Everlane just dropped its first sneaker for $98 - it's carbon neutral, unisex, and incredibly comfortable. Here's what they're like to wear

As someone who lives a 20-minute power walk away from the nearest subway entrance, I prioritize comfort in my shoes. They need to look good, but I won't make excuses for a cute pair that covers me in blisters.

My first impression of The Trainer was its comfort. I pulled them on and walked 40 blocks comfortably on cushiony soles with zero break-in time. The chunky shape comes off compact (my size 9 feet looked unexpectedly small) and contained rather than costumey. In terms of style and performance, I'd wear them everywhere from errands to airports and dressed up with blazers at our casual office (thank you, leather) or with sundresses on the weekend.

I got my typical size 9 and found them to be true-to-size. As the leather breaks in, hopefully, fit and comfort will only improve. If you think you'd wear them enough to justify spending $98, you should be happy with looks, style, and comfort. Plus, supporting sustainable innovation certainly doesn't hurt. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

Normcore is in right now. Or that's what I hear (and see). These sneakers...well, they're definitely normcore.

With style writers in an endless existential debate over the meaning of Allbirds for the world of fashion, the hype surrounding Everlane's Tread must surely sound like a death knell. But even as someone who hasn't quite fully embraced the dad-chic aesthetic (though full disclosure, I'm an unabashed fan of Allbirds), I found that the Tread sneakers were an easy fit in my footwear rotation.

They're simple and chunky, but they actually looked great — if I do say so myself — with a pair of slim tapered jeans. I had the black pair with white soles, for what it's worth, and liked the contrast offered by the soles. Anyone who's seen the rebirth of those plain white chunky Reeboks and Adidas sneakers will find that these fit right in, with a slightly more contemporary profile.

They were also quite comfortable, and seem to run true-to-size, if not a tad snug, so if you're usually between sizes I might suggest going up. I have medium-to-high arches, and found that I could stand for at least an hour without any discomfort. The soles are thick enough that peddling a bike was easy, and, although I've only had them for a few days, they seem like they'll hold up as well as any comparable, less sustainably produced shoe.

At $98, they're a bit pricey for a plain shoe, but considering their comfort and minimal environmental impact, I'd recommend these. — David Slotnick, Insider Picks senior reporter

Sneakers, especially of the athleisure sort, can get a bad rap — they're not formal enough, they're not functional enough, they're unnecessarily flashy. Yet, a sneaker is one of the most enduring styles, and understandably so.

Everlane seemed to be a member of the anti-sneaker camp for a while, until they launched Tread — and my feet are pretty glad they did. From the outside, the Tread sneakers look similar to most of what's on the market right now — think simple, unisex, monochromatic (barring a black and white pair), chunky enough to be considered part of the "dad sneaker" trend. On the inside, they're pretty comfortable. I found the footbed particularly cushy, and the chunky sole — whether you think it's trendy or not — makes walking long distances a lot more pleasant. The sneakers, with their stylish combination of leather and suede, fit right in with my simple uniform of ripped jeans and a white T-shirt.

The coolest part about these shoes, in my opinion, is their minimal environmental impact, which Everlane is still working to improve. While the style and comfort hold their own, I think their sustainability is what sets these sneakers apart and makes them well-worth the $98. — Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter