Oh, mother nature. How many gifts you have bestowed upon us. There is a reason why we’re kicking this off with that, as that will be the main keyword during this Allbirds review.
For those that might be looking for shoes, there is a chance that they have stumbled upon Allbirds. Many have crowned it the most comfortable shoe on the market. Not only that but also the fact that it is made from merino sheep wool, trees, sugar, and their own fiber, Trino.
These types of materials are dying out in the footwear industry. It is unfortunate, but synthetic materials and fibers are much cheaper, and usually less quality.
Still, are these shoes something to fuss about, or just a regular shoe? Well, it takes much more to answer that question, as we investigate every aspect of Allbirds itself. Let’s see if these shoes are worth to accommodate your feet.
TL;DR
- Natural materials allow your feet to breathe through the well-designed fibers and fabrics of the shoe
- Possibly one of the most comfortable shoes on the market
- No flashy logos and unnecessary branding to convince you that this shoe is great
- Made from a brand that takes care of mother nature
Note: Whatbrandreview is reader-supported. When you buy through affiliate links on our website, we’ll make a small commission, without impacting your price. Thank you. Learn more.
How It All Started – Allbirds
Tim Brown, a fellow from New Zealand has always been curious about why the merino wool, such a sustainable and frankly remarkable resource wasn’t present in the shoes industry. Together with Joey Zwillinger, they put in the work to create the most comfortable shoe out there, made from note-worthy materials.
Since their humble beginnings, they have strived for simplicity, especially simplicity in design. Today, shoes are very much flamboyant, with huge logos and branding. Not Allbirds. As simple as possible is the motto.
Allbirds knew that they had to convince people that this way of doing things is much better. For that reason, they give you a trial period of 30 days, to return the shoes if they aren’t a good “fit” for you, with apparently: “No questions asked”.
Why Consider Allbirds?
Allbirds holds a very niche market. While they go unnoticed and unmentioned in many conversations about shoes, they have a gigantic reputation to say the least.
They’re loved by many, and it is easy to see why.
For one, the shoes are extremely comfortable, and the simple design might be appealing to many. Furthermore, the fact that they avoid using synthetic materials, just gives the shoe the extra bit of comfort for some reason.
Not only that, but mentioning that it is very easy and convenient to shop online is an understatement. Even if that’s not you, why not visit their stores in person, and try out whether this will make a great addition to your assortment of shoes.
Additionally, Allbirds has quite an impressive lineup of shoe models. So, finding a shoe that you’re used to or that you like is very simple.
For those that are more interested about the brand and some additional things they make, here is a quick summary of what they manufacture:
- T-shirts
- Sweaters
- Jackets
- Underwear
- Socks
- Face Masks
- Lace Kits
- Insoles
- Shoes
They adopt the same care for mother nature with their other types of clothing and accessories.
Are Allbirds On Par with Conventional Brands?
To no one’s surprise, they are; – it is as simple as that.
Allbirds isn’t your regular flashy direct-to-consumer brand. They aren’t all in your face convincing you to consider their shoe. Oh, no. They let their own shoes and other products do the talking.
When compared to high-end conventional shoe brands like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, and others, Allbirds’s feels like it holds the same bar of quality. Allbirds was found not on its flashiness, but instead on its dedication to create the most comfortable shoe out there.
For whether you would find a more comfortable shoe, the answer is yes. Better-looking? Yes. But at what cost?
Conventional shoes nowadays are often way overpriced, and most of the time, you’re paying for a brand name, instead of the quality of the materials put inside. Compared to high-end conventional shoe brands, Allbirds makes sense financially, and practically, since there is not much disparity in quality.
Allbirds: Is It for Everyone?
In terms of quality, I would say that this shoe can be considered for everyone. However, when it comes to what type of shoes they offer, and some need, well, it becomes a bit tricky. Yes, they cover a lot of different models, but on average, most of their model designs are relatively light, and non-heavy-duty shoes.
Sure, for simple daily-use and activity, these are the perfect shoes. But there is no getting around the fact that sometimes, there is a need for a strong and heavy shoe. Particularly, one with leather or similar outsides.
As for some heavy-duty rain, Allbirds has some water-repellant shoes, which is a plus.
The point is, Allbirds isn’t for every person out there, nor does it claim to be. But for the majority, this is a great, light-weight shoe, which will be extremely comfortable to wear, day in and day out.
Allbirds – The Positives & Negatives
It might be the case that there was a strong impression that these shoes are frankly amazing, and that they don’t come with any downsides.
However, that is not true, as always, there are some downsides that need to be considered if you’re looking to get yourself shoes from Allbirds. All be it, they might small in comparison to the positive aspects, but in any case, they should be considered.
Here are some of the pros and cons you should investigate, if Allbirds are appealing to you:
PROS
- Natural materials, non-synthetic
- The shoes have good quality
- Very comfortable to wear and breathable
- Many designs to choose from, all simple and minimalistic
- The smell of synthetic materials isn’t present
- Light-weight
- 30-day trial period
- Convenient
CONS
- Pricier than some brands out there
- No rugged and sturdy shoe options
- Men’s shoes don’t have smaller sizes than 8
- Some find them a bad fit. Sizes might vary even though it’s publicized that the fit it “true to size”
The Other Allbirds Products – Good or Bad?
All in all, they have a pretty impressive lineup of products. What is immediately noticeable though, is the price.
Even basic t-shirts and hoodies are very high-priced, and it is hard to see why. The designs are minimalistic and with flat colors, which might be a deal-breaker for many, but it does compensate with that beautiful merino sheep wool.
In any case, their main selling point are their shoes, and with their other products there are some quirks that you should look into in more detail.
The Verdict: Allbirds For Your Main Shoe Supplier?
Products that are made from natural and non-altered materials are usually below what would be considered adequate quality. However, we must say that with Allbirds, that is not the case.
Seems like Allbirds has genuinely focused more on creating the best shoe that they can possibly can, and not focus much on trivialities such as a great marketing campaign. Sure, they might pop up on many screens each, but the point is, that these shoes are worth a shot.
They’re comfortable, light-weight, and some are water-repellant. There are a wide number of models to try, and there is a good chance that there is something that is tailored for you. Plus, many things that Allbirds offer, many don’t. Considering the great value to performance, we would recommend Allbirds to anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
How Long Do Allbirds Last?
Well, this depends on a lot of factors. How much you wear the shoe, how many times it is washed, what conditions it has surpassed, and a lot more. It is hard to say how much a shoe will last, because it is highly-dependent on usage.
If any case, if you have worries that the quality is bad or that they won’t last long, they have a 30-day trial period. From what we’ve tested, the quality feels great, and they feel like they might last long.
How to Wash Your Allbirds Shoes?
Allbirds don’t have an issue of being not-washable. In fact, the best way to clean them, is to throw them in the washing machine, if you choose to do so.
Make sure to remove the insoles first though. For the setting on your washing machine, choose wool & delicates cycle, i.e. cold water. You can wash the insoles by hand, but stay away from bleaches, and use a very gentle detergent.
Only airdry! Do not use a dryer, as it might damage your shoes. For more instructions on Allbirds’s shoe care visit their official care page.
Are Allbirds Sold in A Store?
Allbirds are sold both online and at physical locations. They have stores in big cities like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, and so much more.
For more information on store locations and opening hours, visit their official stores page.
Product Reviews & Unboxings
