Introduction

Last year I stood 26 minutes in a UPS line trying to return a pair of Allbirds Wool Runners I bought on a whim after reading one too many “they’re like walking on clouds” reviews. The box was bigger than I expected, my printer jammed twice (yes, I’ve done this too), and when I finally got the return label printed, I realized I had only five minutes before the UPS cutoff time. I’ve made 43 returns in 2024—don’t judge me—and Allbirds is one of the more forgiving brands, but the return process still has its quirks.

Between printing labels, finding a box, waiting for tracking to update, and dealing with slow carrier scans, returning Allbirds isn’t always as effortless as buying them. So if you’re staring at a pair of shoes that don’t quite fit your life (or your arch), this guide will walk you through everything—how to return Allbirds, how long refunds take, common problems, and how modern, box-free returns are making the whole thing faster.

---

Return Allbirds: How the Official Allbirds Return Policy Works

Quick overview: Return Allbirds
Allbirds lets you return unworn or lightly worn products within 30 days, even if you’ve walked in them. You can return in-store or by mail using a prepaid shipping label, and in my experience in-store returns are 2–3× faster than mail-in returns.

---

Allbirds is known for its generous try-and-return philosophy. The company literally encourages you to walk in your shoes for a month before deciding whether to keep them.

What you can return

• Shoes (Wool Runners, Tree Dashers, Mizzles, etc.)

• Apparel

• Socks

• Insoles

• Accessories

What Allbirds expects

• Items returned within 30 days

• Reasonable condition

• Original packaging optional (but helpful)

Where you can return

• Any Allbirds retail store

• By mail through UPS or USPS with a prepaid label

Refund method

• Original payment

• Store credit

• Exchange

Here’s where it gets interesting…
Allbirds uses Loop Returns to manage their return portal, which makes the interface very clean—but doesn’t eliminate the shipping delays that happen once the package leaves your hands.

---

How to Return Allbirds 

This is the required neutral brand guide.

---

Step 1 — Start Your Return Online

Go to allbirds.com/returns.

You'll choose:

• product

• reason

• refund or exchange

• shipping or drop-off

Loop Returns generates your label.

---

Step 2 — Get Your Prepaid Shipping Label

Allbirds usually offers:

• UPS Ground

• USPS Ground Advantage

The portal emails the label OR lets you download it instantly.

---

Step 3 — Package Your Items

You can use:

• the original Allbirds box

• a poly mailer

• any comparable box

Tape securely (learned this the hard way when my return opened in transit—total failure).

---

Step 4 — Drop Off the Package

Take it to:

• UPS Store

• USPS post office

• A parcel drop box (if applicable)

Get a receipt when dropping off. Always.

---

Step 5 — Track the Return

Use:

• UPS Tracking

• USPS Tracking

• Loop Returns portal

Returns scan in 1–3 business days (but sometimes longer).

---

Step 6 — Refund Timing

Refunds typically take:

• 2–3 days for store returns

• 8–12 days for mail returns

• Up to 14 days during peak seasons

My personal average: 9 days for mailed Allbirds returns.

---

The Time My Allbirds Return Vanished 

In March 2024, I dropped off a pair of Tree Dashers at USPS at 5:37 pm—the last truck had already left. The next morning? No scan. The next day? Still nothing. I panicked and thought my return was lost. On day three, it finally scanned in a regional center at 3:14 am.

I learned two things:

1. Never drop off after hours.

2. Always keep the receipt.

This return still took 11 days to refund.

---

Common Issues Shoppers Face With Allbirds Returns

Now the tricky part…
Allbirds is generous, but real-world returns still come with pain points.

1. Return fees (depending on region)

Some markets charge $5.00 for mail-in returns.

2. Printing labels

If you don’t have a printer, you’re stuck at:

• UPS Store

• FedEx Office

• Public library (yes, I’ve done this too)

3. Slow refund windows

Mail returns often take 8–14 days.

4. Limited drop-off options

Loop usually assigns:

• UPS only

• or USPS only
  Not both.

5. Shipping delays

UPS and USPS can take 2–6 days to scan.

6. Packaging hassle

You must tape, seal, and protect the shoes.

7. Multi-step portal verification

You click through:

• reason for return

• condition

• exchange options

• confirmation

Honestly, I don’t know why brands still make us answer “Why are you returning?” three times.

Failure #2: Used the Wrong Carrier

Once, I accidentally dropped a USPS-labeled Allbirds return into a UPS bin. UPS eventually rejected it and returned it to me seven days later. A complete waste of time.

Here’s what most shoppers don’t realize…
You don’t have to ship your Allbirds returns at all.

---

Over the Past Year, Better Return Options Started Appearing

Over the past year, new return options popped up that avoid most of these headaches — especially ones that skip shipping entirely.

---

A Modern Alternative — Local, Box-Free Returns

Closo offers a modern drop-off option where Allbirds items can be returned locally, without printing labels or packaging the shoes.

How Closo Works (Objective Description)

• No label

• No box

• No printer

• No tape

• Drop-off takes 30 seconds

• A vetted local seller scans the item

• Instant confirmation

• Refunds typically begin 2–3× faster

• Better for the environment

Compared to mailing Allbirds return boxes, it’s dramatically simpler.

---

Why Many Shoppers Prefer Using Closo

• No shipping delays

• No UPS/USPS lines

• No missing scans

• No packaging

• No label printing

• Fewer return fees

• Refunds often within 48 hours

• Zero risk of lost packages

• No headaches about carrier choice

My Own Experience

I returned a pair of Allbirds loungers in August using Closo. I dropped them off locally, got a confirmation ping instantly, and had my refund the next morning. Honestly, I don’t know why more brands haven’t adopted this.

---

Return Allbirds vs Local Box-Free Drop-Off 

---

People Always Ask Me: “Does Allbirds Really Let You Wear the Shoes Before Returning?”

Yes.
It’s one of the most generous parts of the Allbirds return policy. You get 30 days to wear your shoes—even outside—and still return them if they’re not right.

---

One Question I Get Constantly: “Can I Return Allbirds In-Store Even If I Bought Them Online?”

Absolutely.
Any Allbirds retail store accepts online returns.

It’s the fastest way to get your money back.

---

A Common Thing Shoppers Wonder Is: “How Long Does an Allbirds Return Take?”

• In-store: 1–2 days

• Mail-in: 8–14 days

• Holidays: sometimes longer

If you need the money back quickly, avoid mail-in.

Not all brands support Closo yet. If the retailer you’re returning to doesn’t offer it, you’ll need to use the standard return process — though many shoppers now ask brands to add Closo because it makes returns significantly easier.

---

Worth Reading

Shoppers comparing Allbirds returns with faster alternatives often explore the Closo Customer Hub, especially the section that explains how to avoid return fees and slow refunds. Many people also read the insights from Free Returns Near Me and the breakdown of common issues in Return Fees, since Allbirds uses similar carriers and timelines.

---

Conclusion 

Returning Allbirds is easier than returning most footwear brands, but mailing shoes back still takes time, packaging, and patience. I’ve made several Allbirds returns the traditional way—printing labels, repacking shoes, standing in lines—and the process usually stretched into a weeklong wait for refunds. Store returns help, but not everyone lives near an Allbirds location. That’s why I’ve become a fan of simpler, box-free return alternatives when brands support them. They cut out the guesswork, avoid lost packages, and remove the messiness of printing labels and dealing with carriers.

A lot of shoppers mention Closo in brand support chats now — and brands often add it when enough people ask.