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.
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 5
Pros:
- Cushioned midsole offers all-day comfort
- Breathable knit upper maximizes airflow
- Excellent support on a variety of surfaces
- Made from sustainable materials
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Limited color options
- May not be ideal for wide feet
- No padded collar to prevent rubbing and chafing of ankles
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