Are they really worth it? Our honest review

As soon as in a lifetime, a pair of sneakers comes alongside that’s so snug and versatile, it replaces the entire different sneakers in your suitcase: the Chosen Shoe. Within the of case of my husband and I, that shoe is the Allbirds Tree Skippers, and sure, we’re that disgusting married couple that wears matching sneakers. And, often, clothes. I do know, we’re gross.

I’m not going to say it that Allbirds Tree Skippers will change your life or something (effectively, except you spend a big period of time coping with foot ache and/or different shoe-related maladies, then it actually would possibly) BUT … y’all, these sneakers are legitimately definitely worth the hype.

That mentioned, are they good? Nicely, there are a couple of downsides you’ll need to pay attention to. On this publish, we’ll cowl all the pieces it’s essential know to justify the price of these sneakers – or speak your self out of shopping for them. Let’s go!

By the way in which: No, this publish was NOT sponsored, and we bought these sneakers ourselves.

In search of extra options for versatile journey sneakers and different journey necessities we love? Check out these posts, or start here for our high options.

How We Evaluated Our Footwear

Jeremy and I don’t simply fall in love with each shoe – or each piece of journey gear we take a look at, for that matter. We’re persnickety. And we have now a set of particular standards we’re on the lookout for in a very good journey shoe:

✔ Snug to stroll (and stand) in for not less than 12 hours straight with minimal ache. And which means no ache the subsequent day, both.

✔ Sturdy sufficient to face up to the weather: rain, snow, grime, mud, and many others. We don’t wish to be worrying about sneakers whereas we’re mid-adventure!

✔ Nicely made, and don’t want changing yearly.

✔ Light-weight and versatile, in order that we are able to shove them right into a backpack or suitcase with out taking over a ton of house or including a ton of weight.

✔ Seems nice and goes with a number of outfits.

With a purpose to take a look at out our standards, we’ve each put the Allbirds Tree Skippers by the wringer. We every received our first pairs of Tree Skippers about 3 years in the past (sure … we personal multiples), they usually’ve include us on nearly each heat climate journey since!

We’ve worn our Allbirds Tree Skippers on the seaside in Costa Rica, pounding the pavement at Disney World, traversing cobblestone streets in Austria, exploring Glacier National Park in Montana, and mountaineering dusty paths in California (that final one wasn’t intentional – Lia forgot her hiking shoes – however it undoubtedly nonetheless counts).

And we’ve each discovered that these sneakers are good for *nearly* any state of affairs or journey.

However sufficient about our extraordinarily scientific shoe experiments. Let’s get to the good things and dive into what particularly we love about these sneakers.

What We Love Concerning the Allbirds Tree Skippers

Let’s begin with all of the the reason why we love our Allbirds Tree Skippers.

✔ They’re up for a problem.

We at all times put our journey sneakers to the take a look at earlier than deciding whether or not or to not advocate them, and we began off with a rigorous take a look at: per week in Disney World. We’re excessive about our Disney-ing – I as soon as landed myself in a wheelchair after a full day of strolling/standing/low-key operating from trip to trip within the unsuitable sneakers.

The decision: the Tree Skippers have been tremendous comfortable, even after 5 straight days of 20k+ steps within the sweltering Florida warmth!

I even as soon as took my beautiful vibrant white Allbirds on a dusty hike. I imply, they received filthy and I needed to throw them within the wash as quickly as I received dwelling, however my ft stayed snug the entire time. 

That mentioned: I don’t advocate mountaineering in these when you will help it. Traction on slippery, dusty slopes was a little bit of a problem, and like .. they’re method too cute to get that soiled. Don’t be me! However the level is, in a pinch, they will deal with it, and that’s fairly superb.

✔ They’re the right metropolis strolling shoe.

Not each pair of sneakers – particularly barefoot fashion sneakers, which we each desire – are fitted to lengthy walks on laborious asphalt.

However with the comfortable wool insert, the Tree Skippers present simply sufficient padding in order that even after 8 or 10 miles of pounding stable floor, our ft nonetheless don’t damage!

I’ve taken to sporting these on all of my lengthy day by day walks by my neighborhood, in addition to on metropolis exploration days whereas touring.

✔ The only is zero-drop and versatile.

I transformed to barefoot-style sneakers after a nasty bout of Plantar Fasciitis – you possibly can learn extra about that in my women’s travel shoes guide – and whereas the Allbirds Tree Skippers are undoubtedly not barefoot sneakers, they do have a few of the important qualities that I search for to keep away from foot ache.

Specifically, loads of house for my toes to maneuver (verify) and a very flat sole (verify) that’s versatile sufficient to maneuver with my ft (verify). For my wants, the flat, versatile sole of the Tree Skippers is completely good.

That mentioned, when you do desire a little bit arch assist, the insoles do present a bit. For extra space and fewer assist, they’re simple to take away. However lovers of arch assist usually tend to gravitate in direction of a few of the different Allbirds types with thicker soles, such because the Tree Runners, that are produced from the identical light-weight, knit higher materials.

✔ They give the impression of being nice and go together with all the pieces.

Was anyone else obsessive about Soiled Dancing rising up? The Tree Skippers remind me of the shoe Child wears in her little dance observe montage scene up the steps (you know, this one). I really feel like I’m channeling that film each time I put on these, and it makes me really feel ADORBS.

The purpose is, these cute strolling sneakers go together with all the pieces: denims, leggings, shorts, even clothes! I’ve but to search out one thing they don’t look good with, and I’ve been attempting.

In the meantime, Jeremy likes that the Tree Skippers are an informal center floor between sneakers, basketball sneakers, and a boat-shoe vibe (besides not douchey). They work with shorts, denims, and all the pieces else he’s tried them with. 

✔ They’re extremely light-weight.

As a result of the Allbirds are made with light-weight knit material and versatile foam soles, they’re extremely light-weight. Which makes them good for throwing into your suitcase or backpack!

We regularly put on these sneakers on journey days as a result of they’re so snug, however once we do stick them in our suitcases, they slide simply right into a shoe bag and take up nearly no room. And also you don’t want to fret about compressing them – you gained’t injury them by squishing them in there.

✔ They’re good for each scorching and funky climate.

The knit material is filled with tiny, barely-noticeable little eyelets that assist your ft breathe. Plus, the fabric of each the shoe itself (eucalyptus)  and the insoles (merino wool) naturally helps regulate each temperature and moisture, so that you don’t find yourself with moist, sweaty ft within the warmth of summer time or freezing chilly ft on a cold fall day.

Nature is fairly freakin’ high-tech.

We personal a pair of Allbirds for each season, from the waterproof Mizzles to the nice and cozy wool slip-on Loungers (sure … we’re main Allbirds followers, are you able to inform?) However the Tree Skippers are the right 3-season shoe, and our go-to decide for spring, summer time, and fall.

That mentioned, within the spirit of analysis, I’ve worn my Allbirds in chilly, wet climate. And whereas I don’t advocate sporting them within the rain – your ft will certainly get moist – my ft weren’t chilly due to the nice and cozy wool insoles!

✔ They don’t get pungent.

Allbirds insoles are lined with high-performance merino wool, which is of course anti-bacterial and one in every of our absolute favourite journey textiles. The wool lays on high of a sustainable foam produced from castor bean oil for a cushiony, moisture wicking, and odor decreasing insole.

What which means is that Allbirds sneakers combat that pungent shoe scent even whenever you don’t put on socks. And you actually don’t need to put on socks with the Tree Skippers – they’re THAT comfortable. Plus, they appear method cuter with out socks.

That mentioned, after a couple of months of significant put on *ahem* it’s a good suggestion to take out the detachable Merino Wool insoles and provides them, and your sneakers, a pleasant soak. I soak mine in Oxyclean, Woolite and water.

✔ They’re made with sustainable supplies.

Sustainability is extremely vital to us, particularly since as frequent vacationers, we have to go above and past to offset all of our carbon emissions. And Allbirds shares our dedication to respecting the environment: as an organization, Allbirds is committed to fighting climate change as a totally carbon-neutral firm from the bottom up.

We LOVE supporting firms whose values align with ours, and Allbirds is a kind of particular, accountable, moral firms that we really feel actually, actually good about supporting! (Therefore why we every personal SEVERAL pairs of Allbirds sneakers and are beginning a set of Allbirds clothes, too. Ship assist.)

As for the Tree Skippers sneakers, the snug knit higher material is produced from ethically grown & harvested eucalyptus pulp. The laces are made with recycled polyester. The insoles are produced from merino wool (no sheep are harmed within the making of merino wool) and castor bean foam. And the shoe itself is carbon impartial.

There’s a LOT to like concerning the Tree Skippers, however within the curiosity of full transparency, there are additionally a couple of drawbacks. Right here’s what it’s essential know.

What We Don’t Love Concerning the Tree Skippers

No person’s good, and there are a couple of downsides to know concerning the Tree Skippers earlier than you commit. Right here’s what we don’t love about these sneakers:

✘ These sneakers are finest for sporting on pavement.

I’d love to have the ability to say that the Tree Skippers are versatile sufficient to go from a day of metropolis exploration to a hike, however truthfully, they’re finest for sporting on pavement.

In my expertise, the traction on slippery, dusty slopes isn’t nice … plus they’re method too cute to get that soiled.

And whereas I do put on these sneakers to the seaside a lot, I at all times need to empty them out afterwards from the sand that is available in by the tiny holes within the knit material!

That mentioned: women, when you’re on the lookout for a warm-weather shoe that’s actually versatile sufficient to put on all day lengthy it doesn’t matter what exercise you’re doing, I extremely advocate my beloved leather Teva sandals! These aren’t your mother’s Tevas or those you wore to summer time camp in center college – they’re cute AF, nice for pounding pavement, and in addition glorious mountaineering and water shoes. I’ve received a full writeup about them in my women’s travel shoes guide.

✘ The toe field could possibly be wider.

Each Jeremy and I desire a large toebox, so our ft and toes have a full vary of movement (one other crunchy barefoot-style shoe factor). However we have now to confess that tremendous extensive sneakers are method much less cute, so on this case, we’re completely happy to sacrifice a little bit of width.

That mentioned, we each discover that the Tree Skippers are stretchy sufficient to permit our toes to maneuver freely, due to the knit material higher, which retains our ft snug. However our Editor-in-Chief, Richie, who additionally wears barefoot-style sneakers, sadly discovered that they have been too slender for him to be snug.

Apart from consolation, there’s one other draw back for people with extensive ft: in Jeremy’s case, the additional little little bit of stretch has resulted in two tiny holes on the widest a part of his ft.

After all, it took 3 years of near-daily put on to develop these holes, they usually’re completely fixable with a little bit fundamental stitching, however it’s undeniably as a result of these sneakers are a contact on the narrower aspect.

✘ Not appropriate for chilly or wet climate.

The Tree Skippers are firmly 3-season sneakers, and never the correct shoe for when it’s wet or very chilly. And in contrast to a lot of Allbird’s different types, there isn’t a cold-weather possibility produced from wool.

✘ Requires semi-frequent cleansing.

All of our Allbirds sneakers are a tad bit excessive upkeep and require semi-regular cleansing, particularly within the lighter colours They do present grime pretty simply, and like all shoe worn with out socks, the odor-repelling insoles will ultimately want some refreshing. (That mentioned, Jeremy’s charcoal and my purple Tree Skippers don’t want cleansing fairly often).

About 2-3x a 12 months, we throw all of our Allbirds sneakers and their insoles right into a bucket and fill it with water, Oxyclean, and Woolite. Let it sit for whereas, swish it round a bit, dump the water out, and let the sneakers air dry. Voila, clear as new!

You can additionally throw the sneakers in your washer, however you’d have to first take away the laces and the insoles (don’t wash the insoles in your washer!) However we’re lazy, and we discover the bucket soaking methodology is simpler.

The underside line: The Tree Skippers are our favourite 3-season shoe, and our go-to decide for metropolis journey and lengthy days of strolling/standing on pavement. That mentioned, we do want they have been a little bit wider. Additionally, when you don’t wish to have to scrub your sneakers a couple of instances a 12 months, decide a darker coloration!

Different Allbirds Footwear We Love

The Tree Skippers have been our first foray into Allbirds fandom, however since then, we’ve every gone full-in and bought a number of pairs of Allbirds sneakers.

We’ve additionally been giving them to members of the family at Christmas every year for the final a number of years. If there was an Allbirds Cult, we’d undoubtedly be card-carrying members.

So, though the Tree Skippers are undoubtedly BAE, listed below are the opposite pairs we’re large followers of:

Constructed from the identical materials because the Tree Skippers, these sneakers are chunkier than the Tree Skippers – and method trendier. Jeremy has them in grey, and I’ve them in white. I’m solely barely embarrassed to say that I really feel like a cool Gen Z youth once I put on them as an alternative of a quickly getting older Millennial. And the men’s version appears hella good on Jeremy, too.

That mentioned, we don’t typically take them on journeys as a result of they’re larger and fewer versatile than the Tree Skippers, and I can’t put on them comfortably for as lengthy. However they’re undoubtedly a favourite for every of us for sporting at dwelling!

Do you want you can put on cozy slippers in public with out individuals judging you? That’s what these sneakers obtain. They’re tremendous gentle and insanely comfortable! Jeremy has them in yellow, and I’ve them in purple.

These sneakers are good for cold days (don’t put on them on scorching days except you actually get pleasure from sweaty ft). And since they’re simple to slide on and good and extensive, they’re additionally my go-to being pregnant shoe. At 8 months pregnant, they’re the solely shoe I’m able to placed on myself and put on comfortably all day lengthy.

Nevertheless, the Wool Loungers require extra frequent cleansing than the knit variations, as a result of the wool higher tends to absorb and present grime and oil simply – which implies they’re not sturdy or rugged sufficient to be nice journey sneakers. Additionally, though the only is flat, it’s a little bit heavier and thicker than the Tree Skippers sole, and these sneakers take up extra suitcase room.

We sometimes put on these at dwelling throughout fall and winter, and go away them within the closet when the climate is heat.

Jeremy’s latest addition to his Allbirds assortment are the water-repellant Mizzles. You’re alleged to put on them to go operating on wet days… however let’s be sincere, Jeremy just isn’t going operating in these. Athleisure is a vibe. You don’t truly need to be athletic to drag it off. Proper?!

He does, nonetheless, put on them on chilly, wet days, they usually’re insanely gentle and comfy and preserve his ft protected against the weather.

He has them in burgundy, which additionally makes them the right go-to shoe for the vacation season. Festive!

Are you all geared as much as purchase a pair of Allbirds Tree Skippers, or are you continue to on the fence? What different Allbirds or shoe-related questions can we reply for you? Drop us a remark under!

In search of extra options for versatile journey sneakers and different journey necessities we love? Check out these posts, or start here for our high options.

FOLLOW US!