Cold Feet? Try These Sustainable Slippers To Keep Your Tootsies Toasty
Picture the scene: It’s freezing outside. (It really is.) You’re all rugged up, wearing a pair of your cutest, comfiest pyjamas and ready to cocoon on the couch for a Schitt’s Creek marathon… But something feels off. And by ‘off’, we mean your feet are freezing and they just. Won’t. Warm. Up. Now, we’re not saying that you’re in need a new pair of sustainable slippers to warm your cold feet but… actually, yes, that’s exactly what we’re saying. We’ve seen your current pair and are they being held together by elastic bands? Yes, we get that they’ve always been your faves, but they’ve served you well, they’re exhausted by hugging your feet ‘just so’, and if they can’t be fixed, well, it’s time for them to go off to where Good Slippers go to rest. But don’t despair: we’ve handpicked a bunch of sustainably-made, ethically-minded, and downright delightful slippers ready to audition for the all-important job of keeping your feet warm and comfortable while pottering around the house. (Or even for a sneaky grocery run where you just couldn’t be bothered to swap shoes…)
MOSEY ME SHAPES TERRY SLIPPERS
Designed in Melbourne by Mosey Me founder and textile designer Eliza O’Sullivan and made responsibly by skilled artisans in Portugal and India, these Shapes terry-cotton beauties are crafted from 100% organic cotton and printed in playful patterns inspired by Picasso and Matisse. Each pair features a sponge-like ‘flatform’ sole, and comes with a handy cotton drawstring bag – plastic-free unboxing FTW! Mosey Me is all about vibrant designs that celebrate connection and joy while embracing ethical production. All collections are produced in small production runs to avoid wastage, so if these tickle your fancy, hop to it!
BARED FOOTWEAR SNUGGLING SHEEPSKIN SLIPPER SCUFFS
Australia’s first B Corp footwear brand knows how to keep your feet comfy and aligned with ethical values. Not only do these snug scuffs look great; they feel (and do) good, too. The Snuggling Slipper Scuffs feature 100% Australian sheepskin uppers, a 40% sugarcane-derived midsole and B.plantfoam™ footbed, plus a biomechanical footbed designed to support your arches, heels, and forefoot. (Tell us your company was founded by a podiatrist without telling us.) These slippers are built to last, and the materials used to create them reduce emissions by around 70% compared to petroleum-based footbeds. Take them for a wander around the house or brave the tiles on the patio!
FURMOO SHEEPSKIN MOODLES
Good things take time – 21 working days in the case of a pair of Furmoo Sheepskin Moodles. Each pair is produced in New Zealand, made from cosy wool blankets, lined in luxurious sheepskin, and sporting an EVA sole free from harmful substances. The sizing is unisex and each pair of Moodles is handcrafted by skilled artisans once you’ve ordered it, meaning you’ll have a unique pair that fits your feet like a glove. (A foot glove.)
BIRKENSTOCK ZERMATT SLIPPERS
If sleek, well-designed slippers-disguised-as-house-shoes are your thing, then a stylish-yet-snuggly pair of Birkenstock Zermatt Wool Felt Slippers is a must-have. Described as the foot-friendly brand’s first ‘true slipper’, Zermatt wool felt slippers feature Birkenstock’s iconic anatomically-shaped cork-latex footbed, with an upper of soft, genuine wool. There’s also a version with fluffy wool sherling. Spa day for your feet? Sign us up!
GUMBIES SLIPPERS
Warming both your feet and your heart, each slipper purchase from Gumbies recovers the equivalent of 80 plastic bottles worth of plastics from ocean shorelines and riverbanks. In several styles from slip-ons to high top boots, Gumbies’ soft, warm, double-layer uppers are constructed from second life felt made from recycled plastic, the foam insoles are made from plant-derived organic materials and they sport high-grip Gumtread™ indoor/outdoor soles made from recycled rubber. They’re vegan-friendly and sustainability-minded, operating under Fairtrade principles, using as much recycled material in their products as possible, shipping products in biodegradable bags, and recycling 95% of their waste.
SNUGTOES SLIP-ONS
Slippers so cute you’ll want to wear them out and about, no shame! Snugtoes sustainable slip-ons are vegan-friendly, handmade from recycled polyester and with a faux fur lining, and are super lightweight for that ‘walking on clouds’ feeling. Their natural rubber outsole has excellent grip, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor wear.
ROOTSTITCH EMBROIDERED FELT SLIPPERS
Cosy and cute, the embroidered felt slippers from RootStitch are just what’s needed to add a burst of sunshine to a chilly day. We love the fun designs (childless cat ladies unite!) and the sweet embroidered details, lovingly crafted from wool felt by skilled artisans in Nepal using traditional techniques, supporting fair-trade practices and cultural craftsmanship.
LEPROSY MISSION DAISY SLIPPERS
These cute Daisy Slippers will warm your feet and your heart. Hand-felted from natural wool with a soft suede sole for comfort and durability, they were crafted in Nepal using traditional techniques. Buying a pair from Leprosy Mission Australia supports both Fair Trade and Anti-slavery initiatives, and helps artisans living in poverty to sustain themselves with positive livelihoods.
GK COLLECTIVE HAND-KNITTED SLIPPERS
Hand knitted? Check. Fair trade? Check. Happy feet? Check! Revel in the warm glow of a pair of slippers made right by the folks from GW Collective at The Fair Trader – a social enterprise that provides women in rural areas of Azerbaijan with meaningful work that preserves traditional cultural knitting practices. Each pair features traditional patterns used in Azerbaijani carpets, and is made from 100% pure New Zealand wool or an acrylic/wool mix.
SAGE AND CLARE MARIE FELT SLIPPERS
Well, hi there, good-looking! These cute Sage and Clare Marie Felt Slippers might look too pretty to wear, but they’re perfectly practical: handcrafted from warm wool and embellished with felt detailing. For days when swanning around the house needs a pick-me-up! Sage and Clare are all about embracing the slow style movement, working with ethical and sustainable production methods and suppliers. They partner with Fitted for Work, volunteering time and donating products for their Conscious Closet store, along with supporting many other women and First Nations charities.
HAFLINGER CUORICINI SLIPPERS
Never mind your sleeve: wear your heart(s) on your feet with Haflinger’s gorgeous Cuoricini Slippers. Meticulously handcrafted in Germany* from virgin wool, they boast a shaped cork-latex footbed to support your feet, and a non-slip sole for extra grip on slippery surfaces. (*It gets cold in Germany. Really cold. So you know these slippers have been crafted by experts who understand what they’re dealing with.) Made from natural materials and designed to last, they come adorned with embroidered embellishments like birds, butterflies and botanical beauties.
MAKE YOUR OWN SLIPPERS!
Still can’t find a pair of winter-warming slippers fit for your feet? Time to make your own! Wool and the Gang’s intermediate knitting kit for Big Foot Socks includes everything you need to knit your own, including two balls of Crazy Sexy Wool, a Big Foot Socks pattern, knitting needles, and more. Make and Do Crew have a free tutorial to crochet some boots with old flip flips for soles! Kweenbee’s free knitting pattern for a pair of adult slippers makes it easy to create the perfect custom pair, or take a gander at Sheep & Stitch’s YouTube tutorial for a pair of chunky knit slippers for beginners. Feeling extra crafty? Download You Make It Simple creator Jan Howell’s pattern to upcycle an old jumper or polar fleece into a pair of cosy slippers!
