Our verdict
The Allbirds and the Lems are too close to call — we rated both 9.5/10. There's no clear winner here, so it comes down to what you want it for. We break that down below.
Allbirds
Lems
Side by side
| Attribute | Allbirds | Lems |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Best for | If you had to pick one shoe brand for the rest of your life, Allbirds is our answer. | The rare minimalist boot that looks like a normal boot, with excellent comfort—divisive design and wide toe box need adjustment. |
| Standouts |
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| Watch-outs |
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Which one is right for you?
Choose the Allbirds if…
If you had to pick one shoe brand for the rest of your life, Allbirds is our answer.
- The Wool Runner is an absolute 10/10 for comfort and casual wear. Everything else they've made is always a little bit of a trade-off from that.
- They offered incredible comfort, especially for someone like me who struggles with plantar fasciitis.
Choose the Lems if…
The rare minimalist boot that looks like a normal boot, with excellent comfort—divisive design and wide toe box need adjustment.
- Actually looks like a normal boot, not minimalist footwear
- Extremely lightweight at 9 oz
Why we rate them this way
Allbirds — 9.5/10
If you had to pick one shoe brand for the rest of your life, Allbirds is our answer.
What we liked: The Wool Runner is an absolute 10/10 for comfort and casual wear. Everything else they've made is always a little bit of a trade-off from that., They offered incredible comfort, especially for someone like me who struggles with plantar fasciitis., I've worn the new Wool Runners NZs for 3 months and they're the best shoes yet. I wear them everywhere., I was shocked when I got them, expecting them to be garbage. The sole has less forefoot cushioning but they feel like similar shoes to the NZs..
Worth knowing: This is why I will NEVER buy shoes that use naked foam cushioning as a sole. You really can't complain about short lifespan..
Lems — 9.5/10
The rare minimalist boot that looks like a normal boot, with excellent comfort—divisive design and wide toe box need adjustment.
What we liked: Actually looks like a normal boot, not minimalist footwear, Extremely lightweight at 9 oz, Excellent comfort (9.5/10 rated), Flexible yet stable design, Zero-drop with wide toe box at great price point.
Worth knowing: Wide toe box takes a few wears to normalize, Divisive, unconventional aesthetics, Lighter outsole reduces traction for serious hiking, Base model is not waterproof.
Common questions
Is the Allbirds or the Lems better?
We rated both 9.5/10 — it's a genuine toss-up. Allbirds: If you had to pick one shoe brand for the rest of your life, Allbirds is our answer. Lems: The rare minimalist boot that looks like a normal boot, with excellent comfort—divisive design and wide toe box need adjustment.
What's the difference between the Allbirds and the Lems?
Short version — Allbirds: If you had to pick one shoe brand for the rest of your life, Allbirds is our answer. Lems: The rare minimalist boot that looks like a normal boot, with excellent comfort—divisive design and wide toe box need adjustment.