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Oct 17, 2024

Outdoor Slippers are the Footwear You Didn’t Know You Needed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Stay comfortable and protected from the ground with these top outdoor slippers. In

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Stay comfortable and protected from the ground with these top outdoor slippers.

In This Article

Travel & Leisure / Kristin Kempa

My desire to appear normal in public took a nosedive during the pandemic and has yet to resurface. While I’ve been known to wear my Comfy to the grocery store or a sweatsuit that says “I Have Given Up" splashed across the chest while walking my cat, I’m (in)famous for wearing slippers everywhere I go. And while house slippers have their place (the house), my footwear of choice is a variety of outdoor slippers that can be thrown in my truck during a road trip, packed for camping, worn at the climbing crag to keep my feet cozy between climbs, or while running errands around town.

Outdoor slippers combine the comfortable uppers (often insulated) of standard house slippers with a durable rubber outsole made for walking around outside. Many outdoor slippers also have a more supportive EVA midsole, and can be worn for both sitting around a campfire and exploring the campsite. These are also great for travel — I always throw a pair into my carry-on bag for hotel stays. You can easily slip them on to walk down to the front desk or to cross the hotel parking lot for that 11 p.m. emotional-support McFlurry.

Here are my favorite outdoor slippers, ranging from a lightweight foam option for watersports to insulated booties for cold camping trips and everything in between.

A tough rubber outsole and a water-resistant quilted upper combine for a hard-wearing, comfortable slipper.

The insulation and fleece lining means these can feel a little too warm and sweaty in the summer.

These slippers get the most wear out of all the shoes on my shoe rack, and they have a permanent spot by my front door. Dirt brushes off the surface, and while I wouldn’t wear them to cross a creek, water beads right off and they stay remarkably clean.

One issue I’ve had with clog styles in the past is how they tend to slip off the back of my foot, but the Ramble Puff Clog has a secure lip on the heel that doesn’t rub, but keeps my foot secure. They also have a webbing strap on top for when you want to get a more athletic look out of your puffy slippers. The outsole has a surprising amount of traction, with three-millimeter lugs and a tough contoured footbed for arch support. The clogs are lightly insulated and quilted with a fleece lining, so they aren’t the most breathable during hot weather, but I wear them while running errands, on road trips, and camping during all but the hottest months of the year. The men’s version comes in a taller boot style with the same puffy slipper design.

The Details: Size 6-11 women’s, 7-14 men’s | Nylon, fleece, EVA rubber | Water-resistant

These lightweight, packable slippers are perfect for stashing in a backpack or suitcase.

The rubber on these wears out faster than other models.

These slip-ons for men and women are more similar to house slippers than an outdoor shoe, but that makes them packable while still providing a walkable rubber outsole. These pack down almost flat and have a small amount of The North Face’s proprietary ThermoBall Eco synthetic insulation, so they are still breathable while being warm enough to wear on cool evenings around the campfire. These are also a great choice to wear to the ski resort for padding around the lodge after a day on the slopes, though the outsole doesn’t have quite the same traction as some bulkier outdoor slippers.

The Details: Size 5-11 women’s, 7-14 men’s | Recycled rubber, ThermoBall Eco recycled polyester, fleece | Water-resistant

These slippers offer the iconic comfort of Uggs in a convenient slip-on style.

These are fairly bulky and not as packable as others.

From the moment they blew onto the college campuses in the mid 2000s, I’ve been a fan of Ugg’s cozy, easy comfort. Built with an upgraded midsole and more durable construction around the bootie, the Tasman Slipper is the new version of the Uggs I wore around my college dorm. The foam footbed and deep shearling lining give these a luxurious feel, but they aren’t too clunky to wear while driving. They’re appropriate to wear around town during pit stops or at camp if you’re roughing it on your road trip, and I can drive all day in them without feeling cramped or sweaty. These slippers hold up to months of wear, and are our top pick for house slippers as well.

The Details: Size 4-12 women’s, 8-18 men’s | Suede, upcycled wook and lyocell, sugarcane EVA

The collapsible heel turns these flats into clogs for easily slipping on and off.

The water resistance isn’t quite as burly as outdoor-specific slides.

These slimmer-fit slippers for men and women don’t take up much room in a camping gear bin, and they deliver the right amount of toastiness for staying warm on chilly evenings but not so warm that you’ll want to kick them off around the fire. I wear these both indoors and outdoors, and my pair has lasted more than three years of consistent use. I love the knit collar for a rub-free fit, and the collapsible heel makes them easy to wear as clogs without busting out part of the slipper itself.

You can also pop the heel material up for a secure wrap-around fit. They’re also cuter than some of the poofier outdoor slippers, with a more streamlined look and a fun quilted upper with just a little bit of insulation. The ReEmbers have light water resistance, so I don’t wear them on super soggy camping trips, but for dryer areas and a car-camping base, the grippy outsole and easy on and off make them a no-brainer.

The Details: Size 6-13 women’s, 4-13 men’s | Ripstop nylon, recycled polyester, recycled EVA foam, recycled rubber | Water-resistant

The low-profile rubber outsole is easy to clean off to keep the cabin tidy.

Danner tends to run a little narrow in the toe box.

Trending toward the ok-to-wear-to-town side of outdoor slippers are the Danner Forest Mocs for men and women. These slippers have a soft-molded outsole, front cutout for easy on and off, and extra-cozy shearling liner. The outsole is excellent for indoor-outdoor use, with a low-profile patterning that has acceptable traction but doesn’t collect mud and grime like outsoles with deeper lugs. That said, these might feel a bit slick if you’re taking on a serious walk or hike — and the toe box is known to run a bit narrow — but for shuffling around a Forest Service cabin, stomping around the grounds, and bringing wood inside, there’s nothing better.

The Details: Size 5.5-10 women’s, 7-14 men’s | Nylon, shearling, polyurethane

These pull-ons combine a slipper-like upper with a hiker outsole.

They can be pretty difficult to pull on over your feet.

These water-resistant slippers for women and men are probably the toughest, most rugged combination of slipper and shoe you’ll find. That means people looking for a plush, floofy slipper should look elsewhere, but anyone who wants a slipper-like upper combined with an actual outsole will be stoked on these. I’ve worn these on pretty significant woods walks and water cache journeys. I don’t take these on backpacking or bikepacking trips because they’re a little too heavy, but they’re a great option for an all-in-one slide-on shoe that doubles as a walking shoe on mellow trails and outings.

The Details: Size 6-15 women’s, 4-13 men’s | Recycled polyester, eco-rubber tread, sugarcane EVA | Water-resistant

These waterproof foam footies are the most convenient pair of shoes you’ll ever own.

No one is going to say these are the most attractive slippers, but for sheer durability, they’re worth the possible style faux pas.

If you told me I could only have one pair of outdoor slippers to wear kayaking, camping, road-tripping, gardening, or backpacking, I would choose these wild-looking foam slip-ons. These slippers (which also come in a men’s version) have a taller, more conforming heel tab to help keep them in place, as well as the sport-mode strap for when you really want to bust a move in your gardening clogs.

These aren’t the same type of plush slippers as others, but I have worn these on more occasions than probably any other shoe in my arsenal — much to the chagrin of anyone seen with me in public. The Hydro Mocs are so wide, airy, and breathable that I’ve even worn them for a half-day of biking when my cycling shoes gave me blisters — and they have a bit more cushion underfoot than other slippers. Since they’re made of just one main piece of injected EVA foam, they’re fully waterproof and shake off in an instant.

The Details: Size 5-11 women’s, 7-15 men’s | EVA foam

They have a lightweight, packable design that’s warm enough for shoulder season.

The bottom of these are fairly slippery — be careful on wooden floors.

Weighing just 6.5 ounces for the pair, these cloud-like slippers are so easy to wear they’ve become my go-to house slippers that can still be worn outside for mailbox runs, cat walks, and taking the trash to the curb. They’re also the pair I toss in my climbing bag for sitting on the rocks between climbs when I want to take my soul-crushingly tight climbing shoes off. They pack down flat, have baffled synthetic insulation and a durable water repellent for moderate water resistance, and they’re just so nice to hang out in thanks to the wide design and EVA footbed. I will say the outsole is reinforced, but it isn’t the same rubber or EVA compounds as others, so watch your step and don’t expect the same level of outdoor longevity as a rubber-soled slipper.

The Details: Size XS-XL | Nylon, Pertex Quantum, PrimaLoft insulation | Water-resistant

These cozy booties are lightweight and protective, perfect for cold-weather camping.

Some might prefer a drawstring at the top for adjustability.

Backpackers and mountaineers have long known the secrets of the camp bootie — a lightweight, insulated slipper (often filled with down or down alternative) with an outsole acceptable for walking around camp. Everyone camping, backpacking, or generally spending time outdoors in the cold invest in a pair of these. Exped’s version hits somewhere between high ankle and lower calf and has a snug-but-comfortable elastic band around the top to stop them from sliding down. The outsole is a lightweight, eco-friendly 420-denier TPU, which can hold up to plenty of walking around camp, but I wouldn’t go hiking in them. The midsoles are a plush EVA foam, and the inside is made from an ultralight, loft polyester fill.

The Details: Size S-XL | Polyester, EVA foam, TPU | Machine washable

A cold-weather slipper should have some sort of insulation, a warm-weather slipper should have more breathable materials. Either way, look for a durable upper, preferably with some level of water resistance. The more water-resistant the upper material is, the more the slipper can deflect minor precipitation or wet environments — plus, a water-repellent coating can make it easier to keep shoes clean. I opt for synthetic materials for most of my outdoor slippers, as they tend to hold up better to rough environments, and synthetic insulation doesn’t lose its warmth when it gets wet.

The point of an outdoor slipper is to have the comfort of a slide-on slipper with the durability of an outdoor shoe. Since we’re combining slippers and shoes here, you’re not going to get the perfect combination every time, and lightweight picks are less durable than the heftier models. Again, what it comes down to is your intended use. Do you want to wear your slippers sitting in the car during road trips and only walking into gas stations? Are these your hotel slippers for late-night lobby excursions? If so, you’ll be fine with a less rugged pair. But if you’re planning to take these camping or wear for longer walks, look for a rubber or TPU outsole with some sort of traction and lug patterning.

Outdoor slippers differ from traditional slippers in both construction and materials. The outdoor versions are designed to handle rougher, external environments and usually have durable, water-resistant uppers, robust outsoles with some sort of traction, and additional support through the midsole. Traditional slippers are made for indoor use and prioritize comfort and softness with materials like fleece or soft fabric. They usually have softer, more flexible soles best for indoor use.

Outdoor slippers differ from traditional slippers in both construction and materials. The outdoor versions are designed to handle rougher, external environments and usually have durable, water-resistant uppers, robust outsoles with some sort of traction, and additional support through the midsole. Traditional slippers are made for indoor use and prioritize comfort and softness with materials like fleece or soft fabric. They usually have softer, more flexible soles best for indoor use.

Keep your outdoor slippers looking fresh by removing any loose dirt or debris with a brush or cloth. If they are machine washable, place them in a mesh laundry bag and wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. For non-machine washable slippers, create a mixture of warm water and mild soap, then gently scrub the exterior with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse with clean water and pat dry with a towel. Let the slippers air dry completely, and it’s best to avoid direct sunlight.

Pack your outdoor slippers like you would a pair of shoes. If they fold down flat, they can easily be stashed in small spaces in your pack or car. If they’re bulkier, avoid crushing them and try to maintain any upper or collar structure.

Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, and bikepacker with more than a decade of professional gear-testing experience. She has backpacked thousands of miles, and her hiking and backpacking has taken her from winter peak bagging and coastal backpacking to extended trips in the desert and high alpine. Maggie is also a professional gear tester, testing hundreds of items on the trail each year, from hiking shoes to headphones to protein bars. She wears a variety of outdoor-ready slippers on everything from road trips to camping trips to walking her cat down the street to get the mail. For this story, she took into consideration outsole durability, portability, ease of cleaning, and versatility.

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