I Tried Allbirds' Weather-resistant Sneakers and I'll Be Wearing Them All Winter
Finding the right sneaker to wear during the colder months is always a struggle. If you've ever gotten caught in the rain or snow while wearing your favorite tennis shoes, the idea of a weather-resistant sneaker might seem too good to be true. But I tried the new Mizzle collection from the sustainable shoe brand Allbirds and was pleasantly surprised at how well they held up to the elements.
To buy: (women) allbirds.com, $135; (men) allbirds.com, $135
Related: These $25 Rain Boots Are So Cute and Comfy, You'll Want to Wear Them With Everything
The Mizzle comes in the traditional Allbirds Runner for men and women (which are almost entirely sold out), as well as a new style, the Runner-up, which is a high-top version of the brand’s signature shoe. The name of the collection comes from a combination of the words "misty" and "drizzle," which is exactly the type of weather these shoes were built for.
On a recent trip to upstate New York with Allbirds, I put the Mizzle Runner-ups to the test by wearing them during a variety of outdoor activities — from nature walks to bike rides to wild food foraging — where we ran into all kinds of weather, including mist, sun, and even a total downpour. I wore the Mizzles through it all, and boy, did they hold up. That said, I don’t anticipate that these sneakers will take the place of my rain boots when the weather gets really rough. However, I was impressed with the shoe’s ability to keep my feet dry and comfortable in mildly wet weather, which is more than I can say for nearly every other sneaker I've worn.
The upper portion of the shoe looks like the classic Allbirds Runner — it's made from superfine merino wool, making it cozy yet breathable. It features the brand's own Puddle Guard technology, which includes a bio-based shield treatment that repels water. In addition to keeping your feet dry, the coating is also good for the environment, since it's flourine-free.
To buy: (women) allbirds.com, $135; (men) allbirds.com, $135
The treads on the Mizzle are also deeper than those on the regular Runner, so they provide better durability and traction on slippery surfaces, which is part of what makes them such a great winter sneaker. If I’m running errands or taking a walk around the neighborhood, I typically want more mobility than a boot can provide, but I also want to wear something that can stand up to the elements, whether that’s a light drizzle or a little snow and ice on the ground.
To buy: (women) allbirds.com, $135; (men) allbirds.com, $135
The Runner-ups will be my go-to sneaker this winter, given their weather-resistant technology and extra coverage around the ankles, and I couldn't be happier knowing that rain-soaked feet will likely be a thing of the past.
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