A little over 6 months ago, I wondered if Allbirds might be the perfect travel shoe. I tend to replace my shoes about every 6 months. But I’m happy to report the Allbirds still look and feel great. Though there is the usual wear and tear.
My Allbirds held up wonderfully. And I have NOT been kind to them
I’ve worn them nearly every day and along all my travels. I tend to wear out my shoes. But whereas my old New Balances would’ve been literally falling apart at the 6-month mark, the Allbirds still have plenty of life left in them.
I want another pair!
Allbirds 6-Month Review
- Link: Allbirds
Six months ago, spending $95 on a pair of shoes seemed like a gamble. But now, I still have great, comfy shoes will plenty more time left on the clock. I’m impressed and satisfied with Allbirds and how they’ve held up.
Dancing in my Allbirds 🙂
There is some natural wear and tear which is totally to be expected. I estimate I have a few more months of intense wear left for these shoes. If they make it through to July, that’d make a whole year with the same shoes – pretty remarkable.
Plus, they’ve been warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The wool is breathable and holds up to most weather quite well.
Allbirds condition after 6 months of near-daily wear
The smooth white sole of the shoe is no longer totally smooth or white – but a little crinkled and grayish. Though the top wool part still looks new and fresh.
Note: These photos were taken after throwing the shoes in the washing machine.
Closeup of the “crinkles” on the heel from walking around
This is what I mean by crinkles. The heels have the most wear from the pressure of standing and walking.
From the other side
The bottoms have worn pretty thin. The original traction, what little there was, has completely faded away where my tread is heaviest: on the ball of the foot. It’s by no means worn all the way through yet. And there’s still a thick cushion inside the shoe. But I’ll likely toss these shoes when this part has worn down to a nub.
Based on the last few months, I’d say I have another 3 or 4 months before that happens. But who knows. They might hang on for longer.
The ball of the foot area has the most wear on the bottom
Side view
Another concern from several readers was the toe area might stretch or rip. I have very slight bunching in that area. But nothing too bad that I’d need a repair or reinforcement for it.
The fabric near the toe stretched out a bit, but nothing major
Marks on the bottom, but the top is nearly pristine
All-in-all, these shoes look a ton better after 6 months than my old New Balances did. I chose a neutral gray color, which match nearly all my outfits. But I’d like a second pair – something else to rotate into the mix.
They look great with most outfits
$95 for a pair of neutral, logo-free, nice-looking shoes that easily last 6 months is a solid purchase.
If I had to change one thing, I’d prolly make the sole a little thinner… though that would reduce some of the “walking on a cloud” feeling. Which is where the crinkles come from. Hmmm. On second thought, I wouldn’t change anything.
Most of the wear is on the bottom anyway. The tops look as new as the day I got them. At this point… yeah, I’m a life-long customer as long as the quality remains.
Take them with you
I recommend a pair of these bad boys for walking around town, running errands, hanging out… and especially for traveling.
All the pros:
- So easy to slip on and off
- Super light, and the tops flatten to fit into your suitcase
- Just the right amount of snug, but have a little stretch if your feet expand from flying
- Can handle miles of walking per day
- Are right for most weather situations (from Texas summer to Colorado winter, and everything in between)
- Look great with nearly any outfit
- Dress up or down easily
Many times, they’re the only shoes I take on a trip, unless I need flip flops for the beach or boots for snow. After spending some time with Allbirds, I can safely say: they’re the perfect travel shoe. And so so comfy!
Bottom line
- Link: Allbirds
I am loving my Allbirds. I dare say they’re a “must-have of travel“ after buying my first pair 6 months ago.
$95 for a shoe that looks and feels this good – and holds up this well – is a great choice. And I’ll still get a few more months of heavy wear from them. My only dilemma is which color to get next. For scooting around town, traveling, and hanging out, these shoes have done right by me.
If you have a pair, how does your experience compare? Do you love them as much as I do?
Also see:
- Allbirds: The Perfect Travel Shoe?
- Allbirds Alternative for Guys: Try These Stylish Travel Shoes for Only $40
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Hello; What is the sizing like? I have had a hard time finding shoes in general. I usually wear a size 14 or 15 extra wide. I also have a left big toe that tends to swell and push my pinky toe into the side of the shoe. So, wondering about these shoes. Do you know if there is a supplier for them in Texas in the United States? Thanks for sharing, Max
Hey Max! Allbirds has a sizing guide here: https://www.allbirds.com/pages/help It looks like you might be a size 14. But you can play around with the options. You can also send them back for ANY reason and get a full refund within 30 days.
They’re online only with 2 stores (in NYC and San Fran), so there’s no place to go and try them on. Order a pair if you’re interested, you can always send them back risk-free. I love ’em!
I completely love my loungers and wear them almost any day. I’m traveling to Ireland this summer though, and don’t know how they’ll do in Irish weather. Have you had any experience?
Yes, actually! I’d say they’re fine in a drizzle or light rain because they dry quickly. In a heavy downpour, nothing replaces proper rain boots (but you wouldn’t want to be outside then anyway). I think you’ll be just fine in Ireland this summer. Hope you’re going to Cork – I LOVED that city! 🙂
Read your review and was glad to see all the positives. Mine arrived today and I plan to take them to Disney World. I sure hope I feel as satified as you at the end of the trip.
YAYAYAYAY! I can’t wait to hear what you think of them. And double yay for Disney World. I hope you have a fantastic and wonderful time!
I wore mine all through a 14+ hour trek in Disneyland last summer! It was perfect for navigating the park. I wore it again at Universal Studios in FL this past fall. They got quite drenched in a few water rides, but nothing a quick wash & dry couldn’t fix!
Thank you for your review! I am going to China next month and looking for a pair of shoes to bring (I just want ONE) and you’ve sold these! Thanks!!
I just bought 2 pair from the New York store. I tried on three different women’s sizes but couldn’t get the toe box right. The young man who waited on me suggested an appropriately sized men’s shoe and it’s perfect! The chili pepper color with white soles are beautiful!
Oh how cool that you got to visit their store! The one in Soho is it?
I’m so glad you like them, I love them too – ready to get my next pair. Just waiting on a limited-edition color to come out! 🙂
Thanks for the review! Have you tried running in these shoes? In your original post you mentioned that you run a lot, but I didn’t see any follow up about whether you’ve tried these for running. I want to get these for a backpacking trip in Europe this spring, and I’m curious if I can go on some light runs (under 5 miles) with these if I don’t bring any other pairs of shoes. What do you think?
For running, I still stick to New Balances – only because I don’t wanna wear the Allbirds out!
However, I’ve accidentally forgotten to wear other shoes on runs and have walked literally miles in a day in them and they help up beautiful. I think they’d be a great pair of “only shoes” for a light run or hike!
I wear a size 10 and these are the perfec size yet are ripping my heals apart…. what can I do? I love the otherwise but can’t wear them until I figure a solution 🙁
Might want to check with AllBirds directly. I went through 3 women’s sizes before going to a men’s shoe. The men’s shoe size is very comfortable. The 10 may seem perfect but there still might be a fit issue if the shoe heels are breaking down.
How is the traction on wet surfaces (like rain-slick tile train platforms or icy sidewalks)? Slipping and sliding down the sidewalks on my winter walks into work is my least favorite way to start the day, and I’ve been searching everywhere for a shoe that keeps me on my feet!
It’s about average. I haven’t had any issues with slipping in them. They grip surfaces pretty well, but in this regard they’re like most other shoes, I’d say.
I have issues with pain in the balls of my feet and heels on big walking days when on holidays. The thing that causes the most problem is cobblestoned streets. My Doc Martens are perfect for this terrain but so heavy to trudge around in on a 20000 step day. Have you had any experience on cobblestones? What are your thoughts?
That’s pretty specific! But yeah, I have actually worn them over cobblestones. They held up nicely. I’ve never had Doc Martens so can’t compare directly – but I can say they handle great in multiple terrains.
Hi! I’m considering getting a pair. I walk about 5-7 miles every day (probably closer to 3-4 when school starts in September). How well would you say these would hold up for almost daily wear?
How has your pair held up til now? Thanks!
Yeah def! I tossed mine at about the one-year mark. They finally wore down enough. But hey, a year with the same pair of shoes is amazing and I wore the CRAP out of them nearly every single day. Cannot recommend enough!
We’re your comments applicable to runners only? Or can the same good things be said for loungers? I have upcoming month long trip to Britain and Scotland. I normally don’t like to wear “tennis shoes” to EU, but would like to take one pair.
Yes, I have the runners. But the sole/bottom is the same on the runners – just the top part is different. So the same comments about fit/comfort are hopefully still helpful. I would have no qualms about making those my only pair of shoes for a month. Like, at all.
I love this shoes. The shoes are so cool! Thank you so much & I will be sharing this with everyone I know!
Has anyone compared the wool to the tree material. I recently got a tree skipper. I prob will keep them even tho my heel slips out some. I did not like the tree runners tho- sonething about how they were weighted didnt feel right. Wondering if i should try the wool runnerd or whether waste of time since didnt like the tree runners. Oh and with the tree runners someone could step on the back sole which stuck out- didnt like that. Also the heel with the insert felt very high and think that could give me knee pain or ball of foit oain since all the weight of foot seems to kean towards ball of foot. And heres a question- say u hold your wool runners from the tongue- would u say shoe leans back? Leans forward? Or stays level? Havi g never tried the wool i remain curious to try the original fabric. The tree material is a little too stretchy btw. How s out the wool?
IO have purchased a pair of the Allbirds runners, (mesh) ones. After occasionally wearing it for 3-4 month in the house, as this was during the winter in chicago, the fabric tore at the my left foot toe. The factory was nice to replace it. Now 3 month later it happened again. I figured out, that the fabric that is lining the shoe inside is very thin and of poor quality. The toe just rubbed right through it. This problem would be mostly eliminated, if they would come in half sizes. Weel. I love the shoes and the comfort they provide, but can not afford to spend $95 every 3 -4 month. I also have a pair of the wool ones. Because of the solid wool, the toe already mede its mark, but they are still holding, 3 month in. I guess the only way out of it is sending them back every 30 days, getting a refund and buying another pair. ALLBIRDS. WE LOVE YOUR SHOES, BUT PLEASE IMPOVE THE QUALITY OF THE LINERS!!!
I love that you had a follow-up post! This is what’s missing from all the product reviews I look up, I need some progress updates to help my indecisiveness! I hope you get a chance to try/review the new Mizzles too!
Oooh, I will have to look into those! Thank for so much for reading and for the tip!