Choosing slippers for an elderly person, a parent or grandparent, isn't quite like choosing your own. Softness matters, but hold, sole and ease of putting them on matter even more. Here are the six things to check, and our honest view of our own styles.
The essentials
- Choose a slipper that's closed at the back and holds the heel.
- Check the sole: ridged, flexible and grippy on smooth floors.
- It should be easy to put on without bending down for long: pull tab, wide opening.
- For foot health issues or balance problems, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
The 6 things to check
1. A closed heel that holds the foot
This is the number one point. A slipper that's open at the back can slide or come off while walking. A closed style stays with the foot at every step, on the stairs as in the bathroom.
2. A sole that grips
Run your hand under the sole: it should be ridged or textured, not smooth. Tiles and polished wooden floors are the trickiest. We go into detail in non-slip slippers: how to avoid slipping at home and slippers for wooden or tiled floors.
3. A sole that's neither too thin nor too high
Too thin and it lets the cold through; very high and it can feel unstable. Look for comfortable cushioning and a wide base.
4. Easy to put on
A pull tab at the back or a wide opening avoids bending down for long. Laces and complicated fastenings are best avoided.
5. Room for the foot
With age, feet can widen or swell at the end of the day. A tight slipper quickly becomes uncomfortable: a little room is better, or a style that eases slightly. See also our shoes for wide feet.
6. A warm but breathable lining
People who feel the cold appreciate a soft lining up to the ankle. It should hold the warmth without making the foot sweat.
Our honest view of our styles
- The best fit: the Alba outdoor slipper. Closed at the back, faux-fur lined up to the ankle, ridged sole that grips on damp ground, pull tab to slip it on easily. Sizes 36 to 45.
- For going out in real cold: the Cortina fleece-lined booties, no laces, with a short shaft that doesn't squeeze and a ridged sole. Sizes 35 to 44.
- For pure comfort at home: the Merano slipper, very soft and easing slightly after the first wears, best for someone steady on their feet.
- Less suitable if balance is fragile: our Sienna and Bormio clogs, open at the back. They're very comfortable, but a closed style is preferable in that case.
Mistakes to avoid
- Keeping worn slippers with a smooth or flattened sole.
- Buying a size too big “to be comfortable”: the foot slides around.
- Choosing a very high or very narrow style for looks.
Frequently asked questions
What size for an elderly parent?
Their usual size. If their feet swell at the end of the day or they're between two sizes, go up one for extra comfort. Size exchanges are free.
Are closed slippers warmer?
Generally yes: the heel and ankle stay covered, which limits heat loss.
What about specific slippers after surgery or for a medical condition?
In that case, follow the advice of your doctor or podiatrist: our slippers are comfort slippers, not medical products.
Read also
Find all our styles in the fur-lined slippers and booties collection, with free delivery.
