Allbirds Tree Dasher review

Who should buy the Allbirds Tree Dasher

Take the Tree Dasher from Allbirds if you want a:

• cosy daily trainer for easy short to mid-distance runs 
• responsive ride for fartlek sessions (a mix of slow jogs and fast training runs) 
• modestly priced shoe for beginners
• running shoe that can double for walking and gym training

Who should NOT buy it

Although it can pick up the pace, if you're looking for a dedicated speed shoe, we recommend the Brooks Hyperion Tempo over the Tree Dasher.

For narrow-footed runners, you might want to try Nike's Pegasus 38 instead. It's not just snugger, it's also cheaper.

The Allbirds Tree Dasher is home for the feet

Allbirds is famous for its cosy trainers, and the Tree Dasher is no different. Throughout our test runs, the shoe felt immensely comfortable and cushy.

The step-in feel is awesome, and there's enough cushion to mute out the harshness of the pavement.

Based on our durometer measurements, the cushioning on the Tree Dasher is only 9% firmer than the average for running shoes. It is fairly soft but not a plush one.

We are also in love with how soft the upper is to the touch, and how the laces don't dig into the skin.

Interestingly enough, the "tongue" is not very thick on this shoe. We measured it at only 2.9 mm whereas the average is 5.8 mm. 

Nice and breezy

Don't let the knit upper fool you, this Allbirds shoe is breathable enough to be your summer option. We gave the Tree Dasher a solid 5 out of 5 in our smoke test, where 5 is the most breathable.

Allbirds Tree Dasher (left), Adidas Runfalcon (right)

The transparency test below shows the most breathable parts of the upper. You can see the largest ventilation holes in the toebox.

A pep in your step

It's plush when walking, but it firms up when you start to run. Although not an out-and-out speedster, we found it energetic enough to pick up the pace.

Tree Dasher is flexible

Heel-to-toe transitions feel quite smooth in this Allbirds shoe. The Tree Dasher has a good amount of flex to help the foot bend easily.

Measuring the shoe's resistance to bending in our lab, we found that it sits right at the average for running shoes.

In addition, the shoe is nice and bendy in hand. On a scale from 1 to 5, we marked it as 2 on both longitudinal and torsional flexibility.

A good amount of cushion for longer efforts

The Tree Dasher may not be a max-cushioned trainer but it certainly packs a generous amount of underfoot protection.

Our calliper measurements show 29.4 mm of stack in the heel and 23.4 mm in the forefoot. This is 4 mm and 1 mm lower than average respectively.

According to the brand, the heel-to-toe drop is 7 mm. But based on our measurements, it turns out to be 6 mm. It is not a critical difference though and is hardly going to be noticeable on the foot.

Don't worry about missteps

We are happy to report that during sharp turns and when running on uneven terrains, we never felt tippy. This is owed to the shoe's broad base.

Our measurements confirm that the Tree Dasher has a significantly wider base than most running shoes. It is 115.4 mm in the forefoot (2 mm wider than average) and 96.2 mm in the heel (6 mm wider).

These parameters make the shoe very similar in width to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 (116.3 mm/96.6 mm).

Maximum lockdown, minimal waste

Made with recycled materials and eucalyptus, the upper of this shoe has enough stretch to follow the natural contours of the foot. From the heel to the midfoot, the fit is snug and secure.

Welcomes wide feet

Measuring 99.1 mm in the widest part of its forefoot, we found that the Allbirds Tree Dasher offers plenty of toe space.

Combined with the wide and rounded toebox shape and stretchy knit fabric, our toes got all the freedom they needed. We also think that runners with wider feet will appreciate the Tree Dasher for this reason.

The heel counter is very pliable in this Allbirds shoe. We gave it a score of 2 out of 5, where 1 is the most flexible.

On the other hand, narrow-footed runners may feel tippy and insecure in this shoe because its upper is pliable and unstructured.

Don't expect a sticky traction

Although we never experienced slippery issues on dry roads, we did have trouble with wet surfaces and grass.

Promising outsole durability

From the look of it, the Tree Dasher doesn't give the impression of a durability monster. And yet, it has proved itself as a hard-wearing running shoe that lasts hundreds of miles.

The shoe features a pretty thick layer of rubber at the bottom. Measuring it at 4.3 mm, it turns out to be a millimetre thicker than average.

Another key factor that affects durability is how stiff the rubber actually is. We found it to be 2% denser than the average. This is another good sign of wear resistance.

Not the lightest out there

Having a weight of 10.6 oz (301g), the Tree Dasher is almost an ounce heavier than road running shoes on average. And it does feel bottom-heavy on the run.

Despite efforts to trim down weight (minimal outsole rubber coverage), the Allbirds Tree Dasher remains clunky, causing a dragging sensation. Perhaps it's much better off as an all-day walking shoe.

The Tree Dasher looks fine AF 

As the king of casual footwear, Allbirds has styled the Tree Dasher in a toned-down yet sophisticated look.

Do expect to receive compliments when wearing the shoe!