My Honest Allbirds Wool Runners Review After 4 Years of Wear

TL;DR: My Allbirds Wool Runners are cozy, comfy, and washable, though they can sometimes get hot and don’t offer much support.

Allbird Wool Runners Review

Allbirds was the first shoe company that I noticed really going all out on marketing themselves as sustainable. 

I may have been more susceptible to their hype since I live in the Bay Area, and Allbirds very quickly became a tech-bro wardrobe staple in San Francisco. I also lived in New Zealand for a year, where one of the Allbirds founders (as well as the sheep) is from, so that added to my interest. 

I also liked Allbirds shoes’ nondescript and streamlined look, the many fun and seasonal colors they offered, and their design focused on cozy comfort. It was a plus that you could wear them without socks–something I hadn’t encountered before in shoes! 

When I first received my Allbirds Wool Runners in March 2020, they were even comfier than I thought they would be. Truly cloud-like. 

With their relaxed look, they didn’t go with as many different outfits as I thought they might, but I still wore them all the time. They were my regular everyday shoes and go-to travel shoes for years until recently, when they really started losing their shape. 

After four years, their cloud-like softness has somewhat dissipated, the insoles have flattened, and their shape has mostly collapsed. I still wear them when I’m just looking for quick-to-throw-on slip-on shoes, but I no longer use them as a main everyday shoe, walking shoe, or for longer trips. 

They look pretty worn at this point and should probably be retired from my wardrobe, but I think it’s a sign of how good they are that I still like to wear them regularly.

How I Tested My Allbirds Wool Runners

I tested my Allbirds Wool Runners in seven categories, weighted by what’s most important for a well-rounded and long-lasting shoe.

General Testing vs Controlled Testing

I’ve been testing the Allbirds Wool Runners since March 2020, so I have plenty of first-hand experience that I’ve been building on to write this review. 

In addition, I’ve conducted controlled tests to evaluate certain factors, which I’ll discuss further below. 

Some controlled experiments I’ve done to test overall comfort and performance include a two-mile walk during a temperate day (60 F) in California and a four-hour stand test at my desk.

I’ve also done numerous tests on the Wool Runners’ different features, which I’ll get into below.

A Snapshot of My Feet

Apologies for the foot photo, but I want to give you an idea of my feet, so you know what to compare your potential experience to. Here are the deets:

For the sizing and fit category, I scored based on the accuracy of the sizing, the duration and pain level of the break-in period, and the toe box comfort. 

I ordered a size 10 for my women’s Allbirds Wool Runners back in 2020, but my feet have grown a little since then; I now wear a size 10.5. 

When I first received these shoes, they fit great out of the box. I didn’t need to break them in at all, and I’ve never had any issues with blisters. The sizing was accurate to the size I usually buy for shoes. 

Even though I wear a 10.5 now, the shoes have stretched out to the point where they still fit and don’t put any uncomfortable pressure on my toes. 

Where the Allbirds Wool Runners really shine is their comfort. I still have yet to find a shoe as comfy. If you love the feel of slippers on your feet and have always wished that it was socially acceptable to wear them to the grocery store, Allbirds Wool Runners are for you. It’s hard to compete with the cozy Merino wool lining and flexible upper on these shoes. 

That said, the toe box is pretty average for a pair of casual sneakers, and I’ve had some pinkie toe rubbing when I’ve gone on longer walks.  

Because of the immediate comfort and fit, along with a stretchability that most other shoes don’t offer, the Wool Runners get almost a perfect score on sizing/fit.

The only reason I docked them a little is that the average toe box room and the upper material tend to stretch out too much after wearing them for a while. So, they eventually didn’t fit quite as nicely around my feet.

For our cushioning and softness rating, I tested the midsole, outsole, and heel collar cushioning, as well as arch support and the softness of the shoe’s upper. 

Allbirds Wool Runners are a medium shoe in terms of most support, which kind of goes with their nondescript style. 

The arch support is minimal, the midsole has a decent thickness (about an inch at its thickest) but not much bounce. The sugarcane-based EVA midsole (“SweetFoam”) provides a decent amount of cushion and has been durable over the past four years of constant wear. 

Their flexible upper is super comfortable, but it also means that your foot isn’t being rigidly held in place like it might with a more supportive shoe. The Wool Runners can be used for walking, but I wouldn’t recommend them for long walks unless you’re okay with that lack of support. 

The heel collar is soft and has a small amount of cushion, so it never digs in or feels uncomfortable.

Because of all this, the Wool Runners are better as casual kickaround shoes. They’re great for a day around the house, running errands, and short walks. They can even be a good travel shoe for some. I wouldn’t recommend them for long walks and certainly not for running.

That said, these have more support than other casual shoes like Vans, which have none. And if arch support is your only concern, the nice thing about Allbirds is that they have removable insoles, so it’s easy to replace them with a more supportive option.    

The three main tests we did to test the stability of the Wool Runners were the following:

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As you can see in the photos and videos above, the Wool Runners scored a perfect 10/10 on the ball test. These shoes are designed to line up with the ball of your foot, providing more stability while you walk. 

The twist test scored 5/10, and the heel test scored 3/10. Keep in mind that these shoes are four years old now, but Allbirds mostly lost points in these categories due to its very flexible upper. 

For casual sneakers, a 6/10 is still very good for stability and, honestly, higher than I thought these shoes would get with how flexible they are. 

Are These Shoes Good For Different Foot Issues? High Arches? Wide Feet? Plantar Fasciitis? Bunions?

I wouldn’t recommend Allbirds Wool Runners if you have serious foot issues. For example, finding a shoe with more rigid support for high arches is probably better. 

You might be okay wearing Allbirds Wool Runners with Plantar fasciitis or flat feet. My mom has Plantar fasciitis and has been wearing a pair of Wool Runners for a couple of years now without a flair-up. The thick midsole definitely helps, and the shock absorption is better than most casual sneakers. Although, again, it’s not going to be as good as most running shoes. 

I have somewhat narrow feet, but if you have wide feet, I think Allbirds Wool Runners could still work with their average toe box combined with a flexible material. You might just want to size up.

Bunions are the one type of foot issue that these shoes are great for. I have a small bunion on my left foot and the flexible upper means there’s no uncomfortable rubbing or pressure. 

These shoes are all about that minimalist tech bro style, and you’ll still see Allbirds worn by many people in San Francisco–myself included! 

But since they have such a casual and relaxed style, they’re not as easy to pair with nicer outfits. They work well with both casual and nicer pants and shorts, but not so much with dresses, skirts, or pantsuits. I tend to wear them the most with pants like jeans or my black dress pants that I often wear for work.  

I could see lighter or brighter pastel colors, like natural white, dapple grey, or calm taupe, being more versatile with dressier outfits. 

I find the Tree Runners to be my most versatile Allbirds. Even though they have a sportier look, the cleaner and tighter fit works well with a variety of outfits. 

Allbirds Wool Runners come in five classic colors, which are all neutral black, white, and gray. They also have eight to ten rotating limited and sale styles in a variety of darker neutrals and unique brighter colors. 

While you won’t have the full color spectrum to choose from, there are still lots of options, and the seasonal variety helps keep them fresh.

For performance, I look at whether the shoe does what it’s meant to do [its function and whether it performs well for its purpose] and what features enhance the experience. I also compare the shoes with older models, if available, to see how they’ve improved.

Although Allbirds Wool Runners are called “runners,” they’re not actually running shoes. Instead, Allbirds markets these shoes as a hybrid between a casual sneaker and a walking shoe that’s good for travel. 

If you look at them from the perspective of a casual sneaker, they excel in most categories–especially comfort and support–compared to competitors. 

As a walking shoe or versatile travel shoe, I’d rate them a bit lower. 

There are better Allbirds shoes to choose from if you’re looking for a walking shoe, but the Wool Runners still have decent stability, shock absorption, and additional features like their moisture-wicking and odor-reducing Merino wool lining. 

For travel, I like how lightweight these are, that you can wear them without socks, that they’re easy to slip on, and easy to wash when they get dirty. They’d also be great for colder climates when you just want to have cozy shoes. 

With that said, I’d still rather take my Tree Runners, Dashers, or the new Allbirds Wool Runners 2 for more support on long days of walking and standing.   

The traction on the Wool Runners is almost non-existent and the bottoms smooth out after wearing them for a while.

These shoes don’t have much traction on the bottom, even compared to a lot of my flats. 

They have shallow indented lines on the bottom with some pebbled texture, but they don’t provide much traction on slicker surfaces, like cobblestones in Europe. Also, after four years, those “traction” lines have somewhat disappeared and are now a smoother surface. 

With that said, in four years, I’ve never fallen in these shoes, and the traction isn’t usually an issue on rougher ground like cement sidewalks or asphalt.

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Out of Allbirds’ collection of shoes, the Allbirds Wool Runners are one of their least breathable styles. 

Unlike the Allbirds Tree Runners, which have a mesh upper made from eucalyptus, the Wool Runners focus on cozy Merino wool inside and out. 

This means that my feet get toasty if I take a walk outside, and it’s 60-65 F and over. But for colder days, there’s nothing better than the cozy, warm feel of my Wool Runners. 

The good news is that even if your feet do start getting hot, Merino wool has natural moisture-wicking properties, which helps keep them from getting super sweaty (unless it’s a very hot day). 

I’ve never had an issue with odor while wearing my Wool Runners, even after four years of wearing them barefoot! That’s pretty amazing to me and shows just how well Merino wool reduces odor. This is a big win in my book since there’s nothing worse than smelly shoes.  

Many people’s online complaints about Allbirds revolve around their lack of durability, so I was surprised when I did the research and testing myself and found that they actually scored quite high for durability–an 8.4. 

Below, let’s dive into the individual parts that I looked at when considering durability. 

I docked two points due to how quickly the upper material and the insoles can lose their shape (mine held on longer than most). Overall, these are very durable shoes. 

To start this section, let’s establish a baseline for how long shoes should actually last. You might be surprised to learn that podiatrists recommend replacing shoes every 300-500 miles. So, if you’re walking 2 miles 3x per week, which has been my average weekly wear for my Wool Runners, that would translate to 1-1.5 years. Mine have lasted for four years, showing very high durability. In general, I think any shoe that lasts over two years is a durable shoe. 

As I mentioned above, I’ve been wearing my Allbirds for four years and they’re definitely showing some wear now. 

There aren’t any rips or holes, so they’re still wearable but the upper material has mostly collapsed and lost its shape. This also means they don’t have much support except for the midsole and outsole cushioning. 

The insoles have mostly flattened out now, although I can always get replacements on the Allbirds site. The upper material also just looks more worn now and not as nice, even after washing. 

With all the said, I’ve worn these shoes regularly (2-3x per week) for four years. That’s a pretty good amount of time in my book and shows the level of durability they offer. I started noticing the upper really losing its shape at about the three-year mark. 

With all this in mind, I’d estimate the average product life of the Wool Runners at 3-5 years based on my experience with them and when you likely won’t want to wear them anymore. 

When I went on Reddit, I found some people with a similar experience to mine and some who had been wearing their Wool Runners for even longer without issues (~6 years). 

However, the general consensus was that people noticed the shoes starting to lose shape and the insoles breaking down around the 1-2-year mark. Some people also noted tears in the upper material around the big toe, but I’ve never had an issue with that with any of my six pairs of Allbirds. 

One other thing to mention when it comes to durability is that this is an eco-friendly shoe that’s mostly made with natural materials. This makes their durability even more impressive since they don’t have the benefit of synthetic materials like most other shoes do. 

For the quality of materials, I looked at the following for the Wool Runners: 

1. Sole stitched or glued – up to 2 points for good quality stitching or a glued sole that has held up well and doesn’t show. – 2 
2. Material of sole – up to 2 points for good quality rubber, leather, or other material – 1.5
3. Material of outer shoe – up to 2 points for good quality material (considering resistance to scuffing, weather-resistance, durability) – 1.5
4. Material of inner lining – up to 2 points for odor resistance, soft, durable – 2
5. Material of insole – up to 2 points for good cushioning and odor resistance. – 1.5

Since the upper material, insole, and bottom of the shoes broke down the quickest, I docked points off those areas. Otherwise, Allbirds uses mostly all-natural and high-quality materials when making their shoes. I haven’t had any issues with holes, mostly just material that doesn’t keep its shape. 

For resilience, I score based on how well shoes have held up over the years in terms of scuffing, any holes or rips, or permanent stains from general wear via weather or sweating.

The Wool Runners have a fairly resilient upper material. I haven’t had to deal with any discoloring, scuffing, or holes on that part of the shoe. However, the upper has definitely sagged and doesn’t fit as nicely around my foot anymore.

The least resilient parts of the Wool Runners are the insoles, the white sole, and the bottom of the shoes. The insoles flattened quickly and are looking pretty stained and gross at this point. The white soles definitely scuff and stain somewhat easily, and washing them doesn’t always help. And at this point, the bottoms of the shoes have become pretty smooth as well.

One reason for this lack of resilience might be due to the natural and biodegradable materials that the Wool Runners are made from, which break down more easily.

In addition to anecdotal testing that comes naturally from wearing the shoes (e.g., Holi), for stain resistance, we put the shoes through a “stain” test using mud, grass, ketchup, wine, and coffee–all common things you might accidentally spill or get on your shoes. We do a spot test with each of these elements and then test how easily it washes off and if there’s a stain left behind. We also look at the washability of the shoes and test the brand’s instructions on how to wash them.

Allbirds Wool Runners are very stain-resistant and easy to wash. The insoles must be washed by hand, but otherwise, the shoes can be thrown into the wash in a pillowcase. 

An example of how well they wash: I wore these at Holi last year, the Indian festival of color where you throw colorful powder (aka Gulal) at each other, and my shoes got covered in a rainbow of colors. 

I put them in the wash, and all of that color came out on the first try. I couldn’t say the same for my hair, which came out to a nice orange tint a month before my wedding, even after washing it multiple times. I had to go in for a special hair treatment at the salon just to get it all out! 

This rating would be a 10/10, but I’ve noticed that it’s harder to get stains off the white sole than the wool upper. 

The Wool Runners compared to my Woolloomooloo Belmont shoes–an Allbirds competitor.

When I compared the prices for my Wool Runners four years ago to what they cost today, I was surprised to find that they’ve only gone up $3 in price–from $95 to $98. That’s pretty good compared to the rate of inflation in the past four years!

Here’s a more detailed look at the shoes of competitors that are most similar to Wool Runners, as well as the quality of features and price. Most competitor shoes are anywhere from $20-$50 more expensive while offering similar features.

Allbirds Competitors

Beyond the Shoes

No brand is perfect when it comes to sustainability but Allbirds does a good job with transparency and always working towards improving their sustainable practices.

If you go to the Sustainability tab on their website, you’ll see eight different sustainability initiatives they’re currently working on and a complete write-up of their eco-friendly efforts and goals. They get into the details, which is a good sign, instead of making general statements that look good at first but turn out to be greenwashing upon further investigation.

Here are a few highlights:

Allbirds Wool Runners are made in South Korea, and Allbirds talks a lot about its labor practices and safe working conditions there. 

Although it isn’t certified as a fair trade company, the brand claims to pay workers a fair wage, doesn’t use sweatshops, and hasn’t been accused of any human rights abuses regarding its workers. 

Allbirds has a very good brand reputation. In addition to their environmental and labor practices, they also value diversity and equality in their workforce. They have an animal welfare policy that assures their sheep are treated well. 

Looking online, I haven’t found any complaints that you often find with shoe companies, besides people complaining about their shoes not lasting for years. 

FAQs About Allbirds Wool Runners

How long do Allbirds Wool Runners take to ship?

Allbirds offers free 2-day shipping on products over $75. All of my Allbirds have arrived within one week of purchase. 

What’s the return & exchange policy for Allbirds?

Allbirds has a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy, even if you’ve worn them outside. You just need to make sure the original labels are still on the shoes and that it’s not a final sale item. 

Are Allbirds Wool Runners too hot for summer?

Allbirds Wool Runners can definitely get toasty during the warmer months of the year. I usually don’t wear mine when its 65 F or over because my feet get to hot and sometimes sweaty if I’m out all day. 

Do Allbirds Wool Runners run small?

No, the Allbirds Wool Runners are true to size. If you’re in between sizes, I’d actually recommend sizing down since the material stretches out over time. 

Can Allbirds Wool Runners get wet

The Allbirds Wool Runners aren’t water-resistant but they can get wet and they’re even washable. So your feet might not stay dry on a rainy day but your shoes won’t get ruined. 

What are the quality issues with Allbirds?

Some customers have complained that they get holes in the upper material after a short amount of time and to that I say, cut your toenails! I’m joking, kind of. But in all seriousness, I’ve never had any issues with my Allbirds Wool Runners getting holes in them (or any of my Allbirds getting holes in them). 

Other customers have commented on Allbirds Wool Runners’ insoles breaking down or the upper material collapsing after 3-6 months. Mine took about three years for that to happen, but it seems like everyone has had a different experience depending on how you walk and how often you walk. 

Overall, I’ve been very happy with my Allbirds Wool Runners’ durability and don’t see Allbirds as having any serious quality issues.

Comparison With Other Allbirds Wool Runners

A look at a bunch of different styles of Wool Runners I’ve been testing–the original Wool Runners (front center) with the Wool Dasher Mizzles (back left) and Wool Runners 2 (back right).

Allbirds actually has five options for Wool Runners on their site. This review is for their original Wool Runners, but the other options include the following: 

Conclusion: So, Are Allbirds Wool Runners Worth it? 

As with any shoe, it depends on what you’re looking for, but overall I’ve been very happy with my Allbirds Wool Runners for the past four years. They’ve been a regular staple in my wardrobe and some of the comfiest shoes I’ve owned. 

After my four years of experience with these shoes and the various tests I’ve put them through, my final rating for the Wool Runners is a 7.8 out of 10.

They excelled most in comfort, durability, value, and odor resistance, as well as in their sustainability efforts, labor practices, and brand reputation. 

They were middle of the road for being stylish and versatile and for their design and function. 

They scored the lowest in support. Although these are very flexible shoes, they don’t hold your foot in place enough to make them good walking shoes. They also didn’t score as well in breathability or traction. 

The Allbirds Wool Runners are a good option for anyone who’s looking for a comfy everyday shoe for running errands, around the house, work, or maybe an upcoming trip that isn’t that active.

If you’re looking for a more supportive shoe that can also double as a walking shoe, I’d recommend the Tree Runners or Tree Dashers. For extra support, I’d recommend the Hoka Clifton 9s–they’re just not as versatile for travel and non-walking or workout activities.

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