The 7 Best Slippers for Healthy Feet

If you own a pair of slippers, you probably know they keep your feet nice and warm while you're indoors, especially during the cold winter months. But what you may not realize is that slippers do far more than keep your toes cozy. In fact, they add much-needed support to your bare feet.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are working from home, which means far less time in shoes that give our feet the support we need to prevent aches and pains. This can quickly contribute to new-onset heel pain or ball-of-the-foot pain, Tim Oldani, DPM, podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle in St. Louis, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

"Wearing slippers around the house is a simple way to minimize pressure on the feet and to add support," Dr. Oldani says. "Obviously, slippers cannot provide as much support and stability as a running shoe — however, if the right slipper is chosen, they can help minimize many common foot ailments."

Slippers also help decrease the formation of calluses on the bottom of the feet. "The more we are barefoot, the more callus we form on the bottom of the foot in weight-bearing areas to protect the skin overlying bone," says Nelya Lobkova, DPM, at Step Up Footcare in Manhattan. "Cornified skin, such as calluses, has a lower sensation as compared to non-callused skin, thus the more we are barefoot, the more we are at risk for stepping on foreign objects without knowing it." And that could spell trouble for your tootsies.

Here, podiatrists share some of their top recommendations for slippers that help keep your feet healthy.

We tapped three podiatrists, who shared their professional product recommendations and broke down what to look for in slippers that contribute to healthy feet.

We selected these products based on their criteria, including:

• Comfort
• Fit
• Durability
• Style
• Cost

For more information on how we choose and cover products, click here.

This is one of Ugg's most popular pairs of shoes, let alone slippers — and for good reason.

They are well built and designed to keep feet warm in nearly any circumstance thanks to a sheepskin-warped lining, insole and collar. The rubber outsole helps ensure optimal stability and prevents slips. Plus, these slippers are durable enough to last years.

If you're looking for a slipper that gives you the right kind of arch support to wear all day long in the comfort of your home, Dr. Lobkova recommends checking out the Birkenstock Zermatt Slipper. This is especially important for people who have flat feet, as their condition can make them more prone to plantar fasciitis, she says.

True to the legendary design of all Birkenstocks, these slippers feature the original footbed construction that emphasizes comfort, along with a durable cork latex footbed and shearling-lined inside to keep your feet warm even in the colder seasons.

In order to be comfortable, slippers should provide added cushioning, especially under the heel and the ball of the foot, Dr. Oladni says. "These two areas need additional cushioning and shock absorption the most," he says. "This cushioning can help in people with certain ailments, such as metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis."

He is a big fan of NAOT slippers because the firm and protective outsole is coupled with a soft, fleece-lining inside that provides both support and comfort.

Feet prone to sweating? No need to slide around your home. Instead, slip on a pair of these non-slip slippers designed with silicone dots at the base to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Their inside is lined with a fuzzy-but-breathable interior that makes you feel like you're wearing tiny blankets on your feet. They're also great for travel because they fold up just like socks.

This brand of shoes has an orthotic insole that has optimal anatomical arch support and heel cushioning, and it also wicks away sweat.

Orthofeet's slippers are no exception, but also feature some of the ideal attributes someone would want in a pair of slippers: a faux fur interior for warmth, a cushioned sole and a suede leather structure that provides durability.

Not only are these slippers biomechanically designed to fit snug to your entire foot, but the Vionic Technology helps foster your foot's natural alignment, providing arch support and structure to reduce foot ailments.

They have a durable rubber sole that's designed for both indoor and outdoor use, and that won't slide around easily, keeping your feet firmly attached to whatever ground you're walking on.

Tempur-Pedic isn't just known for its cushiony mattresses. They also sell these luxurious-feeling 'windsock' slippers.

Apart from the brand's signature memory foam feel, these slippers also have a durable indoor/outdoor rubber sole and fuzzy, soft interior, making them great for walking indoors on hardwood or tile.

Most brands of slippers will have a size chart to help you determine which size is most ideal for your feet. Unlike other types of shoes, slippers don't have to fit snug, Dr. Lobkova says. But there should be adequate room around the toes.

"If you feel like you are slipping out of them, choose a full-back slipper or slipper with an elevated heel," she says.

Like other types of footwear, slippers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles, such as moccasins, slides and thongs.

Jackie Sutera, DPM, podiatrist and Vionic Innovation Lab Member, recommends buying the style you prefer while making sure to choose a slipper that's supportive — not thin or flimsy. "Select foot-friendly styles that are cushioned and have arch support," she adds.

The durability of slippers depends on the amount of use and environment, Dr. Lobkova says. "If using outdoor and indoor, the durability diminishes compared to slippers only used indoors or only used outdoors," she says.

If you are looking for slippers for both indoor and outdoor wear, she recommends buying a separate pair for each to ensure they last longer. "It also prevents bringing dirt from the outside indoors and vice versa," she adds.

For anyone dealing with foot pain or who stands on hard floors for long periods of time, Dr. Sutera recommends a cushioned, thicker sole with arch support and a "heel-to-toe drop" where the heel is thicker than the forefoot.

"A slipper with these features will cushion and absorb shock from body weight and gravity pushing down when standing," she says.

Slippers, even if used indoors, should be washed frequently. If your slippers have a rubber base, Dr. Lobkova recommends cleaning them at least weekly using lysol wipes and letting them air dry.

Slippers shouldn't break the bank, but they also shouldn't be cheap either. Dr. Lobkova recommends making sure that the cost of the slipper is justified by the materials used in making the slipper. "Slippers made from leather or cork will be more expensive due to the expense of the materials," she says.