In this article
Slippers are somewhat hard to define. They range from cozy shoes you wear to warm your feet at home to slides you throw on while running errands. Because there are so many choices for nearly any occasion, it can be hard to narrow down what exactly you want. To help, I spoke to a podiatrist, stylish men (including designers, photographers, and our own writers), dug through our archives of cozy-shoe content, and even tested out a few pairs for myself. Below are options ranging from breathable open-toe slides to warm shearling-lined slippers.
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
When we spoke to podiatrist Dr. Asim Sayed for our story on the best women’s slippers, he said shoppers should prioritize support and protection when looking for slippers. 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 overall men’s slippers
Sizes: 7 to 14 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe | Price: $
These Hoka Recovery slides get praise from plenty of cool men, who wear them for everything from lounging around the house to running errands. 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 summer 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: $
Homeware brand Hawkins New York makes some of our favorite substantial quilts, stylish cloth napkins, and colorful linen sheets. So we weren’t all that surprised that it makes exceptional slippers too. Alex Crane, founder and designer of his eponymous clothing line, tipped us off on the pair. “The waffle slippers are like wearing glorious, springy clouds on your feet,” he says, adding that the grippy outsoles actually do what they’re supposed to do. He notes that they are machine washable and “come out looking brand-new” after each wash. I recently requested them in the blush colorway in a size small (I typically wear a size 6.5 in women’s shoes) and like that they’re roomy and breathable. I’ve worn them with and without socks, and my feet haven’t gotten sweaty, like when I wear my UGGs on warmer days. I wouldn’t necessarily wear them out of the house, but they have enough traction so that I’m not slipping on my hardwood floors. Another plus is that they come in 12 different colors, including neutrals and earth tones.
Best breathable men’s slippers
Best suede men’s slippers
Sizes: 6 to 17 (regular and narrow widths) | Outsole: EVA | Upper and lining: Suede | Design: Open-toe with two straps | Price: $$
Birkenstock is a go-to cozy shoe brand for countless cool people, including stylist Bryant Simmons, whose favorite is the Arizona suede sandals. After three years of wear, the “suede over time has gotten softer and softer” and they’ve held up well. (“They aren’t soggy or gross yet!” he says.) His preferred colorway is taupe because it looks best with his skin tone and wool or cashmere socks in the winter, but the sandals also come in black.
Best waterproof slippers
Sizes: 8 to 13 | Outsole: EVA | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe with two straps | Price: $
Here is the waterproof, easy-to-clean version of the above slippers. They’re Black’s “flip-flop alternative” because they provide “more comfort than a classic espadrille or a pair of simple Havaianas.” Octavio Platon Akel, an illustrator and creator of the stylish footwear Instagram page Monsieur Saturday, likes them for their practicality and wears his pair “to do everything around the house.” I’ve owned a pair myself for about three years now, and they’re a staple in my summer wardrobe because they’re comfortable, lightweight, and supportive. And I’ll admit, they’ve even come out during the fall and winter months on quick trips to the store; I just pair them with warm wool socks and I’m set.
Best slippers for travel
Sizes: 4 to 14 | Outsole: Rubber | Upper and lining: EVA | Design: Open-toe | Price: $
When we spoke to well-seasoned travelers about the best travel shoes, Adidas’s classic slides were brought up. Brian Kelly, the founder of travel website The Points Guy, likes them for long-haul flights because they’re easy to slip on when he needs to run to the bathroom mid-flight. And, importantly, they’re “ultra-comfortable and my ultimate lounging shoes when hanging at a resort or going to the beach.”
Best mule slippers
Sizes: 5.5 to 14 (with half-sizing) | Outsole: Vibram | Upper and lining: Leather and mesh | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $$$
While Nick Sugihara, founder of clothing line Ijji, doesn’t wear shoes indoors, he says these Easymocs are “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. All of the brand’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.
Best less-expensive mule slippers
Sizes: 7 to 13 | Outsole: Rubber | upper and lining: Hemp and microfiber | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $$
Another stylish pair that won’t set you back as much comes recommended by Black as a “suitable Birkenstock Boston replacement. A handwoven clog with a murdered-out gum sole, this pair can be dressed up easily but is just as suited for bumming around the house when temps rise.” The black pair he suggested are currently out of stock, but we found them in this just-as-neutral olive color and a tan-and-beige combo for a bit more flair.
Best leather slippers
Sizes: 9 to 12 | Upper and lining: Leather and wool | Design: Closed-toe | Price: $
Mapate Diop, founder of clothing line DIOP, recommends these well-constructed leather house shoes from Queens-based company A.E. McAteer. While they’re made with wool lining, he says they’re thin enough to be quite breathable even in summer. The leather ages “so smoothly that you’re going to want to take them out of the house and show off the patina,” he says. While he wears them exclusively indoors, he says, “My confidence in their construction is so high that I’d feel just as comfortable wearing them outside.”
Best stylish men’s slippers
Sizes: 4 to 16 | Outsole: EVA | Upper and lining: Nylon upper | Design: Open toe with velcro straps | Price: $$$
Photographer Malcolm McNeil’s preferred slippers are from Japanese brand Suicoke. The Moto Cab was an “easy choice” for McNeil because they’re versatile and fashionable. Acknowledging the high price, he “can’t skimp on good drip” and says they’re “easy to style for casual outfits, comfortable for a calm stroll, and easy enough to throw on for the beach or airport.” Another fan is director Baz Luhrmann, who included the navy pair in his list of things he can’t live without. He describes them as the “perfect travel footwear” because they’re “amazingly comfortable” and easy to kick off in the TSA line.
Best warm men’s slippers
Best wool slippers
Sizes: 6 to 17.5 | Outsole: Latex | Upper and lining: Wool with shearling | Design: Closed-toe with open back | Price: $
Another option from Birkenstock actually comes from our article about the best slippers for women, but the brand makes them in men’s sizes too. “I think I finally found my forever pair,” kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman said after landing on the slippers at the end of last year. Not only are they “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 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: $
For another pair of cold-weather slippers, consider these insulated ones from the Japanese brand Subu. They were first put on our radar when Strategist contributor and comfy shoe aficionada Lauren Adams wrote about them. They “function as effortlessly as a sandal while providing comfort (and warmth) in cooler weather,” she noted. Former senior editor Anthony Rotunno was gifted these insulated slippers back in 2020 and counts himself a fan.”The unisex slippers are as cozy and comfy as contributor Lauren Adams says, and I’ve worn them inside and out,” he writes.
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. 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: $
Back in 2021, former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw was given these “incredibly warm” hybrid sock slippers from Bombas. He loved them so much that he bought three more pairs as presents. Because of their construction, they “pack down flat for travel,” and they’re are machine-washable. 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 wearing outside, he likes that they’re “super-comfy” and have a nice grip.
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.
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.
