Most of us choose slippers for how soft they feel, then discover they skid on the floorboards or let the chill of the tiles straight through. Yet choosing the right slippers for wooden or tiled floors comes down to one thing: the sole. Here's how to find the one that suits your floor, your habits and your neighbours.
The essentials
- On wooden floors, the two problems are slipping and noise: go for a sole with some grip and a slipper that holds your foot well.
- On tiles, the problem is cold: a thicker sole and a faux-fur lining make all the difference.
- A grooved sole grips better than a smooth one, but wipe it if you wear it outside so it won't scratch the floor.
- If you have both floors at home, a closed, lined style with a grooved sole is the best compromise.
Why your type of floor matters
Wood and tiles cause different problems. Wood feels fairly warm underfoot, but it quickly becomes slippery when varnished or waxed, and it carries sound: every heavy step can be heard downstairs. Tiles are stable and quiet, but they stay cold all winter, even in a heated room, because stone and ceramic conduct the cold so well. In the kitchen or bathroom they can also be damp, and therefore slippery.
So the right slipper isn't the same everywhere. Before you buy, ask yourself three questions: which floor do you walk on most? Do you suffer from cold feet? Do you sometimes pop outside in your slippers (post, balcony, bins)?
Which slippers for wooden floors?
Cutting down on slipping
Socks alone on varnished floorboards are an ice rink waiting to happen, especially on the stairs. A smooth, worn sole is hardly better. Choose a sole with some texture, even a light one: grooves or a pattern that bites into the floor a little. Care matters too: a dusty sole slips more, and a quick wipe with a damp cloth now and then is enough to restore its grip.
Keeping the noise down for the neighbours
Noise rarely comes from the material itself. It comes from the heel slapping with every step when the slipper is too loose and your foot moves around inside. A style that holds your foot well makes far less noise. That's the point of a closed clog with an adjustable buckle, like our Sienna vegan suede clogs: you adjust the fit, your foot doesn't float and your step stays smooth. The padded footbed hugs the arch of your foot, which feels lovely on long days at home.
Protecting your floorboards
A grooved sole grips well, but it can bring in small bits of grit from outside that scratch the wood. If you go out in your slippers, wipe them when you come back in, or keep a pair just for indoors. It's also one of the good reasons for taking your shoes off at the door.
Which slippers for tiled floors?
Blocking the cold from the floor
On tiles, insulation is what counts. Two things help: the thickness of the sole, which keeps your foot away from the floor, and the lining, which keeps the warmth around your foot. A thin slipper, however soft, soon lets the cold through. A faux-fur lining that runs right up to the collar, like the one in our Bormio lined vegan suede clogs, wraps the whole foot; its grooved cork-effect sole insulates you from the floor and can even go outdoors. If you often feel the cold, our tips for cold feet at home are a good companion to this choice.
Staying steady on a wet floor
In the kitchen or bathroom, a single drop of water can turn tiles into a trap. Again, a textured sole beats a smooth one. And whatever you wear, mop up puddles rather than relying on the sole: none of them work miracles on a soaking floor.
Open or closed?
On a cold floor, a slipper closed at the front keeps your toes warmer. A backless style is still handy to slip on, as long as it holds your foot well so your heel doesn't slide out.
Soft, padded or grooved sole: which should you choose?
- Thin, soft sole: light and quiet, but not very insulating and often slippery. Best kept for wooden floors in a well-heated home.
- Padded sole: comfortable for standing for long periods, it cushions every step. Ideal for working from home and busy days.
- Grooved sole: the most versatile. It grips better, insulates more from the floor and lets you pop outside for a few minutes. The right choice if you have tiles or several types of floor.
To find out more about grip, our guide to non-slip slippers for the home covers the right habits, and our article on what makes a comfortable sole helps you judge a style in a shop or online.
Our styles for every floor
- Mostly wooden floors, busy days: Sienna, a closed clog with an adjustable metal buckle and padded footbed, in sizes 36 to 47.
- Mostly tiles, chilly feet: Bormio, faux-fur lined up to the collar, with a grooved cork-effect sole, in sizes 35 to 45.
- Home with a garden or balcony: Alba, the outdoor slipper with a grooved platform sole, which goes from indoors to outdoors without changing shoes.
All our styles are made from vegan suede, a microfibre with a peach-skin feel and no animal materials. They are true to size: if you're between two sizes, take the larger one. And if the size isn't right, exchanges are free, with 60 days to change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
Which slippers don't slip on tiles?
Choose a sole with some texture, such as a grooved sole, rather than a smooth fabric one. Keep it clean and avoid walking on a wet floor: even the best sole loses grip in a puddle.
Can slippers damage wooden floors?
A soft sole won't. The risk comes from grit caught in a grooved sole worn outdoors: wipe it when you come in or keep a pair just for indoors.
How can I make my slippers less slippery?
Wipe the sole with a damp cloth to remove dust, and avoid waxing the areas you walk on most. If the sole is really smooth or worn, it's better to switch to a style with a grooved sole.
Read next
- Indoor or outdoor slippers: what's the difference?
- What makes a comfortable sole?
- Why take your shoes off at the door?
Wooden floors, tiles or both? Find the pair that will keep you warm in our faux-fur lined boots and slippers.
