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Allbirds Tree Runners Unboxing
Watch the full video above or read the lightly edited transcript below.
I’m super excited to share with you some new stuff I got in the mail the other day. This is the Allbirds Tree Runner shoes for men. They also make a women’s version. By the way, this was selected by the Stuff Adam Likes community on Instagram – you all voted on which color I should pick and I love what you chose. So, let’s check it out.
Similar Design to Wool Runners
My first impressions are that they’re very similar in design to the Wool Runners. They’re the same profile and shape that we’ve come to expect and love from Allbirds. They have the same type of sole with the S-curve tread array to make it anatomically friendly when you’re stepping.
Barking Up the Right Tree
As the name suggests, the upper is made out of trees. It’s made out of a eucalyptus fiber and so you would think it would be rough and scratchy, but it’s really not. It’s actually pretty soft to the touch, which is interesting. Just like they did with their merino wool, Allbirds have done a nice job of taking a material that traditionally you might think of as being unfriendly and making it very soft and comfy. Comfy is their main theme for all their products.
A Sustainability-First Design
The laces are made out of recycled plastic water bottles and the eyelets are made out of bio-based TPU – both environmentally-friendly additions to the shoe. All in all, they really tried to design the shoe in such a way that it was going to lesson the impact on the environment. I really, really appreciate that. I really love that.
Nice Feature: Replaceable Insoles
On the inside, you can see, they have the standard Allbirds merino wool, which is really nice. It’s a very nice, soft-looking lining and a cushy insole, which is actually removable. It’s made with castor bean oil, which cuts carbon output when compared with petroleum-based foam. It’s just another way that they took the time to try to make a more environmentally-friendly product, which I really appreciate. The insoles are replaceable, which is nice. So, you can always buy new ones. You don’t have to throw out the entire shoe, if the rest is in good shape. If you need more spring in your step, you can always buy new replacement insoles separately, which is cool.
First Impressions
Overall my first impressions are super positive. One sort of drawback I noticed is it has what appears to be a vented panel in the material. It’s a little noticeable. I don’t think it’s going to be noticeable by many others in daily wear, but it was something that struck me. I think they’re just trying to add a little bit more structure around the front of the toe so that it’s a little more protected. The vented part seems to be a little bit more open and breezy.
Breezy by Design
And that’s the whole goal of the shoe really: to provide an alternative to the Wool Runner, which is cozy, but a little warm for spring and summer. So, that’s my first look at the Allbirds Tree Runner shoes for men, and don’t forget – there is also a women’s version. After some more extensive wear and testing, I’ll be posting a full review, so be sure to follow me on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.
