We replace our shoes when they wear out, but we keep our slippers for years, until they are unrecognisable. Yet they are often the shoes we wear the most hours a day. So, when should you replace your slippers? Here are six clear signs and a very simple test.
The essentials
- Worn every day, slippers often show signs of fatigue after one or two seasons.
- The sole and padding wear out before the upper: look underneath and inside.
- The thumb test lets you judge the padding in 10 seconds.
- Alternating two pairs and letting them air out helps keep them in good shape for longer.
The 6 signs it's time to replace them
1. The sole has gone smooth
Turn them over. If the tread has disappeared or the sole is shiny, it grips less on tiles and parquet. This is the most important sign.
2. The padding is flattened
Can you feel the floor through the sole? The cushioning is no longer doing its job.
3. The heel has sagged to one side
Put them on a table and look at them from behind: if they lean, they no longer hold the foot straight.
4. The lining is matted or damaged
A lining that has lost its softness keeps you much less warm.
5. The smell comes back even after cleaning
If cleaning solutions are no longer enough, it's time. Our tips are in smelly slippers: what to do.
6. You no longer enjoy putting them on
The simplest criterion: if you slip them on out of habit rather than desire, they have had their day.
The thumb test, in 10 seconds
- Slide your hand into the slipper.
- Press firmly with your thumb at the heel, then under the ball of the foot.
- Release: if the padding springs back, all is well. If it stays dented or you feel the hard sole straight away, the padding is worn out.
How to make your slippers last
- Alternate two pairs so each one can dry and regain its shape. See why alternate several pairs.
- Don't dry them on a radiator; let them air-dry.
- Brush the velvet regularly with a soft brush. The full guide is in washing and caring for your slippers.
- Keep them indoors if they aren't made for going out, and have an outdoor slipper for the rest.
The right time to replace them
Autumn is the ideal time: you'll be wearing them all winter. The Merano lined slipper (€34.99, EU sizes 36 to 45) replaces an old indoor pair, and the Winter Trio renews everything at once: Merano for home, Alba for going out, Cortina for the cold, €79.99 instead of €119.97.
Frequently asked questions
How long do slippers last?
It depends on use. Worn every day on hard floors, one to two seasons is a common rough guide; if you alternate two pairs, each one lasts longer.
Can old slippers be recycled?
Check with your local textile collection points: many accept shoes, even worn ones, as long as they are clean and in pairs.
Should you replace your slippers after an illness?
Wash them or air them out well. If they can't be washed and you have doubts, it's a good opportunity to replace them.
Read also
Time for a change? Discover our vegan velvet lined slippers.
