Allbirds Tree Gliders: A Review After Walking Through Manhattan

Last month, I walked a total of 34 miles, 40,000 steps, and 10 hours from the tippity-top to the tippity-bottom of Manhattan. I hadn’t walked that long in years—maybe even ever—and what I thought would be a very long, leisurely stroll sightseeing my home city, proved to be an endurance test. My body ached, save for my feet, which I owe solely (lol) to my plush Allbirds Tree Gliders ($135).

The Tree Gliders are one of the latest launches from the sustainable footwear company. Per the brand, they’re equally suited to “workouts” as they are to “running errands,” and, in my experience, to walking distances upwards of 30 miles. The pair is reminiscent of stacked walking shoes that have become synonymous with Hot Girl Walks, and upon first glance, seem to say, I can go the distance. After my journey through Manhattan, I can confirm they can.

My walk through Manhattan with Allbirds Tree Gliders

I courageously wore my Tree Gliders for the first time out of the box on my walk, starting at the 215 Street Station in Inwood (that’s the northernmost tip of Manhattan for my non-city dwellers). From the get-go, the cloud-like cushion underfoot was impressive—all the better, perhaps, to traverse pavement, grass, and gravel.

More than just comfortable, their chunky soles were supportive. The stops I made on the way to Harlem—the Met Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, the Little Red Lighthouse—involved a route of inclines and declines on paved and uneven surfaces, with a high probability of a twisted ankle if I stepped the wrong way.

Fortunately, the shoes offered me some insurance, providing me with steady footing on slopes, as well as the greenways that curled along the Hudson River. Their substantial underfoot support coupled with their lighter weight was a relief after enduring the trek from Central Park to Washington Square Park. My feet were fine—even great—but my partner, who kindly accompanied me on the journey, wore a trusted pair of Adidas Sambas that left him with achy feet (and three dead toenails).

Like my partner, I’d never been one to select shoes based on foot health or orthopedic features, as neither of us has had to fuss much about our footwear. We are “casual walkers;” if we had been putzing around in terrible shoes—to the subway, supermarket, or our friends’ apartments—we never wore them for long enough to notice.

It’s only until you walk 30+ miles in a pair of shoes that you’ll realize your shoes do make a difference. The walk through Manhattan was a solid indication Tree Gliders’ are up to just about the toughest of tasks.

As their name aptly suggests, the Allbirds Tree Gliders made walking feel like gliding. They managed to propel me through the last stretch of Fifth Avenue and the Financial District’s busy streets to the edge of Battery Park, where I caught a glimpse of Lady Liberty. And apart from some light rubbing at the ankle (I really should have worn longer socks), I barely thought about the shoe at all. If you can walk as long as I did without thinking about your feet, that’s just about the highest praise footwear can get.

Are the Allbirds Tree Gliders worth it?

The Tree Gliders aren’t exactly cheap, but their versatility makes them well worth it. Although they aren’t billed as running shoes, I’m convinced that you can clock as many miles in them walking around. Thanks to their ultra-comfy build, they hold their own on both long walks and a day of errands, as well as brief stints outdoors.

I’d say the Allbirds Tree Gliders are great for people who want a comfy—and I mean, unbelievably comfy—pair of sneakers. In addition to being cushy, the shoes are roomy up front and the knit upper also allows for some wiggle room (though, I wouldn’t call them wide—something you may want to keep in mind).

I’m also a big fan of their minimalist, trendy design. I’m not one to wear workout shoes in flashy colorways; while fun, they make me feel like I’m cosplaying a Capital R runner, which couldn’t be further from my truth. The Tree Gliders steer clear of bright hues and rather stick to a palette of earthy neutrals that further lend to their versatility. Call me boring, but that’s just what I like. So, yes, if a plush sneak in a pretty, goes-with-everything color palette is your speed, they’re worth the triple-digit price tag.

Final thoughts

I don’t know when the next time I’ll be walking over 10 hours, but this wasn’t the last time my Tree Gliders got any action. They’ve become my new go-to when I know I’ll be on my feet for extended swaths of time and have surpassed my other sneakers in terms of comfort. I can trust that they’ll get me to point A to B without a hitch.

Aside from them being akin to marshmallows in terms of comfort, I love how sustainable they are. Like all Allbirds shoes, the Tree Gliders are made from eco-friendly materials that you can really feel good about wearing. The knit upper is woven out of Tencel lyocell, a proprietary fabric made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood pulp. Down below, the SweetFoam midsole uses sugarcane instead of traditional plastic. Even the shoelaces are made from recycled polyester.

Tl;dr: The Allbirds are versatile, comfy, and easier on Mother Earth. If you’re brave enough to be on your feet for 10 to 12 hours at a time, trust me when I say that these shoes can and will go the distance.