We independently review all products we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. learn more>
Zoe Vanderweide is a fashion and accessories writer who has personally tested nearly 500 bags, jeans, bras, shoes, and more.
Nothing warms up cold feet better than a pair of comfortable slippers. The best slippers not only provide comfortable support and long-lasting warmth, they also keep your body warm, starting with the soles of your feet. For this guide, we spent 120 hours researching slippers and tested 39 styles for men and women.
After years of constant wear and feedback, we still love our long-time favorites: a pair of warm shearling moccasins that are durable enough to wear on outdoor adventures, cute and durable felt slippers that won’t overheat your feet, and vegan, fleece-lined slippers that are a bargain at around $50.
Our shoes are made from warm, breathable materials like wool and fleece to keep your feet comfortable without overheating.
Quality slippers can last anywhere from five to eight years. We took a selection of slippers to the Textile Testing Lab at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to evaluate their strength and durability.
We focused on models in the $50 to $150 price 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 slippers we’ve tried. But if your feet tend to sweat, you may find that they don’t provide enough warmth.
These soft, warm, and durable moccasins are fluffier and more breathable than other sheepskin slippers we’ve tried. But if your feet tend to sweat, you may find that they don’t provide enough warmth.
LLBean’s Wicked Good Moccasins (available in men’s and women’s sizes) are a cozy retreat for your feet in the winter cottage. They’re the fluffiest, most breathable sheepskin we’ve tried, and the supportive rubber sole is perfect for outdoor wear. Combining warmth, comfort, and durability, it’s no wonder these slippers have been a favorite since 2016.
The trousers are available in a range of colours (seven for women and six for men) and two widths. The women’s version has a thick sheepskin collar; the men’s version does not, giving it a slightly more understated look.
They’re fluffy and soft. The Wicked Good Moccasins are some of the warmest, most comfortable slippers we’ve ever worn. One tester described the soft, plush fleece lining as a “warm hug.” Unlike similar shearling moccasins we’ve tried, these fit perfectly and stayed fluffy throughout the weeks of testing and long after. A year later, the wool on my pair is still fluffy and soft, just a little tangled underfoot. By comparison, the Minnetonka Pile Lined Hardsole Moccasins lost their fluff in less than two weeks, and the wool on the Ugg Dakota Moccasins was so thick we could barely squeeze our feet into them.
They’re warm without being stuffy. These loafers were the least sweaty of all the sheepskin we tried—one saleswoman told us she wears them “every day, every day, all year round, even in the summer when it’s a million degrees outside.” (If your feet tend to sweat, though, we recommend the Glerups slip-ons, which are made from felted wool for added breathability.)
The design of the Wicked Good moccasin means that a small amount of skin is visible through the upper, which may or may not be to your liking. If you’re looking for full foot coverage, check out LLBean’s Wicked Good Moccasin Boot (women’s and men’s) — essentially an above-the-ankle slipper. If you’re looking for a different way to cover your feet, or just want a different aesthetic, Wicked Good moccasins come in other styles, including clogs, slippers, and booties.
They have a very supportive rubber sole. Of all our recommendations, the Wicked Good moccasins provide the most comfortable support and feature a memory foam footbed. The grippy, waterproof rubber sole provides traction and stability, so you can wear these slippers whether you’re heading to the mailbox or taking a walk around the block.
Like most rubber-soled slippers, these slippers can be a little noisy when walking on wooden floors. If you’re looking for a quieter (but less durable) pair of slippers, the Wicked Good Slippers come in a suede-soled version (for men and women), while the Glerups Slippers come with a soft leather sole.
They’re built to last. Wicked Good’s slippers feature sturdy stitching, a durable suede upper, and a thick rubber sole. They’re pricey, at around $90, but in our experience, they hold up to heavy use—one Wirecutter staffer said his slippers were still going strong after five years of wear. My own pair survived the ultimate test—a dog—and came out unscathed (though, alas, the laces were ripped out).
LLBean slippers come with a one-year warranty. If your loafers get dirty or stained, they can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
If your feet get hot in slippers, these simple felt wool slip-ons are the perfect option: they’re warm but breathable and won’t make you sweat. While they’re pricey, they’re stylish, durable, and comfortable, and definitely worth the investment.
If your feet get hot in slippers, these simple felt boots are the perfect option: they are warm and breathable, without making you sweat. Although expensive, they are stylish, durable and comfortable, and are definitely worth the purchase.
The Glerups Leather-Sole Wool Slip-On Slippers are the most durable, breathable, and supportive wool slippers we’ve ever tested, and they’re also the cutest and most well-proportioned. Their quirky, charming (almost human, huh?) personality inspires a level of loyalty and devotion that’s rare in such a humble accessory; the Glerups have won over many Wirecutter staffers, including Senior Fashion Editor Jennifer Hunter, who raved about them. We recommend the slip-on style for year-round wear, and we prefer the booties for winter.
Glerups slippers come in about a dozen colors and have soft leather or rubber soles (about $35 for loafers and boots).
They come in a variety of unisex styles. Which Glerups style best suits your lifestyle? The warmest are the ankle boots; they have wide, flexible side slits for easy on and off and were a favorite among our testers. The sleek, open-toe booties were also a big hit — they’re easier to slip on and off, and we prefer them in warmer climates. Glerups also makes what it calls a bootie, which is actually more like an ankle boot. Some of our testers found them a little tricky to put on, but they still have plenty of fans: One Wirecutter assistant editor said, “I’ve had these for two years now and absolutely love them. I need a heel or I feel naked and empty.”
All three versions come with a soft leather sole, or for about $35, you can opt for a natural rubber sole for extra traction and stability. If you plan to wear the flip-flops outdoors, it’s worth upgrading to a natural rubber sole.
They are warm and breathable. If other slippers make you sweaty, then our recommended Glerups slippers may be the answer. They are made of 100% wool felt, which is naturally moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating and odor-resistant, keeping your feet warm and comfortable without overheating or getting smelly. They are so breathable that we wear them almost all year round.
They exude a unique charm. Inspired by the original hand-woven design created by Danish designer Nancy Glerup in 1970, these minimalist Scandinavian slippers embody the Danish concept of hygge—the cozy feeling that comes from wrapping your feet in a warm wool cocoon. If you have a shoe-free home, Glerup’s slippers are understated and even stylish enough to wear every day without looking like “house slippers.” (Editor-in-chief Ingela Ratledge Amundson wears the slippers to dinner parties without embarrassment, and usually at least one guest has bought a pair before the party is over.)
They’ll get better with time. The Glerups slippers take a while to break in. That time wasn’t painful or even unpleasant, but some testers noted that the slippers felt a little stiff out of the box and could be a little itchy. (If you have sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to wear socks first.) In our experience, the felt upper softened after a few weeks, and the soft footbed molded well to our feet, providing a comfortable, supportive fit.
Once you put these slippers on, you won’t want to take them off. “Two years later, I still wear my Glerups every day, travel with them, and even bring them to other people’s houses,” one Wirecutter staffer raved.
They really do last. The wool fabric of the Glerups slippers is surprisingly durable: We took a sample to the textile lab at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and it withstood up to 300 pounds of force in a tensile testing machine—even when the equipment was temporarily stopped—without breaking.
NOTE: During the first few weeks of wearing, you may notice some shedding and pilling on your slippers – small clumps of hair, similar to pills, may form, especially on the heels. This is normal and will not last long; simply pluck out any loose clumps of hair.
Glerups are made from a single piece of felt, have a stitched sole, and a wool felt lining, so they wear out less than other slippers we’ve reviewed and stay in great condition longer. However, several Wirecutter staffers — big fans of Glerups — said their slippers finally “gave in” after years of daily wear. (Think: a hole in the pinky toe; a tear that slowly widens from the top of the heel down.) Still, no one questioned or accused them of “retiring” their slippers after so much wear.
Wool is naturally stain resistant, but regular vacuuming will also help keep your slippers looking their best. If your slippers do get stained, you can clean them with a damp cloth and wool cleaner.
Glerups slippers come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty (PDF) against product defects. If you purchase through LLBean, you are also covered by the LLBean Satisfaction Guarantee.
These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced slippers. They are not made with animal products, but synthetic fleece is not as breathable as wool, so it can cause sweaty feet.
These slippers are comfortable, soft, and more supportive than similarly priced slippers. They are not made with animal products, but synthetic fleece is not as breathable as wool, so it can cause sweaty feet.
Believe it or not, a pair of slippers can keep your feet warm and comfortable without the help of sheep. If you’re looking to avoid animal products or the high prices that come with them, we recommend the LL Bean Wool Sweater Slippers (women’s and men’s). Lightweight and simple, these slippers are made from soft, cozy wool and have a rubber sole that’s great for indoors and out. While they’re not as supportive or breathable as some of our other recommendations, these are the most comfortable and durable slippers we’ve found for around $50.
They’re super warm. These wool slippers feature a knit polyester upper and brushed wool lining, making them a great vegan option. The synthetic material is soft and warm to the touch, but it tends to retain heat better than our other picks: LLBean’s Wicked Good Sheepskin Moccasins and Glerups’ Felted Wool Slippers. So if you have hot feet, wool slippers might make you sweat.
They offer decent support. The Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs feature an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate, a lightweight cushioning foam) footbed and midsole, and a thin rubber outsole, making them ideal for short walks outside. While they don’t feel as thick as our other recommendations, our testers found the foam cushioning to be quite comfortable, and the Scuffs themselves were surprisingly bouncy and supportive, especially considering their price.
They’re great value for money. We’ve had a hard time finding inexpensive slippers worth recommending; most of the ones for $50 or less are poorly made, flimsy, or just plain ugly. But the Scuffs Wool Slippers are a different story. Despite the reasonable price, they’re comfortable to wear, look great (they have a simple, sleek shape), and are well made. Like all LLBean products, they come with the company’s one-year warranty.
One Wirecutter employee told us she’s been wearing her glasses morning and night for two years now, and they’re still in great condition.
We’ve been researching and testing slippers since 2014. Along the way, we consulted with experts including Wendy Thayer, brand marketing manager at Garnet Hill; Sean Cormier, professor and chair of textile development and marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology; and Rick Hege, an expert on hand-woven sheepskin. This guide draws on the work of several authors, including Alex Arpaia, Justin Krajeski, Amy Palandjian, Jamie Wiebe, and Michael Zhao.
Ten Wirecutter employees (in a variety of shoe sizes) helped us test 39 pairs of slippers. We asked testers questions about the fit, comfort, and style of the shoes, and also collected feedback on how they performed on surfaces like hardwood floors, carpet, and stairs. During testing, we paid special attention to the following aspects:
Warm and breathable: Slippers should keep your feet comfortable without making them too hot. Wool slippers are breathable, warm, and temperature-regulating. Sheepskin is also a good choice in cold climates: it retains heat but breathes better than synthetics. We also looked at a synthetic wool option for those who prefer winter slippers without any animal ingredients.
Supportive: We looked for slippers that provided good arch support, like a comfortable pair of shoes. We especially like slippers with rubber or cork soles—they’re comfortable to wear outside the house, but they also make the slippers more durable and provide more support.
Durability: A quality slipper should last between five and eight years. All of the slippers we selected underwent years of real-world testing to assess their durability. We also took the four wool slippers on our shortlist to FIT’s Textile Testing Lab in New York City. There, we separated the slipper’s upper from the sole and tested the material’s tensile strength, recording how many pounds of force it took to rip the fabric.
Price: When it comes to slippers, you get what you pay for. With that in mind, we focused primarily on slippers that cost between $50 and $100; we also looked at a few options that cost between $100 and $200.
We’ve previously recommended the Acorn Dara Clog Women’s Slippers and the Acorn Digby Gore Italian Wool Men’s Clogs, but after extensive testing, we found a number of durability issues, with the back wearing out quickly and the front of the boot separating from the sole.
We like the Allbirds wool loafers (women’s and men’s), but they feel more like street shoes than comfortable house slippers. And they run small.
We had high hopes for the Baabuk Mel unisex felt slip-on shoes. Unfortunately, they’re stiff, scratchy, and don’t offer much arch support.
The Birkenstock Zermatt Shearling Felt Moccasins (available in women’s and men’s sizes) have the same comfortable cork and latex footbeds as regular Birks, but their wool uppers are stiff and scratchy, and the white wool lining stains easily.