
Sole is squishy, not stable
Noticeable heel-to-toe drop

Fit
The one big bummer is that Allbirds doesn’t have half sizes. Also, these shoes run really small. I’m an 11.5 on a Brannock device and so I ordered a 12, but they’re still a little small. Since the wool stretches and it’s generally soft and comfy this wasn’t a dealbreaker, but my toes hung over the sole a bit and I probably would have been more comfortable in a 13 tied real tight (or, even better, a 12.5). Go large when you order.

Comfort

Is it soft? For sure. Is it squishy? Hell yes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: these shoes feel more like slippers than sneakers.

The upside is that it feels like you’re getting away with something, like wearing your pjs out of the house. The fact that they’re comfortable enough to wear without socks only adds to the feeling like you should be lounging at home, not walking down the street, in these. All this makes them completely unique in my shoe collection.

The downside of the fact that they’re so thick and squishy is a serious lack of stability. That’s unfortunately how physics works, so don’t be fooled by the name - they’re not for running in, “runner” is just New Zealander for “sneakers.” I nearly rolled my ankle a couple times in these just walking around Brooklyn.

Also worth mentioning - the noticeable heel-to-toe drop, which is most apparent when walking downhill, or after a long wear. It’s not the biggest issue, but notable that you don’t get the same level of mid-foot strapped down support that you might be used to with other sneakers.

PRICE
$95. Both affordable and pretty reasonable, considering the tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to make these sustainably.

CHECK OUT THE COLORS AND PRICE HERE: http://bit.ly/3aqQdM3

PROS & CONS
Pros
Super lightweight
Pillowy, soft sole
Machine washable
Wearable without socks
Not itchy
Come with a money back guarantee
Ethically and sustainably sourced

Cons
No half sizes
Upper deflates over time.
Not great water resistance
Too squishy for working out in


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