As I prepare for taking walks with more leaves crunching underfoot, a reliable pair of comfy, retro sneakers are just what I need to get excited about the routine. Admittedly, I don't always take time to get some fresh air between hours at a desk. But in putting together my Allbirds Couriers review, I had a newfound reason to get outside and move.
In general, each pair of Allbirds shoes we've reviewed has a modern silhouette. Instead, the Couriers have more of a vintage flair than any other pair. The silhouette stands out even more against the brand's new minimalist-looking site redesign.
For its initial release, the Allbirds Couriers are available in women's sizes 5-11 and men's sizes 8-14. They come in three classic black, white and navy colorways, with rotating limited edition colors.
Below you can read how the Couriers feel on foot compared to similar sneakers I've tried, and why Allbirds' special use of recycled materials matters.
I replaced my Nike Daybreaks with Allbirds Couriers
I've owned two pairs of Daybreaks, and got a decent amount of wear out of them before they became too beat up. The Couriers look enough like them and have much better shock absorption.
The Daybreaks have better traction than the Couriers do. I also feel like the Couriers have a more narrow toe box, so they're not ideal for those with wide feet. The springiness of the forefoot cushioning has collapsed, so now my feet now slant downward in them, leaving me more prone to tripping.
The Couriers are lighter even though they have a more substantial outsole than my flatly soled Nikes. The scoop-shaped midsole is made from Allbirds signature sugarcane-based SweetFoam, an innovative material that's become synonymous with the brand. It felt springy for a while, but hasn't held up that well. Unfortunately, this is the compromise you make when wearing sustainable materials.
The Couriers' upper is made from 100% organic Cotton, Tencel Lyocell Ripstop, and bio-based nylon. Tencel adds durability to the cotton using a strengthening eucalyptus fiber, and leaves a carbon footprint that's one-third lower than when using virgin nylon. Besides being leagues better for the environment than the Daybreaks' petroleum-based synthetic foam and leather, these naturally renewable materials are fully machine washable.
They look more retro than any other Allbirds sneaker I've tried
After walking in them over miles of pavement, the reason for the name "Courier" became more apparent. Their chunky, sporty silhouette reminds me of something from the 80s, and my first instinct was to wear them with tube socks as seen in the aerobic videos of the era.
The bottom line
Although priced a bit higher than similar pair with a check or three stripes logo, these Allbirds alternatives felt more comfortable than flat-soled Nike sneakers. They're not a good fit for wide feet and the sugarcane-based foam soles are not as durable as EVA foam.
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