12 Podiatrist-Approved Slippers to Keep Your Feet Happy All Summer

If you’re looking for a slipper that will feel great on your feet and keep you cozy while you’re sitting down or puttering around the house, take a peek at these. While they don’t have the arch support you’d need for activities that require lots of standing or walking, they do have a feature that’ll keep you safe while you’re (mostly) stationary — a rubber outsole. “I like the fact that grippers reduce the chances of slipping on hard floor surfaces,” says Schoenhaus. “This is very useful to people [who] have problems with their balance.”

In addition to their gripping capabilities, these have a pull tab — a little loop at the back of the slipper — that makes them easy to pull on and take off.

Quality slippers can be pricey, so we went looking for something that will feel good on your foot and offer support but cost a bit less. The ERGOfoot slippers fit the bill. “ERGOfoot slippers are a better option than others in this price range,” says Schoenhaus. She noted that the padding on these is substantial compared with ordinary fuzzy slippers, and that the adjustable strap may be useful for people with edema — that’s swelling caused by excess fluid — or with broader feet.

These also have a nonslip bottom, which will keep you from sliding or falling on hardwood floors, as well as a heel cup, which offers a solid foundation. That said, while we recommend these for short-term indoor use, they don’t offer enough support for long periods of standing or for doing things outside the house, like running errands.

“They come with an inbuilt arch, a wide toe box, and cushioned linings, thus making them an excellent option for anyone who has encounters with plantar fasciitis or flat feet,” says Schoenhaus. These also have an adjustable strap for ultimate comfort, and plenty of stretch to help the shoe conform to your feet. As an added bonus, these have room for custom orthotic inserts if you’ve got them.

If overheated feet are a major factor for you — especially in the summer — look into these. “Glerups’ wool house shoes are a nice choice, especially in warmer environments or in circumstances where sweat is an issue to be taken into consideration; they are continuously breathable,” says Schoenhaus. Our research backs this up — these are consistently cited as excellent at regulating heat, reducing sweat, and keeping feet cool.

On top of their temp benefits, these are extremely soft and scream cozy. They’re made with 100 percent felted Gotland sheep wool, which is flexible and helps keep feet dry. They're also available in a wide range of colors, like Sand, Nature Brown, and Forest, and are easy to slip on and off. One note, though — Schoenhaus warns that if you need arch support, you’ll need to wear these with an insert.

If you’re looking to, as they say on Reddit, “buy it for life,” these shoes from the trusted brand OluKai are a worthy investment. “OluKai produces some of the most resilient slippers I’ve seen,” says Schoenhaus. “Compared with most casual slippers, the structure provides superior support, and the sole can withstand excursions outside without breaking down.” Something else that makes them durable? The fact that you can wash them. The removable footbed made from a wool-blend topcloth is machine washable, so you can wear them again and again without accruing an odor.

We also love that these are adjustable — if you want a slip-on rather than a step-in shoe, simply fold down the heel; when you’re ready for more of a shoe-shoe, fold it back up again.

Struggle with foot discomfort? These — which Schoenhaus noted as “one of the few slippers that truly provide arch support” — may really help. They come with PowerStep Pinnacle wool insoles, which have a firm, flexible arch and a deep heel cradle to provide comfort, stability, and motion control. If you find that the provided insole doesn’t work with your feet, you can replace it with the Pinnacle High or Pinnacle Low insole (though you’ll need to buy them separately).

Is it a slipper? Is it a casual shoe? You can be the judge — but to us, these expertly walk the line. While they’re comfortable, breathable, slip-on, and made with merino wool that screams “slipper,” they also have a sole that’s strong enough to handle Outside Things. We probably wouldn't wear them to the office, but they’re perfect for the grocery store or the coffee shop.

Adding to their indoor-outdoor prowess is the fact that they are machine washable. The insole needs to be hand-washed, but you can throw the rest of the shoe into your washing machine after a day out and turn them back into house shoes, just like that.

With that in mind, these slippers from L.L. Bean are worth your consideration. Schoenhaus likes them because of their structure: “These are warm, comfortable to wear, and sufficiently structured to shield delicate feet from rough floors,” she says. “For people who have nerve discomfort, these are not too stiff, but feel sturdy rather than flimsy.” These also have a strong rubber outsole to prevent slipping, and they are easy to slip on and off.

Recovery sandals were initially developed for athletes to wear after a long run or a particularly grueling game. But they aren’t just for post-exercise use. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day, odds are that you could benefit from sandals like these, which are designed to support the foot and promote comfort.

“My first choice for recovery is OOFOS slides,” says Schoenhaus. “Compared with other slides, the foam absorbs stress better, relieving pressure on the joints and heels.” These may also be a good option if you have plantar fasciitis or struggle with foot pain of any kind.

Whether you’ve recently had foot surgery or your feet are just strained, you need shoes that will help you recover. Schoenhaus suggests these clogs. “I often recommend these to patients because they have the ease of a slip-on style but with extra shock absorption,” she says.

The shock absorption Schoenhaus mentions comes from Oofos’ proprietary foam, which, according to the brand, absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear. These shoes also have a patented footbed designed to reduce stress on ankles, knees, and other joints. As an added bonus, these are machine washable and designed to minimize odor. In our research, we came across many people who wear them while gardening because they’re so easy to clean.

If you struggle to find the right fit for your feet, give these a try. “WalkHero slippers are good for anyone with foot swelling or high insteps, since the adjustable strap allows you to get the perfect fit,” says Schoenhaus. The sides of these shoes are made of a combination of elastic band and Velcro, which helps them adapt to different-size feet and prevents them from falling off. Add in the foldable back heel, which can turn these into mules and back again, and these are a great choose-your-own-foot-adventure option.