Last October, I set out on a three-day backpacking adventure up to Conundrum Hot Springs in Aspen, Colorado. I packed a bag that weighed 35 pounds with a change of clothes, a sleeping bag and pad, many layers and some of the food a group of eight would come to consume over the course of the next seventy-two hours. The views were magnificent — all of the Aspen trees decorated the edges of the trail cheering us on as we continued up to 11,400 feet, roughly. And while my new hiking boots were sturdy and warm, at the end of each day all I wanted to do was put on a pair of slippers and big chunky socks. Since it was October in Colorado, the weather was rapidly changing and we were pretty chilly at night, so the thought of sliding my feet into something warm (that wasn’t my heated Nalgene bottle at the bottom of my sleeping bag) was heavenly.
While slippers aren’t always the most convenient piece of apparel to make space for in a hiking pack, I keep them on my list for every adventure trip I plan. From upstate peak-bagging adventures to lazy exploration weekends in the Hudson Valley, I pack a pair that’ll keep my feet warm and dry all night long. While most slippers are built for indoor use, a pair that’s soled with something slightly heavier duty is a good place to start. Trust us, your feet will thank you the next time you go camping or hiking.
Mahabis Outdoor
Billed as the slipper you can wear at home and everywhere else, these shoes are made with 100-percent merino wool lining, similar to Allbirds (one of our favorite travel shoes). There are seven colors to choose from ranging from black to mint. The contoured footbed paired with a TPU-based sole that grips in all conditions will feel great when you’re sitting around the fire.
Giesswein Veitsch
The sole of the Giesswein slippers is intense. At first glance, they look more like clogs than they do slippers, but once you put them on and feel the arch-support, you’ll understand why people slide into them at the end of the day. The soles are slip-proof and made from a waterproof upper, meaning you can brave the morning dew and have coffee on the grass.
Glerups Low Boot with Rubber Sole
One of our staffers packed these slippers as his camp shoe when he trekked across parts of Russia. The rubber outsole is sturdy enough to bring camping, and the natural wool keeps feet warm and dry without causing them to sweat — a common problem in today’s slipper market. They work just as well on a morning walk around the block as they do for your walk to the food tent in the backcountry.
L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins
I’m not sure what type of list this would be if we didn’t include the iconic L.L. Bean moccasins that everyone from your grandmother to your crazy cool cousin out in Portland don every morning and evening. These slippers are my go-to for walking around on vacation when I head up to the Adirondacks. The shearling lining gets a little hot during the summer, but for fall, winter and spring trips, I’ll throw these on to hit up the s’mores celebration.
Teva Ember Moc
Imagine a sleeping bag for your feet, slap a rubber sole on the bottom and you have the Teva Ember Moc. The sole is sneaker-like, featuring an EVA-foam midsole, so while you can’t run in them, the cushioning underfoot is unparalleled. The slip-on ripstop upper features a quilted design that will remind you of every puffer coat you’ve ever worn. Pick from five colors then hit the campsite in style.
Thermoball Traction Booties
Built to help you tackle warmth and comfort during frigid days, these water-resistant slip-on booties will sound good after a day of skiing. Your feet will relish in all the space in the toebox after being cramped up in a ski boot. Each slipper is insulated with The North Face’s ThermoBall technology, yet lightweight so your feet can handle those apres-moments.
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