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Zoe Vanderweide is a writer focused on style and accessories. She has personally tested nearly 300 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more. Shoes Making Machines
Nothing soothes cold feet like a cozy pair of slippers. The best ones offer comfortable support and lasting value while warming your body from the ground up. We spent 120 hours researching slippers for this guide before testing 39 men’s and women’s styles.
After years of continual wear and feedback, we still love our three longtime picks: a pair of toasty sheepskin shearling moccasins that are tough enough to venture outside in, handsome and durable felted-wool slippers that don’t make your feet overheat, and fleece-lined vegan scuffs that are a bargain at less than $50.
Our picks are made from warm, breathable materials like wool and shearling, which kept our feet cozy without overheating them.
We looked for slippers that provide good arch support, just as a comfortable shoe would.
Good slippers should last from five to eight years. We took the finalists to the Fashion Institute of Technology’s textile-testing lab in NYC to assess their strength and durability.
We focused on styles in the $50 to $150 range; when it comes to slippers, we found that you really do get what you pay for.
These soft, warm, and durable moccasins are fluffier and more breathable than other sheepskin shearling slippers we’ve tried. But if your feet tend to get sweaty, you may find them too insulating.
These soft, warm, and durable moccasins are fluffier and more breathable than other sheepskin shearling slippers we’ve tried. But if your feet tend to get sweaty, you may find them too insulating.
L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins (in women’s and men’s sizes) are like a cozy winter-cabin getaway for your feet. They’re the fluffiest and most breathable of all the sheepskin shearling styles we’ve tried, and they have supportive rubber soles that hold up to outdoor use. With their combination of warmth, comfort, and durability, it’s no wonder these slippers have been a pick since 2016.
They’re available in numerous colors (10 women’s, six men’s) and two widths (the wider of which is only available in brown). The women’s version is embellished with a thick, shearling collar; the men’s is not, so it looks a bit more understated.
They’re decadently fluffy. The Wicked Good Moccasins are some of the coziest and most comfortable slippers we’ve ever worn. One tester described their soft, plush shearling lining as “a warm hug.” Unlike similar sheepskin moccasins we tried, they fit well and stayed fluffy throughout our weeks of testing and well beyond—after a year, the shearling on my own pair is still lofty and plush, if a bit matted right underfoot. By contrast, the Minnetonka Pile Lined Hardsole moccasins lost their fluffiness in less than two weeks, and the shearling in the Ugg Dakota moccasins was so thick that our feet barely fit inside them.
They’re warm but not stifling. These moccasins were the least sweat-inducing of the shearling styles we tried—one staffer told us she wears hers “every single day of the year, even in the summer, when it’s a million degrees out.” (If your feet tend to get swampy, however, you may prefer our Glerups Slip-Ons pick, which are made from more-breathable felted wool.)
Because of how they’re cut, the Wicked Good Moccasins do leave a sliver of skin at the top of the foot exposed, which you may or may not appreciate. For full foot coverage, consider L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Boot Moc style (women’s, men’s)—it’s essentially the same slipper, except ankle height. If you’re after a different type of foot coverage—or just a different aesthetic—the Wicked Good Moccasins come in a number of other silhouettes as well, including clogs, scuffs, and ankle boots.
They have a supportive rubber sole. Of our picks, the Wicked Good Moccasins offer the most comfortable support, with cradling memory-foam insoles. And their grippy, waterproof rubber outsoles provide traction and stability, so you can wear these slippers for a walk to the mailbox or around the block.
Like most rubber sole slippers, these moccasins can be a bit noisy on hardwood floors. If you want a quieter (albeit less rugged) pair, the Wicked Good slippers come in a suede-bottom bootie style (men’s, women’s); or, the Glerups slippers are available with a soft leather outsole.
They’re built to last. The Wicked Good Moccasins have durable stitching, strong suede-shearling uppers, and thick rubber soles. At about $90, they’re not cheap, but we know from experience that they’ll hold up to heavy use—one Wirecutter staffer says that their slippers are still going strong after five years. My own pair has survived the ultimate stress test—trial by dog—without falling apart (though the laces are, sadly, a thing of the past).
L.L.Bean backs its slippers with a one-year satisfaction guarantee. If your moccasins get dirty or stained, you can spot-clean them with a wet cloth and a mild detergent.
If your feet tend to overheat in slippers, these minimalist felted-wool slip-ons are ideal: They’re warm but breathable, so you won’t get sweaty. They’re pricey, but they’re so stylish, durable, and comfy that they’re worth the investment.
If your feet tend to overheat in slippers, these minimalist felted-wool boots are ideal: They’re warm but breathable, so you won’t get sweaty. They’re pricey, but they’re so stylish, durable, and comfy that they’re worth the investment.
The Glerups Slip-On With Leather Sole is the most durable, breathable, and supportive pair of wool slippers we’ve ever tested—with the most attractive, well-proportioned look. Their offbeat, endearing (dare we say almost human-like?) personality inspires the sort of loyalty and devotion that’s uncommon for such a humble accessory; Glerups have a lot of fans among Wirecutter staffers, including senior style editor Jennifer Hunter, who has sung their praises. For year-round wear, we recommend the Slip-Ons style; the ankle-height Boot pair is our winter-weather favorite.
Glerups slippers come in about a dozen colors, with either a soft leather sole or—for around $35 more—a natural rubber sole (slip-ons, boots).
They come in a few unisex styles. Which Glerups silhouette suits your lifestyle best? The ankle-height boots are the warmest; they have generous, flexible side slits that make taking them on and off a cinch and were the favorite among our testers. The more streamlined open-heel slippers earned raves as well—they’re even easier to slip on and off, and we prefer them for warmer climates. Glerups also makes a so-called shoe style, which actually looks more like a shorter bootie. Some of our testers found them a little harder to slide into, but they still have plenty of fans: One Wirecutter deputy editor said, “I’ve had them for two years and I love them. I need a back heel or I feel naked and empty.”
All three versions come with a soft leather sole, or—for about $35 extra—you can get them with a natural rubber sole instead, which adds traction and stability. If you plan to wear your slippers outside, it’s a worthy upgrade.
They’re warm yet breathable. If other slippers make you sweat, our picks from Glerups could be the answer. Their 100% felted wool material is naturally moisture wicking, temperature regulating, and odor resistant—so they keep your feet perfectly toasty without overheating or getting stinky. They’re so breathable, we keep them in rotation practically year-round.
They have a distinct charm. These scandi-minimalist slippers—based on an original handmade design created in 1970 by Nancy Glerup, a mother in Denmark—positively exude the Danish concept of hygge, the cozy contentment that comes from, say, slipping your feet into warm, woolen cocoons. If you have a no-shoes rule at home, Glerups slippers are subtle—and dare we say chic?—enough to wear all day, every day without screaming “house slippers.” (Supervising editor Ingela Ratledge Amundson shamelessly hosts dinner parties in hers, and at least one guest usually ends up buying a pair for themselves before the night is over.)
They get better with age. Glerups slippers do have a break-in period. It’s nothing painful or even unpleasant, but some testers mentioned that the slippers felt a bit stiff out of the box and that they could be a tad itchy. (If you have sensitive skin, you might want to wear them with socks at first.) In our experience, after a few weeks, the felt uppers softened and the gently contoured insoles molded nicely to our feet for a comfortable, supportive fit.
Once these slippers are broken in, you won’t want to take them off. “After two years, I still wear my Glerups every day, travel with them, and even bring them over to people’s houses when I’m visiting,” raved one Wirecutter staffer.
They’re seriously durable. These are, hands-down, the toughest woolen slippers that we’ve found. The fabric is remarkably strong: We brought a sample to Fashion Institute of Technology’s textile lab in New York City, and it withstood the tensile tester’s maximum 300 pounds of force—even temporarily halting the device—without breaking. What’s more, Glerups slippers are constructed from a single piece of felt, with a sewn-on outsole and a felted-in wool insole—so they have fewer potential points of wear than on any other slippers we considered. One senior editor has had her slippers for four years (and counting) and says that every stitch remains intact.
After a few weeks of wear, you might notice some shedding on the Glerups slippers—small, pill-like bundles of wool may gather, particularly around friction points, like the heel. That’s normal, and it won’t happen for long; simply pull off the loose wool and discard it.
Wool naturally repels dirt, but you can keep your Glerups looking their best by vacuuming them periodically. If your slippers do get stained, you can spot-clean them with a wet cloth and wool soap.
Glerups slippers come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty (PDF), which covers defects. If you buy them through L.L.Bean, they’ll also fall under L.L.Bean’s satisfaction guarantee.
These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced options. They’re not made with animal products, but synthetic fleece is less breathable than wool, so they may cause sweaty feet.
These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced options. They’re not made with animal products, but synthetic fleece is less breathable than wool, so they may cause sweaty feet.
Believe it or not, a pair of slippers can deliver toasty-toed bliss without the aid of a single sheep. If you want to avoid animal products—or the higher price tag that often goes along with them—we recommend the L.L.Bean Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs (women’s, men’s). Lightweight and no-frills, these slippers are made from soft, cozy fleece, with an indoor-outdoor rubber sole. They’re not quite as supportive or breathable as our other picks, but they’re the comfiest, most durable slippers we found for under $50.
They’re ultra-warm. With a knit polyester upper and a brushed fleece interior, the Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs are an excellent vegan option. The synthetic material feels incredibly soft and warm, but it also retains more heat than our other picks, the sheepskin shearling L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins and the felted wool Glerups slippers, so if your feet run hot, you may find that the Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs make you sweat.
They offer decent support. The Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs have insoles and midsoles made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a lightweight, shock-absorbing foam), and a thin rubber outsole, so they’re suitable for quick outdoor jaunts. They don’t feel quite as substantial as our other picks, but our testers found the foam cushioning comfy enough—and they’re surprisingly sturdy and supportive, especially considering their price.
They’re a great value. We had a frustratingly hard time finding lower-priced slippers worth recommending; most options in the $50-and-under price range tended to be poorly made, flimsy, or just plain ugly. Not the Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs. Despite their reasonable price tag, they’re comfy and attractive—with a simple, streamlined shape—and well made. Like all L.L.Bean gear, they are backed by the company’s excellent one-year satisfaction guarantee.
One Wirecutter staffer told us that she’s been wearing her pair for two years, morning and night, and they are still in great condition.
We’ve been researching and testing slippers since 2014. Along the way, we’ve consulted with a number of experts, including Wendy Thayer, brand marketing manager at Garnet Hill; Sean Cormier, professor and chair of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s textile development and marketing department; and Rick Hege, an expert in handcrafted sheepskin goods. This guide builds on the work of several writers, including Alex Arpaia, Justin Krajeski, Amy Palanjian, Jamie Wiebe, and Michael Zhao.
A panel of 10 Wirecutter staffers, wearing a range of sizes, helped us test 39 pairs of slippers. We asked testers about fit, comfort, and style and collected feedback on how the slippers performed on surfaces like hardwood, carpeting, and stairs. Throughout, we focused on the following qualities:
Warmth and breathability: Slippers should keep your feet cozy without overheating. Wool slippers are breathable, warm, and temperature-regulating. In colder climates, shearling is another great option: It’s insulating but still more breathable than synthetic materials. We also considered synthetic fleece options, for those who prefer a winter slipper made without animal products.
Support: We looked for slippers that provide good arch support, just as a comfortable shoe would. We especially liked slippers that come with the option of a rubber or cork outsole—this allows you to wear them outside, and it can help slippers feel sturdier and more supportive.
Durability: Good slippers should last anywhere from five to eight years. All of our picks have undergone years of real-world testing to assess their durability. We also brought our top-four wool-slipper finalists to the FIT’s textile-testing lab in New York City. There, we separated the tops of the slippers from their soles and tested the tensile strength of the material, recording how many pounds of force was required to break the fabric.
Price: When it comes to slippers, you get what you pay for. With this in mind, we primarily focused on slippers that cost between $50 to $100; we also considered some options in the $100 to $200 range.
We used to recommend the Acorn Women’s Dara Clog Slippers and Acorn Men’s Digby Gore Italian Wool Clogs, but after long-term testing, we discovered numerous durability issues: The rear lip wears out quickly, and the front of the shoe comes unglued from the sole.
We liked the slip-on sneaker-style Allbirds Wool Loungers (women’s, men’s), but they felt more like outdoor shoes than cozy indoor slippers. Also, they run small.
We had high hopes for the unisex Baabuk Mel felt slip-ons. Unfortunately, they were stiff and scratchy, with no arch support.
The felted Birkenstock Zermatt Shearling slip-ons (in women’s and men’s sizes) have the same comfortable cork and latex footbed as regular Birks, but their wool uppers were stiff and itchy, and the white shearling lining got dirty easily.
The unisex Giesswein Veitsch slip-on has a soft, boiled-wool upper, with a similar look to the styles by Haflinger that we used to recommend. But the sole was stiff, and the arch support was too intense for some testers.
The unisex Haflinger AS (soft sole) and Haflinger AT (hard sole) slip-ons are former picks. After seeing numerous comments and complaints about durability issues—and experiencing similar problems ourselves—we could no longer recommend them. We also tested the Haflinger GZ slippers, but they were expensive and felt more like everyday clogs than slippers.
The Kyrgies Classic Wool Slippers (women’s, men’s) are well made for the price, but the sole was too hard and lacked arch support. They’re also thinner than our Glerups picks and not as warm.
Mahabis Classic slippers (in women’s and men’s sizes) have a 100% wool lining, wool/poly blended outers, and neoprene insoles that gave them a sweaty, synthetic feel. And their heel flaps were uncomfortable when worn in the smushed-down slip-on position.
Testers found the Stegmann Original 108 Wool Clogs (women’s, men’s) too stiff and unforgiving to be worn as cozy slippers or house shoes.
The Bearpaw Loki women’s backless slippers seemed promising, but the sheepskin lining made our feet clammy.
The EMU Australia Women’s Jolie slippers felt inexpensive: The soles were flimsy and unsupportive, and the sheepskin wasn’t breathable.
The Minnetonka Pile Lined Hardsole moccasins were impressively soft and comfortable. Less than a month into our tests, however, the sheepskin wore through to the suede.
The Old Friend Women’s Scuff slippers ran very small, and the sheepskin quickly wore down. They weren’t nearly as soft or comfortable as our sheepskin pick, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins.
The faux fur lining of the Sorel Women’s Nakiska Scuff Slipper was stiflingly warm, and we’ve read multiple customer complaints about quality issues, including defective stitching.
The Ugg Dakota (women’s) and Ugg Ascot (men’s) moccasins both felt well made, with a durable rubber sole for outdoor wear. Alas, the shearling fleece wasn’t as soft as that of the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins, and the sizing runs frustratingly small. Meanwhile, the Ugg Scuffette II women’s backless slippers were extraordinarily soft and comfortable, but the dye on the men’s Scuff rubbed off on a tester’s feet, and the cuff running along the upper foot rubbed and irritated the skin.
The Baffin Cush slippers (in women’s and men’s sizes) look and feel like sleeping bags for your feet. While they’re certainly warm, their soles lack support, and we weren’t confident that the traction dots on the bottom would hold up.
The RockDove Men’s Original Two-Tone Memory Foam Slipper fit our feet securely at first, but the memory foam quickly lost its cushiony feel. And their lighter-colored insoles showed lint and dirt easily.
The unisex Kolo House Shoes come in a variety of fun colors and materials (like fur-lined corduroy and wool tweed); they are essentially fluffy, reversible socks that you can throw in the washer. They didn’t provide enough support, though, and walking across hardwood floors in them felt like gliding along a sheet of ice.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
Although there’s no official industry standard for what differentiates a slipper from a house shoe, you can look for a couple generally accepted tells. House shoes are typically made from lighter, more-breathable materials such as cotton or linen, versus warmer shearling or wool. Also, as their name suggests, house shoes are strictly intended to be worn indoors and tend to have thin, flexible soles.
Good slippers should last anywhere from five to eight years. Some Wirecutter staffers have been wearing our L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins (women’s, men’s) pick for five years with no issues. The Wicked Good Moccasins cost around $90, but one pair of quality slippers is a better investment—and less expensive in the long run—than buying cheaper pairs you have to replace more often. The Glerups slippers are also super-durable: One Wirecutter editor has worn them nearly every day for four years and says that they’re still in great condition.
To prevent sweaty feet, look for slippers made of breathable, natural materials: Wool, cotton, and linen are all excellent contenders. Avoid extra-warm shearling and polyester (though of the two, shearling is more breathable), since they’re particularly insulating and could make you overheat and feel clammy. A pair of slippers with an open heel or open toes (or both) creates more airflow and helps keep your feet cool. Of the slippers we recommend, the Glerups open-heel slippers are the best choice for sweaty feet, due to their open backs and wool construction.
Wendy Thayer, brand marketing manager at Garnet Hill, interview
Rick Hege, founder and former owner of Shepherd’s Flock, interview
Sean Cormier, associate professor of textile development and marketing at FIT, in-person interview and testing, August 1, 2017
Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.
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