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Best Slippers: House Slippers, Slipper Boots and Memory Foam

How to choose slippers for cold feet, hard floors and older relatives: soles, linings, memory foam, washable pairs and sizing tips for slipper gifts.

By Cozy Homeware editorial team5 min readHow we research

A pair of brown slippers with cream fleece lining resting on a soft blue throw
Photo: Karen Laårk Boshoff / Pexels

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The best slippers match the floor and the person. For hard floors and older relatives, start with a rubber sole and a closed back. For cold feet, a lined slipper boot keeps ankles warm. Memory foam adds cushioning, and washable fleece pairs are easiest to keep fresh. Sizing varies by style, so check the size notes before gifting.

Quick picker: which slipper for which moment?

Moment Look for Skip
Hardwood, tile or stairs Rubber outsole, closed back Smooth soles, backless scuffs
Always-cold feet Slipper boot with sheepskin, sherpa or fleece lining Open-toe slides
Tired feet after a shift Memory foam footbed, grippy sole Thin, flat felt soles
Kids and pets in the house Machine-washable fleece or knit Suede and real sheepskin
Grabbing the mail A sole the maker rates for light outdoor use Soft fabric soles
A gift for someone you know well A style whose sizing you can check Guessing between sizes

House slippers, moccasins and slipper boots: what is the difference?

Scuffs and slides are open at the back. They slip on fastest and suit warm-footed people, but they are the least secure on stairs.

Closed-back house slippers and moccasins wrap the heel, so they stay on when you walk. Moccasin styles often have a softer upper and a lined footbed.

Slipper boots rise above the ankle. They are the warmest shape and a good choice for cold basements, drafty old houses and anyone who wears socks to bed.

Warm lined slippers and slipper boots on eBay

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Which slippers are best for hard floors?

Look at the sole before the lining. The National Institute on Aging advises nonskid, rubber-soled, low-heeled footwear. It says not to walk on stairs or floors “in socks or in shoes and slippers with smooth soles,” and lists backless shoes as a fall risk.

That advice is written for older adults, but it applies to any polished floor. A rubber tread and a closed heel beat a felt sole on tile or hardwood. Some makers also rate their outsoles for outdoor steps: Zappos describes the molded rubber outsole on UGG’s Scuffette II as suitable for indoor and light outdoor use.

Are memory foam slippers worth it?

Memory foam started out in aircraft seats. NASA Spinoff traces it to 1966, when it was developed to absorb shock in NASA airplane seats. Early on it was called “slow spring back foam” because it flowed to match the body pressing on it and then returned to its original shape.

In a slipper, that means a footbed that molds to your foot. It suits people who stand all day and want something softer at home. Memory foam adds cushioning only, so still check the sole for grip. Arch support claims vary by maker; if someone uses orthotics or has foot pain, a podiatrist is the right person to ask.

Warmest slippers for someone who is always cold

Coverage matters most. A slipper boot keeps the ankle covered, and a lined collar stops drafts reaching the foot.

Then pick the lining:

  • Sheepskin. The wool stays attached to the hide, so the fleece lines the whole slipper. It is the classic warm choice, but it is not machine washable. UGG’s care guidance says to hand wash only and never dry sheepskin in direct heat or sunlight.
  • Sherpa and fleece. Synthetic piles that look like sheepskin. They are lighter, often cheaper and sometimes washable. Our sherpa vs fleece vs faux fur comparison explains how the fabrics differ.
  • Knit and felted wool. Breathable and soft, better for people whose feet overheat in plush linings.

For the always-cold, slippers work well with a heated throw or electric blanket on the sofa, or a covered hot water bottle at the foot of the bed.

UGG slippers

UGG’s sheepskin slippers, such as the Tasman, Scuffette and Coquette, are a common gift choice, and counterfeits exist. Our UGG slippers guide compares the styles, their sizing notes and how to check a pair is genuine before you buy.

New UGG slippers on eBay

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Which slippers can you machine wash?

Check the label, since it varies by material. Dearfoams gives a clear rule set for its own range:

  1. Machine-washable styles go on a gentle cycle, then air dry.
  2. Suede slippers stay out of the washing machine.
  3. Fur and shearling slippers stay out of the washing machine too.
  4. No slippers go in the dryer, which can misshape them.

Washable fleece or knit pairs make sense for homes with kids and pets, and for anyone who likes to wash slippers often.

Slippers for older relatives and people with diabetes

For parents and grandparents, grip comes first: a rubber sole, a low heel and a closed back, per the National Institute on Aging. Easy-on styles with a wide opening help anyone who finds bending down awkward.

For people with diabetes, the NIDDK says to “wear shoes and socks at all times” and not to walk barefoot or in just socks, even indoors. A closed slipper with a proper sole fits that advice better than bare feet on a cold floor. The NIDDK also warns against putting a hot water bottle or heating pad on the feet and suggests socks in bed instead. Anyone with foot problems should follow their own doctor’s or podiatrist’s advice.

Slippers as gifts

Slippers are a favorite present for the always-cold, new parents and older relatives, but they are sized. Sizing also varies by style, even within one brand. Zappos lists UGG’s Scuffette II as true to size, while it advises ordering the Coquette one size down because the sheepskin lining conforms to the foot over time.

A few ways to get it right:

  • Borrow the size from a pair they already wear, or ask a partner.
  • Choose a style with clear size notes, or one sold in whole sizes with some stretch, like a knit slipper.
  • Include a gift receipt, or buy from a seller with free returns.

For kids and fans, licensed character slippers are an easy win. Our guide to cozy gifts for fans explains how to spot a licensed product.

Licensed character slippers for fans

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How to buy slippers on eBay

  1. Stick to new items. The listings on this page are new, fixed-price items only.
  2. Read the size notes and measurements in the listing, and the seller’s return policy.
  3. Check the materials. Genuine sheepskin, suede, fleece and rubber should be named in the item details.
  4. For branded slippers, check the photos. Look for the seller’s own photos of the actual pair and box, not only stock images.

Pair slippers with a soft set from our cozy loungewear guide, or see more ideas in our cozy gifts guide. Our throw blanket buying guide covers the rest of a warm evening in.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of slippers are best for hardwood or tile floors?

Choose a rubber or other grippy outsole and a closed back. The National Institute on Aging warns against walking on floors in socks or in slippers with smooth soles, and lists backless shoes as a fall risk.

Are memory foam slippers worth it?

They suit people who want cushioning underfoot. NASA describes memory foam as a material that flows to match the shape pressing on it and returns to its original shape afterward. Pair it with a grippy sole, since the foam only covers comfort, not traction.

Can you put slippers in the washing machine?

Only if the label says so. Dearfoams washes its machine-washable styles on a gentle cycle and air dries them, and says to keep suede and fur slippers out of the washer and all slippers out of the dryer.

What are the warmest slippers?

Slipper boots with a thick lining cover the ankle as well as the foot, so they hold heat best. Sheepskin-lined styles are the classic choice; fleece and sherpa linings are lighter and often washable.

Should you size up or down in slippers?

It depends on the style. Zappos lists UGG's Scuffette II as true to size but advises ordering the Coquette a full size down, because its footbed conforms to the foot over time. Check the size notes for the exact style.

Sources

  1. Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and PreventionNational Institute on Aging
  2. Diabetes and Foot ProblemsNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  3. Forty-Year-Old Foam Springs Back With New BenefitsNASA Spinoff
  4. Memory FoamNASA
  5. Care InstructionsDearfoams
  6. UGG Australia Cleaning and CareUGG (via Zappos)
  7. Women's UGG Scuffette IIZappos
  8. Women's UGG CoquetteZappos

Part of our guide to Best Throw Blankets: Sherpa, Knit, Faux Fur and Fleece Compared.

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