Men's Slippers UK: How to Choose the Best Pair

The best men's slippers are the ones built for where you actually walk: a soft mule for carpet, a closed moccasin with a rubber sole for cold floors and the doorstep, and a slipper boot for the garden and the bins. Most disappointing slippers are not badly made; they are the wrong type for the house, flattened by a dash across a wet patio or slipping off on the stairs. This guide works through the three choices that matter: shape, lining and sole, then sizing.

Moccasin, mule or slipper boot?

Moccasin: the classic slipper, with stitching around a raised apron toe. A closed-back moccasin holds the foot securely, which helps on stairs and cold kitchen floors. The Wentworth Closed-Back Moccasin Slippers (£79) have a closed heel, a fleece lining and collar, and a rubber outsole that is fine for the doorstep. The Esher Leather Moccasin Slides (£65) take the same hand-stitched apron toe into a backless slide in genuine pebbled leather.
Mule: open at the back, so it slips on in a second. Ideal if you are in and out of slippers all evening. The Cobham Suede-Look Moccasin Slippers (£79) are a moccasin mule with a cream fleece collar, while the Oxshott Leather Mule Slippers (£69) are the smart option: genuine cow leather with a soft leather-lined footbed.
Slipper boot: ankle height, for the coldest houses and the men who keep walking outside in their slippers anyway. The Haslemere Quilted Slipper Boots (£45) have a quilted, water-resistant upper, a thick plush lining and a deep-tread rubber sole made for the house, garden and bins.

If you are unsure, choose by the stairs. A mule is quicker on and off; a closed back stays put when you are carrying a tray or a toddler.

The lining decides the warmth

The upper sets the look; the lining does the warming. From coolest to warmest:

Leather-lined: the Esher and Oxshott. Smart, and better for feet that run warm, or for wearing beyond winter.
Fleece and sherpa-style: the Wentworth and Cobham, and most moccasins. The everyday middle ground for a British winter.
Plush and faux fur: the warmest. The Twickenham Fur-Lined Leather-Look Slippers (£55) have a deep faux-fur lining and turned-down collar; the Lavenham Plush-Lined Waterproof Clog Slippers (£49) pair a high-pile faux-fur lining with a cushioned memory-foam footbed.

To be clear about materials: none of our current slippers is sheepskin. The fur linings are faux, and the suede-look and leather-look uppers are named as such on each product page. The genuine leather styles are the Esher and the Oxshott.

Soles: indoors only, or out to the bins?

This is the question most men skip, and the one that decides how long a pair lasts.

Indoors on wood, tile and carpet: a cushioned footbed with a non-slip sole is all you need. The Ripley Corduroy Slippers (£59) have a closed back, a plush lining and a non-slip rubber sole, which covers most homes well.
Indoors and the doorstep: look for a rubber outsole. The Wentworth, Cobham and Twickenham all have one, and the Twickenham's water-resistant upper wipes clean after a damp morning. The Esher's flexible stitched sole is described for indoors and out.
Garden, shed and bins: go for a deep tread or a waterproof shell. The Haslemere has a deep-tread non-slip rubber sole; the Lavenham has a waterproof moulded shell and an anti-slip treaded sole, happy to pop out to the bins, the shed or the dog walk.

Even the sturdiest slipper is not a shoe. If a pair gets wet, let it dry naturally, away from direct heat, before you wear it again.

Sizing, especially between sizes

Slippers are sized in two ways, and it is worth checking which before you order:

Whole UK sizes: the Wentworth, Esher and Haslemere. Take your usual UK shoe size; if you are between sizes, go up one. The Lavenham comes in whole sizes from UK 7 to 11, and if you are a half size, go up to the next whole size.
Paired sizes, such as UK 7–8 (EU 41–42): the Cobham, Oxshott, Twickenham and Ripley. Choose the pair that includes your usual UK size; if you are between sizes, take the larger pair.

The rule is the same either way: if in doubt, size up. A lined slipper that pinches is cold and gets kicked off; one with a little room keeps its lining lofted and warm. For larger feet, the Wentworth runs to UK 14, the Ripley to UK 14–14.5 and the Twickenham to UK 13.5–14.

As a gift

Slippers are one of the most reliable gifts for him, as long as you know his shoe size. The Wentworth, Cobham, Oxshott and Esher all arrive neatly packed, ready to wrap, and unused items can be returned within 30 days if the size is wrong. Browse the full men's slippers and loungewear collection for dressing gowns and pyjamas to go with them.

The short version

Pick the shape by your house (closed back for stairs, mule for convenience, slipper boot for the garden), the lining by how cold your feet get (leather for warm feet, fleece for most, faux fur for the coldest), and the sole by whether you step outside. If you are between sizes, go up. Our slippers run from £45 to £79.

Frequently asked questions

What type of slipper is best for men?

For most men, a closed-back moccasin with a fleece lining and a rubber sole, such as the Wentworth, is the best all-rounder: warm, secure on stairs and fine for the doorstep. If you want something smarter, a genuine leather mule like the Oxshott suits warmer feet.

Should slippers be tight or loose?

Snug but not tight. Your toes should not press the end, and a lined slipper needs a little room so the lining is not crushed flat. If you are between sizes, take the larger size.

Can you wear slippers outside?

Some, briefly. Look for a rubber or deep-tread sole and a water-resistant or waterproof upper: the Haslemere and Lavenham are made for trips to the bins, and the Twickenham's rubber sole is for indoors and the doorstep. Soft indoor soles will wear quickly outdoors.

Are leather slippers better than suede-look?

Genuine leather, as on the Esher and Oxshott, looks smart, and the Oxshott is made to break in and last. Suede-look styles like the Cobham and Wentworth come with warmer fleece linings. It depends whether you want polish or warmth.