Young kids, even more than adults, need a comfortable shoe that facilitates natural movement. This is because their feet are still growing and developing. To the delight of parents, Allbirds, a company that makes some of the most comfortable shoes on the planet for adults, has brought back its children’s line: Smallbirds.
Allbirds is a company that was created when Tim Brown, a native of New Zealand, teamed up with Joey Zwillinger, an engineer and renewables expert, to craft a wool fabric that could be used for manufacturing shoes. Over the years, the company has sought new ways to create footwear by taking a closer look at natural materials, such as tree fiber, sugarcane and castor bean oil. Allbirds also utilizes recycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon in its manufacturing process. In 2019, the company became carbon neutral, and, currently, Allbirds has an aggressive goal to cut its carbon footprint in half by 2025.
Allbirds is a consumer favorite because, along with all of its planet-saving practices, it has managed to produce some of the most comfortable shoes in the marketplace.
Smallbirds is Allbirds' cleverly named line of shoes for kids. They are made with the same natural materials as the company’s adult shoes, but boast an even smaller carbon footprint. The shoes have a subtle, understated style, and they are gender neutral. Because kids get dirty, these shoes are machine-washable as well.
Smallbirds are available for kids from 12 months to 8 years old.
Children’s shoe sizes can be confusing because they start over at size 1 after size 13, which is roughly at age 6. In other words, if you buy a size 5 shoe, it could be for a 12-month-old or a 10-year-old. To help make things a little easier, Smallbirds labels its shoes as either T or Y — think toddler or youth. Here is a quick listing so you can get a general idea of how children’s shoe sizes work.
Smallbirds are machine-washable shoes. But that doesn’t mean you can just toss them in the washing machine and forget about them. According to the company, here is the best way to wash your child’s shoes:
Smallbirds Wool Runners Natural Black with Blizzard Sole
The Wool Runners line is made with premium ZQ Merino wool. It is one of the company’s most popular styles. This classic design features a black upper with a white sole.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Runners Wowza Blue with Buoyant Mint Sole
This limited-edition version of the popular style features a speckled blue upper with an eye-catching mint sole. The eyelets are brightly colored for added flair.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Runners Natural White with Natural White Sole
This classic take is an adorable white on white. The colored eyelets and elastic laces add a fun splash of excitement.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Runners Light Grey with Light Grey Sole
This second Wool Runners limited edition offering is a sophisticated gray-on-gray. The only color on these shoes is on the four eyelets, which is enough to add an understated sense of whimsy.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Loungers Natural Black with Blizzard Sole
The Wool Loungers line is designed for easy on and off. There are no elastic laces on this style. The first offering has a black upper with a white sole.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Loungers Wowza Blue with Buoyant Pink Sole
This limited-edition design is the most fun. It pairs a speckled blue upper with a bright pink sole to create an adorable look.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Loungers Natural White with Natural White Sole
The only color on this white-on-white offering is the vibrant blue trim running around the topline of the collar.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
Smallbirds Wool Loungers Light Grey with Blizzard Sole
This last offering in the Wool Lounger style is another limited-edition design. It features a gray upper with a white sole. The splash of purple gives the shoes just the right amount of color.
Sold by Smallbirds Little Kids and Smallbirds Big Kids
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
