With holidays and cold weather around the corner (and nowhere to go) I am ready to cozy up with warm toesies. But after switching to barefoot shoes I found my old slippers insufferably tight and uncomfortable. Fortunately, switching to healthier slipper options is a lot easier than you’d think. As long as you know what to look for in a shoe you’ll be able to find barefoot slippers lots of places!
For your convenience, here is a list of barefoot approved minimalist slippers & socks that are completely flat, spacious, and still super warm.
Barefoot Slippers
If you’re looking for slippers with more substance to them than socks, here is a list of barefoot approved options. I’ve heard reports of great finds at Wal-mart and other big box stores, so don’t feel limited to these! If you are searching for barefoot slippers on your own be wary of hidden heel wedges underneath the insole (you can often rip them out) and backless slippers that aren’t secure.
- Softstar Shoes – The Fireside slipper is my personal favorite. I wear mine every day in the winter. They also have the Merino Zen which my son wears and is a nice house shoe.
- Kingdom of Wow – So soft and cozy! I like the high top version because they fit more securely.
- Wildling Lotus – I adore these slippers, my second favorite after the Softstar Fireside. I added an extra Wildling insole for warmth and to fill up some space. The toe box is medium width, but it has molded to my foot and the rubber bottom is good for slippery floors. It can also be found in a low cut version called the Nelus.
- Xero Pagosa – These fleecy slippers have a rubber bottom and a collapsible heel. They’re super light and flexible and are perfect for Justin who has a Xero-shaped foot.
- Lems Drifter Fur – Cozy lined slip-ons with rubber outsole for either indoor or outdoor use and optional collapsible heel. Justin loves them! They also look cool. Find Men’s Drifter Fur here
- Be Lenka – Made from recycled polyester felt. Use code ANYASREVIEWS for 5% off
- Kyrgies – The Wovens are my favorite. The Slides are also zero drop (others are not)
- High Plains – These are a good alternative to Softstar Fireside but with a rubber outsole. Best for high volume feet because the ankle opening is wide.
- Zeazoo Dingo – These have a rubber outsole and I wear mine as outdoor shoes, but they also can be used as very warm slippers. Customers outside the US/Canada can get them from Zeazoo Kids and get 5% off with code ANYASREVIEWS
- Baa Lamb Slippers (New Zealand) – You can also order via their Instagram
- Manitobah -This indigenous owned brand makes slippers with a good square toe box shape. Best for high volume feet.
- Feelmax – Koli slippers made with wool
- Glerups – These are zero drop, but have a narrower toe box than I prefer. Best for slim feet.
- Padraig Cottage
- Falke Cosyshoes
- Baabuk Yves
- The Leather Works
- Opplav
- Smartwool Hudson Trail Slipper
- Verloop (vegan) – Samantha has these and loves them! A bit more cushion to the sole when brand new, but it compresses with wear. Sustainably made with deadstock yarn.
- Walmart – Joyspun brand slippers
Barefoot House Shoes
Don’t want something warm? Here’s some unlined options!
- Softstar Shoes – The Roo is an unlined leather moccasin for adults.
- Posh Panda – Read my Posh Panda review!
- Tikki Indoor
- Zeazoo Kiwi – Get 5% off with code
ANYASREVIEWS - Starry Knight Design – Soft sole leather slippers with wool insole, and optional add-on rubber sole. This one has a slightly tapered toe box, best for medium or narrow toes.
Barefoot Slipper Socks
These are my jam. I prefer to be barefoot as much as possible, so these are perfect for a real barefoot feel but plenty of cozy warmth. I like the kind that have grippy sticky things on the bottom so I feel secure on my hard floors, but they’re still essentially socks and in no way restrictive. This list is far from exhaustive, you can find this type of slipper many places, but here are a few good options.
- Etsy – I love to support artisan craftspeople, and there are many hand made minimalist slippers available on Etsy.
- Jane & Bleeker – I have these exact ones (in the photo above)!
- Tibetan Socks
- Pudus (vegan)
- Bombas
- Love Woolies
Barefoot Socks that Don’t Pinch Your Toes
I am a huge fan of cozy socks both for lounging around and to wear with my boots. But I do not like socks that pinch my toes. Here is a list of toe socks and anatomical socks that allow for full toe splay so you can keep warm this cold season. These are socks you can wear with Correct Toes (inside the regular socks, outside the toe socks).
- Knitido Plus – Use code ANYA20 for 20% off
- Knitido DE – Lots of different option than at the first shop! Use code ANYA10 for 10%
- Injinji – I love my wool toe socks from Injinji. They have both toe socks and anatomical socks and they are my personal favorite sock brand.
- ToeToe (UK) – This is the only brand I haven’t tried personally, but they look great and I’ve heard good things.
- Leg Warmers – Leg warmers are awesome for keeping you warm but leaving your toes free! I often use leg warmers with a pair of thinner toe socks in my boots.
- Chunky Boot Socks – I wear these all the time in Instagram posts (you guys love ’em!), they are one of my favorite finds for spacious socks that have that perfect chunky look. They are so cozy, so cute, and allow for all the toe movement. Fun fact, they were a gift from my BFF two years ago (shown in photo above).
- People Socks – I stole these from my husband and now use them as house slippers. Sizing up in thick wool socks is a great option if you are having trouble finding cozy socks that don’t squish your toes. Wool also molds to your foot shape!
And there you have it! You can keep your feet toasty warm and still maintain full range of motion and barefoot comfort throughout the cold season. And while you’re at it, throw in some of the foot exercises below!
If you’re looking to actually leave your house this winter, there are loads of great barefoot boots options that will keep you warm and still meet all the barefoot criteria. Check out this huge list of barefoot winter boots for plenty of choices for men and women. Let the barefoot-ing continue even when it’s frigid outside!
Got kids? This Barefoot Shoes for Kids post has my favorites kids winter boots listed. Happy Holidays all!
45 thoughts on “Barefoot Approved Slippers & Socks to Keep your Feet Cozy”
Do the glerups with rubber soles fit the bill for minimalist shoes or is it just the leather soles?
As far as I know the rubber soles ones are also zero drop and flexible. It’s pure wool and 100% natural rubber, so as long as there is no hidden heel lift in the sole you should be good.
Hi Anya, I’ve just tried to purchase my first soft stars (the fireside slippers) and your discount code isn’t valid. Any suggestions? Thanks 😊
It’s probably that you need to be logged into an account in order to use it. Try that and let me know if it still doesn’t work!
Hi Anya, do you have any recommendations for lightweight waterproof slippers? I’m a college student and I’d like something that can be slipped on after visiting a public pool or bath (we aren’t allowed to walk back to our dorms barefoot). Just looking for something simple and convenient, so it doesn’t need to be a serious sport shoe! Is there any barefoot equivalent to plastic slides?
Hmmmmm, so slides are inherently not “barefoot friendly” because they’re not secure to your foot. But what I’ve done in that situation is use a water type shoe like the Freet Tanga or the Xero Aqua shoes and slip my foot in by pressing the back heel portion down.
Hi Anya,
Joining this conversation (from a couple of years ago :). I’ve been looking for barefoot slides that I can put on without using my hands, for a long time. I don’t wear them a lot, but they are fun to wear when possible. How bad is it if the slides are not secured to the foot? Is there something that doesn’t require pressing the back heel down? This is the missing piece for me in the world of barefoot shoes.
Many thanks
You can find a list of true slide-on options here. For occasional use they won’t be too detrimental, but they are not ideal. There is some research showing that chronic flip flop wearers grip their toes and over time that can lead to an imbalance in the tissues and possible foot issues. But just sometimes shouldn’t be too problematic.
Hello,
Do you think Bombas socks would be good if sized up? I really would like to support this company, and their socks seem to be very high quality, but I see that they have a “honeycomb arch support system “, which concerns me.
I wouldn’t worry about “arch support” in socks, it can’t hold your arch up for you and shouldn’t affect you negatively. It’s more like rock tape, which provides the feeling of support by activating the nervous system.
We just bought these so don’t know how long they’ll hold up but they’re barefoot and warm!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BDZ24F7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Home yoga socks are also a really great option to slippers 🙂
Good find, thank you!
Hi Anya,
I tried using your code ANYA on the Softstar website for a discount and it says it’s not valid.? Has it expired? I’ve never prdered from them before.
Thank you Gail Black
Hi! You have to be logged into an account for it to work, that’s probably what it is.
Hi Anya,
What size do you get in the Softstar fireside and did you feel like wide was necessary?
Thanks for your help and info!
Hi Aimee, I got 5U in my Fireside slippers and they only come in regular width. The 5U is plenty big, I was unsure whether to go 5U or 6U but I have loads of space in the 5U.
Hi Anya! I ordered both the 37 and the 38 in the glerups. I am having trouble figuring out which size would be better. The 38th is roomy all around and has about 1.25 inches between my big toe and the top of the shoe, whereas the 37 is snugger and has about 1 inch between my big toe and the top. Any advice? Thank you!
1.25 inches is quite a lot, I think the 37 would be fine as long as you feel like you have space for your foot! That’s the main thing to think about with fit – do your toes have space to spread out and do they fit everywhere else on your foot (not flopping around).
Hi Anya,
Thanks for your response! House shoes/slippers are confusing to me because are they supposed to be comfy and oversized like an oversized sweatshirt? Or are they supposed to fit like a tennis shoe would?
I think it really depends on your preference! I wear mine fitted enough that they don’t slip around. But they are definitely not as fitted as I wear my shoes, because I’m just shuffling around the house in them.
Thank you!
Hi Anya! Your page has been so helpful for me as I transition to barefoot shoes. I have been wearing restrictive slippers inside for several years, and would like to transition to a more barefoot option. It is hard for me to walk barefoot on my hard floors. Do you have a recommendation for a transition slipper? Thank you so much.
Hmm, the Glerups might be a food options because they have a heftier sole. I got Justin a pair of slippers from High Plains on this list for Christmas and they also have a little more thickness than some of the others. Slippers in general aren’t real thick usually, but you also could try adding in a NorthSole insole for some extra cushion.
What are your thoughts on Feetures socks? Are they too restrictive or are they a good option?
I have never tried Feetures, but I see in their brand description that they have an anatomical fit with a left and right. I think they’d be worth a try!