There is an endless stream of coffee, bagel, and pizza shops that claim to be the
"best in the world." However, this self-appointed title is usually quite the stretch. So when I got an email claiming that a pair of new trainers were the "most comfortable in the world," I thought it was certainly going to be a similarly empty claim.
My feet are like tissue paper in the sense that it takes me weeks to break in any shoes (I have got blisters from sheepskin slippers before). Also, my feet are always covered in strategically placed Compeeds. I decided to wear Allbird's Wool Runners for two days with no socks on, which normally would be a reckless decision resulting in quite gruesome blisters.
These are the first pair of shoes that I—in my 29 years of life—haven't had to break in. They feel like clouds. Allbirds is so confident in its comfort claim that if you wear the shoes for 30 days and don't love them, you can get your money back. These are in every way practical shoes, as they are minimal and have no obvious logos. They are perfect chuck-on shoes for commuting or running errands and are never going to be something you'll see in hundreds of shoefies.
All Bird Wool Runners ($123)
The shoes might be a tad simple in comparison to all of the trend-smashing kitten heels out there right now, but that hasn't stopped them from having an impressive A-list fan club. Emma Watson, Eva Chen, Oprah, Mila Kunis, and even Barack Obama have all worn these trainers. Leonardo DiCaprio has invested in the brand because it is in line with his environmental work. The trainers are made from all-natural fabrics, including New Zealand superfine merino wool (that isn't at all scratchy), renewable eucalyptus fiber, and sugarcane that is turned into a bouncy sole that they call SweetFoam. The laces are even made from recycled plastic. Allbirds takes sustainability seriously at all stages—from the materials used to the packaging. The shoe boxes are also made using 90% recycled cardboard.
Allbirds launched two years ago, but this month, it has started shipping to the UK and has opened its first London shop in Covent Garden. Keep scrolling to shop the wool runners.
Shop Allbirds Wool Runners
Next up, see the nine high-street pieces everyone wants, according to Instagram.
