Allbirds Men's Wool Dasher Mizzle Review: Water-Repellent Comfort

I’ve been a fan of Allbirds for years. I got my first pair in 2018, so when I saw their Wool Dasher Mizzle sneakers, I knew I had to try them. What caught my eye was the combination of merino wool + water-repellent protection. I already have Mizzles, in a different style, so wanted to give these a shot!

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I went with the Natural Black colorway with Natural Black Sole because I wanted something minimal and classic that would work with most of my travel wardrobe. Here’s what stood out during my first impressions of these sneakers.

The Score View detailed breakdown

4.19 / 5

The Allbirds Men's Wool Dasher Mizzle sneakers combine merino wool comfort with water-repellent protection and athletic-inspired design for versatile travel use, though they fit snugger than other Allbirds styles and are best for cooler weather.

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The Allbirds Look with Modern Touches

The first thing I noticed when I unboxed these was the ankle design. It’s pretty unique. It’s more like a collar, almost like a shirt collar for your feet.

It gives them a snugger fit around your ankles. If you have really tiny ankles, I can see this being an issue for you. Or like, they might fit a bit more snug around your ankles than other shoes.

The squared-off back of the sole caught my eye too. It’s a nice modern touch that sets these apart from my other Allbirds shoes. The design feels contemporary without being overly trendy.

True-to-Size Fit with Some Considerations

One thing I generally appreciate about Allbirds is their consistent sizing. I always get a Men’s 10. It’s worked for virtually every pair that I’ve had.

However, these fit a little snug compared to my other Allbirds shoes. They fit, don’t get me wrong. I think because they’re a different style than some of my other pairs, there’s additional consideration to factor in.

The merino wool interior provides that cozy feel I’ve come to expect, but I might actually size up a half size next time to make room for warmer socks during colder weather activities. That’s something that I forget, is during the winter, I usually wear thicker wool socks. The thicker socks come out especially during cold and wet days.

I think something that might contribute to the overall fit is the collar-style ankle. They are stretchy but not as adjustable as my other Allbirds and other shoes with a typical tongue-style design.

Water-Repellent Protection for Travel

The main reason I gravitate toward the Allbirds Mizzles line is the water-repellent treatment. Make sure you read this clearly: they are NOT waterproof. I would not step in a puddle with the Mizzles and expect dry feet.

While these aren’t fully waterproof, they’re perfect for those slightly damp travel days when you want to keep your feet mostly dry without wearing bulky rain boots. The water-repellent factor is good for being “near water” or being “water adjacent” during my trips.

Sometimes I go to humid destinations, or places where a daily rainfall is the norm. In that case, I won’t be taking rainboots along, but having water-repellent sneakers is the answer.

Athletic-Inspired Sole Design

The sole is where these really differentiate themselves from my other Allbirds shoes. It’s textured and grippy with an athletic-style toe and heel that provides better traction than my more casual Allbirds options.

They feel bouncier than my Runner-Up Mizzles, which are high-top sneakers designed for low-impact activities. The Wool Dasher Mizzles are clearly built for more active use, making them versatile for both city walking and light athletic activities.

Material Construction and Care

The materials feel premium and align with Allbirds’ sustainability focus. If you have Allbirds, they feel like Allbirds. If you don’t, they generally feel well constructed and the materials they use feel substantial and not cheap.

For care, Allbirds recommends spot cleaning with warm water and gentle soap to preserve the water-repellent treatment. If they need a deep clean, you can remove the insoles and machine wash, but only on a limited basis to maintain the protective coating.

First Impressions Verdict

These Mizzles sneakers are Allbirds, and if you’re reading this review, it’s probably because you like having shoes from Allbirds.

At least for me, I have several pairs of Allbirds shoes, and they have no issues fitting in with the rest of them. I wore them out during a colder day (not wet) when I was doing a lot of walking. My feet actually got pretty toasty, so I feel confident that wearing these during cold winter days would be nice. I consider the “wooly” Mizzles line to be my winter sneakers, and I tend to opt for mesh or more breathable sneakers in summer.

I already know that the material they use for the Mizzles line does well during days when it has light rain, like drizzle or light puddle splashing. These are no different.

If you’re looking for comfortable, water-repellent sneakers that can handle both city exploration and light athletic activities, the Wool Dasher Mizzles are worth considering. Already, I’ve worked them into my cool dad sneaker rotation and they are here to stay.

Next Steps to Find Out More

Shop the shoes: Allbirds Wool Dasher Mizzle Sneakers

Better yet, get 15% off your Mizzles using the code HALFHALFTRAVEL15 at checkout, at the Allbirds website.

Detailed score breakdown

4.19 / 5

The Allbirds Men's Wool Dasher Mizzle sneakers combine merino wool comfort with water-repellent protection and athletic-inspired design for versatile travel use, though they fit snugger than other Allbirds styles and are best for cooler weather.

All-day comfort

86%

Comfortable for daily wear with cozy merino wool interior. My feet got pretty toasty during colder days, which makes these great for winter wear. The collar-style ankle provides a snugger fit that might feel restrictive for some, but the merino wool feels good against the skin.

Support & stability

80%

Better support than casual Allbirds options thanks to the athletic-inspired sole design. The textured and grippy sole provides more structure than my Runner-Up Mizzles. Built for more active use, which shows in the support level.

Fit & sizing consistency

78%

True to size for Allbirds standards, but these fit a little snug compared to my other Allbirds shoes. The collar-style ankle design is less adjustable than typical tongue-style shoes. I might size up a half size next time to make room for thicker winter socks.

Breathability & moisture control

76%

The merino wool provides good breathability, but these are clearly designed for cooler weather. My feet got toasty during walking, which confirms these are winter sneakers. Not ideal for hot or humid climates, but that's expected with the wool construction.

Water resistance performance

90%

Excellent water-repellent protection for travel. They are NOT waterproof, but perfect for slightly damp travel days and light rain. The water-repellent treatment handles drizzle and light puddle splashing well. Good for humid destinations where daily rainfall is the norm.

Traction on different surfaces

88%

The textured and grippy sole provides better traction than my more casual Allbirds options. The athletic-style toe and heel design gives confidence on wet pavement. Clearly built for more active use than standard Allbirds.

Weight & balance on foot

84%

Lightweight and well-balanced for daily wear. The merino wool construction keeps them feeling light even with the water-repellent treatment. They feel bouncier than my Runner-Up Mizzles, which adds to the athletic feel.

Dry-time speed

80%

The merino wool upper should dry relatively quickly after getting wet. Allbirds recommends spot cleaning to preserve the water-repellent treatment, and they're machine washable on a limited basis. The natural materials help with quick drying.

Packability in luggage

86%

Good for travel - lightweight and versatile enough to work with multiple outfits. The Natural Black colorway works with most of my travel wardrobe. Easy to pack and maintain on trips.

Durability over time

84%

Materials feel premium and align with Allbirds' sustainability focus. The construction feels substantial and not cheap. The water-repellent treatment should hold up with proper care, though machine washing should be limited to maintain the protective coating.

Insole quality & replaceability

76%

The insoles are removable, which is good for custom orthotics if needed. The merino wool interior provides comfort, but the insole quality is typical for Allbirds. Comfortable but not exceptional in terms of support.

Style & outfit versatility

88%

The athletic-inspired design with squared-off back sole gives them a modern touch that sets them apart from other Allbirds. The Natural Black colorway is minimal and classic. Works well for both city exploration and light athletic activities.

Overall value for price

82%

Good value considering the comfort, water resistance and versatility. The combination of merino wool and water-repellent protection justifies the price for travelers. The ability to handle both city walking and light athletic activities adds value.

How we score gear

To check out another sneaker I have from the Allbirds Mizzle line, head to my Allbirds Wool Runner-up Mizzles review to see a similar Allbirds athletic sneaker and how I wear it.

Comparison with similar products

Here's how this product compares to similar options. Use this table to find the best of the bunch!