In this article
So what takes a men’s slipper from just okay to excellent? Because the line between slipper and outdoor shoe has become ever blurrier, they must be comfortable enough for, say, going to grab some milk at the deli downstairs, walking the dog, and — for an emboldened few — wearing them about their day. A warm slipper is wonderful; a hot slipper is not, so we were looking for slippers that won’t make your toes sweat. And then, they must be handsome.
Slippers fall into the category of item that should bring a person some joy, which is why they’re such a popular gift. A tip for those who plan on gifting a man slippers: Get him a pair with a thick rubber outsole and treads so he can wear them outside. To make this guide, I polled many a stylish man (including designers, photographers, and our own writers) and dug through our archives of slipper content (we have a lot of it) before testing some out myself. 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 too.
What we’re looking for
Size ranges
We tried our best to include slippers in a range of sizes. Because they don’t typically come in standard shoe sizing, we noted all sizing details below, including if they come in unisex, half-sizes, or come in wide or narrow options.
Outsole material
Podiatrist Dr. Asim Sayed told us 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. “People with neuropathy don’t feel a lot of things that someone who doesn’t have neuropathy feels,” Sayed says. “They could have a Lego in their slipper all day long and they wouldn’t even know, which leads to wounds, and that can lead to amputations or worse.”
Upper and lining material
This mostly boils down to personal preference, so we 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 we mentioned, slippers refer to a broad range of footwear — from open-toe sandals to high-ankle booties. This comes down to preference, so we’ve 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. We 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: 7 to 14 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe | Price: $
Hokas? As the best men’s slippers?! Hear me out: Recovery slides, while not your standard moccasins, were brought up the most when I polled stylish men about the best slippers. The men I talked to were so convincing that I called in a pair to test myself, and I agree: They are the most comfortable pair of slippers I’ve ever owned. They’re so lightweight and plush that I’ve found myself walking further on my morning strolls with my dog. Even in cold weather, I’ve gravitated toward them. Typically I wear UGGs in cold weather, but sometimes my feet can get a little too hot in them. I found that Hokas plus toasty socks strikes a perfect balance. 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, who just got them to walk his dog at first, calls himself a “full-on believer.” He likes that they’re “substantial enough to run errands in and are truly like walking on clouds.” They’re former Strategist contributor Chris Black’s go-to house shoe because of the “breathable design.” The midsole “keeps the legs and feet loose and relaxed,” he notes, making them “great for post-workouts or just shuffling around the house.”
Best less expensive men’s slippers
Sizes: Small, medium, and large | Outsole: Plastic | Upper and lining: Cotton waffle weave | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
Months ago, I 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 so my feet don’t get sweaty while wearing them like when I wear my UGGs. And they’re roomy, so I can wear them with thick wool socks, similar to my Hokas, for optimal coziness. While I wouldn’t necessarily wear them out on long walks, I’ve worn them to grab the mail without issues, and they have enough traction so that I’m not slipping on tile or hardwood floors. Another big plus: They are half the price of the Hokas above. They’re not as supportive or cushiony, but I think given that they are 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 I expect them to stay this way since they’re machine washable.
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. Schwartz says the thick EVA sole is sturdy enough for outside wear. As for their fit, Guo, who has wide feet, especially told me they’re roomy enough for her to wear thick socks with them. They come in a range of colors, including this classic navy as well as a really lovely hunter green. Note: Given the holiday madness, they will ship out the second week in December.
Best warm men’s slippers
Best wool men’s slippers
Sizes: 6 to 17.5 | Outsole: Latex | Upper and lining: Wool with shearling | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
Our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman recently told me she had found her “forever pair” of slippers — these Birkenstock clogs. I was delighted to learn they are unisex. Not only did she tell me that they are “super-warm and super-cozy” but they “provide the classic support I know and love, meaning my feet feel good even after I’ve been standing in the kitchen cooking for a few hours.” Since purchasing them, she has thrown them in the wash once (noting she’s not sure if that’s recommended), and they’ve held up well.
Best moccasin slipper
My colleague Jeremy Rellosa made such a strong case for his Rothy’s slippers that they’re high on this list. “On some days, when I’ve really worked my foot muscles (climbing or surfing), a too-plush cushioned slipper means my feet have to work a bit harder to flex and walk around even when it’s time to relax,” he wrote when reviewing them recently. “So I like how the merino slippers had just the right amount of firmness to the soles.” Rothy’s slippers are lined with merino wool (though Rellosa still recommends pairing these withsocks when it’s really cold) and made from the brand’s signature repurposed-plastic-bottle thread.
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: $
I found Strategist contributer Lauren Adam’s ode to her Japanese Subu slippers extremely compelling. They’re very much designed for wearing in and out of the house. They “function as effortlessly as a sandal while providing comfort (and warmth) in cooler weather,” she noted, and likens them to “puffer jackets for your feet.” Former senior editor Anthony Rotunno can attest that they are “as cozy and comfy as contributor Lauren Adams says, and I’ve worn them inside and out.”
Best boot slippers
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: Sheepskin | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
Sheepskin slippers are an excellent choice for chillier days, though they tend to get expensive. Which is why we took note of these cheaper-than-L.L.Bean ones. Former Strategist writer David Notis swears by these booties from the Maine-based brand Acorn, which he has been buying repeatedly for more than 15 years. Made with a memory foam cushioning, they’re more “comfortable and supportive” than other sheepskin slippers, and they “aren’t skimpy with the lining.” Plus they have an adjustable shearling collar “for when it’s really cold.”
Best slipper socks
Sizes: M to XL | Outsole: Acrylic, nylon | Outer and lining: Wool and rayon blend | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
I’ve been testing the Bombas Gripper Slippers since this summer. While they don’t offer much support (unsurprising, since they are hybrid sock-slippers), they do have an ultra-cushioned footbed. They’re incredibly warm, comparable to wearing a thick pair of wool socks. Parker Hurley, founder of menswear line Keepr Wear, says he “can’t think of a better” house slipper for wearing around his cabin. While they’re not for outside, he likes that they’re “super-comfy” and have a nice grip. Former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw, who originally bought the Gripper Slippers in 2021, points out that they “pack down flat for travel” and are machine washable. He loved them so much that he bought three more pairs as presents.
Best hand-knit slippers
Sizes: S to XL | Outsole: Leather | Upper and lining: Wool and sheepskin | Design: Close toe | Price: $$
When we spoke to author Kevin Kwan about the things he can’t live without, he told us these hand-knit slippers keep his feet warm through winter in his cold New York prewar apartment. Because of the leather soles, he’s able to wear them both indoors and out. His secret for keeping them like new over six years of use? Throwing them in the wash every year: “It tightens the knit and cleans the skin, and they look brand-new again,” he says.
Best breathable men’s slippers
Best leather slippers
Sizes: 9 to 12 | Upper and lining: Leather and wool | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
A.E. McAteer is a Queens-based leather-goods store I learned about from Mapate Diop, founder of clothing line DIOP. He loves its well-constructed leather house shoes. While they’re made with wool lining, he says they’re thin enough to be quite breathable. The leather ages “so smoothly that you’re going to want to take them out of the house and show off the patina,” he says. While he wears them exclusively indoors, he says, “My confidence in their construction is so high that I’d feel just as comfortable wearing them outside.”
Best mule slippers
Sizes: 5.5 to 14 (with half-sizing) | Outsole: Vibram | Upper and lining: Leather and mesh | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $$$
All of Easymoc’s slippers are hand-sewn in Maine and made with leather, a breathable mesh footbed, and a Vibram sole. They come in a wide range of sizes — including half-sizes. We learned about them from Nick Sugihara, founder of clothing line Ijji, who calls them “crucial for taking the trash out, grabbing something from the car, and running quick errands.” Sugihara has had his pair for about six months and reports that they’re “wildly comfortable” and have a nice weight to them.
Best less-expensive mule slippers
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Outsole: Rubber | upper and lining: Hemp and microfiber | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $$
Another stylish pair that won’t set you back as much comes recommended by Black as a “suitable Birkenstock Boston replacement. A handwoven clog with a murdered-out gum sole, this pair can be dressed up easily but is just as suited for bumming around the house when temps rise.” The black pair he suggested are currently out of stock, but we found them in this just-as-neutral olive color and a tan-and-beige combo for a bit more flair.
Best slippers for travel
Sizes: 4 to 14 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe | Price: $
When we spoke to well-seasoned travelers about the best travel shoes, Adidas’s classic slides were brought up. Brian Kelly, the founder of travel website The Points Guy, likes them for long-haul flights because they’re easy to slip on when he needs to run to the bathroom mid-flight. And, importantly, they’re “ultra-comfortable and my ultimate lounging shoes when hanging at a resort or going to the beach.”
Some more men’s slippers we’ve written about
Our experts
• Lauren Adams, Strategist contributor
• Chris Black, former Strategist contributor
• Louis Cheslaw, former Strategist associate editor
• Alex Crane, founder and designer of Alex Crane
• Mapate Diop, founder of DIOP
• Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Canoe Club
• Parker Hurley, founder of Keepr Wear
• Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy
• 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
• Anthony Rotunno, former Strategist senior editor
• Bryant Simmons, stylist
• Nick Sugihara, founder of Ijji
• Copper Terrones, sales manager at Canoe Club
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our conquests include the best men’s wardrobe basics, white T-shirts, jeans, white sneakers, and flattering clothes. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
