How the brand’s new release holds up against her beloved Wool Runners.
While cheering on my brother-in-law as he ran his first marathon in Boston in 2019, my feet started to ache. I spotted an Allbirds nearby, and though the brand was relatively new in the U.S., the Wool Runners were rumored to feel like slipping into a pair of cozy socks. I wasn’t the one running the race, but after hours standing in the chilly New England air, even my toes needed relief. So, between our designated water handoff points, I ducked into a store—and my love affair with Allbirds began.
As I eased into my first pair, I could already tell the shoes would live up to the hype: Soft, supportive soles relieved my aching arches, and the breathable wool upper kept my toes warm in the cool weather (and it didn’t hurt that I could scoop them up in a delightful buttery yellow). My new sneakers got me through the rest of that long, exciting day, and I’ve been bopping around in those Wool Runners ever since. But they’re clocking in at more than five years old now, so when the opportunity presented itself to review the brand’s latest release, I had to give them a try.
Enter the Tree Gliders. Upon opening the box, I was excited by the sleek silhouette. The crisp white soles, creamy woven beige uppers (seamless, with no tongue), and chocolaty brown trim details stood out most—that is, until I picked the sneakers up. At only half a pound each, they are ultra-lightweight—I popped them onto my food scale out of pure curiosity. I was eager to test them out, so I embarked on a comparison of my trusty OG Wool Runners with the new Tree Gliders over the course of a week.
Commuting
I live in Connecticut and work in New York City, which means I face a healthy commute at least three days a week. After my first trip in the Tree Gliders, I was hooked. If you thought Wool Runners were comfortable, get ready to be impressed. Allbirds created this shoe with athleisure in mind, and let me just say: These sneakers are leggings for your feet. The bouncy SuperLight midsole (thicker and springier than the Wool Runner’s SweetFoam) gives my foot a solid foundation, and the stretchy yet supportive uppers bring tons of all-day comfort.
My morning commute is often rushed—I have to book it a mile and a half from Grand Central to my office across town in Columbus Circle—so rather than walk, I take the subway. My new sneakers had me dashing through the Times Square station with conviction day after day, ducking between tourists and buskers to catch my connections, the sloped toe propelling me forward all the while. In the evenings, though, weather permitting, I prefer to walk. And my Tree Gliders came through there as well, getting me back to the train station in comfort and style every night, no blisters or cramps. I even got a few compliments along the way.
Working Out
My biggest qualm about my Wool Runners is simply that they’re made with, well, wool. While the material is breathable and naturally odor-resistant, they’re also naturally toasty, and I much prefer to wear them for casual outings and in cooler climates. If I’m likely to break a sweat, I leave them at home.
The Tree Gliders, on the other hand, feature a lightweight, breathable, woven-tree-fiber upper that is as airy as it is good-looking, and the lack of a tongue means no adjusting my shoes mid-workout. I have my fair share of clumsy moments, but the wide, sturdy sole makes me feel grounded and stable while I exercise. Even on a rainy day, the tread had me striding confidently through the slippery streets of New York. Oh, and the sleek silhouette transitioned easily from Pilates studio to gym to train to work. I never felt the need to slip into a more appropriate shoe.
Running Errands
One of my favorite things about my Wool Runners is how comfortable they are: I can slide them on and dash out of the house for a gallon of milk and still feel as if I’m snug as a bug in my house slippers. That’s in part because of how long I’ve had them (the soles have molded to my feet like orthotics) and in part because that’s just how well they were designed.
I wasn’t sure the Tree Gliders would be able to match that coziness level, but it turns out they blend comfort and aesthetics for a shoe that cradles my feet everywhere, from the pharmacy to a coffee date. I particularly love that they feature that no-tongue silhouette, making them even easier to slip on than my Wool Runners are. And I didn’t even need time to break them in; my feet were blister-free after the first use.
All in all, the Allbirds Tree Gliders are an exciting new option: lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and supportive, all while sporting an on-trend aesthetic. I’m looking forward to running them into the ground—pun very much intended.
