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.
OluKai Moloa Leather Slippers: The Facts
| Price (as reviewed) | $140 |
| Weight | 30 oz (pair) |
| Upper | Heavily waxed nubuck leather |
| Lining / footbed | Soft genuine shearling lining; washable wool footbed |
| Outsole | Non-marking gum rubber |
| Heel | Collapsible Drop-In Heel (wears as slipper or slide) |
| Fit | True to size |
| Warranty | 1 year from date of purchase |
First impressions out of the box
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.
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.
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