A little Dutchman has - given the climate we live in - do have a pair of slippers or slippers next to the bed. But you can also buy slippers and slippers more sustainably. And if those warm feet also allow you to turn the heating down a degree, you are doubly sustainable. In this article, we list the best sustainable slippers and slippers.
Sustainable slippers or slippers?
Slippers or slippers: isn't that the same thing then? Again, I had to look it up. Although brands and webshops use both names for the same footwear, this is not correct. Slippers is the name for indoor shoes with a soft sole, while a characteristic of slippers is that they have a hard sole and can therefore also be worn (briefly) outdoors, for example for taking out the rubbish. I asked my Instagram followers (@thegreenlist.nl) what their favourite brands of durable slippers were. Some swear by soft slippers, while others find that harder sole a lot more practical. There is no arguing about taste, which is why I am sharing tips for both sustainable slippers and slippers that I got from my cool Insta community.
Durable slippers from Tofvel.
Tofvel: handmade fair trade slippers from Nepal (and super warm, I can tell)
This handmade fair trade slippers from Tofvel from Nepal I personally love. And thanks to the material (wool felt), they are so nice and warm and above all sturdy around your feet. I immediately fell for the cool high red entry model, but of course there are more colours to choose from. Men, women and children can choose from three of the same unisex models made in different colours. Nice and clear, in other words. So it is a durable slipper, because thanks to the sturdy sole, you can also walk on it outside for a while. The latter is also very handy for quickly taking out a rubbish bag or waving your children off to school.
Giesswein: slippers and slippers made of durable wool
You've probably seen these traditional slippers and slippers made of sustainable wool somewhere. For example, I spotted them recently at blogger and influencer Green Mama, Kari van der Heide. Giesswein is an Austrian family company owned by the third generation. Grandsons Markus and Johannes Giesswein grew up with wool, which they incorporate into shoes.
GIVE A PON: handmade slippers from Greece
GIVE A PON are woollen handmade slippers from Greece. The ideas for the striking colour combinations are conceived in the Netherlands, but the slippers are handmade in a small family workshop in Greece. Unsurprisingly, I fell like a block for the ponpons. The slippers are also available for kids, super cute for twinning!
Hot potatoes: durable slippers with funny look
In Spain, they call a hole in your sock ‘a potato’. The slippers of Hot Potatoes were once conceived as the fashion alternative to broken socks, but now they are much more than that. The funny old-fashioned ‘grandpa slippers’ feature funny graphics. The shoes are designed and made in Spain and are mainly made of recycled materials such as PET bottles and foam.
Pictured in order: Giesswein, GIVE A PON, Hot Potatoes.
Wildling Shoes: durable slippers in the Finnish tradition
Like walking barefoot, but warm! This pair of slippers from Wildling Shoes is handmade, based on Finnish tradition, comes in a natural, soft grey shade and comes for kids too! The slippers are made of 100% wool felt and are designed in collaboration with the Finnish family-run company Lahtiset, they know better than anyone how to handle the cold properly! Wildling Shoes I know from their minimalist shoes Which my little son and I are already big fans of! Their slippers have the same wafer-thin sole and thus also give the ‘barefoot feeling’ when you walk on them, which in turn has all sorts of health benefits. Have you worn out the slippers? Then the company asks you to send them back to the factory, where they will recycle the material into new products. How sustainable do you want it to be? Cool!
Handmade slippers from Wildling Shoes.
Esgii: super-warm handmade felt slippers and slippers from Mongolia
If anywhere they should know how to keep warm feet, it is in Mongolia. Esgii is a handmade felt slipper and slipper (because several models with hard and soft soles) from Mongolia. The felt is made from the wool coming from local sheep, because almost nowhere in the world are there so many sheep as there. The sheep are sheared in an animal-friendly way and felt is made from them. Felt has a number of fine properties such as being water- and dirt-repellent and insulating. Esgii works together with a number of fair trade companies, which is why the felt collection and colours may change regularly. The whole family can visit Esgii, as they have models for men and kids in addition to a women's collection. Many followers of @thegreenlist.nl mentioned this brand as a favourite. By buying from Esgii, you directly support local people in Mongolia.
Fairtrade felt slippers from Esgii.
Glerups: the favourite sustainable slipper of many followers
The slipper brand Glerups is the one I have been tipped most often. My Instagram followers are massive fans of these durable slippers. Yes it is a slipper, because the sturdy sole that allows you to rock out with slippers just as easily is what makes it so popular. The wool meets the highest sustainable and animal-friendly quality standards and comes from sheep from Denmark and New Zealand, the sole is 100% natural rubber. Glerups you have in different colours and models: high, low and for men, women, babies and kids.
Durable slippers from Glerups.
More cute slippers and slippers that are good for the planet
- Bergstein slippers for women and kids: these sustainable wool slippers are one of my personal favourites, as I fell like a log for the bright pink slippers called ‘Cozy Rasberry’ from this brand.
- Kingdom of Wow: sustainable, honestly made slippers from Cambodia. This Dutch company makes slippers and gives something back to the local community. In short, slippers with a good story!
- French opa slippers in a new look, that is La Pantoufle à Pépère. Besides summer espadrilles, they also sell awesome slippers in awesome prints. I am in love! All slippers are designed and made in France. Please note that these slippers are not the most sustainable option as non-sustainable materials are also used in the slippers such as polyester. So good to know.
- I'll throw something else into the mix: ever heard of house socks? These are made of durable merino wool, but unlike regular socks, the house socks from Falke A non-slip sole.
- How local do you want it to be: Texelana are handmade slippers from the wool of Texel sheep!
Sustainable slipper or slipper missed?
Do you have a sustainable slipper or slipper that you are very excited about and think belongs in this list? Then let us know! Because we will add to this list with love. You can find the contact buttons at the bottom of this page.
More sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Trendy booties can also be bought more sustainably, for example vegan from appelleer. Check out the booties from A Perfect Jane.
- Want to know more about sustainable shoes? Read all about it.
- Are you perhaps also looking for and durable scarf? We have and great tip for you!
- Do you find it complicated to find a nice sustainable gift for someone? Then check out this oyster mushroom grow kit!
Photo credits: thanks to all the lovely brands mentioned as tips.
