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Since the line between slippers and outdoor shoes has become blurrier, the standard for a truly great pair is higher than ever. They must be comfortable enough for, say, going to grab some milk at the deli downstairs, walking the dog, and — for an emboldened few — all-day wear. That means that in addition to comfort, support and stability are high on our list of requirements for excellent slippers. Material matters, too: A warm slipper is wonderful; a hot slipper is not, and what a pair is made of makes all the difference. Slippers also fall into the category of items that should bring a person some joy, which is why they’re such a popular gift. So, as with any gift, you might want to find a pair that are as nice looking as they are practical.
To find some outstanding pairs that fit all of these specs, my colleague Arielle Avila and I polled many stylish men — including designers, photographers, and our own writers — and dug through our archives of slipper content (we have a lot of it) before testing some ourselves. Turns out the men’s slipper-verse is vast and wide! The market is, of course, saturated with your classic suede-shearling numbers, but so many designers are creating actually kind of cool guy slippers. Here, you can peruse the whole range — and if you’re in need of more menswear content, check out my guides to black T-shirts and long-sleeves, too.
What we’re looking for
Sizes
I tried my best to include slippers in a range of sizes. Because they don’t typically come in standard shoe sizing, all sizing details are noted below, including if they come in unisex, half-sizes, or wide or narrow options.
Outsole material
Podiatrist Dr. Asim Sayed says shoppers should prioritize support and protection. He recommends a rubber outsole for extra protection, stability, and control compared to other softer materials, which are “pretty much like big socks.” If you plan on wearing slippers outside (even to grab the mail), or if you have neuropathy, a hard protective sole is especially important.
Upper and lining material
This mostly boils down to personal preference, so I included a range of options. There are waterproof slides made with a lightweight material and shearling-lined cold-weather slippers. Sayed did note that anyone who has a bunion should look for slippers with a forgiving lining material (like a breathable mesh) rather than an irritating fabric (like leather).
Design features
As I mentioned, slippers refer to a broad range of footwear — from open-toe sandals to high-ankle booties. This comes down to preference, so I noted design features, like whether they have straps, an open back, or an open or closed toe. If you or the person you’re shopping for has any Achilles-tendon pain or a Haglund’s deformity (an enlargement of the bony section of the heel), Sayed says it’s best to stick with an open-back shoe.
Price
Slipper prices are broad, ranging from $20 to a couple hundred dollars, depending on their durability and materials they’re made of. I included affordable options as well as worth-it slippers. Every pair is denoted as either $ (under $100), $$ (under $150), or $$$ (over $150).
Best men’s slippers overall
Sizes: 5 to 17 | Outsole material: Rubber | Upper and lining material: Wool | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $$
While digging through our cozy-shoe content, these unisex wool slippers from Glerups came up so much — in gift recommendations, Celebrity Shopping stories, and more — that I had to test them out myself. After over two months of everyday wear, I fully understand the hype. They tick all the boxes of an ideal house slipper: easy to slip on, warm but not suffocating, and durable. To make sure they worked just as well for guys as they did for me, I had my boyfriend, who’s become my in-house menswear tester, try these out. He appreciates that the design is very streamlined and never feels sloppy compared to some fuzzy shearling slippers. The break-in period is about two to three days; after that, each of our pairs molded perfectly to fit our feet. I now find myself wearing them nonstop. Even on chillier days, these keep my toes nice and toasty, but thanks to the sweat-wicking wool material, I don’t have to worry about sweaty feet. And if you’re prone to sweating, wool is antimicrobial and considered odor-resistant, so these slippers don’t require washing. According to the brand, your Glerups can “self-clean” if you air them out and allow them to rest.
We both mainly wear them indoors, but I’ve accidentally worn mine on mail runs because I’ve completely forgotten that they’re on. If you do want slippers that can go indoors to outdoors, these are a solid option. Just be sure to opt for the waterproof rubber sole instead of the leather sole, which artist Marcel Dzama told us wears out faster.
Best men’s slippers for wide feet
Sizes: 5 to 15.5 | Outsole material: 20% recycled EVA, 80% EVA | Upper and lining material: 51% cotton, 42% recycled polyester, 7% polyamide upper and 100% recycled polyester lining | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
Brunch is a New York–based start-up that sells hotel-inspired shoes. Several Strategist staffers tested these, and the consensus: The L’Essentials are durable, warm without being stuffy, and supportive without being orthopedic. Erin Schwartz says the thick EVA sole is sturdy enough for outside wear. As for their fit, Kitty Guo, who has wide feet, told me they’re especially roomy enough for her, even when wearing thick socks. They come in a range of colors, including this classic navy as well as a really lovely hunter green.
Best shearling-lined slippers
Sizes: 6 to 17.5 | Outsole: Latex | Upper and lining: Wool with shearling | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
We first learned about these unisex shearling-lined Birkenstocks from our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman, who likes hers so much that she’s gifted them to her family members. I tested these and can confirm they’re as cozy and supportive as Wartzman said. The shearling lining provides plenty of warmth without feeling stuffy, and these have slightly more arch support than the Glerups. My boyfriend, who admits he isn’t the biggest fan of house slippers, also tested the Zermatts and appreciates that they offer structure and durability. Plus, he says the open-back design makes them easy to throw on before running a quick errand. These are also constructed with a removable inner footbed, which is great if you want to wash the rest of the slipper. The outsole is more minimal compared to the rubber-bottomed Glerups; however, if you’re looking for a cozy slipper with the classic support Birkenstock is known for, these are for you.
Best boot slippers
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: Sheepskin | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
For an even warmer pair of shearling slippers, go with these booties from Maine-based brand Acorn. While I haven’t had the chance to test them for myself, former Strategist writer David Notis swears by their supportive memory-foam cushioning and generously fluffy sheepskin lining. The rubber outsole means you can throw them on to take out the trash without worrying about wear and tear, and the adjustable collar can be flipped up for extra chilly days.
Best insulated slippers
Sizes: XXS to XL (Unisex) | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: Teflon-coated nylon upper with faux fur | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
We found Strategist contributor Lauren Adams’s ode to her Japanese Subu slippers extremely compelling. While they function almost like sandals, they provide plenty of comfort and warmth in and out of the house in cooler weather. Dubbed the “puffer jackets for your feet,” the lightweight slippers come in classic black, other neutrals, and limited-edition collaboration designs with brands like the MoMA, And Wander, and End.
Best slipper socks
Sizes: 6 to 14.5 | Outsole: Suede | Outer and lining: Wool, nylon | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
If you prefer a more socklike slipper, consider these, which have a long sock shaft that can be scrunched down or stretched to around mid-calf. Travel writer and TV host Rick Steves is a fan and says Acorn’s slipper socks “feel like a Norwegian handwoven sweater with a leather bottom.” The genuine suede sole and durable sidewall are designed to repel water, allowing Steves to walk through snow to get firewood, he says. “I grew up in our family cabin in the mountains here in the Cascades in Washington State, and we call these mukluks,” Steves told us, adding that his slipper socks always remind him of the coziness of being at a cabin. He owns this moisture-wicking wool pair, but they also come in a classic cotton blend.
Best slipper ankle socks
Sizes: M to XL | Outsole: Acrylic, nylon | Outer and lining: Wool and rayon blend | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
Avila tested these Bombas Gripper Slippers for over a year. While they don’t offer as much support as the other slippers on this list (unsurprising, since they are hybrid sock-slippers), they do have a padded footbed. She compares these to wearing an ultra-cushioned pair of thick wool socks without the slipping and sliding, thanks to their grippy dots on the footbed. Because they’re so compact, Avila has been able to travel with them — something she never considered with slippers before because of precious cargo space. These fit in her carry-on and don’t even make a dent. The original Gripper Slippers are plenty warm, but they also come in a sherpa-lined bootie option.
Best breathable men’s slippers
Sizes: 7 to 14 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe | Price: $
Recovery slides, while not your standard moccasins, were brought up the most when we polled stylish men about the best slippers. During my college running days, I was gifted a pair from Hoka, and I must say I agree: They are the most comfortable pair of slippers I’ve ever owned. They’re so lightweight and plush that I notice my arches relaxing into the footbed. If I’m not wearing my Hoka running shoes, I’m wearing these because the chunky midsole helps alleviate nagging pain in my lower legs and feet after a hard workout. I also find that Hokas plus toasty socks strike a perfect balance on days I want to keep my feet warmer. But don’t just take it from me: Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Canoe Club, and Copper Terrones, a sales manager at Canoe Club, both told us they’re the most comfortable shoes they’ve owned when we sought out stylish slides. Grindle likes that they’re substantial enough to run errands in and truly like walking on clouds.
Best less expensive breathable men’s slippers
Sizes: Small, medium, and large | Outsole: Plastic | Upper and lining: Cotton waffle weave | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
Avila requested these waffle slippers from homewares brand Hawkins New York (makers of our favorite quilts, cloth napkins, and linen sheets) after designer Alex Crane told me how comfortable they are for year-round wear. They’re breathable and roomy, so she can wear them with thick wool socks, similar to the Hokas, for optimal coziness. While she wouldn’t necessarily wear them out on long walks, they can be worn to grab the mail without issues, and they have enough traction that you won’t slip on tile or hardwood floors. Another big plus: They are half the price of the Hokas above. Avila says they’re not as supportive or cushiony, but she thinks that given they’re warm yet breathable and handsome as far as inexpensive house slippers go, they’re an excellent second option. After months of wear, they still look brand-new, and you can expect them to stay this way since they’re machine washable.
Best leather slippers
Sizes: 9 to 13 | Upper and lining: Leather and wool | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
A.E. McAteer is a Queens-based leather-goods store we learned about from Mapate Diop, founder of the clothing line DIOP. He loves its well-constructed leather house shoes, which are more supportive than Hawkins’s waffle slippers. Made with an eighth-inch of wool lining, these are cozy while still being quite breathable. And the leather is an elevated slipper material, which Diop says ages beautifully with a worn-in patina. While he wears his exclusively indoors, he’s confident that they’d hold up comfortably outside.
Some more men’s slippers we’ve written about
Our experts
• Lauren Adams, Strategist contributor
• Chris Black, former Strategist contributor
• Alex Crane, founder and designer of Alex Crane
• Mapate Diop, founder of DIOP
• Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Canoe Club
• Kitty Guo, Strategist writer
• Parker Hurley, founder of Keepr Wear
• Adam Klein, co-creator of footwear brand Season Three
• Kevin Kwan, author
• Malcolm McNeil, photographer
• David Notis, former Strategist writer
• Octavio Platon Akel, illustrator and creator of Monsieur Saturday
• Dr. Asim Sayed, podiatrist
• Erin Schwartz, Strategist writer
• Bryant Simmons, stylist
• Nick Sugihara, founder of Ijji
• Copper Terrones, sales manager at Canoe Club
• Emma Wartzman, Strategist writer
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