The. Best. Travel Shoes. Ever.
I’ll admit it: I’m super fussy when it comes to comfort, and nowhere is that more true than for my shoes. I travel a lot, and because a lot of our travel involves walking (I’m looking at you, London, Paris, and Barcelona), I’ve been forever searching for super comfortable—and secondarily, cute—travel shoes.
Yes, Sketchers are light and comfortable. However, I bought some a few years ago and my wife and daughter buried them in the closet somewhere because they didn’t want to be seen with me wearing them. I’ve also tried Vans and Converse, and although cute, I found both to be heavy and not super supportive, especially after miles of walking. (I tried outfitting them with all sorts of insoles and other cushions, and it made them bearable but not wonderful.)
Enter Allbirds. The company was started in 2016 by a New Zealander who knew the magical qualities of merino wool and wondered why no one had used it to make sustainable shoes. He teamed up with an American biotech engineer and renewable materials expert to create the company that has gone from a small startup to a billion-dollar sneaker brand in only 4 years. That kind of success doesn’t come without a fantastic product.
Here’s why you should try Allbirds:
They are SO light and comfortable--without a doubt the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. There are no pressure points in any of the shoes, and I’ve never met a person who didn’t love theirs. I even have a pair of slip-ons that I wear as house shoes to cushion my knees from the tile floor.
You don’t need to wear socks. Really. Everything inside and out is so velvety soft and comfortable, and the wool insoles keep your feet from sweating or stinking--it’s amazing. I’ve tried going sockless in other shoes, and it’s just not the same. And you can buy more insoles ($15) if you wear your insoles out, which I predict you will.
They come in a variety of styles and colors for both men and women, from flats to slip ons to casual tennis shoes to running shoes… it’s hard to imagine you couldn’t find one that was right for you. The shoes are made from one of two materials, either merino wool or tree fiber (which has a waffled look and can be cooler in hot climates). Most styles come in both versions. They also make “Mizzles”, which are versions of their shoes with water resistant wool fabric, which I take anytime I go to the Pacific Northwest or to the Northeast during winter. IMO Allbirds are 80% as cute as Vans or Converse but 5x more comfortable. To me, the small trade-off is worth it.
They’re completely risk free to try. All Allbird shoes ship free and are risk-free to try. Whether you order online or pick up in store, you can return them (free return shipping) within 30 days if you don’t like them, no questions asked. (If you’ve worn them outside, Allbirds will donate them).
They’re washable. If you’re like me and hate dirty shoes, you can easily wash your Allbirds. Simply remove the insoles and laces and throw them in the washing machine on the wool/delicates cycle (cold water). Never put them in the dryer, though; let them air dray.
They’re sustainable. You can read more about the company online, but Allbirds is a carbon-neutral business that carefully measures their emissions and incorporates natural and recycled materials.
Where can I find Allbirds and how much do they cost?
Allbirds can be bought online or from stores in the US (Austin, Boulder, Boston, Chicago, DC, LA, Minneapolis, Philly, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York), Europe, and Asia. Most styles are $95, and they don’t go on sale (at least not that I’ve ever seen). However, given how comfortable they are, and how washing them and/or replacing insoles extends their life, they are well worth it. Beware, or you, too, may become an addict. I’m not the only one. In my defense, my wife and I share these shoes.
