I Tried Allbirds Shoes, and Here’s How They Held Up in the Classroom

If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly on the lookout for a pair of shoes that’s more comfortable (and stylish) than the current pair on your feet. As a kindergarten teacher, I’m all over the classroom, walking from student to student, and by the end of the day, my toes are begging me to get better shoes. I’ve heard people say Allbirds are the most comfortable shoes on the planet, so I was very excited when I got a chance to try them. Check out my Allbirds Wool Loungers review below.

Allbirds Wool Loungers review: my hunt for the most comfortable teacher shoes

First, I got to pick out my new shoes online. The Wool Loungers came in quite a few neutral color choices, including white, black, and several shades of gray. However, I decided to order the limited edition Lichen, which is a mint green color with a white sole. This isn’t a color I would normally order, but I really loved the way this particular shoe looked online. I added them to my cart and couldn’t wait until they arrived.

At first, I worried that the wool would be hot and scratchy

I received the shoes on a Friday afternoon and was excited to test them out at school. I’ll be honest. I couldn’t wait to try them on until Monday, and I ended up wearing them over the weekend! My first impression was that the wool on the shoe isn’t too thick. When I think of wool, I think hot and scratchy. These shoes are nothing like that because Allbirds uses superfine merino wool that’s breathable and moisture-wicking, which is perfect for teachers who are constantly moving around the classroom.

My tip on which size to order

First, I tried on my Allbirds without socks. They were a bit tight to just “slip-on,” and I thought I bought the wrong size, but once I got them on, they were fine. The fit is definitely true to size, but since they only come in whole sizes, if you’re a half size, you should order the next size up

To wear socks, or not to wear socks, that is the question

They say that these shoes are supposed to be worn without socks, but I hate when my feet get sweaty or shoes get smelly when you don’t wear socks. So, I also bought two pairs of the Allbirds Trino Hider socks. I decided to wear them with the socks on just to see how they feel. Just sitting around in them, they felt a bit tight on the first wear. Then I started walking around in them, and they felt amazing. Wearing my Allbirds, it felt like I was walking on clouds. The smoothest, lightest walk. I decided that when I wore them to school, I’d try them without the socks just to compare the feel.

How my Allbirds held up at school

Monday came, and I slipped the shoes on without socks. They still felt a bit tight when I initially put them on, but once I started walking, I couldn’t tell anymore. The only thing that I wasn’t too fond of was that if I wiggled my toes, I could see the little “toe bump” in my shoe. However, this is a small inconvenience when you consider that these shoes are so comfortable and easy to walk in. The floor actually feels soft! This is really important at my school because there is a lot of walking required. In fact, we even have a hallway called “The Long Hall” because it’s never-ending. Thankfully, I’m in the first classroom on that hall, but a lot of the coaches and interventionists who have to travel across our school wear sneakers because they do so much walking. Allbirds would be perfect for them!

You can wash Allbirds when they get stepped on by little feet

The great thing about these shoes is that you can actually wash them if they get dirty or smelly. In the future, I’ll probably wear my Allbirds with socks, but if you’re a no-socks kind of person, you don’t have to worry about stinky shoes. Just take out the sole and throw them in the washer. This is also a perfect solution for me when little kindergarten shoes step on top of mine.

One of the best return policies I’ve seen for shoes

Before I wrap up this review, I want to acknowledge the elephant in the room: $95 for a pair of shoes is an investment for most teachers. Allbirds need to be the type of shoe you can’t wait to put on day after day to justify the cost. That means you may need to try them on yourself before you commit to the purchase. The great news is that the Allbirds return policy is one of the best shoe policies I’ve ever read. You get a 30-day window to wear and test out the shoes. If you’re not satisfied for any reason, you can return them. The shoes will be donated. Isn’t that amazing?

Allbirds Wool Loungers review: love them for school or leave them at home?

So, I’m sure you want to know if I’d purchase Allbirds again if I could do it over? Absolutely! They’re definitely the most comfortable teacher shoes that I have in my closet. Now, they’re going to be on my regular school shoe rotation. Want to grab yourself a pair? Head to Allbirds to get your Allbirds Wool Loungers.

What about Allbirds sneakers and other styles?

Speaking of sneakers, Allbirds sells more than just the Wool Loungers. They have a nice collection of men’s and women’s shoes, including the ones below, which would all be perfect teacher shoes:

• Tree Runnners (low-top, everyday sneakers)
• Wool Runners (low-top, everyday sneakers)
• Tree Toppers (high-top, everyday sneakers)
• Wool Runner Mizzles (high-top, everyday sneakers)
• Tree Dashers (running sneakers)
• Wool Dasher Mizzles (running sneakers)
• Tree Loungers (just like the Wool Loungers but made out of tree fiber)
• Tree Skippers (boat shoes)
• Tree Breezers (ballet flats)

Looking for alternatives to Allbirds? Check out 50+ Comfortable Teacher Shoes You Can Wear All Day Long.