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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

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Are Allbirds Good Shoes for Travel?

Last Updated: March 4, 2022 · Digital Nomad

Allbirds—the now-famous sustainable sneaker—are they good for travel?

I have been an avid user of Allbirds Tree Runners since 2018. I remember the year easily because it’s the same year I went to Taylor Swift’s live show in Nashville, TN, and I felt immensely proud to go sporting my new planet-friendly travel shoes.

Since then, I’ve skirted across Canada in a van, lived in Mexico as a digital nomad (going on myriad adventures hiking to waterfalls, canyons, you name it), explored the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe from its mountains to its beaches, and even trekked on an active volcano in Guatemala right next to real, raw, ridiculously hot, lava.

That’s right—my Allbirds Tree Runners that were three years old even survived hiking on volcanic rock next to a slow-moving river of molten lava. I think you know what I’m getting at—they’re an awesome shoe for travel (and, apparently, even epic outdoors adventures).

On top of all that, I’ve used my Allbirds for their intended use: running, sports, and casual everyday wear. I’ve even used them as slippers.

Read more to find out whether the Allbirds Tree Runners might be the travel shoe for you in my review below!

P.S. It’s worth noting that this isn’t sponsored! I just really love my Allbird shoes and wanted to share an honest review.

Table of Contents show
Allbirds Tree Runners Review (Are They Good for Travel?)
Allbirds Tree Runners vs. Wool Runners
Why Allbirds Are Good for Travel
Can You Hike in Allbirds Shoes?
Wear & Tear from Travel

Allbirds Tree Runners Review (Are They Good for Travel?)

Women wearing Allbirds Tree Runners while traveling
Wearing my Allbirds for travel wherever I go! (Pictured: Lisbon, Portugal)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

There are several types of Allbirds shoes, but in this review, I’m going to be sharing my experience over the years with the Tree Runners — the Allbirds OG sneaker.

But just so you can get an understanding of the Runners, Allbirds has variations of their “Tree” sneaker line made with breezy eucalyptus tree pulp and their “Wool” signature sneaker made with cozy ZQ merino wool.

Then, underneath Tree and Wool, they have various styles for different types of lifestyles and uses:

🌳 TREE LINE:

  • Runners — the “one for all” sneaker in my opinion, made with either breathable eucalyptus tree fiber
  • Dashers — the sporty version of the Tree Runners
  • Breezers — a flat, ballet slip-on made for summer strolling
  • Pipers — same low-top style as the Wool version, but in breathable eucalyptus
  • Skippers — a classic, flat boat-shoe
  • Loungers — same as cozy Wool style, but easy and breezy
  • Toppers — high-top sneakers that look like copycat Converse
Tree Runners
Wool Runners

🐑 WOOL LINE:

  • Runners — the cozy merino wool version of the Tree Runners
  • Mizzles — the weather-proof version of the Wool Runners
    • Dasher Mizzles — the no-slip, water-repellent running shoe
      • Dasher Fluffs — extra fluffy version of the sporty Dasher
    • Runner-Up Mizzles — the high-top style of the weather-proof Mizzles
      • Runner-Up Mizzle Fluffs — the extra fluffy version of the Runner-Up Mizzles
  • Pipers — the low-top of the Wool line
    • Piper Mids — the mid-cut version of Pipers
  • Loungers — the cozy slip-on for lounging in colder weather
    • Loungers Fluff — just as cozy on the outside as on the inside
Click Here to Check them all out!

It can get pretty confusing, but let’s focus on just the “signature” sneakers — the Tree Runners vs the Wool Runners.

Allbirds Tree Runners vs. Wool Runners

The Tree Runners vs. the Wool Runners, which one is best? I can’t speak for the Wool Runners, so I’ll only comment on the Tree Runners for travel and lifestyle purposes.

However, from what I’ve experienced and scoured online from reviews, the Wool Runners aren’t as “passe-partout” as the Tree Runners.

The main difference is the fabric, of course — breezy eucalyptus vs cozy merino wool.

The Tree Runners are airy, breezy, and lightweight. They are ideal for running, casual everyday wear in warmer above 20°C/68°F. The shape really conforms around your foot and ankle. That said, I think they’re great for walking, running, or even hiking.

The Wool Runners are cozy, toasty, and a bit sturdier. They are ideal for running and casual everyday wear in colder weather below 20°C/68°F. I’ve read that the Wool Runners are a bit “thicker” and don’t conform as much around your feet or ankle. I’d probably wear these if I lived in a city, but wouldn’t hike in them.

So why did I choose the Tree Runners over the Wool Runners for travel?

Since I travel and spend most of my time mostly hotter countries and regions (i.e. Mexico, Guatemala, Guadeloupe), the Tree Runners were a bit more adaptable to my lifestyle. I just can’t bear hot, itchy, sweaty feet so I needed something a bit more breezy and lightweight.

Female traveler wearing Women's Allbirds Tree Runners (Grey) walking in the city
Love wearing my Allbirds for traveling around the city!

Why Allbirds Are Good for Travel

I travel full-time and can vouch for the comfiness of the Allbirds Tree Runners. Here’s just a quick list of reasons why they are good shoes for travel.

  • Lightweight
  • Warm enough for traveling in spring, summer, fall
  • Airy enough for summer vacations and hiking, running, or any sporty activity
  • Stylish with any outfit, ideal for city trips to backpacking trips to beach trips
  • Packs down a good amount in a backpack/suitcase without ruining shoe shape
  • Doesn’t require socks as much as the Wool runners might, but still comfy with them
  • Easy to wipe clean and machine washable
  • Relatively quick to dry if wet; makes for a good protective water shoe
  • Long-lasting before signs of wear and tear (mine lasted 3+ years of heavy use and travel)

That said, I don’t there’s any terrain my Allbirds Tree Runners haven’t been through; rivers, mountain peaks, dusty desserts, snowy trails, city sidewalks… you name it!!

Can You Hike in Allbirds Shoes?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve literally hiked up an active volcano in my Allbirds (promise, there are even photos in my guide to hiking Volcán Pacaya in Guatemala)—and they didn’t melt (unlike Paul’s boots that melted from a hot rock getting stuck in his sole, lol).

While Allbirds definitely does not replace proper hiking shoes or boots, I was able to get “get by” on short hikes and trails like the relatively flat, forested coastlines and terrain in eastern Canada.

My Allbirds have traveled quite a bit over the years!

I wouldn’t go proper hiking in them again, or backpacking, as they can get slippery. (As I’ve come to learn through experience.)

Wear & Tear from Travel

That said, Allbirds Tree Runners will show wear and tear after several years of use. That’s fairly normal for a shoe, and I think all considering (adventure-wise), they held up a fair bit before I needed to order a new pair.

So that leads me to the next question:

Would I buy another pair of Allbirds Tree Runners for travel?

Yes! In fact, I already did. My old Allbirds were getting “flattened” from use over the years. My big toes also created sizeable holes at the tops from repeated friction over the years. (Not gaping big, but you could definitely tell it was a hole and see the color of my socks peeping through 🧦.)

Compared to my new Allbirds, which fit like a suction-cup glove, my old ones feel like house slippers. The fit to the groove on the bottom all wore down. The old ones became slippery on the bottom, making walking up sandy trails complicated.

So, again, while you can travel far and wide in your Allbirds, don’t take them to the extreme (i.e. volcano hikes).

Are they perfect for traveling, as in, flying on planes, crossing countries on trains, walking miles across cities? Yes, for sure.

Click here to snag a pair of eco-friendly Allbirds! 👟🍃

If like me, you have little wiggle room to add items to your digital nomad packing list, then the Allbirds Tree Runners are, indeed, that one size fits all shoe for travelers.

I hope this somewhat cheesy love letter to my shoes helps you plan adventures in yours. Where to next?! For more gear recs and general nomad tips, head to my Digital Nomad guides.

📍 PIN IT — ALLBIRDS TRAVEL SHOE REVIEW

Women wearing Allbirds Tree Runners sitting on ledge in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo with text overlay.

By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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