Heads up: This review contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep these reviews free to read. It never changes my verdict. Read my Gear Review Policy. — Steve
I’m not as big of a football fan as I once was. Family life has certainly cut into leisure time. So when I heard that OluKai, a brand known more for the waterman’s ethos of Hawaii, was collaborating with NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, I kinda went “meh,” and wondered if this collab was genuine.
Then I tried the sandals out. And whatever the reasoning behind the collab aside, the reality is that it’s a damn fine pair of flip flops. The leather is what you’d expect with OluKai, but the big difference is the footbed. Maybe having some of the top athletes in a sport that has them abusing their feet designing some leisure footwear wasn’t such a strange idea, after all.
As a dad, comfort is key, and so is quality, although both come at a premium. So were they worth the $160 price tag? Read on to find out!
Bottom line: It’s a lot to spend on a sandal, but the full-grain leather and rugged outsole mean it’ll last. It’s the type of sandal that gets better with age, as long as you aren’t the amphibous type.
Pros
✓ Full-grain leather that softens and shapes to your foot instead of wearing out
✓ The footbed is noticeably more supportive underfoot than a flat foam flip-flop
✓ Grippier than it looks: rubber traction pods set into a leather-wrapped outsole
✓ The football details stay subtle, but is a nice touch.
Cons
✕ $160 USD is a lot of money for a pair of flip flops
✕ It’s a beach sandal you shouldn’t swim in. OluKai builds the Mea Ola for dry sand and shorelines, not soaking
✕ Sizing guidance conflicts between OluKai’s own page and its Amazon listing (see The Facts, below)
Dark Java / Tan (single limited-edition colourway)
Sizes
Men’s US 7–15, whole sizes
Upper
Full-grain leather
Lining
Soft microfiber
Toe post
Handsewn
Footbed
Contoured leather footbed with laser-etched New Heights artwork and embroidered logo accents
Midsole / outsole
Compression EVA midsole, with spotted rubber outsole on top of leather.
Fit
OluKai’s product page lists it true to size, standard width, standard arch. OluKai’s own Amazon listing for the same sandal says it runs small and narrow with a high arch, and recommends sizing up. See the sizing note below.
Weight
17 oz (pair)
Water use
Built for dry sand and shorelines; prolonged water contact can damage the leather
Warranty
1 year from date of purchase
Availability
Limited edition, while supplies last
Specs verified August 3, 2026. Prices drift — check before you buy.
A note on sizing
OluKai gives two different answers depending on where you shop. The product page on olukai.com says the Mea Ola Nuʻu fits true to size with a standard width and arch. OluKai’s own Amazon listing for the same sandal says it runs small and narrow with a high arch, and tells you to order a size up. I found it to be fairly standard for me, and ordering a size up would have been way too much underfoot. As someone who oscillates between a size 10 and 9.5, the 10 was actually slightly big, but a 9.5 would probably have my toes creeping over.
How I tested them
I’ve been wearing these over the past few months in a classic west coast summer. I’m not taking them hiking or anything, but wearing them on the day-to-day when it suits. I try to not
Notable Features of the Mea Ola Nuʻu
Full-grain leather upper. It breaks in rather than breaks down, and darkens where your foot touches it. OluKai says the leathers here nod to vintage pigskins and old-school helmets. It’s a nice touch.
Contoured footbed with real arch shape. This is what separates it from a $20 rubber flip flop: there’s structure under the arch, so your foot isn’t doing all the work. The result? I can wear these all day without the usual foot pain from cheap sandals.
Leather-wrapped outsole with rubber traction pods. The outsole truly is grippy and a step above (no pun intended) a cheap, flimsy plastic outsole. But the sporadic use of it means you still get some flex in the step, and it doesn’t feel clunky. It’s a great compromise.
Handsewn toe post and microfiber lining. The toe post is the first thing to fail on a cheap sandal. This one is stitched, not glued, and lined so it doesn’t saw at your foot.
The New Heights details. Laser-etched footbed artwork, stitching that echoes football lacing, gold foil signatures from both brothers, and a “New Heights Equipment Co.” stamp. Subtle enough that nobody at the beach is going to clock it as merch. But it’s there for the fans who appreciate some details.
One-year warranty, and a B Corp behind it. A portion of every purchase goes to Hawaiian nonprofits through OluKai’s Ama foundation.
The pigskin stiching on top is the big standout feature that separates this version from the standard Mea Olua Nu’u
Drawbacks
The price. $160 USD buys a lot of sandal, and it also buys a lot of other things. This only makes sense if you’re the kind of person who keeps footwear for years and takes care of it along the way.
It’s leather, so it needs care. Rinse it in the ocean all summer and you’ll get a fraction of the life out of it. OluKai is explicit that the Mea Ola is made for dry sand and shorelines, not swimming.
Sizing is a coin flip online. Two official sources, two different answers. Order from somewhere with free returns, just to be safe.
Limited edition. One colourway, men’s sizing only, and when it’s gone it’s gone.
Not vegan, not synthetic. Leather upper, leather footbed, top to bottom. The only rubber is at the very bottom of the outsole.
Who This Is For
Buy them if you want a sandal that will still be in the rotation in five years. This isn’t the typical “dad shoe.” It’s a notch above and is perfect for a gift to show you really care about a guy. If they’re a football fan, and especially a fan of the Kelce brothers, it’s a no-brainer. If they aren’t the type to change out of their workboots… even better, and maybe this set of premium leather slippahs will help them do the trick.
Yes, it’s expensive, but a lot of things are these days, and it’s got more utility than a fancy golf shirt that probably costs around the same.
Who Should Skip This
Skip them if your sandals live in the water. If you’re spending the summer at the lake, launching a boat, or handing them to a kid who will absolutely wear them into the ocean, buy something synthetic and stop reading. Leather will lose that fight to water, especially over time. Skip them if you don’t use animal products, because there’s no synthetic version of this sandal. And skip them if you’re the kind of buyer who replaces flip flops every June for twenty bucks and is perfectly happy doing it: the whole argument for the Mea Ola Nuʻu is longevity, and if you don’t care about longevity, you’re just paying for leather.
Final Thoughts
I went in skeptical about a celebrity collab and came out with a sandal that gets more comfortable with each wear. The Kelce details are probably something peole will eithe gravitate to or avoid, but they’re not the reason to buy it. The leather, the footbed and the outsole are and those are all OluKai’s, collab or not. Make no mistake, it’s a lot to spend on a sandal. But the quality craftsmanship and rugged outsole means it’ll last.
Leather isn’t for everyone, but it’s the type of sandal that will only get better with time, and should last for a very long time if you know how to take care of them.
Are the OluKai Mea Ola Nuʻu sandals worth the money?
At $160 USD they cost roughly eight times a drugstore flip flop, so the math only works if you keep them for years. The full-grain leather, contoured footbed and stitched toe post are built to be kept. If you’re hard on sandals or you swim in them, you won’t see that value.
Do the OluKai Mea Ola Nuʻu run true to size?
OluKai recommends sizing up, however I found them to be pretty true to size, or even a hair larger than usual. Shopping for foot sizing is always a bother, but if you can’t try them out in person before buying, make sure you can return them. Amazon is a clear winner here for that reason… love ’em or hate ’em, their return policy allows you to give them a try.
Can you wear OluKai leather sandals in the water?
Not really. OluKai describes the Mea Ola as built for dry sand and shorelines, and warns that prolonged water contact can damage the leather. If you want an OluKai you can soak, look at their synthetic or water-ready models instead.
Did Jason and Travis Kelce actually design the sandal?
It’s a collaboration, not a ground-up design. OluKai built it on its existing Mea Ola platform. It’s a sandal Jason Kelce has worn for years, and they reworked the materials and detailing with football references: vintage pigskin leathers, lacing-style stitching, gold foil signatures and a “New Heights Equipment Co.” stamp. The comfort underfoot is OluKai’s, not the Kelces’. Like any collab, it’s more just a way for a brand to reach a new market. Whether or not it’s enough for you to want to pony up dough for depends on if you like the style or not.
Is the New Heights x OluKai collab still available?
It launched in June 2026 as a limited edition, sold while supplies last, in one colorway and men’s sizing only. Check current stock before you get your hopes up.
This may be entirely unnecessary, pretty sure these slippers write their own review, but today, is (always) the day to give praise where praise is due.
As I arise from bed on this dreary, Tuesday morning, with a few pairs of slippers to choose from, without thought or hesitation, my feet gravitate towards these baby’s. Every. Single. Time.
Let’s take a look at why Glerups are my queen in the kingdom of slippers.
What makes them the best?
Comfort. Over a few wears, the felted wool shapes to the contours of your feet, it also keeps it’s shape, and doesn’t cave in or expand drastically over time. The wool is miraculously itch free, as my skin is usually super sensitive to all things that go ‘baaah’. The wool acts as a temperature regulator, keeping your toes toasty in winter and cool as a cuke in summer. And if you have stinky feet? No worries, these won’t absorb the smell, they’ll also work as a barrier, so your SO’s nose doesn’t need to fret when they see you coming close.
Not only do they fit like a glove, the felted wool worn in just so (on my feet), the company is one of the good ones. They make one product, and they make that one product, imo, perhaps better than anyone else. Hailing from Denmark, notoriously known for it’s great design, these slippers are Scandinavian simple, chic and practical.
Earth-First
In addition to their incredibly thoughtful design, these slippers are created with the environment at the forefront of the entire circular design process, from the sheep to your feet.
Utmost care goes into all the materials, the animals and plants these slippers hail from. They carry the highest standard for humane animal care with their leather souls and wool, using Certified Responsible Wool (traceable to the exact location and farm it originated from), Forest Stewardship Council Certified natural rubber souls (zero harm caused from it’s source – the Hevea tree), and chrome-free leather. The slippers are also meant to completely break down after their (long) lifespan on your feet, rather than (most) other slippers that use petroleum and synthetic elements. Through their Project Zero Waste, Glerups upcycle all their scraps to make other handy things. They also don’t outsource, having complete control of their energy usage (solar power) and employee treatment. Go Glerups!
“…It takes time to make a pair of glerups. We don’t rush the process, but rather, we take our time. My parents spent many years testing and developing our product. They put a lot of hard work and many hours into glerups. All the way from the sheep to your feet. We take extreme pride in the fact that we own our own factory, partner with honest and caring farmers, and have eyes on every step of our value chain… My parents started glerups this way and their legacy will never be forgotten.”
– Jesper Glerup
With all that said, I’ll share a few pros to why my unconscious and conscious both choose Glerups.
Glerups Slip-on: The Facts
My go to, the Glerups Slip-on with natural rubber sole – honey – Chestnut
Price (as reviewed)
$119.95 (cdn)
Upper
100% pure, natural wool (available in 3 styles – slip on, shoe and boot)
Lining / footbed
100% pure, natural wool
Outsole
Natural rubber (also available in leather for less $$)
Fit
True to size
Warranty
Fully guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship – without guarantee or expectation of service life
Specs verified June 11, 2026. Prices drift — check before you buy.
They’re beautiful, so pristine, so clean, slightly stiff. The rubber soul is rounded rather than flat, feeling off at first. But just wait, give it time, and soon, once the wool footbed molds to your feet, you’ll be pleasantly pleased.
Over Time
If these slippers could time travel in a time travellin’ phone booth, they would. Hailing from the current owner’s parent’s, they feel timeless. Nanny Glerup created her first booty for her husband, Ove, back in in 1970. In 1985 they moved to their own farm and reared their own lustrous Gotland Sheep, registering the company in 1993 to keep up with the demand of their friends and family. That’s 33 years the company has been going strong, and they’ll most likely be around for Nanny’s great great great grandchildren.
Now, over time through the life of my slippers? I’ve had them for over 8 months, they have formed to my feet, and are delicously comfortable. Sometimes I forget I’m wearing them and omit to change into shoes when going to do errands. There is a little pilling around the opening, and if you have fuzzy animals, the felt attracts fur. Both not a big deal imo, if you have spare time away from your toddlers or whatever beckons, both can easily be pulled away.
If you buy the leather soles, know that there is an awkward teenage break in phase where everything seems to stick to the bottom. With more wear and tear, this eventually hardens and smooths out. You can see this in the image below, nearing the end of their sticky adolescence.
I snuck a pic of my sister’s ride or die Glerups, and this is how they look after 8 years. She put these slippers on my radar, as she wore them nearly every single day for the first 5 years of their life. She holds onto them to wear during the cool and damp winter months. Here, you can see how they naturally break down and will eventually return to the earth they came.
A work of art, non? If you could describe what love looks like to an alien, maybe, it would be this.
Final Thoughts
We’ve got some good experience with Glerups and can report that these slippers hold up well over time. Steve (my co-creator in this lil’ family adventure) rated his Glerups as Best for Travel and Best Slippers for the Home in his review of the best slippers for camping, travel, and home. More reason to stand by my best slipper on the block testament. We simply love them, in our everyday and on our adventures. Perhaps now is the time to see for yourself, dude/dudette.
Party on Glerups!
The rubber sole version makes outdoor adventures much more palatable.
Some things in life are worth paying a premium for. If you told me a few years ago as a dirtbag subleasing a basement in Whistler that I would find value in a pair of slippers that cost more than a fancy dinner, I would have thought you were crazy.
Well, two kids, two cats, and an upgrade to a house later, and here I am, telling the world about how much I enjoy OluKai’s Moloa slipper. I have been testing travel slippers for several years now, and these slippers quickly went to the top of the rotation for their packability, comfort, and the way the sole shapes to my foot. And the best part is, they seem to just get better with time.
Read on to see why I rated this the “Best Travel Slipper” after wearing out dozens over the past decade.
It was clear on the unboxing that these weren’t your run-of-the-mill travel slippers due to what stood out right away: The smell. I say that in the best way possible, as the leather denotes a sense of quality that one simply can’t get from polyester or cotton, or any other material that is used for slippers these days.
How the footbed breaks in over time
The gum rubber outsole is the unsung hero of the Moloa slippers. As comfortable as the inside is (and believe me, it really is), the way the outsole molds to the foot is unlike anything else I’ve tested. It’s a perfect balance of support and the ability to feel the ground underneath you.
It’s not without its drawbacks, though. If you have toddlers at home, the outsole will pick up anything on the floor, and stay there. Trying to scrape it off is a chore, and I’m yet to find the right solution to work with it. I might need to upgrade to an industrial solvent or something to get whatever my kids leave behind on the floor off of it. Better than stepping on it with bare feet, I guess.
If anyone knows a good way to scrape off the gunk without ruining the outsole, let us know!
The case for keeping them indoors
I wish these slippers were more acceptable to use out of the home because they are the pinnacle of at-home comfort. They would wear out too soon though and the wear is part of the journey to perfectly shaping your foot. It’s amazing how well it forms and how good it feels.
So keeping them inside will extend the life of them. The same gum rubber that shapes to the foot over time is also incredibly soft, and any gravel or foreign objects would definitely shorten the lifespan.
Buy them if you travel often and want a packable slipper that only gets better with time. It’s the pinnacle of comfort, and will soon become a must-pack item, whether for a weekend getaway or a
Skip them if You’re vegan. The whole thing is made from animals… the leather, the shearling lining, and the wool footbed. But millions of years of evolution kind of knows what it’s doing for comfort and warmth, so sorry to those who don’t use animal products… but synthetic material simply doesn’t mold to the foot the way leather can.
You probably also don’t want it if you spend the majority of your travels camping. There are plenty of camping slippers available that are more rugged, these slippers definitly work best when they are kept inside as much as possible.
Final Thoughts
I really don’t have enough good things to say about the Olukai Moloa slippers. I’m wearing them now at home, I pack them for flights and wear them on staycations to the Nita Lake Lodge, and they just get better with time. OluKai knocked these out of the park and if you value comfort and don’t mind paying a bit extra, these slippers are a fantastic choice.
With all the beautiful chaos of life at home and on the road, comfortable feet may be the most consistent gift you can give yourself (or a loved one) for starting or ending a great day. Wherever life takes you, a good pair of slippers can be an ideal bridge between bedtime and whatever adventures await.
Over the past few years we’ve been offered sliippers to test, and have sought our our own, along the way. We have come to learn that the best slipper is definitely one you have on compared to cold or overheated feet.
We’ve tested the good, the bad, and the dreamy in damp campsites, alpine huts, Hotels of varying cleanliness, Hawaiian Lanais, and at our home in British Columbia to give this list to anyone who needs the best slipper for wherever on earth you may be. Here are our top slippers for both kids and adults, broken down by where they shine the brightest.
We care about the recommendations we make. We sometimes (not all the time) use affiliate links to help keep the site running. Every item here has been hand-tested through years of professional outdoor work and surviving weekend trips with my own toddlers. Learn more about our Gear Review Policy here.
Style: Boot or Low cut Weight: Upper Material: Wool Sole: Rubber (Leather option found below)
Pros: Next level comfort, warmth, breathability Cons: Minimal arch support
Glerups are legendary for a reason. The Danish staples of comfort only get better the more you wear them, as long as you don’t blaspheme by wearing socks.
By opting for the boot-cut version with the natural rubber sole, you get a travel shoe that can confidently step out onto a wet hotel balcony without ruining the base. Since it’s made from 100% natural, itch-free wool, they breathe beautifully and naturally fight odors.
They are designed to be worn without socks, molding perfectly to the shape of your foot over time for a custom fit.
Style: Slip-on Weight: 17 oz Upper Material: Polyester Sole: Rubber
Pros: Great around the campsite, soft midsole Cons: Foam and polyester aren’t as breathable as natural materials
These are the ultimate campsite companions. We are keeping these right by the tent door for our upcoming stay at Porteau Cove because they seamlessly bridge the gap between a cozy slipper and a durable outdoor shoe. The footbed features a massive 30mm ULTRA-COMF foam insole that feels like walking on a marshmallow. It’s warm, and that might be its biggest drawback in warmer climates. But for cold-weather camping, it gives you something other than boots to wear but won’t be shy on the trail if there’s a bit of walking to get to an outhouse or water source.
The quilted ripstop upper is treated with TevaRAPID RESIST, making water bead right off, while the tough rubber outsole easily handles gravel, dirt, and damp grass. Although we are featuring the low-cut version, we actually tried the boot version, but it seems to be discontinued. That was probably because the higher cut can be a bit tedious for getting on and off, so the lower-cut version addresses our most critical feedback. Other than that, its’ an excellent go-to for camping out. It’s available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Pros: Exceptionally warm for a low-cut, lightweight slipper Cons: Being discontinued 🙁
Word on the trail is that Danner might be phasing these out, so if you see them on sale, grab them immediately. They are a powerhouse of warmth with a sleek, low-profile design. Packed with 200G PrimaLoft® Gold insulation, they trap heat perfectly even on freezing mornings.
The collapsible heel is an absolute lifesaver when you need to slide them on hands-free while holding an armful of firewood. Plus, the retro waffle outsole utilizes a FrostTrekker compound for serious grip on icy ground.
DEAL ALERT! Although this model is being discontinued, it’s being offered at a huge discount on the Danner store.
Style: Boot or Low cut Weight: 1.5 lb/pair Upper Material: Ripstop Polyester Sole: Rubber with Gel insole
Pros: Drawcord closure keeps heat in Cons: Not good for walking too far
Having packable booties is a must for winter escapes in faraway cabins, or even car/RV camping where space is limited. These booties are a staple for backcountry skiing, but family trips are just as essential for saving space in the pack.
The weather-resistant exterior easily sheds light snow and accidental coffee spills while keeping your feet toasty. While it’s not exactly what we’d call durable, it is great for quick romps outside or when getting out of tight boots and taking a load off at the end of the day. They definitely are a cold-weather type bootie, so they will probably sit in storage for summer. But even cool nights at the beach will be nice with these, especially since they repel sand quite easily.
Travel slippers blend the need for packability with not looking like a total hobo in a hotel lobby (but being oh-so-comfortable). We chose these options on both comfort and practicality.
Best For: Airport security and long-haul flights ✈️
Style: Mule Weight: 18 oz Upper Material: Leather Sole: EVA/Rubber
Pros: Soft comfort, Durable sole for outdoor use Cons: Doesn’t pack up well
Olukai offers some of the best premium comfort for any shoe. Their marketing tells us it’s like “walking on wet sand”, and after about two years in one of the slippers, I can confirm that it does feel like it molds to your foot in the same manner. It’s more than just hype, it’s a fantastic fit that only gets better with time.
The Ku’i speaks to the ladies, and while it may not be small and packable to be ideal for travelling, it’s worth a bit of extra bulk and weight to keep moms happy! The rubber sole lets you get away with walking around outside, something mom loved while visiting the Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler. And if you’re on a plane for more than three hours, it’s nice to have a pair of slippers that you can still walk quite a bit in… at least to get to the baggage claim to put on some “real” shoes.
The toughest choice on these are whether to have them inside or outside.
Airports aside, these are also great at home, and with the durable outsole you can go for neighbourhood walks without wrecking them.
OluKai also makes great options for men. We are fans of the Moloa leather slippers, which are actually excellent for packability in contrast. The shearling/leather combo is oh-so comfortable, and with the collapsable heel, you can fit them into your back packet if you really wanted to. But the shape-melding sole that gets better with time is a feeling that has us hooked.
Sometimes we need every cubic inch of luggage space possible, especially if carting around babies or toddlers who take up the bulk of luggage (their stuff, not them!). Here are some of the best slippers that pack up easily.
Pros: Soft comfort, Durable sole for outdoor use Cons: Faux Fur gets a bit hot, no arch support
These slippers are marketed as “house shoes” – and they definitely go well around the house. But where they outshine others in this list is how well they can pack up, thanks to the flexible suede sole. While it doesn’t offer a ton of support, the hopes are you’ll be having your feet up relaxing for most of the time you’re wearing these, not bearing weight.
The suede sole feels nice and light underfoot but beware if you wear them around messy toddlers as whatever they drop on the floor will end up ingrained into the sole. That’s a big reason why we prefer these on the road more than at home… but if you don’t have little ones spilling everything all the time, these are like durable socks that only get more comfortable the more you wear them.
Style: Mule Weight: 475 g Upper Material: Wool Sole: Leather
Pros: Super soft yet durable, shape conforms to your foot. Cons: Slippery on wet hardwood
While the rubber-soled Glerups are great for travel, the low-cut slipper with the leather sole is the ultimate indoor-only slipper. The natural wool keeps your feet incredibly warm without ever letting them overheat or sweat.
They are absolutely perfect for keeping your feet warm on cold concrete floors while tinkering in a basement workshop or making coffee on a frosty morning.
As great as these are, they aren’t ideal if you have little ones that spill things. They stain easily and get super slippery when in contact with water. This is from painful experience… as great and comfortable as they are, they are best for carpets if toddlers are wreaking havoc around the place.
Pros: Easy to slip on, fits many sizes, fun colours Cons: Not great outdoors, poor traction
Patagonia has a massive line of kid’s gear, and these little booties are an affordable option for warmth at night when the socks are dirty, the boots are off, but the kids aren’t ready to go to bed.
There’s not much to the Synchilla Booties, but kid’s don’t really need bells and whistles, just something to keep their feet warm and toasty, with a little bit of protection. They pack up super small, and are just a hair larger than socks, but have a durable enough sole to protect their feet from rocks and dirt.
We love the fact that Patagonia offers a lifetime repair guarantee, although chances are they will grow out of them first. But they will hold up through many generations of hand-me-downs, and are an easy-to-pack staple of a camping kit for kids.
Pros: Good closure, high cuff Cons: Bottom can wear out
If you are a Canadian family, you likely already know and love Mountain Equipment Company (MEC). Their “Toaster” line is legendary for keeping little ones warm during brutal winters, and these booties are no exception.
The biggest selling point here is the design: they feature a higher cuff with an adjustable hook-and-loop closure at the ankle. This means they actually stay on kicking toddler feet, a major win for parents. They are highly insulated and weather-resistant, making them the absolute perfect piece of gear to slide onto your kids’ feet before packing them into a sled or a hiking carrier for a frosty morning walk.
They do wear out though, so unless you’re a fan of duct tape, you’ll need to do some reinforcing if you plan on doing some hand-me-downs.
How We Tested The Best Slippers For Travelling and Camping
We are an adventurous family, as you might have guessed by the name of this site. But even more than just adventurous, we actually care about the planet and the companies that do better to improve the communities they serve. So a big part of our test is to only recommend companies with a bit of integrity to them.
Everyone here is at least making some efforts toward being more sustainable than others, even if not perfect, quite yet.
We are based in British Columbia, where the winters are cold enough to warrant some extra warmth on the feet. We also live in an old house that was built in the 1940’s, and the wood flooring can be cold without some warmth underneath. So although we tested these outside as well, the majority of the testing was done at home in our old house, the cold floor to tell us if it’s good or not.
But we enjoy camping, and being cozy on flights too, so we would always have a pair of slippers along from the ride, whether going to Whistler or camping in our Kodiak tent at on Vancouver Island.
A pretty good testing ground for beach slippers, if you ask me!
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Perfect Slipper
With so many premium options on the market, narrowing down the right pair comes down to where you plan to use them the most. Here is what we look for when testing slippers for our adventures:
Packability and Weight
If a slipper takes up as much room as a hiking boot, it is going to get left behind. Options with flexible uppers and collapsible heels rise to the top of the list. Materials like PrimaLoft insulation, down, and natural wool are incredibly warm but can be squished completely flat in the corner of a duffel bag.
The Outsole: Rubber vs. Soft Leather
This is the biggest deciding factor. If you plan to wear these outside of a tent or across a wet campsite, you absolutely need a rubber outsole. However, if you are strictly looking for indoor comfort or adopting a shoe-free sanctuary at home, a soft leather or suede sole will be much quieter and gentler on hard floors. That said, rubber will grip better on certain surfaces, especially if you’re like us and have toddlers spilling all sorts of things in strange places.
Material: Natural Vs. Synthetic
The big decision when choosing which slipper has a lot to do with material. Generally speaking, wool is often the winner for the comfort department. But not everyone likes the feeling of wool, and prefers synthetic materials. Synthetic can be warm but doesn’t always breathe as much. Ultimately it depends on your foot, any allergies you may have, and personal preference. But in our opinion, nothing beats good wool, as long as it comes from a responsible source.
The “Slip-On” Factor
When you are holding a sleeping toddler or an armful of firewood, you do not want to be bending down to wrestle with your footwear. A good camp or travel slipper should slide on completely hands-free. We highly favor designs with a drop-in heel.
Slipper FAQ
A few questions we get asked the most about choosing, packing, and living in a good pair of slippers.
Can you wear slippers through airport security?
You can, and a slip-on pair makes the whole shuffle through standard screening faster since you’re not lacing anything up. The catch is the floor — airport tile is filthy, so we lean toward a pair with a real rubber outsole like the OluKai Ku’i or Glerups rubber sole that you won’t mind walking on, rather than a soft suede sole you’d rather keep clean. Bonus: they’re already on your feet when you board, so there’s nothing to dig out of the overhead bin.
Should you wear wool slippers with or without socks?
Without — at least for Glerups, which are designed to be worn barefoot so the wool can mold to your foot over time for a custom fit. Wool also naturally fights odour and breathes, so sweaty feet are rarely an issue. If you’re someone who can’t go sockless, a synthetic or fleece-lined pair will feel more familiar.
Are wool or synthetic slippers better?
It comes down to your feet and what you’re doing. Wool is our pick for all-around comfort: it’s warm without overheating, breathes well, and resists odour as long as it’s responsibly sourced. Synthetics like PrimaLoft are seriously warm, shed water and packable bulk better, and suit anyone who finds wool itchy, but they don’t breathe as well, so they can run hot. For camping and cold mornings we reach for synthetic; for everyday wear we reach for wool.
Rubber sole or leather sole — which should I get?
This is the single biggest decision. If you’ll ever step outside. A wet campsite, a hotel balcony, a quick trip to the car and you want a rubber outsole for grip and weather resistance. If it’s strictly an indoor, shoes-off-at-the-door slipper, a soft leather or suede sole is quieter and gentler on hardwood. One warning from experience: leather soles get genuinely slippery on wet floors, so they’re not ideal if toddlers are spilling things around the house.
How do you pack slippers without taking up luggage space?
The key is to get a flexible upper and a collapsible heel. Those two features let a slipper squish flat into a corner of your bag. Insulation matters less than you’d think for packing: PrimaLoft, down, and wool all compress well. Our most packable picks are the Kolo House Shoes, the OluKai Moloa (the collapsible heel folds it down small), and the Outdoor Research Tundra Trax booties for cold-weather trips.
How do you keep slippers on a toddler’s feet?
You need a high cuff and a closure. Plain slip-on booties get kicked off in seconds, but a bootie with a tall ankle and a hook-and-loop strap like the MEC Toaster actually stays put on a wriggling kid, which is what you want before loading them into a sled or carrier.
How do you clean wool slippers?
Very carefully. Spot-clean with a damp cloth for everyday marks, and for a deeper clean, hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent and let them air dry away from direct heat. Skip the washing machine and never put wool in the dryer. Heat and agitation cause it to felt and shrink. Treat them well and a good wool pair lasts years.
Are slippers really worth packing for a trip?
For us, that’s an enthusiastic yes. They take up almost no room with the right pair, and after enough red-eye flights, cold hotel floors, and frosty campsite mornings, we’ve found that warm, comfortable feet genuinely cut down on travel fatigue for the whole family. It’s a small luxury that punches above its weight.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Skip the Slippers
When packing for a family trip, it is easy to view slippers as an unnecessary luxury that takes up precious cargo space. But after navigating countless red-eye flights, cold hotel floors, and frosty mornings at the campsite, we can confidently say that investing in comfortable footwear reduces travel fatigue for the whole family.
Grab a pair that fits your travel style, toss them in your bag, and enjoy quality comfort no matter where you put your feet up to relax.
Which pair fits your family’s travel style best? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more honest gear reviews and outdoor family travel hacks!
