What’s the worst part of your morning routine? Obviously, it’s tearing yourself away from the warm embrace of sleep and into the cold light of day. But the second worst part is stepping onto a floor that feels like an ice floe. This is one area where American men are far behind the rest of the world, where comfortable house slippers are the norm.
So be kind to your feet and pick up a pair of the best slippers for men. Men’s slippers have changed styles since the wonky ones your dad wore. Now there are comfortable slippers for everyone. There are suave velvet slippers, stylish smoking slippers, and Gucci slippers that can be worn to work on a casual Friday. And, of course, there are slippers that make working from home a bit more bearable. Some of the best men’s slippers are covered in fluffy down that keeps your toes nice and cozy all day long.
What should you look for in the best men’s slippers?
When shopping for slides and slippers, the most important factor is fit. Don’t wear a slipper where your toes or heels hang over the end. Not only is it uncomfortable, but you could also injure your foot. Slippers for men are sized like regular men’s shoes. Since most of us are shopping online, before you click that “buy now” button, read the slipper’s description. If there’s no mention of fit — do they run true to size, run small or large? — read the reviews. At least one or two men’s slipper reviews will mention how they fit. If there’s no size guide, you can always shoot an email to customer service.
The second most important item to check is the outer sole. If you’re looking for a house shoe (yes, people do call slippers house shoes), that can be worn to walk the dog or to stroll around the block, see if those slippers that you’ve been eyeing have an outsole that is made for the street. If not, you may want to get a pair for stepping outside to walk the dog and another pair of slippers that will never go beyond your front door.
Care and feeding
If you’ve decided on a pair of suede slippers or moccasins, use a suede brush to keep them sparkling new looking. If you’ve decided to treat yourself to velvet slippers, pick up a protective spray and spritz them with it before wearing them. That spray should repel most stains. Use a toothbrush or a soft brush to gently remove dust or dirt. When brushing suede, go with the nap (the way the fabric lies) of the fabric, not against it. Not sure how to do it? Think about when you pet a dog or cat; when you pet them the wrong way, their hair stands up and they get grumpy. Leather slippers for men should be cleaned the same way you take care of your leather shoes.
Ready to find the perfect pair of slides? Keep reading to find the best men’s slippers for the season. We’ve got options for every sense of style and price range, from Gucci slippers to classic Nike slides.
1. MUK LUKS MEN’S PAUL PRINTED BERBER SUEDE MOCCASIN SLIPPER
BEST ALL YEAR ROUND
The best and sneakiest thing about a well-made moccasin slipper is that they can be worn in and out of the house. The MUK LUKS suede moccasin slipper has a cozy polyester Berber lining and a ribbed thermoplastic outsole. That ribbed outsole lets you walk in them anywhere. Since they’re styled like a regular moccasin, these are an extremely versatile pair of slippers.
Buy: MUK LUKS Men's Paul Slipper, Chocolate, 9 $28.232. THE COMPANY STORE DOWN SLIPPERS
BEST FOR ICE CUBES
Are you one of those people whose feet are always achingly, freezingly chilled? If you’re looking to warm up those refrigerated feeling digits and regular slippers for men aren’t working for you, these down-filled babies are line in fleece and have a cotton shell. They also come in red, gray, navy, hot pink and tan.
3. FREEDOM MOSES CRUZ SLIDES
BEST VEGAN
Looking for a comfortable men’s slipper that also smells good? Then check out the Cruz Slides from Freedom Moses. All of the brand’s soles are air injected for extra smooth cushioning and infused with essential oils so that they smell lightly of milk and honey. More good news, they’re vegan and recyclable. Freedom Moses slides come in over 25 solid colors, 14 (and counting) patterns. They also come in kids and women’s sizes too, if you want the whole family to match.
4. GUCCI KINGSNAKE EMBROIDERED SLIPPERS
BEST HIGH END
No list of the best slippers for men would be complete without some Gucci. If you want to treat your feet extremely well, slip them into Gucci’s kingsnake embroidered slippers. These men’s slippers are the ne plus ultra of slippers. The velvet embroidered vamp sits above a quilted satin insole. Slide noiselessly in your home in their leather outsole.
5. YOU GOT MY BACK III SLIPPER
BEST HEMP SLIPPER
These men’s slippers have the brand’s legendary Sidewalk Surfer comfort insole, a hemp covered front and an open back, so easy to slide into and off. The EVA footbeds contain an antimicrobial which cuts down on foot odor, and the rubber outsole means taking a walk around the block in them is A O.K.
6. STAR WARS DARTH VADER SLIPPER
BEST MOVIE-TIE IN
According to early rumors, Taika Waititi is going to direct the next Star Wars movie, which probably won’t hit theaters for a long, long time. In the meantime, keep your spirits up with these plush, soft men’s slippers that feature Darth Vader on the upper. We wouldn’t advise you to wear these slippers past your front door, but they’re the perfect house slippers for Star Wars fans.
7. PAUL STUART HEATH VELVET SLIP-ON SLIPPER
BEST CLASSIC SLIPPER
Made in Italy, Paul Stuart’s leather-lined velvet slipper is classic and sophisticated footwear. The upper is embroidered with the brand’s emblem. Velvet hasn’t been this hip since the days of disco, and like the Gucci shoes above, the best men’s slippers are often crafted from velvet.
8. UGGS ASCOT LEATHER SLIPPER
BEST SLIPPERS FOR WFH
Here’s a slipper that’s masquerading as a driving moccasin, or is it the other way around? These men’s UGG slippers have leather uppers and 100% wool interiors. Their molded rubber outsole means you won’t slide or slip when wearing them. Some guys still think of UGGs as a women’s shoe, but those men are missing out on some of the most comfortable shoes known to man.
9. Nike KAWA SHOWER SLIDE
BEST O.G. SLIPPER
It’s a toss-up between Nike and Adidas as the OG shower slides. Nike was worn by David Beckham when the slide first became popular, and Adidas was the slide of choice for Mark Zuckerberg. The Nike Kawa Shower Slide was originally designed for athletes to use after a workout, and in a gym’s shower to protect their feet from athlete’s foot. These slides have a textured Solarsoft footbed and are lightweight. They’re also great to wear everywhere else in your home.
10. ACORN MEN’S SPA SLIDER
BEST FOR BATH AND BEYOND
Ah, terrycloth! So soft, so cuddly. Slip into these terry-lined slides after a shower or any time day or night, and you’ll feel like you’re walking on a cloud. The memory foam insole cradles your feet. These slippers are also machine washable for good measure, and they also come in black and grey.
Buy: Acorn Men's Spa Slide, Black, Medium $22.0011. Soludos Smoking Slippers
BEST SMOKING SLIPPERS
SPY covered these awesome smoking slippers earlier this year, when we called them the perfect summer kicks. Whether you wear them indoors or outdoors, these sophisticated slippers are both comfortable and stylish. Soludos was founded in New York City in 2010, and the brand has a great lineup of stylish men’s shoes and accessories. If the Negroni cocktail slippers pictured below aren’t quite your style, check out the Dry Martini or Beer & Shot smoking slippers. Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the wagon, try the plain suede model. Like the best men’s slippers, they’re all designed for casual comfort on leisurely days.