AllBirds wool runners (size 8)
6397 Shorty Jeans
Everlane cashmere turtleneck | Mine is a couple years old
What I wore yesterday…trying to start smiling more 🙂
An outfit from a couple weeks ago:
AllBirds wool loungers (size 8)
Rachel Comey slim legion jeans
Lauren Manoogian Alpaca sweater (purchased w/credit at Garmentory – sold out)
I got my AllBirds runners in November before going to Denver, and the loungers in early December, so I haven’t had either pair for very long. In this time though, I’ve worn the loungers way more often than the runners, and I haven’t washed either pair. I also took my true size in both pairs.
My thoughts on the runners:
They’re incredibly comfortable, and warm (warmer than the loungers because they cover more of my foot). They fit really nicely and have stretched minimally. I do always have an issue with my big toe creating indentations on the tops of my shoes, and these are no different. I DO NOT WEAR SOCKS with either pair. (I dislike socks very much)
I’ve worn these for a couple of months, not very often, but to walk Dagny, and walking the city when we went to Denver. They’re not showing much wear or dirt, honestly, so I haven’t felt the need to wash them. They don’t smell either.
The problem I have with them, if it’s a problem, is that I generally travel two places right now, Atlanta, and Orlando. When I go to Atlanta, I climb Kennesaw Mountain near my mom’s and I would NOT want to wear these for that. They’re not sturdy enough in my opinion for that, and they would get ridiculously dirty. In Orlando, I walk around the neighborhood mostly, but it’s usually too hot for wool shoes. I understand that wool is “all-weather” but when I first got these, it was quite warm here and I tried to wear them outside, and my feet got too hot. So, for me, for “regular” travel, if I took these with me, I’d also have to take an additional pair of exercise shoes, which is excessive for me; I travel with a very small carry on and try to never take more than one extra pair of shoes besides the one I wear. I certainly don’t take more than one of any “type” of shoe.
They were perfect for Denver in November (although it was pretty warm there), and would be for any other type of dry, cooler weather city walking. The key here is CITY walking. I wouldn’t wear them hiking, etc., but Leah from Stylewise says she has, with no problem.
Ultimately, I like these, but they’re not a good all-purpose shoe. I would rather travel with my Nike free sneakers and bring wool socks for cooler weather, so I could have a more sturdy shoe for exercise in addition to city walking.
Now, the wool loungers:
I LOVE THESE, but must qualify that to say that I primarily wear these as slippers at home. I wear them out a lot too, but I really love them for wearing at home, and for talking Dagny out for quick walks, or playing out in the yard. They do slip off my heel sometimes, but they don’t generally feel like they run big. Bigger than the runners maybe, simply because they don’t have laces to cinch up.
I will take these with me, along with my Nike sneakers, to both Atlanta and Orlando, or for any other travel, to use as slippers at home or in a hotel. They’re really light and don’t take up a lot of room, and they serve a separate purpose from running shoes, so I don’t feel like I’m violating my minimalist packing sensibilities by bringing two pairs of shoes.
If I’d bought the loungers first, I may never have bought the runners, honestly. The runners don’t really fill a need for me, and the loungers definitely do. I love both pairs, and will continue to wear the runners when I can (I wore them yesterday and was super happy with them). If I had to choose one pair to recommend though, it would be the loungers.
Do you have AllBirds shoes? What do you think of them?
I like the idea of them, but have never seen them in a color I really like. I’d buy them in a heartbeat if I did.
I’ve only tried the loungers and they were a no-go. I have a narrow heel and they slipped right off. (Common problem for me.) I would love to try the runners. I think the laces might help them stay put. The most appealing thing to me is that they’re washable. Not to venture into TMI, but my feet are naturally sweaty. I also have a tendency to get my shoes dirty at work. If they come out with a color I like, I’ll definitely try them.
I LOVE my loungers. I have them in black and navy and kinda want the camel color too. I really hate wearing sneakers, and especially despise socks, but I did just buy a pair of runners because I’m going on vacation soon and don’t think the loungers or my Birks are going to be comfortable enough for all the walking we will be doing and I’m hoping to wear the runners without socks. Plus we just got a puppy so I’ll be doing a lot more walking at home. We’ll see how they do.
I will bring my actual slippers with me when we travel in the winter, so to have a pair of real shoes that doubles as slippers seems like a win! I might wear my slippers out of the house like ONCE a year to go downstairs even though they do have a rubber bottom, but they are definitely just house shoes. So maybe the loungers aren’t ALL-purpose but they definitely sound multi-purpose!
Thanks so much for the comparison review! I have the runners, but I live in Minnesota so I get a lot of wear out of them in the spring and the fall, and wear them both barefoot or with thin liners if I need a little extra warmth. I agree that they are too hot for summer, but also not quite warm enough (for me) in deep winter when the snow hits and the temps drop. I also tried the loungers, but they looked too much like slippers for me to wear them out of the house much. I am an 8.5 and needed a 9 in the runners, but the 8s fit better in the loungers.
I’m so glad you wrote this review! I’ve been on the fence about AllBirds for a while. I like the style and think wool shoes sound just perfect but ultimately, the toe indents end up being a dealbreaker for me. It’s such a funny pet peeve but I just can’t stand the look of them on my shoes and I ALWAYS create them if the possibility is there. I also don’t really wear sneakers like that casually and I have a pair of UGG slippers that I wear as my slippers so like you Grechen, it doesn’t sound like they’d be filling a need for me. I’ll gladly admire from afar though! I love the mint color.
yes…the toe indents…all of my running shoes have been like that though, and i promise, i trim my toenails!!!
i have a pair of ugg boots that are 5 years old that i also wear at home, but i don’t want to buy uggs anymore so i was also trying to think ahead to when i have to retire those. which won’t be for a while, but i don’t want to buy shearling anymore, so i feel like the allbirds are a very good alternative….
yes! if we had an actual “spring” and “fall” here they would be much more versatile LOL – but we usually go from summer to winter!! it’s either HOT or cold, with mild days sprinkled in here and there 🙂
i think the runners are great for lots of walking – i wore them all around denver and was super-comfortable 🙂
yay, new puppy!!!
oh, definitely try them! my sister also has a pair of runners and has washed hers with great success.
with regard to the colors, they periodically launch special colors, so keep a look out. they had a really pretty salmon pair that i was tempted by for a while…
I love my runners! I have them in gray and sized down. I can wear them happily all day for walking. However the aren’t good in wet weather! I’ll happily repurchase when mine wear out.
Great post! I ordered the runners for Christmas but have only been able to wear them in the house because its too cold out. They are very comfortable. I am waiting until spring to by the loungers in the hopes that they will come in either white or a fun color.
Perfect timing for this post! I’ve been debating between the two and now I’m sold on the loungers. Thanks!!
I have seen a ton of ads for these, and have been super curious about them. Thanks for the review! I have such a casual life, and I have good walking shoes, so I think I’ll be giving the loungers a try. I’m more of a lounger…….
😉
Just ordered the loyngers
Huh. I bought the Baabuk ones because aesthetically I liked them better. Of course being in Chicago once the wet and snow hit they were worthless. But I bought the runner style and find them very comfortable.
I bought a pair of Glerups felted wool slippers and am loving them for winter though! Highly recommend.
I received the runners for Christmas and love them! Sleeker than my other sneakers, so comfortable, and socks-optional. They will be good for about 8 months in St. Louis, Mo. When it’s too hot, I’d be in sandals (Birks) anyway!
I have the loungers, but in general I wouldn’t buy from them again. My big toes have stretched the top parts of the shoes, so now there’s a dimple that sticks up. I also have to wear them with socks or my feet become a sweaty mess. The few times I wore them without socks, I ended up having to take my feet out of the shoes for a bit to dry out.
I haven’t washed mine yet, but even when I do I don’t think they’ll keep the nice look they had when they were new. For some reason, these just seem to look more dumpy to me now than other shoes because of the toe dimples.
i have had felted wool slippers in the past and wore them OUT. i forget the brand, a German one perhaps? but i really loved them. i was already thinking that i’d like to have another pair of those when i need new slippers.
I have had a pair of Allbirds sneaker for awhile and I love them! I’ve over-worn them on all my travels and I think now I need to try these loungers too!
What happens in wet weather? And is that downpour, sprinkling , or morning dew?
Have you tried moleskin for toe indents? I use it to protect the toe box of my tieks and to keep my big toe from denting. Works like a charm!