As soon as in a lifetime, a pair of footwear comes alongside that’s so comfy and versatile, it replaces all the different footwear 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 footwear. And, sometimes, clothes. I do know, we’re gross.
I’m not going to say it that Allbirds Tree Skippers will change your life or something (nicely, until you spend a major period of time coping with foot ache and/or different shoe-related maladies, then it actually would possibly) BUT … y’all, these footwear are legitimately well worth the hype.
That stated, are they excellent? Properly, there are a couple of downsides you’ll need to concentrate on. On this put up, we’ll cowl all the pieces you might want to know to justify the price of these footwear – or speak your self out of shopping for them. Let’s go!
By the way in which: No, this put up was NOT sponsored, and we bought these footwear ourselves.
In search of extra solutions for versatile journey footwear and different journey necessities we love? Check out these posts, or start here for our high solutions.
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’ve a set of particular standards we’re on the lookout for in a great journey shoe:
✔ Comfy to stroll (and stand) in for at the very least 12 hours straight with minimal ache. And which means no ache the following day, both.
✔ Sturdy sufficient to face up to the weather: rain, snow, filth, mud, and so on. We don’t need to be worrying about footwear whereas we’re mid-adventure!
✔ Properly made, and don’t want changing yearly.
✔ Light-weight and versatile, in order that we will shove them right into a backpack or suitcase with out taking over a ton of area 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 acquired 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 climbing dusty paths in California (that final one wasn’t intentional – Lia forgot her hiking shoes – however it positively nonetheless counts).
And we’ve each discovered that these footwear are excellent for *nearly* any situation 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 footwear.
What We Love Concerning the Allbirds Tree Skippers
Let’s begin with all of the explanation why we love our Allbirds Tree Skippers.
✔ They’re up for a problem.
We at all times put our journey footwear to the take a look at earlier than deciding whether or not or to not suggest them, and we began off with a rigorous take a look at: every 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 working from journey to journey within the flawed footwear.
The decision: the Tree Skippers have been tremendous cozy, even after 5 straight days of 20k+ steps within the sweltering Florida warmth!
I even as soon as took my attractive vivid white Allbirds on a dusty hike. I imply, they acquired filthy and I needed to throw them within the wash as quickly as I acquired residence, however my toes stayed comfy the entire time.
That stated: I don’t suggest climbing in these should you may 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’ll deal with it, and that’s fairly superb.
✔ They’re the proper metropolis strolling shoe.
Not each pair of footwear – particularly barefoot type footwear, which we each desire – are fitted to lengthy walks on exhausting asphalt.
However with the soft wool insert, the Tree Skippers present simply sufficient padding in order that even after 8 or 10 miles of pounding strong floor, our toes nonetheless don’t harm!
I’ve taken to carrying these on all of my lengthy every 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 footwear after a nasty bout of Plantar Fasciitis – you’ll be able to learn extra about that in my women’s travel shoes guide – and whereas the Allbirds Tree Skippers are positively not barefoot footwear, they do have a few of the important qualities that I search for to keep away from foot ache.
Specifically, loads of area for my toes to maneuver (test) and a completely flat sole (test) that’s versatile sufficient to maneuver with my toes (test). For my wants, the flat, versatile sole of the Tree Skippers is completely excellent.
That stated, should you do desire a bit of arch assist, the insoles do present a bit. For more room and fewer assist, they’re simple to take away. However lovers of arch assist usually tend to gravitate in the direction of a few of the different Allbirds kinds with thicker soles, such because the Tree Runners, that are constituted of the identical light-weight, knit higher materials.
✔ They appear 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 follow 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 footwear go together with all the pieces: denims, leggings, shorts, even clothes! I’ve but to seek 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 footwear, 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 excellent for throwing into your suitcase or backpack!
We frequently put on these footwear on journey days as a result of they’re so comfy, however after 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 received’t injury them by squishing them in there.
✔ They’re excellent for each sizzling and funky climate.
The knit material is stuffed with tiny, barely-noticeable little eyelets that assist your toes 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 toes within the warmth of summer time or freezing chilly toes 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 proper 3-season shoe, and our go-to choose for spring, summer time, and fall.
That stated, within the spirit of analysis, I’ve worn my Allbirds in chilly, wet climate. And whereas I don’t suggest carrying them within the rain – your toes will certainly get moist – my toes weren’t chilly because of the nice and cozy wool insoles!
✔ They don’t get smelly.
Allbirds insoles are lined with high-performance merino wool, which is of course anti-bacterial and one among our absolute favourite journey textiles. The wool lays on high of a sustainable foam constituted of castor bean oil for a cushiony, moisture wicking, and odor lowering insole.
What which means is that Allbirds footwear struggle that smelly shoe odor even once you don’t put on socks. And you actually don’t need to put on socks with the Tree Skippers – they’re THAT cozy. Plus, they give the impression of being method cuter with out socks.
That stated, 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 footwear, 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 our surroundings: as an organization, Allbirds is committed to fighting climate change as a completely carbon-neutral firm from the bottom up.
We LOVE supporting corporations whose values align with ours, and Allbirds is a type of particular, accountable, moral corporations that we really feel actually, actually good about supporting! (Therefore why we every personal SEVERAL pairs of Allbirds footwear and are beginning a group of Allbirds clothes, too. Ship assist.)
As for the Tree Skippers footwear, the comfy knit higher material is constituted of ethically grown & harvested eucalyptus pulp. The laces are made with recycled polyester. The insoles are constituted of 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 you might want to know.
What We Don’t Love Concerning the Tree Skippers
No person’s excellent, 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 footwear:
✘ These footwear are finest for carrying 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 actually, they’re finest for carrying 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 footwear 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 stated: girls, should you’re on the lookout for a warm-weather shoe that’s really versatile sufficient to put on all day lengthy it doesn’t matter what exercise you’re doing, I extremely suggest 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 climbing and water shoes. I’ve acquired a full writeup about them in my women’s travel shoes guide.
✘ The toe field might be wider.
Each Jeremy and I desire a large toebox, so our toes and toes have a full vary of movement (one other crunchy barefoot-style shoe factor). However we’ve to confess that tremendous broad footwear are method much less cute, so on this case, we’re pleased to sacrifice a little bit of width.
That stated, we each discover that the Tree Skippers are stretchy sufficient to permit our toes to maneuver freely, because of the knit material higher, which retains our toes comfy. However our Editor-in-Chief, Richie, who additionally wears barefoot-style footwear, sadly discovered that they have been too slender for him to be comfy.
Apart from consolation, there’s one other draw back for people with broad toes: in Jeremy’s case, the additional little little bit of stretch has resulted in two tiny holes on the widest a part of his toes.
After all, it took 3 years of near-daily put on to develop these holes, they usually’re completely fixable with a bit of fundamental stitching, however it’s undeniably as a result of these footwear are a contact on the narrower aspect.
✘ Not appropriate for chilly or wet climate.
The Tree Skippers are firmly 3-season footwear, and never the best shoe for when it’s wet or very chilly. And in contrast to lots of Allbird’s different kinds, there isn’t a cold-weather choice constituted of wool.
✘ Requires semi-frequent cleansing.
All of our Allbirds footwear are a tad bit excessive upkeep and require semi-regular cleansing, particularly within the lighter colours They do present filth pretty simply, and like all shoe worn with out socks, the odor-repelling insoles will finally want some refreshing. (That stated, Jeremy’s charcoal and my crimson Tree Skippers don’t want cleansing fairly often).
About 2-3x a yr, we throw all of our Allbirds footwear 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 footwear air dry. Voila, clear as new!
You can additionally throw the footwear in your washer, however you’d must 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 technique is simpler.
The underside line: The Tree Skippers are our favourite 3-season shoe, and our go-to choose for metropolis journey and lengthy days of strolling/standing on pavement. That stated, we do want they have been a bit of wider. Additionally, should you don’t need to have to clean your footwear a couple of instances a yr, choose 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 footwear.
We’ve additionally been giving them to relations at Christmas annually for the final a number of years. If there was an Allbirds Cult, we’d positively be card-carrying members.
So, though the Tree Skippers are positively BAE, listed below are the opposite pairs we’re large followers of:
Made out of the identical materials because the Tree Skippers, these footwear 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 after I put on them as a substitute of a quickly getting old Millennial. And the men’s version seems hella good on Jeremy, too.
That stated, we don’t typically take them on journeys as a result of they’re greater and fewer versatile than the Tree Skippers, and I can’t put on them comfortably for as lengthy. However they’re positively a favourite for every of us for carrying at residence!
Do you want you possibly can put on cozy slippers in public with out individuals judging you? That’s what these footwear obtain. They’re tremendous mushy and insanely cozy! Jeremy has them in yellow, and I’ve them in purple.
These footwear are excellent for cold days (don’t put on them on sizzling days until you actually get pleasure from sweaty toes). And since they’re simple to slide on and good and broad, 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.
Nonetheless, the Wool Loungers require extra frequent cleansing than the knit variations, as a result of the wool higher tends to take in and present filth and oil simply – which suggests they’re not sturdy or rugged sufficient to be nice journey footwear. Additionally, though the only is flat, it’s a bit of heavier and thicker than the Tree Skippers sole, and these footwear take up extra suitcase room.
We usually put on these at residence throughout fall and winter, and depart them within the closet when the climate is heat.
Jeremy’s latest addition to his Allbirds assortment are the water-repellant Mizzles. You’re imagined to put on them to go working on wet days… however let’s be trustworthy, Jeremy just isn’t going working in these. Athleisure is a vibe. You don’t really need to be athletic to tug it off. Proper?!
He does, nonetheless, put on them on chilly, wet days, they usually’re insanely mushy and comfortable and maintain his toes shielded from the weather.
He has them in burgundy, which additionally makes them the proper 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 beneath!
In search of extra solutions for versatile journey footwear and different journey necessities we love? Check out these posts, or start here for our high solutions.
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