Best slippers for men: Our favourite indoor shoes to buy from £40
Treat your feet and keep your toes comfy and warm with the best slippers for men
We’d argue that investing in the best slippers is essential. After all, not only do your feet get you from A to B every day, but they do it in tight shoes and sweaty socks – and with chilblains, bunions and aching arches. Those tootsies deserve a break.
You can buy slippers for £2 from the supermarket these days, and you may have been through several pairs in your time. But that’s the problem. Cheap slippers are disposable footwear, made to fall apart. In the meantime, they’ll make your feet clammy, morph out of shape and turn your stairs into a danger zone.
You’d do much better to invest in a well-made pair that fit properly and provide comfort, support and durability in equal measure. So, while some of the slippers featured in our roundup below may seem expensive, we’ve chosen them precisely because they offer these essential qualities.
Read on for our pick of the best slippers for men and, below that, a brief buying guide to help you choose the right kind of downtime shoe for you. And if it’s women’s slippers you’re after, we’ve got you covered: check out our best slippers for women roundup for our favourite mules, pumps and slipper socks for her.
READ NEXT: Best dressing gowns
Best slippers: At a glance
- The best mule slippers for men: Gumbies Outback Slipper | £40
- Best indoor shoes for support: Mahabis Curve | £119
- Best slippers for style: Allbirds Wool Lounger | £105
- Best shearling slippers: LL Bean Wicked Good Moccasins | £96
- Best men’s slip-on slippers: UGG Men’s M Scuff Slipper | £85
- Best slipper socks: The Foozie Move | £39
The best slippers you can buy
1. Gumbies Outback Slipper: The best mule slippers for men
Price when reviewed: £40 | Check price at Gumbies
Gumbies are warm but breathable, sleek but cosy, and lightweight but solid. They’re also the most sustainable slippers in our roundup, with soft felt uppers made from recycled plastic bottles, and sturdy non-slip rubber soles made from recycled car tyres. And though although we’ve featured them here, their handsome, stylish appearance and wide size range mean they’re genuine unisex footwear.
Best of all, these slippers are incredibly toasty without being bulky. Users who suffer from Raynaud’s disease report that these slippers are the first that actually keep their toes warm. These are designed to let your feet breathe, so you won’t suffer soggy toes or sweaty soles. Users also say that Gumbies’ slippers come up slightly large, so err on the small side when buying, especially if your feet are on the narrow side.
If you like the sound of Gumbies slippers but want more ankle support than the outback slipper provides, then it’s well worth checking out the brand’s Brumby boots – a comfy slipper with all the style of a chelsea boot.
Key features – Material: Felt upper made from recycled plastic bottles, rubber sole made from recycled tyres (machine washable); Colours available: 9; Sizes available: UK 3-7
2. Mahabis Curve: Best indoor shoes for support
Price when reviewed: £119 | Check price at Mahabis
For many people, the mention of slippers will bring to mind images of floppy footwear that offer no support and turn walking up and down stairs into a potential health and safety nightmare.
That’s certainly not the case with the Curve from London-based slipper brand Mahabis. Designed with a durable rubber sole and foam footbed, these slippers offer excellent support, comfort and style, all in one package. The organic Italian wool lining keeps your feet warm without making them feel clammy, even after a whole day of wearing them. And the unique neoprene “heel cradle” offers the gentle support required to ensure that they don’t slip or fall off.
The Curve comes in a wide range of colour options, and can be machine washed on a gentle cycle. Sure, £100 is an investment (particularly if you’re used to reaching into the bargain bin for your slippers), but we’d argue it’s definitely worthwhile for indoor shoes of this quality.
Key features – Material: “ReWooly” felt upper, organic wool lining, “Pura-Latex” rubber sole; Colours available: 9; Sizes available: UK 5.5-12.5 (men’s) (some sizes may be unavailable in some colours)
Also consider: Mahabis Alto Boots
Made from the same versatile rubber sole, recycled materials and Italian wool lining, the Mahabis Alto Boot takes all of the great features that we loved about the Curve slippers and puts them into a smart Chelsea boot-style design.
They are a little on the clunky side, so those looking for a lighter slipper might be better off sticking with the Curves (the Altos are also about £40 more expensive than the Curves, too). However, these slipper boots are just as comfortable as their nimble counterparts and are particularly ideal for those looking for that extra bit of ankle support.
3. The Foozie Move: Best slipper socks
Price when reviewed: £39 | Check price at The Foozie
Foozie advertises its plush, vegan-friendly Move slipper socks as being ten times warmer than cotton socks. And though we can hardly verify this exact claim, we must say they are very snug indeed, with a fleecy sherpa lining buried beneath an attractive cable knit flannel fleece. They’re tall enough to keep your ankles warm too.
The silicone pads have a brilliant grip, meaning those with smooth floors needn’t worry about sliding all over the place (even if they do sound a little squeaky on vinyl flooring), and the socks can be machine washed without losing too much of their original shape. It’s worth noting that, because the inner sherpa layer isn’t fully attached to the outer, it can sometimes ruck up at the toes or slide about after long periods of wear without adjustment. However, this is a very minor qualm, and is of no detriment to the overall quality of the Foozie Move slipper socks.
In fact, if you’re after a pair of snug slipper socks for those colder winter months, they’re some of the best we’ve tested.
Key features – Material: Flannel fleece outer, sherpa fleece inner; Colours available: 7; Sizes available: Medium (US 6-10), large (US 10-14), kids (US 3-6)
4. Allbirds Wool Loungers: Best slippers for style
Price when reviewed: £105 | Check price at Allbirds 
The Wool Loungers lean more toward the causal shoe side of the slipper spectrum (and, much like the Mahabis Curves, they’re rather expensive). They look more than smart enough for outdoor wear (weather permitting, of course), while still being comfortable for lounging about the house, as the name suggests.
The New Zealand-American brand Allbirds claims, rather boldly, to make the “world’s most comfortable shoes”. The eco-friendly Wool Loungers are made from ethically sourced merino wool, with a castor bean insole and a carbon-negative sugarcane midsole, for cosy comfort as well as breathability.
Key features – Material: ZQ merino wool, sugarcane midsole, castor bean insole; Colours available: 7; Sizes available: UK 7-13 (some sizes may be unavailable in some colours)
5. LL Bean Wicked Good Moccasins: Best shearling slippers for men
Price when reviewed: £93 | Check price at LL Bean
According to LL Bean, it sells one pair of the Wicked Good Moccasins every seven seconds during its peak sales period in December. So, what makes these slippers live up to their name?
The Wicked Good Moccasins are comfortable and, if you like that rustic folk look, stylish too. Best for colder days, the shearling keeps your feet warm while also wicking away moisture. And while the inner does get worn down over time, the tougher outsoles are made to last, making these moccasins a durable pair of slippers.
If you don’t like the leather laces adorning the moccasins (for aesthetic, rather than functional) purposes, check out LL Bean’s slippers. And for a vegan-friendly alternative, there are the fleece scuffs.
Key features – Material: Shearling leather; Colours available: 6; Sizes available: UK 7-14
6. Ugg Men’s M Scuff Slipper: Best men’s slip-on slippers
Price when reviewed: £90 | Check price at UGG
Whatever you think of folk wearing UGGs to the supermarket or even the office (heaven forfend), there’s no denying that this brand knows how to do comfort. These classic suede slip-on slippers don’t come cheap, but you’re unlikely to have to replace them for a while. UGG’s slippers are warm and wonderfully comfortable from the moment you put them on, but then mould to your feet over the months, without losing shape or colour.
Key features – Material: Leather outer and sole, wool lining; Colours available: 6; Sizes available: UK 6-17 (some sizes may be unavailable in some colours)
How to choose the best slippers for men
What type of slippers should I get?
Current soft-shoe vogues include colourful interchangeable soles and quilted duvets for your feet. Slipper socks and boots remain popular, while fluffy open-toe mules refuse to go out of fashion. But which type is right for you?
Mules are simply backless slippers. Traditionally they’re made from sturdy material that keeps its shape well, such as leather or tightly woven wool, and they’re very convenient because you can slip them on and off without having to bend down. Mules let the air circulate, so they’re a good choice if you suffer from sweaty feet.
Open-toed mules can be anything to anyone. Stick a chunk of faux fur on top and a tiny kitten heel on the sole and you’ve got the all-time classic fluffy mule. Strip them back and you’ve got a beachfront slider. The pros and cons are the same: fast to slip on and off, loads of breathability, infinite toe room, but not much warmth.
Pumps, such as soft, fluffy ballerina pumps or smooth, cotton slip-ons, are a light option for wearing all year round. Their full heel prevents them from sliding off, but only until they lose their shape – which can happen fast with cheap pumps, so err on the snug side when shopping.
Moccasins also have a full heel, but they’re carefully tailored to keep their shape for years, even if they’re made from soft material such as sheepskin. Perfect for keeping feet warm and comfy in the colder months and on cool evenings.
Slipper socks are a brilliant innovation. They’re soled with rubber studs or soft leather/suede (real or faux) to provide grip and insulation without bulk. They’re the easiest slippers to wash and dry. However, they aren’t great at letting the air circulate, especially if soled with rubber, so they’re not the best choice if you suffer from sweaty feet.
Slipper boots keep you warm from calf to toe so they’re ideal for winter, although they can be too clammy and sweaty for summer. Look for rubber soles for added grip and durability.
READ NEXT: Best pyjamas
What are the pros and cons of different slipper materials?
Wool is a slipper mainstay, for good reason. Woven into thick herringbone or moulded felt (as in our top choice), wool offers the perfect combination of softness and solidity, plus warmth without clamminess. Often mixed with synthetics such as polyester for added stretch and breathability.
Leather, suede and sheepskin are also classic slipper materials, offering softness, breathability and durability. They’re obviously not a vegan option (unless you go for faux leather) or machine-washable, but one pair could last you a lifetime.
Satin is a way of weaving natural or synthetic fibres (such as silk or polyester) to create a glossy surface that offers style, comfort and a lovely smooth feeling against your skin. Not a great choice for sweaty feet, though, since satin’s tight weave traps moisture.
Memory foam is turning up inside all sorts of slippers, from the massive soles of indoor moon boots to the inner soles of ballerina pumps. It’s soft but supportive, and very warm – perhaps a little too warm in summer.
Rubber soles allow you to nip outside without giving your feet a soggy bottom. Companies such as Mahabis and Clarks sole their slippers with robust specialist rubber-like TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), which is more flexible than leather and holds heat well. Rubber soles vary in price, but you tend to get what you pay for.
How much should I spend on a new pair of slippers?
As we’ve already mentioned, spending as little as possible on your slippers isn’t always the best idea. We recommend investing in something a bit more expensive, and we’d argue that around £20 or £30 will get you a good value pair that won’t fall apart after a couple of months.
You can, of course, spend a lot more than this, particularly if you’re looking for a more stylish and well-made indoor shoe. For instance, the Mahabis Curves will cost you just under £100. For those used to reaching into the supermarket bargain bin for their slippers, this might seem ludicrous at first. But for the comfort and longevity they’ll offer, it’s an investment you might want to consider.
