Updated on Jan. 11, 2024
The first-ever trail runner from Allbirds—the eco-friendly shoe brand—is one of the most comfortable hiking sneakers we’ve ever tested.
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If you’re unfamiliar with Allbirds, it’s a brand that designs shoes and apparel with sustainability, durability, comfort and performance top-of-mind—and it has recently gained major traction by making some of the comfiest walking and hiking shoes on the market.
Allbirds was started by New Zealand native Tim Brown, who wanted to bring sustainable materials (like merino wool) into footwear. The brand’s latest trail shoe, the Trail Runner SWT, is created with eco-friendly substances like sugarcane, eucalyptus trees, recycled plastic bottles, castor bean oil and—you guessed it—merino wool. Even the outsole tread on the shoe mimics a bike tire, so hikers can glide through nature easily (akin to riding a bicycle).
Since we’re obsessed with the latest hiking shoes and gear at Family Handyman, we had to test out the Allbirds Trail Runners ourselves to see if they’re truly as comfy, durable and water-resistant as people say.
Here’s our full review of the Allbirds Trail Runner SWT.
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Allbirds designed the Trail Runner shoes for hikers and joggers to tackle off-road terrain easily. They’re made to be extra durable and water-resistant, so your feet won’t get soggy no matter what trail conditions are like. Plus, they’re made to snap back to their original shape while drying, so you don’t have to worry about your sneakers stretching and warping after wearing them on wet terrain or cleaning them.
After testing the Trail Runners on 100 different runners of varying ages, abilities and body types, Allbirds says the Trail Runners work on wet, dry and rocky trails while providing comfort. That’s a bold claim, and we wanted to test the shoes for ourselves—but first, here’s a breakdown of the product features.
Weighing just under 10 ounces, the Trail Runners are incredibly lightweight compared to standard hiking boots and shoes, and they have grippy treads (shaped like elbow macaroni) on the bottom for stabilizing support.
They also feature breathable, ripstop fabric that forms the one-piece upper of the shoe. The ripstop fabric is meant to protect on rugged terrain, and the collar of the shoe is designed like a sock and fits snuggly around the ankle. In fact, the stretch opening of the shoe is quite comfortable, and the laces seem to be just for looks. I didn’t need to tighten the laces, as the shoes fit snuggly on my feet out of the box, but if you did want to draw in the center of the shoe a bit, you could do so by tightening the laces. The true fit of the sneaker is determined by the stretchy, breathable body, made from a eucalyptus tree fiber and wool blend, and the sole made from sugarcane and natural rubber.
There’s also cushion padding in the back of the heel (much like inserts you would buy separately) to keep the shoe’s opening from sliding and rubbing on your ankle. The Trail Runners are also quite narrow in the center, which provided comfortable support for me but may not be for you if you have wide feet.
I wore the Trail Runner shoes on nearly every type of terrain to test how they perform IRL. I walked on wet asphalt, wore them to play with my dog at the dog park and hiked in them on unpaved terrain. First and foremost, I did find the Trail Runners comfortable and supportive. As someone who is prone to getting blisters from literally any shoe rubbing against my ankle, I liked the padding in the back of the heel. The extra cushion at the back of the heel did take some getting used to, but it seemed to prevent me from getting blisters while breaking the shoes in.
As far as support goes, I found the soles of the shoes comforting on my feet. It is important to note, however, that the center of the sole tapers in. I have narrow- to average-width feet, but if you’re someone with wide feet, these soles may be a bit restricting for you.
When it came to use on wet ground, these shoes did keep my feet dry. I didn’t slosh through puddles or anything, but I did hike near a creek and walk on asphalt post-storm, and my feet remained totally dry when the soles of the shoes were wet. I will also say that on steep, wet pavement, I found the shoes to be a bit slick. While they did fine gripping dry and unpaved terrain, I don’t know that I would wear them again on hilly, paved terrain after a rainstorm.
I would absolutely wear these shoes again if I were jogging on an all-terrain trail. They’re incredibly lightweight compared to traditional hiking shoes while still water resistant. They also don’t come up above the ankle, which may not be favorable if trekking on long, rocky trails, but it is useful when jogging or running on more even terrain with less incline. I also love that these shoes are made with sustainability in mind. Allbirds is working toward zero carbon emissions and has a ReRun marketplace where you can shop slightly imperfect and gently used products to reduce waste.
Lastly, I love the way the Trail Runners look on my feet! They’re good-looking shoes. The tapered bottom sole is flattering, and the two-toned sole adds depth and visual appeal. I have the Natural White color in a Women’s 10 (the shoe runs true to size, but if you’re in between sizes, size up a half size), but I’ve got my eyes on the deep emerald color next. And yes, these shoes are available in both men’s and women’s sizes!
Allbirds Trail Runners are priced at $140, which is on the expensive end when it comes to Allbirds products. However, because Allbirds are well-made with eco-friendly materials, and the Trail Runners are made with performance in mind, I think they’re worth the price. I also expect to spend around $100 (give or take) for a decent pair of tennis shoes.
Apparently, they do! According to ET, celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively, Hillary Duff and Mila Kunis have been spotted wearing Allbirds out and about.
The Allbirds Women’s Trail Runners earn a 4.5-star rating on allbirds.com. Here’s what reviewers have to say about them.
Verified buyer Lorraine D. has wide feet and sized up one whole size, they say the fit is just right. “I have very challenging feet, I have bunions and a high instep. The shoes are a little snug to get in, but they’re wonderful on my feet. If a shoe is not good, I cannot walk, and I’ve been walking all over the place,” they write. “Love the shoes.”
Kathy S. writes, “The perfect sneaker to wear that matches every outfit and has incredible foot support without sacrificing style. Just bought my second pair after completely wearing the first pair out. They went to Paris and saved the day!”
Hiking enthusiast Allison T. says, “My husband and I love to visit national parks. We camp and hike a lot while there. I love that I can wear these in the airport as sneakers to save luggage space but that they are solid, sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes. I love that they can be so easily washed, too. Versatile, comfortable, eco-friendly. What’s not to love!”
After testing the Allbirds Trail Runners, I recommend them to anyone in the market for a good-looking, ethically-sourced and water-resistant shoe for jogging on all terrain. The shoes offer peak casual comfort with an outdoorsy edge. While the Trail Runners are a bit more expensive than other Allbirds models, I’d say they’re worth it for the performance features.
The Allbirds Trail Runners retail for $140 at allbirds.com and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Go ahead, see what all the buzz is about with these eco-friendly shoes—and don’t stress, Allbirds offers a 30-day trial period. If you don’t like them, you can return them for free with no questions asked, even if you’ve worn them outdoors!
