We reviewed Allbirds' $95 sustainable flats — here's our verdict after almost two years of regular wear

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• Allbirds’ popular and sustainable women’s flats are available in 21 colors and half sizes. 
• The Tree Breezers ($95) offer a sleek silhouette that is breathable, flexible, and supportive.
• Find our first impressions plus what we think of the fit and comfort almost two years later.

One of the newer styles from online shoe startup Allbirds is classic and beloved to closets the world over: the ballet flat. 

Like most of Allbirds’ other styles, from the original Wool Runner to the Tree Skipper, the Tree Breezer retails for $95. It’s available in 21 limited-edition colors. It’s also the first Allbirds shoe to be available in half sizes.

While many women, including us, love the all-day comfort of Allbirds sneakers, these casual styles aren’t always appropriate for the office or dressier environments. One customer lamented, “I get bummed when I have to go to work on Monday and put my Allbirds away again until the weekend.” 

Anyone who feels similarly can now finally wear Allbirds all week long with the Tree Breezer flats. They feature an FSC-certified Tree exterior, made from renewable eucalyptus woven into Tencel lyocell fabric, and SweetFoam soles, made from sustainably grown sugar cane. 

Together, they form a breathable, flexible, and supportive flat that is just as comfortable as an Allbirds sneaker but wearable everywhere sneakers might not be the best choice — work, dinner, or a night out. 

They’re also easy to maintain. You’ll need to hand-wash the insoles, but you can throw the rest of the flat in the washing machine, then let them air dry. 

The Insider Reviews team received these flats to put them to the test. Overwhelmingly, we agreed that they’re yet another Allbirds hit, a shoe with little-to-no break-in time, versatile wearability, and easy maintenance typically unheard of for its silhouette. 

Here are our initial thoughts when we tested them pre-launch, as well as a two-year follow-up on how they’ve performed since:

Sally Kaplan, deputy editor: 

First impressions (May 2019): Last year, I decided that sneakers and ballet flats were going to be my new signature, because who has time for uncomfortable shoes anymore?! These flats are pretty much a dream come true. They’re lightweight, feel pretty similar to the Allbirds Tree Runners I already have and love, and don’t dig in anywhere. I had a tiny bit of rubbing on my heel the first time I wore them, but it subsided after a day. They’re obviously not as supportive as Allbirds’ sneakers, but they’ve got the same soft, washable fuzzy lining — I think they’re just as comfy!

For what it’s worth, I usually wear a 7.5 in sneakers, but I got the 8 in these flats since that’s what I’m used to from Allbirds sneakers and they fit perfectly.

21-month update (March 2021): I’ve been wearing my Tree Breezers probably once a week or so over the course of the past 21 months, and they still look good as new. I wipe the soles down when they get dirty, but haven’t needed to wash the shoes themselves often. There’s a small amount of pilling inside the shoe that I’ve noticed, but it doesn’t affect their comfort. I still love them just as much as I did on day one.

Mara Leighton, senior reporter: 

First impressions (May 2019): Flats are hit or miss in terms of comfort for me and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this pair didn’t require any painful break-in time. From the box, I wore them on my long, 20-minute walk to and from the subway and all day at work. Zero blisters, zero discomfort, and more padding than I dared to hope for. For reference, I got them in my typical size 9.

It’s also pretty great that they’re machine-washable. Flats, by nature of being sockless hot-weather shoes, don’t stay fresh for long. I pretty much live in the leather Day Gloves from Everlane in the summer and I wish cleaning them could be close to as easy.

21-month update (March 2021): More than any other pair of Allbirds I’ve owned, the Tree Breezers have aged most gracefully. The wool inside has worn down to the shape of my foot with wear and the breathable material means they’ve transitioned from spring to summer to fall seamlessly. Like Sally, I haven’t needed to wash them often, but I’ve noticed some pilling inside the shoe itself. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter. They’re among my most comfortable and most frequently worn pairs.

Connie Chen, senior reporter:

First impressions (May 2019): Allbirds, specifically the Wool Runners and Tree Skippers, are my default shoe to put on when I know I’m going to be on my feet all day and can get away with a more casual style. If I need to look a little more put together but don’t want to end the day limping home, Everlane Day Gloves or Rothy’s Pointed Flats it is. I’m happy to now have another option for a genuinely comfortable flat, and from a brand with a proven track record. 

My favorite shoes are those that I don’t have to think twice about or mentally prepare myself to wear. The Tree Breezers saunter confidently into that category, no contest. They’re soft and mold to your feet upon first wear, but don’t have that thin, unsupportive feeling of some other flats. I wore them for more than 12 hours one day, first to work and then to a concert, and they had no problem keeping up with the prolonged walking and standing.

I think it’s worth getting one of the brighter limited-edition colors (I got them in the springy lilac Starfish). Because of their comfort, you’ll feel motivated to wear the eye-catching flats more often. 

21-month update (March 2021): When I wore these flats during the summer, I realized they ran a bit warm for my taste and the wool insoles felt like they’d be more suitable for colder seasons. Now that the weather is cool, I’m wearing them more often. They’re perfect for transitional periods because they’re light on my feet while keeping them cozy. 

Ellen Hoffman, executive editor: 

First impressions (May 2019): Allbirds makes some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn right out of their box, so I was excited to try the company’s new ballet flats. The first word I uttered to my teammates after stepping into my navy Tree Breezers was, “Wow.” Like Mara, I really want to like flats, but they often miss the mark for me when it comes to comfort.

We’ve affectionately dubbed the Tree Breezers “machine-washable pillows for your feet” in our team’s Slack channel because they’re just that comfortable. I wore mine home from work the same day they arrived — a risky move since my commute home involves lots of walking and staircases — and my feet came away not only blister free but also feeling ultra cushioned and supported. They’re a perfect addition to an already impressive lineup from Allbirds for $95 a pair.

21-month update (March 2021): I love these flats! They’re not the most stylish flats I own, but I end up wearing them more than those trendier pairs because they’re so comfortable. Unlike the Wool Runners or Wool Loungers that can lose some of their shape with time, the Tree Breezers offer a really solid amount of structure; they look and feel the same 21 months later. I haven’t washed mine often, but I like knowing I can … I don’t have to be as precious with them as I have to be with other shoes.  

The bottom line  

As is always the case with Allbirds shoes, the new Tree Breezers are reliably comfortable and the most worry-free shoes you can slip on in the morning. The search for a go-to pair of cute, versatile flats is often a game involving too many blisters, worn-out soles, and impractical upkeep. Trust that you won’t have those problems with the Allbirds Tree Breezers. 

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].

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