The Top 19 Slippers Recommended by Podiatrists and Based on Testing

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While a pair of slippers are often kept around the house for coziness and warmth when lounging indoors, podiatrists say they offer other important benefits. 'You always want to wear slippers in the house,' says Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatrist in New York City. A supportive pair can help to reduce strain on your joints and help your body recover at home if you're stuck standing all day, especially if you have bunions or plantar fasciitis. Plus, wearing slippers or house shoes helps absorb shock from walking on hard floors.

If it's time to step up your slipper game and order a comfortable, supportive pair to provide your feet with some much-needed TLC, you won't have to search for your perfect pair for long. The Shape team tested over 20 options at various price points and wore them at least one hour a day for two weeks to get a serious feel for their comfort, design, quality, durability, and value. Using editors' results and insights from podiatrists, Shape narrowed down the top pairs on the market, from cozy shearling booties to insulated indoor/outdoor options to budget-friendly Amazon finds.

Sizes: 5–12 | Materials: Suede, sheepskin | Colors: 5

If you're looking for a luxe experience your feet will love, look no further. These soft suede Uggs are lined with decadent sheepskin and upcycled wool and have a lightweight platform (so they don't feel clunky). What's more, they feature the brand's trademarked cushioning and traction, with a lightweight yet durable sole. Bonus: The Tasman slippers have the same outsole as the brand's Classic Boot, so you can wear them indoors and outside.

Sizes: 5-12 | Materials: Foam, rubber | Colors: 15

At around $20, the Ultraideas Memory Foam Slippers mold to your feet and keep you comfy and supported — even if the only walking you're doing is from the bed to your couch. This house shoe has a warm fleece lining and a high-density memory foam insole. Shape editors found the rubber outsole is perfect for slippery floors and allows you to use them outside if you need to pick up the mail or water your outdoor plants. It's beneficial that you can machine-wash these for easy care, making them one of the best slippers you can get on a budget.

Sizes: 5-16 | Materials: OOfoam | Colors: 7

This slipper sandal is designed for workout recovery, so it's ideal to slip on after a long run or intense sweat session. Its unique foam technology absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear, and the insanely comfortable footbed supports your arches while reducing stress on your joints, making it one of the best house shoes for those on their feet all day long. Shape editors love how the orthopedic footbed cradles and supports our arches so much that they've deemed these slides the best recovery shoes in the Shape Fitness Awards two years in a row. Bonus: They’re machine-washable.

Sizes: 5-12 | Materials: Velvet leather upper, synthetic lining | Colors: 6

Shape writer Maddie Barber keeps these slippers in her rotation for when her feet need extra TLC. She appreciates how the faux fur lining feels cozy (like a slipper should!), but the open-toe design keeps her feet cool — an added benefit after her nightly blazing-hot showers. Not to mention she can literally feel her feet relax when placed on the molded cork footbed that offers additional support after a long day of walking and commuting through the city. Barber owns the taupe colorway but loves the muted earth-tone options available for an elevated look.

Sizes: 5-13 | Materials: Faux fur lining and upper, rubber sole | Colors: 2

Anyone looking to add some extra inches to their stature will love these Bearpaw slippers. They have a 1.25-inch platform heel and a rubber sole that makes them suitable for outside (and prevents you from slipping while wearing them on hardwood floors). Barber is 'obsessed with the retro-looking webbing tape accent' on the ankle and the faux-shearling design that 'feels perfect for the cold months ahead.'

Sizes: 5-12 | Materials: Foam midsole/outsole, fleece | Colors: 3

These sporty slippers from Nike are lined with cozy fleece and have a soft foam midsole that feels like stepping into a marshmallow. Plus, the top zipper pocket can stash small items like keys or cash if you're heading out to walk and don't want to carry a bag. Thanks to the anti-slip outsole and traction pattern, we never felt any slipping or sliding when walking around in these. But they do take some maneuvering to get into; depending on the surface you’re standing on, you can’t always slip them on hands-free.

Sizes: 5-11 | Materials: Suede upper, faux fur lining, rubber outsole | Colors: 2

While it might closely resemble the winter footwear in your closet, Sorel's booties act as both a boot and a slipper, which makes them worth the price tag. Thanks to the leather exterior, plush faux fur lining, incredibly soft footbed, and anti-slip rubber platform outsole, you'll stay toasty, comfortable, and supported all day. These slippers are also the best for transitioning from the couch to the sidewalk — particularly when it’s extra chilly outside.

Sizes: 5-13 | Materials: Polyester | Colors: 5

If you're familiar with Vionic, you've probably caught wind of the fact that the brand is one of Oprah's favorites for comfy footwear, which makes sense, as its shoes are designed with the help of podiatrists. This house shoe has an orthotic footbed with a deep heel cup to provide extra arch support (and prevent pronation), making it one of the best slippers for people with foot and joint issues like plantar fasciitis. We’re a little wary of the tag saying it isn’t washable (not even by hand), even though the brand notes that the footbed has an anti-bacterial, odor-resistant treatment. So far, we haven’t noticed any lingering smells.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Suede, Australian lambswool, shearling, rubber (outsole) | Colors: 1

These L.L. Bean slippers stood up to every surface Shape's editors tested them on, including hardwood, carpet, laminate, and cement, and the ankle height secured them during any activity. One editor dubbed the velvet suede exterior “unbeatable” and noticed the lining stayed fresh and fluffy throughout the testing period, unlike the Minnetonka moccasins, which started to get smushed. Since these are a little pricier than other slippers we tested, make sure you size according to L.L. Bean’s recommendations (that is, half sizes should be ordered up). But as some of the best house shoes you can find, they’re worth spending a little extra money on.

Sizes: 5-12 | Materials: Foam | Colors: 27

Amazon’s “Overall Pick” for women’s slide sandals, this comfortable cloud-like house shoe is also Brenner’s top choice for the best slipper. She says it gets her stamp of approval because it checks so many of her boxes: It has a 1.75-inch platform base, a deep heel cup, a molded cushion footbed, a firm midsole, and a rubber, non-slip outsole for added grip and stability. It comes in 27 colorways, and the sandal style makes it easy to wear outside for short walks. Plus, the bottom is quiet, so you’re less likely to disturb neighbors if you live in an apartment or condo building.

Sizes: 5-11 | Materials: Leather, synthetic fur, rubber | Colors: 7

These fuzzy moccasin slippers have a suede exterior with stylish stitching on the top, faux fur lining, thick, flexible soles, and a rubber outsole with grippy traction to support you on wet or slippery surfaces. Warm and cozy, Shape editors found them some of the best slippers for lounging around the house. They’re pretty flat, so while you can technically wear them outside, they’d recommend keeping the mileage minimal. Further, they noticed that the fur lining lost its fluffiness as the testing period went on, and the fit felt noticeably stretched out (so, more prone to falling off their heels).

Sizes: XS-L | Materials: Acrylic, nylon, merino wool (shell); viscose, polyester, elastane (lining) | Colors: 3

If cozy wool socks are your footwear of choice at home but you hate the slip factor, you'll adore this sock-slipper hybrid. Made of a breathable blend of acrylic and wool, these slipper socks have a brushed lining on the inside for warmth and special grippy traction on the bottom to keep you from sliding. This pair is machine-washable and folds flat for easy packing, so it’s one of the best slippers for travel in particular. Just note the soles are thinner than regular slippers, so they don’t offer serious foot support. If you wear them often, the grippers will wear down, so you might have to replace them frequently.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Faux fur | Colors: 10

This platform sandal-slipper delivers style and comfort thanks to arch support, a deep heel cup (which helps cradle your foot if you’re walking long distances), an adjustable strap, and a furry material that's soft against your skin.

Indoor- and outdoor-friendly, these slippers are machine-washable. People with foot issues (such as arthritis, bunions, and plantar fasciitis) will find that the orthopedic-focused design makes them some of the best slippers for relief. In particular, they offer the kind of arch support Brenner says is critical for people with plantar fasciitis, while the adjustable strap is beneficial for those with bunions.

Sizes: 6-11 | Materials: Suede, sheep fur | Colors: 27

Available in wide widths, these shearling slippers are the epitome of coziness, and Shape's editors were instantly impressed with the 100% genuine sheepskin lining. They found it provided the perfect temperature control, keeping feet warm without overheating. The moisture-wicking materials were particularly noteworthy, as they let editors walk in dewy grass without damaging the shoes (they dried quickly). The shearling lining stayed fluffed up throughout testing. We did feel like one slipper was noticeably wider than the other, but we realize this could be a case of the tester having slightly different-sized feet.

Sizes: 4-12.5 | Materials: Wool felt, shearling, latex (sole) | Colors: 6

If you’re a Birkenstock stan, you’ll love the cozier version of the uber-popular Boston Clogs: the Zermatt Slipper. With the classic cork-latex footbed and deep heel cup, editors found these slippers similar to wearing the clogs but with a little extra warmth. The upper is made out of wool felt, a sustainable material that helps keep warmth in, and the outsoles keep feet dry even on wet ground. These run slightly narrow, and we were a little confused about the sole of the shoe, which almost looks like dipped rubber rather than the usual cork material you’d see with Birks. However, the shoes held up to editors' standards at the three-month testing mark, making them confident they were among the best house shoes. 

Sizes: 5-11 | Materials: Recycled P.E.T. ripstop, Thermoball recycled polyester insulation, rubber | Colors: 7

Combining The North Face's Thermoball Eco insulation (a synthetic alternative to down) with a durable rubber sole with reliable traction, this sleeping-bag-looking slipper is ideal for everything from après ski to your morning coffee run — even when temperatures plummet below freezing. It features a fleece collar lining that won't irritate your skin, a collapsible heel with elastic to keep it securely in place, and a water-repellent ripstop upper to protect your feet from the elements.

Sizes: 6-15 | Materials: Recycled polyester | Colors: 9

Wear these incredibly comfortable slippers around the house or campsite or while bopping around town during your next ski trip. They have a cushioned footbed, lightweight midsole, and grippy rubber outsole that provides traction even on snowy or icy terrain. A ripstop upper keeps you protected while adventuring, and a special coating repels water if you get caught in an unexpected light rain. The slippers have an antimicrobial treatment to help reduce foot odor, so you don't have to worry about side-eye from fellow campers around the fire after a long day in hiking boots. Just know that the collar of these house shoes is slightly loose, so you might want to wear athletic socks so your feet don’t slip.

Sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 100% Turkish cotton | Colors: 4

Designed with a 100% cotton terry fabric that matches Parachute's famous, cozy Classic Bathrobe, these slip-ons are perfect for lounging. They have ribbed rubber soles so you don't slide on slick floors and are light and breathable, making them a good choice for warm weather. Wearing these slippers around the house will make you feel like you're at a fancy spa, even if you're just trotting around your studio apartment. Just note that these may not be the best for anyone needing extra arch support while lounging around the house.

Sizes: 5-13.5 | Materials: EVA, fur | Colors: 8

The grippy sole and waterproof exterior make these a great choice if you like an indoor/outdoor option that you can wear in the yard yet easily wipe clean for indoor wear. The furry interior feels plush, and the thick exterior is made with anti-slip EVA material, offering stability when walking outside. Not only are these clog-style shoes more durable than other pairs made from suede or other hard-to-clean materials, but the available colorways are some of the most fun Shape editors have seen.

Susan Brickell is a former senior editor at Shape (now an associate editorial director for travel on Travel + Leisure). With an M.F.A. degree in nonfiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a B.A. in creative writing from Florida State University, she has over a decade of experience as a market editor and writer. When she's not putting a pair of comfy shoes, workout leggings, or new eye cream to the test, you can find her hiking U.S. national parks, planning her next surf trip, or spending time with her dog, Ollie.

Kristen Geil is a former senior editor at Shape. She led previous years' Shape’s Sneaker Awards and Best in Fitness Awards, and she’s constantly testing new shoes. She’s been wearing the same pair of Birkenstocks since high school.

Jennifer Heimlich is a health and fitness writer and the former senior fitness editor of Well+Good. She regularly interviews podiatrists and tests out new shoes, but she still swears by her years-old L.L. Bean slippers to keep her feet cozy in her chilly New England house.

Shape writer Maddie Barber updated this article in 2024 with more editor-tested and approved picks, testing the included Bearpaw, and Mephisto options herself.