In today’s world, the line between work and home life is more blurred than ever. Maybe you’re answering emails from your kitchen table, tackling errands between calls, or winding down after a busy day. In all those moments, comfort and style matter most. That’s where slippers you can wear outside shine—offering the same cozy warmth, supportive arch support, and durable rubber outsoles you’d expect from your favorite everyday shoes, all wrapped into one effortlessly versatile design.
When you think of supportive shoes, you might think of walking shoes specifically. But with Vionic, you can get any style of orthotic footwear, including many types of slippers like outdoor and home slippers. This solves the problem of arch support and stability while inside your home, but what about when you step out the door? There are lots of indoor comfort women’s slippers and men’s slippers you can wear outside, including all the styles we carry at Vionic. Here’s what you should know.
What Slippers Can You Wear Outside?
Indoor/outdoor slippers aren’t a new concept, but they’re currently having a moment. If you want to wear slippers outside, you should look for a pair with durable, weather-resistant outsoles. This protects the upper material from the outdoor elements while safeguarding your feet from scrapes, pokes, and bacteria.¹ In a perfect world, they’d all be designed this way. But as you know, not all house shoes are created equal. In fact, it’s essential to understand the distinction between slippers and house shoes so you can select the right pair for your lifestyle and needs.
With that said, the best outdoor-friendly slippers include moccasins, clogs, mules, sandal-style slippers, and slides. Read on for a breakdown of each style and what to look for if you plan to wear them outside.
Moccasin Slippers
Typically made of suede or soft leather with stitching around the top, the moccasin slipper is inspired by authentic Native American footwear. Modern moccasin slippers are sophisticated and dapper, with a silhouette similar to loafers. They often have faux-sheepskin or shearling lining for added warmth and pair seamlessly with loungewear and street clothes alike.
If you’re going to be wearing today’s slipper moccasins outside, a sturdy rubber sole with a patterned tread is key. This ensures they’ll hold up on concrete, asphalt, gravel, and other outdoor terrains while providing traction and stability. Our Snuggle Slipper from Vionic is the perfect moccasin-style choice if you’re craving a cozy, supportive pair you can wear comfortably all winter long.
Clog Slippers
Clog slippers with a closed-back design are ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Look for a pair that feature rubber outsoles and a heel height of at least an inch. This way, you’ll have peace of mind about walking around outside, even if the ground is wet.
The clog slippers from Vionic have dense yet flexible rubber soles with 1.3-inch heels and textile-wrapped EVA footbeds, delivering lasting durability and comfort with every step, If you’re trying to keep your feet warm at home, these shoes are a great option. If you’re looking for a stylish option, try the Izzy Clog—a chic, comfortable choice that blends effortless style with everyday support.
Mule Slippers
Dating back to 18th-century Europe, mules are a timeless house slipper. The backless slip-on style is classic, cool, and perfect for year-round wear. Today’s mules are often designed with the same rubber outsole materials you’d get with regular street shoes. However, some have flimsy pad-like soles surrounded by fabric, so make sure you check their durability before buying a pair.
To make the search for the perfect indoor/outdoor style easy on you, we design all our comfortable slippers with dependable rubber outsoles and shock-absorbent EVA midsoles. With terry or faux fur lining and pain-relieving arch support built right into the footbeds, Vionic’s mules feel like a spa day on your feet.¹ If you’re looking for slippers you can wear outside, our Gemma II Mule Slipper can elevate your comfort game to a whole new level.
Sandal-Style Slippers
Whether you’re at home or on vacation, it’s nice to wake up in the morning, make a cup of coffee, and walk out onto your deck to enjoy it in the fresh air. The right pair of slippers can make this experience even more seamless and delightful, as you can slip into them as soon as you get out of bed without having to put something else on when you head outside.³
Enter the sandal-style house shoe, one of our favorite indoor/outdoor shoe designs. This type of comfy slipper can have either toe-post sandal straps or an adjustable hook-and-loop closure across the top of the foot. They’re easy to get on and off and not too hot but also plenty cozy. With the breeziness of a sandal and the plushness of a slipper, they’re the best of both worlds.⁴
If you’re going to be wearing your slippers outside, be sure to look for a pair with outdoor-friendly outsoles, like the styles from Vionic. Not only are the soles weather-resistant, but they also have a wave-patterned tread on the bottom for added traction.
Vionic’s spa-like wrap slippers feature our podiatrist-designed orthotic Vio Motion™ technology. They even received an APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance, meaning they offer sufficient arch support and benefit foot health by reducing stress on the feet and ankles. No wonder Oprah said her feet have never been happier after wearing our slippers!
Slides
For some, slippers and slides are synonymous. This backless slip-on sandal style is sporty, casual, versatile, and practical. Plus, the laid-back, on-the-go design is just right for indoor/outdoor use. From padding around your kitchen and checking the mail to hanging out poolside and running errands, slides can be worn anywhere, anytime.
Vionic’s unisex Kiwi Slide is a truly standout option. These slipper sandals have extra-sturdy TPR (thermoplastic rubber) outsoles with a wavy tread pattern underneath for added traction and grip. The soft, padded uppers wrap around your feet with hook-and-loop closures and can be adjusted to the width of your foot.
Vionic’s Relax II Slippers are truly a standout option. As if these shoes aren’t impressive enough already, they also have an APMA Seal of Acceptance. Vionic’s expertly designed technology ensures ample arch support and helps promote natural alignment.
How to Wash Dirty Slippers
So, how do you wash slippers without ruining them? The rubber soles of your slippers can usually be wiped or rinsed clean to remove dirt, mud, and sticky residues. Cleaning cloth uppers is a little trickier but totally doable.
While machine-washing slippers isn’t recommended, you can wash them by hand.⁵ Fill your sink or a large bowl with warm water and about a teaspoon of dish soap. Immerse your slippers and let them soak for 15 to 30 minutes until the soil is lifted. However, some of our slippers are available in machine washable styles.
Rinse your slippers off with clean water until all the soap is gone and no bubbles appear when you squeeze the material. After that, wrap them in a towel and press down gently to absorb the water. Then allow your slippers to air-dry the rest of the way.
Where to Buy the Best Slippers for Indoors and Outdoors
If you’re in the market for a pair of indoor/outdoor slippers, you’ve come to the right place. Vionic is proud to carry a wide range of comfortable, supportive styles with durable, grippy soles.
When you browse our collections, you’ll find contemporary moccasins, practical clogs, classic mules, luxuriously soft sandal-style slippers, and of course, the wear-anywhere Kiwi Slide. Every pair has built-in orthotics with arch support you can count on at home and on the go. Order yours today!
External sources:
1. Marissa Miller. “10 best slippers to wear at home in 2021”. NBC News. Updated Feb. 9, 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/shopping/footwear/best-slippers-n1241949
2. Laura Snelgrove. “Most Comfortable Women’s Slippers”. Travel Fashion Girl. https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-womens-slippers/
3. Rebecca Carhart . “Thousands of Customers Are Obsessed With This Podiatrist-designed Line of Slippers (Video)”. Travel and Leisure. May 18, 2020, https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shoes/vionic-slippers
4. Eva Thomas. “These Podiatrist-Recommended Slippers Are Like a Hug for Your Feet”. People. April 10, 2020, https://people.com/style/comfortable-podiatrist-recommended-slippers/
5. Mary Marlowe Leverette. “How to Wash Slippers”. The Spruce. Jan 05, 2021, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-slippers-4779944
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