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I wore this under-the-radar sneaker on a flight and now I’ll never look back
I’ll be honest: if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be raving about a wool trainer, I’d probably have laughed at your face.
I’ve been a sneaker guy for over 15 years now. I’ve queued for Nike collabs in the rain, chased down Adidas drops on release day, and spent more than I care to admit on kicks that never quite lived up to the hype. My collection’s somewhere north of 200 pairs – everything from holy grail Air Jordans to Salomons you can’t find anywhere anymore.
But lately, when it comes to travelling, I’ve realised hype doesn’t always equal comfort. Sometimes you just want something easy, understated, and light enough to survive a long-haul without cutting off circulation. Enter the Allbirds Wool Cruiser.
Sure, it may look nice and clean, but the Wool Cruiser is probably the most left-field pair I’ve picked up in a very long time. On paper, it’s not my usual lane. No celeb co-sign, no visible Air bubble, no crazy resale value. But from the minute I slipped them on, I just… got it. They’re simple, soft, and outrageously comfy – like the footwear equivalent of business class, just without the business class price tag.
The silhouette takes its shape from a classic court sneaker, but swaps out the usual leather build for a 100 per cent recycled Italian felted wool upper. It’s made from old knitwear that’s been shredded, cleaned, and re-spun into new material, which, if you ask me, is pretty sick. The texture feels premium, the build feels solid, and they’re surprisingly durable. Think less “slipper,” more “every day trainer with a conscience.”
Adam Cheung
Adam Cheung
Comfort-wise, Allbirds has absolutely nailed it. The inside’s lined with a wool-blend collar and tongue, while underfoot sits their new Featherbed dual-density insole, which is basically an extremely plush memory foam. I wore mine on a flight recently and genuinely forgot I was wearing shoes. The cushioning hits that sweet spot between squishy and supportive, and the weight (or lack of it) makes them perfect for sprinting between gates.
In terms of aesthetics, they’re immaculate. Minimal branding, neat midsole texture, and just enough detail to keep them interesting. As part of the release, Allbirds also worked with the Pantone Colour Institute on 14 different shades, from the punchy ‘Vibrant Blossom’ pink to a more muted ‘Granite Grey,’ so there’s something for both the maximalist and the minimalist. I went for the classic ‘Natural Black’ – because that’s my favourite colour and it goes with literally everything I own. Whether I’m wearing Ralph Lauren tailoring or an oversized Balenciaga hoodie, they fit right in.
