Allbirds Golf Dashers – Look Good, Play Good

Devan Dowd

Although warmer months may be coming to a close, it’s never to early to get ready for golf-season! So if you are looking for a new pair of Golf Shoes – look no further than the Allbirds Golf Dashers!

 

Golf has been a big part of my husband’s outside-of-work life, so when the world shut down during COVID, he (reluctantly) brought me into his golf circle! And I will say – I now have a bit more respect for my golfing buddies (although I still don’t understand the obsession with watching tournaments on TV….)! As I continue to improve my game, one thing I no longer have to worry about is if I will have a sturdy grip on the ground, and can focus more on which hand-me-down club I will use.

The Women’s Golf Dashers, in Natural White & Blizzard Sole, are the perfect combo of functionality and style! I typically wear a Women’s 8.5, and unlike most of the alternative Allbirds styles that come in whole sizes, this one was true to size and perfect at 8.5. There is wiggle room in the toes, a wide toe box, and a sole that feels like you are walking on clouds vs. walking on spikes. Best for 18 holes without a cart, the driving range or even the 19th hole refreshments post round, the weather-ready ZQ Merino Wool & recycled polyester ripstop and bio-based TPU mudguard with FSC-Certified natural rubber outsole, they will help you take on any terrain (which is clutch for me since my drives may not always stay straight, especially if a sandpit is in the way). And then if you wanted to learn a little bit more about the carbon footprint, one pair of Golf Dashers has a carbon footprint of 6.88 CO2e. (Click here to learn more about the carbon footprint labeling & Allbirds’ commitments to reducing their impact on the Earth). 

 

And not only is their design crazy comfortable, super cute, and performs on the course, the mission behind Allbirds is one I want to shout about at the same volume as I shout “Foooouuurrr!” 

Allbirds have Mother Nature in mind. Created in New Zealand, where sheep outpopulate humans 5:1, the founders began to wonder why such a remarkable, sustainable resource was virtually absent in the footwear industry. And with that spirit of wonder, the Allbirds journey began as a revolutionary wool fabric inspired by natural materials paved its way into the footwear industry, powered by an ongoing mantra to create better things in a better way.

 

Fun fact – your Allbirds are made out of Wool, Tree, Trino ® and Sugar. You read that right – Sugar! I don’t know about you but these are not materials I have heard in the ingredients for the shoes that cover our feet. But there is a bigger game at play with using these resources. 

 

Through Allbirds Flight Plan, which started in 2021, they plan to cut their carbon footprint in half by the end of 2025, then reducing it to the near zero by 2030. Only two years in, they are more than halfway to their goals, and will stop at nothing to get to nothing (as in no carbon footprint)!

 

Allbirds plans to reverse climate change through better business, and by showing others hopping on the sustainability bandwagon should not take 30 years to get to carbon neutral, but could happen today. Through Measuring, Reducing and Offsetting, Allbirds is trying to do its part (and then some) to save our planet that allows us to adventure & witness the wonders of the world. I would highly recommend checking out more of their initiatives (linked here) if you are passionate about the story that brings your clothes & gear to life.

 

With the mission-driven mindset top of mind, let’s get back to the review. Here were some things that stuck out most to me about the Allbirds Women’s Golf Dashers:

 

1. 1. A Grip That’s Let You Rip – Thanks to grippy, multi-directional lugs lining the sole of these shoes, you can feel confident in your footing as you hit your iron, driver or putter, with full swing stability built into the shoe. Even though the Natural White coloring may keep you hesitant to bring these babies out if drizzles are in the forecast, a weather-ready ripstop & bio-based mudguard help you take on any terrain (even if that means you have to trudge through the bunker or sand traps). 

• Sweet on the Planet – As mentioned above, the Golf Dashers are designed to limit the impact our rounds have on the planet and greens we love so much. I was really impressed with the materials designed to come together to deliver durability without sacrificing love and support for the planet. With a ZQ Merino Wool & recycled polyester ripstop, Bio-based TPU mudguard, SweetFoam ® midsole made with sugarcane-based green EVA, and Castor bean oil-based insole foam, I am impressed at how these stood up to the elements.

1. Fun & Flirty Design – Not only do these Golf Dashers keep you in place on the greens, their fun, chic, and stylish design keep you looking stylish all the way through 18 Holes, post-round drinks & celebratory bites to eat. Allbirds is helping you have one less pair of shoes to throw in your golf bag, as these Golf Dashers keep you going on & off the course! 

 

In short, the All Birds Women’s Golf Dashers have my approval and will be part of my golf uniform moving forward. And maybe if the saying “Look Good, Play Good” has any source of truth to it, my handicap may be going down quite drastically in the next few rounds! Happy adventuring & enjoy your Golfing AOTDs! 

Devan Dowd

Growing up in Massachusetts, Devan has been an athlete all her life. Starting at the age of 4 as a competitive gymnast, she learned quickly the joy that comes from hard work, determination, and a jammed packed schedule. Eventually, gymnastics led to competitive lacrosse, which resulted in her growing some wings and heading to the PNW to pursue a DI College Lacrosse opportunity at the University of Oregon.

 

On the single off-day each week, she quickly learned to see Mother Earth as her playground and wanted to use every second of free time to find chase AOTDs (Adventures of the Days). These AOTDs were the inspiration for her blog Dabbling in Traveling & youtube channel. 

 

From waterfalls, to snow covered mountains, to sand dune hikes – one thing was certain, something always went awry on these AOTDs. But hey, memories were always made! Not only was UO an incredible college experience, Oregon sparked her love for the outdoors & traveling across the country for games helped introduce her to Colorado in 2014. Staring up at the Flatirons on CU Boulder’s campus, she knew one day she would call Colorado home! 

 

After returning to the east coast upon graduation, Devan’s heart never stopped longing to live in Colorado one day. But luckily the pandemic brought a newfound acceptance for remote work and in Nov. 2021 her dream came true!

 

By day, Devan is a Product Manager at Capital One. By afternoon, she is a personal trainer, coaching group Crossfit classes at Axistence Athletics (the best Adventure gym you will ever find!). By evening, she pours her heart into nonprofit work, specifically focused on driving sustainable change in Haiti through the Brace for Impact 46 organization (Fun fact – she has been traveling to Haiti since 2015, accumulating 7 trips and 7 months of living down there!). 

 

Brace for Impact works in Northern Haiti to provide sustainable, multifaceted approaches to support child development, education, medical care, job development, and implementation of clean water & sanitation across the community, which touches 40,000 people each day! (Want to learn more? Check out their website www.braceforimpact46.com )

 

As her friends would tell you (despite trying), Devan does not slow down and is always trying to fit AOTDs into each open moment. Whether it be hiking, paddleboarding, road-biking, running, Crossfitting, weight-lifting, snowboarding or simply exploring different parts of CO with her favorite furry friend Bailey & her husband Jeremy, it’s safe to say Devan has found her “Home” here in Colorado!

 

Fun fact – Devan had reconstructive hip surgery in 2016 (actually called a Periacetabular Osteotomy… but that’s a tongue twister). After a 22 month recovery period, she proved doctors wrong, returned to play her senior of lacrosse continues to use this experience as motivation to encourage everyone she interacts with to truly treat movement as a gift and to never take it for granted. With that being said, to keep her body active, she needs to make sure her gear can support her so she can remain #PAOStrong!

 

Devan is excited to join the Engearment team!