Allbirds Tree Dasher 2 review

We believe the Allbirds Tree Dasher 2.0 is a great pick for individuals who:

• Are looking for a road running shoe that puts comfort and eco-friendly features at the forefront.
• Need a stable shoe for casual runs and relaxed jogs.
• Want a versatile, do-it-all shoe with a strong focus on sustainability.

If outsole durability is a must for you, especially if you're hard on your shoe's rubber because you're a heel striker, the Tree Dasher 2 might not be the best choice. Instead, we suggest the Adidas Ultraboost 1.0. It features a long-lasting Continental outsole and a similar sock-like, knit upper.

Also, if you're looking for a versatile shoe that can handle both easy trail and gravel road runs, the Tree Dasher 2 falls short. In this case, we recommend the Hoka Challenger 7.

While it's not as eco-friendly and comfortable, it offers a more durable outsole and a superior midsole, making it a better overall shoe for such conditions.

At first glance, the Tree Dasher's upper appeared thick and not super breathable to us, but it also caught our eye with its big ventilation holes throughout the eucalyptus-based toebox. We were super curious about the results of our smoke test, given the uncertainty.

After conducting the test, we were absolutely floored. The shoe's performance was terrific, earning a perfect score of 5/5 from us. We've tested a ton of shoes in the lab, and there are only a handful that can boast better ventilation.

It's key to note that this top-notch ventilation is primarily in the toebox area—the rest of the shoe packs more knit and extra layers for enhanced stability. Our light test made this pretty obvious.

Under the microscope, we observed a robust knit that Allbirds combined with large ventilation holes.

When we examined the upper by hand, we noticed it's quite stretchy and comfortable, pretty similar to one of the all-time favorite knit-based models, the Ultraboost.

Yet, the Tree Dasher 2 stands out as it's fully eco-friendly, going beyond mere surface-level green features.

As we pointed out in our guide on running shoe uppers, a common downside of knit is their durability. Typically, the cozier knit wears out faster than the tougher, synthetic engineered mesh.

But, the Tree Dasher 2 is a total game-changer, defying all expectations and scoring a stellar 5/5 again. This outstanding result also took us by surprise!

Shifting our focus to the heel area, our expectations were through the roof.

And once again, Allbirds delivered an comfortable-yet-durable fabric in the heel, getting a 4/5 rating that easily surpasses the average shoe.

After our first successful tests, we turned our attention to the outsole.

The outsole bears a striking resemblance to the Nike Pegasus Turbo, featuring similar cutouts in both the forefoot and rearfoot, along with exposed foam in the midfoot area.

We discovered a 80.4-HC rubber that's about average in terms of hardness, which we think should offer decent durability. But will it really hold up? Let's see...

Sadly, the outsole durability test resulted in one of the poorest performances we've seen in the lab.

Following the Dremel test, we noted a significant 2.0-mm indentation in the outsole, suggesting it will wear out quicker than most other shoes.

Allbirds surely knew that their FSC-certified natural rubber outsole wears out quickly. Their solution was to add more rubber to enhance durability, a simple strategy, but it contributes to increase the weight.

Thus, improving the outsole should be a top priority for the next Tree Dasher. Perhaps they could collaborate with Vibram to develop an eco-friendly version of Megagrip?

A major complaint about the first-gen Tree Dasher was its hefty 10.6-oz weight.

While Allbirds has trimmed down the v2 to 10.3 oz (291g), it's still not quite there for us. We'd really like to see it drop below the 10-oz mark, and as we said before, a better, lighter outsole is the way to go.

One of the welcome updates from the previous version is that the Tree Dasher 2 has more cushioning, measuring 31.6 mm, which is 2.2 mm more than in the first version.

This increase is particularly noticeable for heel strikers, making the shoe now feel more like a proper daily trainer in this aspect.

The forefoot offers just 22.3 mm of cushioning, falling below the average and possibly insufficient for forefoot strikers aiming for medium-to-long distances in this shoe. Yet, due to its firm midsole, the likelihood of bottoming out in the shoe seems minimal.

After taking both measurements, we calculated a 9.3-mm drop. This puts the shoe in the daily trainer category, though it tends to favor heel strikers.

In our lab, we found the insole to be slightly thicker than usual at 4.9 mm, but we experienced no issues with it. Additionally, it's worth noting that it's crafted from castor bean oil—another eco-friendly feature!

The SweetFoam midsole will appeal mainly to fans of firm cushioning, registering at 27.0 HA on our durometer. Our test runs also confirm that the shoe leans towards the firmer side.

However, for many runners, this could be a small trade-off for a midsole derived from sugarcane, prioritizing sustainability above all else.

To see if the underfoot feel changed in cold temperatures, we put the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and tested again.

In this colder scenario, the shoe turned out to be slightly firmer, measuring 33.0 HA.

The difference between the two measurements is 22.2%, a change most runners won't notice.

Regardless, we don't recommend this shoe for freezing temperatures due to its incredible airflow. And if you do decide to use it in colder conditions, pairing it with thick, wool socks would be a good idea.

Some might assume that because this shoe leans towards a casual style, it won't provide a stable ride.

If that's your thought, we're here to say that assumption is off the mark. The Tree Dasher 2 actually offers a remarkably supportive ride!

However, this stability doesn't stem from rigidity (2/5), because the shoe is quite flexible torsionally—as you'd expect from an all-purpose shoe that's great for both running and grocery shopping.

The heel counter's flexibility also earned a solid 2/5, perfectly suiting those who prefer a more flexible approach in this area.

We found it extremely comfortable for both walking and running, and it boasts a decent amount of wool-based padding too.

Here's what makes the Tree Dasher 2 both stable and a bit heavy. It has a huge midsole, which we precisely measured at 119.8 mm in the forefoot area.

This size, combined with the firm foam, really contributes to the shoe's stability.

Yet, it's the heel area that impressed us the most. It's similar in width to shoes specifically designed for stability, boasting a substantial 98.9 mm!

Now, let's conduct our classic 90-degree bend test to check the flexibility of the Tree Dasher 2. Being a non-plated, all-purpose shoe, it's expected to show lower flexibility.

Fortunately, that's exactly what we found. We only needed to apply 19.5N of force to bend it to 90 degrees. That's a good sign!

We conducted another 20-minute nap in the freezer and re-tested the shoe to gauge the stiffness in harsh winter conditions.

Given its incredible breathability, wearing this shoe in freezing temperatures might not be the best idea. Nevertheless, after the test, it only required 23.5N of force for us to bend the shoe.

That's just a minor 20.6% increase, which is actually a better performance compared to most shoes on the market.

If you're searching for a comfortable shoe with ample space inside, this is it.

This Allbirds model boasts a generous 103.6 mm at the widest part of the upper, which is fantastic news for those with wider-than-average feet or even for those with regular-width feet who prefer a roomier fit.

Transitioning from the wide measurement, the big toe area certainly didn't let us down.

Taking this measurement is crucial because some shoes, while wide in the midfoot, suddenly taper significantly, leaving little room for your toes. That's not an issue here, as it measured a roomy 81.0 mm.

The Tree Dasher 2 features a sock-like tongue, which we find slightly less suitable for daily running.

However, it works wonders in providing a comfortable lockdown for everyday activities. Considering this shoe needs to perform in various situations, we think this approach is valid.

Since this shoe tips the scales on the heavier side, they've opted for a thin, 2.8-mm tongue, which could compromise comfort during a run.

The laces are crafted from recycled plastic bottles!

We advise being extra careful when tightening the laces to avoid discomfort.

Although the TD2 appears to have a pull tab, it's actually glued to the shoe.

You can remove the insole of the Tree Dasher 2 if you wish and replace it with a custom one. Just keep in mind that the shoe is quite wide, so you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly.

Most running shoes skip the reflective stuff, probably because it saves brands a few pennies per pair. But Allbirds included them, and all we can say is... thanks!