15 Best House Shoes for Women | 2024 Picks | SELF

Oct 29, 2024

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Fall is simultaneously a wonderful time of year to get outside or putter around at home. The one thing you’ll need for both? Solid footwear. “Controversial, but there is not a single person that should be barefoot walking inside the house,” Leakna Ung, DPM, a podiatrist at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedics Institute, tells SELF. The best house shoes for women are hardly limited to fluffy, flimsy slippers—there are clogs, sturdy indoor-outdoor options, and slides that’ll keep you comfy while tackling your chores, grabbing the mail, or relaxing with your favorite comfort show.

Here at SELF, we’re as passionate about our house shoes as we are about sneakers, so you can rest assured we have lots of recommendations for you. But first, a few more tips from Dr. Ung about what you should look for in your next pair.

Like any other type of footwear, your house shoes should have solid arch support (meaning their insoles don’t let your arch collapse or force your feet into an uncomfortable position) and a somewhat rigid sole (you shouldn’t be able to fold the shoe in half), Dr. Ung says.

She also recommends looking for pairs with a heel-to-toe drop that elevates your heels slightly. This will take some pressure off your heels and keep your feet comfortable for longer. As SELF has previously reported, slides, flip-flops, and other flat shoes should only be worn for brief periods of time; so if you’re on your feet for a bit while cleaning or cooking, opt for a pair with more support.

If you’re still not sold on the idea of wearing shoes indoors, Dr. Ung says doing so can help prevent pain related to plantar fasciitis, arthritis, Achilles tendinitis, and other foot conditions. And, if you ask us, a comfy pair of house shoes can dull the sting of an icy cold floor first thing in the morning—and that is priceless.

Speaking of combatting the cold, these snuggly house slippers will keep your toes toasty warm.

Glerups

REI

L.L.Bean

Glerups

“I just got a pair of Glerup wool slippers and I am swooning,” SELF’s director of audience development, analytics, and social says. It’s easy to see why: Between their clean Scandi style and naturally warm (but breathable!) wool uppers, Glerups look and feel great—and will for a long time. REI reviewers report their slippers have only gotten comfier and grippier the longer they’ve had them. (For even more warmth, there’s a bootie style too.)

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Leather, wool

Bombas

Bombas

If shearling is your thing, check out the Sunday Slipper from Bombas. “I feel so bougie and fancy with these on,” SELF’s lifestyle writer says. “They look superchic and expensive, come in all sorts of fun colors, and are supersoft and durable.” Memory foam insoles cradle your feet, while rubber soles provide lots of grip. And the back of the shoe comes up higher on your heel than a standard slide, so you can slip them on without worrying about slipping out by accident.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Polyester, polyurethane (PU) foam, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), rubber

Bombas

Bombas

Our lifestyle writer rounds out her Bombas collection with these slipper socks from the brand. “They feel like warm socks, but they have grips at the bottom, so you don’t slip and slide, and you can walk around your house comfortably,” she says, adding that they rival Uggs in terms of fluff. Just note that the sock-like design doesn’t have built-in arch support, so these are best worn while couch-rotting.

Product specs

Sizes: XS to L | Widths: N/A | Materials: Acrylic, nylon, Merino wool, viscose, polyester, elastane

OrthoFeet

Amazon

With a built-in orthotic insole and plenty of cushioning, OrthoFeet’s Charlotte Slippers are perfect for those busy days at home when coziness is still a top priority. Susan Eby, PT, MS, owner of Eby Physical Therapy in New York City, previously recommended this pair to SELF, noting that their securely fitting heel and deep toe box are especially useful for people with plantar fasciitis—but anyone who wants a comfy, supportive slipper should give them a try.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium, wide, and x-wide | Materials: Suede, faux fur, PU

Even on the indoors-iest of days, you may need to grab the mail, take the dog out, or run out for more snacks. These cuddly yet capable shoes will take you from the living room to the corner store (and back).

Fireside by Dearfoams

Amazon

A certifiable Ugg slipper dupe, these open-back scuffs are a highlight of staying in for SELF’s senior commerce editor. “I always look forward to slipping these on at the end of a long day,” she says, adding that their sole feels closer to that of a regular shoe as opposed to a slipper. She also notes that they’re “ridiculously comfortable” year-round (their moisture-wicking shearling lining adds plenty of warmth without shutting off all airflow to your feet).

Product specs

Sizes: US 6 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Suede, shearling, EVA

Dearfoams

Amazon

On the inside, these loafer-clog Dearfoams have a squishy memory foam footbed—and on the outside, they have a hard, durable sole that provides a good amount of traction, in case you have to pop outside. They’re a solid option if you’re looking for slippers you can put through the wringer and trust they’ll still feel comfy day after day (our associate health conditions director says they’re some of her go-tos). Plus, they’re easy to clean, fluffy yet breathable, and available at a reasonable price.

Product specs

Sizes: US 7-8 to 15-16 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Cotton, polyester, polyester flannel, terry, memory foam, rubber

Nike

Nike

If something’s good enough for the GOAT, it’s good enough for us. So when we spotted Simone Biles slipping into Nike’s Burrow Slippers at the 2024 Olympic Trials, we knew they must feel fantastic for tired, hard-working feet—case in point: The brand compares their feel to marshmallows. With a warm fleece lining and a grippy outsole, they’re built for the great outdoors too.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabric, fleece, foam

Comfortable, sturdy, and wonderfully ugly-cute, clogs were made for gardening, cooking, cleaning, and generally getting your house in order.

Dansko

Amazon

A favorite of podiatrists, health care workers, and SELF’s editor in chief, Danskos won’t let you down on long days spent standing over the stove or cleaning out your closet. Their sizable heel-to-toe drop and thick sole relieve pressure on your heels, while the toe box gives you plenty of wiggle room. They’re also a great choice for anyone who wants a house shoe with more structure.

Product specs

Sizes: EU 35 to 42 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Leather, foam, EVA, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber

Birkenstock

Nordstrom

REI

Zappos

You might be busy, but you don’t also have to deal with cranky feet when you wear this extra-cushy version of Birkenstock’s best-selling, SELF-editor-approved Boston Clog. It features a layer of foam over the clog’s signature cork footbed, which is contoured to keep your heel in place and foot from sliding around. In case your size (or preferred color) is sold out, there are also lots of very good Boston dupes out there.

Product specs

Sizes: EU 35 to 46 | Widths: Medium/narrow and medium/wide | Materials: Leather, suede, cork, latex, EVA

Calzuro

Calzuro

Another top pick of our editor in chief’s, Calzuro’s clogs come in so many playful colorways (hello, peach, lavender, maroon, and royal blue) and don’t skimp on functional details either. They have a high-traction rubber outsole, perforations for airflow, and a textured footbed that gives your soles a little massage when you’re on the move. The elevated heel provides some height to keep your feet happy, and if you want a more secure fit, you can pick up a set of the brand’s heel strap attachments for a few dollars more.

Product specs

Sizes: EU 34 to 47 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Rubber

If you like to let your toes breathe, a good pair of slides are perfect for at-home use. You can also pair them with chunky socks (a classic combo, in my opinion) to wear year-round.

Oofos

Zappos

REI

Cons

Thick, foamy, and shock-absorbent, the Oomega Ooahh slide from Oofos is not your average pool sandal. “I got a random sample of these when I was dealing with some lateral foot pain from running, and I IMMEDIATELY felt the pressure relieved when I slipped these on,” SELF’s director of fitness and food says. “It feels like they redistribute your weight much better, so walking around the house or doing chores just seems more comfy.”

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Proprietary closed-cell foam

Birkenstock

Zappos

Dick's

When the weather warms up, our senior commerce editor switches from her Dearfoams to this EVA foam version of the Birkenstock Arizona. “They’re unbelievably lightweight and don’t require the usual Birkenstock break-in time,” she says. “There are tons of fun colors to choose from and they’re pretty indestructible too—I’ve had mine for two and a half years, and they’re still going strong.” It has the same molded footbed as the brand’s classic leather version, so you’ll still get that signature Birkenstock support (just in a fun, pastel color).

Product specs

Sizes: EU 36 to 46 | Widths: Medium/narrow and medium/wide | Materials: EVA

Vionic

Nordstrom

Zappos

Vionic

Vionic is another brand that SELF staffers and podiatrists agree on, especially when it comes to its sandals. Our commerce writer loves the Rejuvenate Sandal for bopping around her apartment: “These slides have replaced my fuzzy slippers for the warm weather—and honestly, it’s for the best because they’re way more supportive,” she says. Plus they have a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which indicates that they’re beneficial for foot health, thanks to a supportive, stabilizing footbed.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA

Rosyclo

Amazon

When our editor in chief has a day of puttering ahead of her, she reaches for these budget-friendly slides. They have a textured, foot-hugging interior; a nearly two-inch-thick sole; and an ultrasoft feel. According to Amazon reviewers, they’re also remarkably quiet (which you can’t say about all slides). If you’re trying to avoid waking a little one or just want to pad around the house in peace, that’s a wonderful, not-so-standard feature.

Need more plush slides in your life? They’re a little more expensive at $40, but our associate health conditions director also likes Joomra’s similarly cloud-like Pillow Slippers.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5.5-6.5 to 14-15 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA

Adidas

Amazon

Adidas

I’ll part with most things before I part with my Adilette slides (even though, after about seven years of wearing them daily, I’m probably due for a replacement pair). They feel much plusher than the molded plastic Adidas slides I wore to swim team meets growing up, and that extends to the wide top strap—I get blisters from strappy shoes easily, but this one is so padded that I’ve never felt any chafing or rubbing. Plus, I love their athleisure-y style, and the price is definitely right.

Product specs

Sizes: US 5 to 19 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, EVA

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