Allbirds review: 10 years later, 'the world's most comfortable shoes' are still worth it

Allbirds Tree Runners

Allbirds' Tree collection is made from a sustainable, mesh-like textile that's engineered with eucalyptus pulp, and the shoes are more cooling and breathable than the company's other offerings as a result.

The Tree Runners ($100) are basically a breezier version of the Wool Runners, with a sturdier build that keeps its shape. They're still incredibly comfortable and low-maintenance. We rely on them for the weekdays, weekends, and traveling, and many of us prefer the tree material to the wool since it seems to hold up for longer.

Read our full Allbirds Tree Runner and Skipper review.

Allbirds SuperLights

The SuperLight collection is part of Allbirds' growing archive of performance sneakers. This capsule once included the SuperLight Trainers, and now consists of two retrofitted classics in the form of the SuperLight Tree Runners ($80) and SuperLight Wool Runners ($72). These shoes have the lightest midsoles Allbirds has to offer, and are perfect for travel or packing a light gym bag.

The SuperLights are the most aerodynamic model of Allbirds sneakers, with their paper thin material that contours with your foot for full flexibility. Each pair's low carbon footprint lets you tread lightly — literally and figuratively — due to Allbirds' innovative blend of plant based materials with recycled polyester and plastic.

Read our full Allbirds SuperLight review.

Allbirds Wool Runners

Allbirds' most famous silhouette and original claim to fame are their Wool Runners ($100). They're comfortable, lightweight, breathable, and decently supportive. You can wear them with or without socks based on your preference (like all Allbirds shoes), but we've found that you may want to wash the insoles frequently if you decide to repeatedly go sockless in the summer. It's great that they're machine-washable, too, but we'd recommend investing in a color that will hide some scuffs and dirt (in other words: not white).

Many Insider Reviews members have bought multiple Wool Runners, and we frequently gift them to friends and family. But, some team members would claim the company's Tree Runners are even better.

Despite recently launching an updated version of this shoe in the form of the Wool Runners Go (more below), Allbirds will continue to offer the original silhouette indefinitely, as it's still one of its most popular styles.

Read our full Allbirds Wool Runners review.

Allbirds Wool Runner NZ

"Over the years, Allbirds' constant innovation has led to more advanced footwear and styles for nearly every facet of life. While it's been great to see the massive expansion in its product line-up, the Wool Runner NZ ($110) is a breath of fresh air for those who fell in love with the brand for its original Wool Runners ($100). The formula is simple — a sleeker wool upper, memory foam insoles, and Allbirds' proprietary sugarcane-based SweetFoam midsoles — and the results are an incredibly comfortable shoe.

I usually prefer performance-oriented shoes for the design language and added technologies, but once I put my feet in the Wool Runner NZs, I was reminded that everyday comfort can be found in a simple, yet thoughtfully designed shoe. The memory foam insoles make them comfortable straight out of the box, but I'm sure that with a few wears, they'll feel even better. And since wool is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, these are shoes you can wear without socks and not feel bad about doing so." — Amir Ismael, style editor, Insider Reviews

Allbirds Tree Breezers

The Tree Breezers (starting at $80) are, according to our review, "pretty much a dream come true" for lightweight, flexible, breathable flats that you'll turn to day after day. They're not as supportive as Allbirds' sneakers, but they're more padded than you may expect. They've also aged gracefully thanks to the structure of the Tree fabric, which holds its shape better than the wool styles or other flats we've tried — precisely why it's among our guide to the best flats.

Most of us wear them in summer as well as the fall, but one reporter found them to be too warm for the hotter months.

Out of the box, our testers ranged from feeling a slight rubbing on our ankles on day one (and none after) to zero pain or blisters out of the box on a 20-block walk. We all own more stylish pairs of flats, but we agree that we find ourselves favoring these due to their outsized comfort.

Read more in our full Allbirds Tree Breezer flats review and how they compare to Rothy's in our Allbirds vs Rothy's flatscomparison.

Allbirds Tree Loungers

The Allbirds Tree Loungers (starting at $70)are a breezy version of the Wool Loungers — sturdier and more breathable than your average house slipper. If you're looking for more warmth, we suggest going with the Wool Loungers. If you want more of a cooling material, we suggest the Tree Loungers. The Lounger insole replacements conveniently fit both styles.

Read more on what makes the Tree Loungers another pair of Allbirds' best sneakers we've ever bought.

Allbirds Strider

"I found the Allbirds Striders ($125) are best put to use on days when you're ready to rack up 10,000 steps before lunch. Their springy, supportive foam footbeds have a meta-rocker design that propels you as you walk, so the perpetual rolling of your foot feels as frictionless as possible.

The Striders are like the sports car of Allbirds sneakers. They have a sleek, streamlined silhouette made from a stretchy Tencel knit material that contours to the shape of your foot. Up around the ankle is a sock-like entry, which sits flush against your skin and makes them look even more seamless. And with their tapered toe box and lightweight, perforated upper, your feet practically glide through the air with each step." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews

Allbirds Wool Runners Go

In November 2023, Allbirds released an updated version of its incredibly popular Wool Runners. The changes are subtle, but the Wool Runners Go ($120) introduces 15 design tweaks aimed at making the shoe even more comfortable and durable. The biggest difference is the increased height and width of the sole cushioning, which makes for a higher profile and improved comfort.

Insider Reviews deputy editor Lauren Savoie tried the new Wool Runners Go, comparing them directly to the original Wool Runners. She found the new design ultra comfortable, with great cushioning and stability. The new design also eliminates one of the biggest complaints about the original design — toe bagging. It was common for many wearers to see the outline of their big toe while wearing the original Wool Runners. A change to the length and slope of the front of the shoe now fixes the problem in the new design. The Wool Runners Go design also feels more breathable and even easier to slip on.

Allbirds continues to offer both the first Wool Runners and the Wool Runners Go, albeit the latter is only available in men's.

Read more in our original Allbirds Wool Runners review.

Allbirds Couriers

The Couriers ($98) are simple, everyday walking shoes inspired by styles of the past and made with materials of the future. The '80s inspired silhouette is outfitted with all the modern day technology Allbirds has pioneered in the sustainable footwear space, like their Sweetfoam midsoles and remarkably low carbon footprints.

For those who have tried other Allbirds shoes and found them too narrow, the Couriers will be your best bet. They have ample space in the toe box for wider feet and offer bouncy support for walking long distances in comfort.

Read our full Allbirds Courier review.

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2

The Tree Flyers 2 ($96) are running shoes that boast some of Allbirds' most technical features. They're made with a lightweight and airy upper knit from eucalyptus tree fibers, and their midsoles are made of the brand's SwiftFoam material.

Blended with a planet-friendly blend of natural and recycled materials, SwiftFoam is lightweight and bouncy, helping to return energy to the runner and eliminating the repeated harsh impact long-distance runners typically experience.

Despite having substantially more cushioning, the Tree Flyer 2 is still lighter than the Tree Dasher 2.

Read our original Allbirds Tree Flyers long distance running sneaker review.

Allbirds Trail Runners

As their name suggests, the Trail Runners (starting at $119) are Allbirds' performance sneakers designed for trail running, hiking, and all-terrain recreation. The design features a durable water-repellent upper, a sock-like fit to keep dirt and debris out, and durable outsoles with 4mm multi-directional treads for traction in all conditions.

Although the Trail Runners are rugged and trail-ready, they're still impressively lightweight, which makes it comfortable whether you're using it for its intended purpose or for casual wearing.

In comparison to the Tree Dasher 2, the Trail Runners are only about 4 ounces heavier. Overall, they're still much lighter than most dedicated hiking or trail shoes.

Read our full Allbirds Trail Runners SWT review.

Allbirds Wool Loungers

The Wool Loungers ($84) are soft, breathable, and supportive — like a sturdier version of a house slipper. The body feels like one long, comfortable sock that moves seamlessly when you move, and the sole is sturdy but really lightweight. All in all, we love them for wearing indoors or as regular outdoor shoes, and consider them as some of the best slippers for men.

After two years of wear, some of us ended up replacing worn-down insoles with new ones ($15) and noticed the upper has lost some of its shape as it has molded to our feet, but nothing too noticeable.

Read more about why we consider the Wool Loungers some of Allbirds' best sneakers we've ever bought.

Allbirds Tree Dasher 2

The second-gen version of Allbirds' first-ever performance shoe is the Tree Dasher 2 (starting at $94), which we recommend for runners that prefer a seamless fit around the ankles.

The Dasher leverages all of Allbirds' sustainable materials into one shoe: Merino wool, SweetFoam soles, and a knit upper made from eucalyptus pulp. Its base provides better stability than many neutral pairs we've tried, while the knit upper allows the foot to move freely. However, while the knit also facilitates airflow, the Dasher is a smidge hotter than our personal favorite neutral sneakers.

The Dasher's cushioning is perhaps its best feature. It's more noticeable than a minimalist running shoe, but it's not overly bulky or as heavily cushioned as Hokas. That combined with a wide platform that gives you solid stability on various terrains, and you've got a comfortable and secure ride almost anywhere.

Read our full Allbirds Tree Dasher running sneaker review.

Allbirds Tree Skippers

All told, we loved wearing the Allbirds Tree Skippers ($100). They're breathable, cooling, and have enough support for a full day of walking, standing, and dancing at music festivals or trekking around a new city as a tourist on vacation. They're less restrictive and heat-trapping than sneakers for the summer, and we appreciated that we could tie the laces to keep them on as we run around or kick them off without untying them.

Read our full Allbirds Tree Runner and Skipper review.

Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles

The main con of Allbirds is that you'd be out of luck if you stepped in a puddle in a pair of wool shoes. But not with its all-weather Wool Runner Mizzles ($87). The Mizzles are covered in a water-resistant treatment that deflects raindrops, and the shoes have a reinforced sole that gives your feet a better grip on slippery surfaces.

Multiple testers noted that the Mizzles have become their go-to shoes for walking around on days with rainy weather thanks to the cozy Merino wool and how lightweight they are in comparison to rain boots. A few testers found the fit to be slightly tight, which wasn't a deal breaker, but should be considered for anyone in between sizes or who prefers to wear thick socks.

Read our full Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles water resistant shoes review.

Allbirds Wool Runner-up Mizzles

Our team had mixed responses to this shoe, but we all agree that they're effective at repelling water. Some testers describe the Wool Runner-up Mizzles (starting at $87) as their go-to footwear for walking around on rainy days, and others found them to be uncomfortable due to the bulky opening rubbing against their ankles. Some reviewers also found the shoes to be a bit tight in the vamp, throat, and toe cap, though adjusting the laces and breaking them in did create a bit more room.

Overall, we think they're a good shoe that holds up well, but comfort will be case-by-case for each wearer.

Read our full Allbirds Wool Runner Mizzles water resistant shoes review.

Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzles

The Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzles (starting at $101) are the same style as the Dasher performance shoe, but made from the brand's Merino wool and finished with a water-repellent finish. In other words, it's designed to be a breathable, lightweight wool running shoe for all conditions.

The brand says the Wool Dasher Mizzles should deliver the same technical functionality that we experienced in our review of the original Dasher, but with the added convenience of being able to splash through puddles without concern. For added safety in wet conditions, the company also added a reflective logo to the heel for visibility and yarn into the laces for an extra strong hold.

Read our full Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzle running shoe review.