Many of us can share the joy of relaxing at home in a cosy pair of slippers. During the colder months we find ourselves reaching for them even more, but can wearing our favourite snuggly styles be detrimental to foot health? Well, slipper fans rejoice, because wearing high-quality slippers at home has a surprising amount of benefits.
Wearing slippers at home is generally considered to be beneficial for your feet. Along with keeping toes snug and warm, wearing a high-quality pair of slippers can be a great way to support and protect your feet. They can help to reduce the risk of accidents such as slipping on hard flooring, prevent fungal infections from spreading around the home and can even reduce colds and flu.
With families spending more time indoors during the winter months, many of us are favouring the warmth from a cosy pair of slippers over going barefoot at home. It can be more than just a comfort to keep feet snug in slippers, it can also be great for your health! Chilly feet, and being cold in general, can slow down the movement of tiny hairs in your nose that filter out dirt and germs, reducing your body’s ability to fight off illnesses. Keeping toes warm, especially in children, can be an effective way to help prevent pesky colds.
With such a huge range of slipper options widely available, picking up a new pair of fuzzy slippers can be easily achieved. Unfortunately, there are risks and health problems associated with poorly designed slippers so it’s important to look for certain qualities to ensure support and comfort for everyday wear.
Whilst slippers are meant to keep your feet warm, health issues can arise from poorly made pairs that make your feet too hot. Slippers made from non-breathable materials (such as synthetic fabrics) can trap warm air and sweat around the foot, increasing the risk of nasty fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
Novelty slippers in a bulky design can also be a trip hazard within the home. Despite their charm, bulky slippers in elaborate designs do not reflect the shape of your natural foot and can increase the risk of trips, slips and falls, particularly on stairs. Wearing slippers with non-grip soles can also raise the chances of you losing balance and tripping in the home.
Those of us who wear house slippers indoors every day, and other supportive footwear when outside, can sometimes find ourselves rarely spending any time barefoot. The comfort and warmth of slippers can be a welcome relief from cold tiles and hard flooring, but does wearing slippers all day have a negative effect on foot health long term?
It’s important to remember that properly fitted footwear plays a vital role in helping to support the healthy development of feet. Slippers are no exception to this rule, so never settle for anything less than the perfect fit. If you invest in a pair of slippers that offer good support, breathability and comfort, it is not detrimental to overall foot health to wear them regularly.
If you do wear your slippers every day, it’s worth noting that they probably spend more time on your feet than any other footwear you own. To avoid a build-up of unwanted bacteria and unpleasant odours, it may be beneficial to clean them at least once a month or have a second pair of slippers to alternate with.
Quality slippers that cushion the ball of the foot are helpful for providing protection and general comfort in everyday wear. However, poor quality slippers that lack vital support can put pressure on the muscles within the foot and cause excessive gripping from toes as you struggle to keep the shoe in place. If your feet are moving around too much in your slippers, causing you pain, or even blisters and calluses, it may be time to invest in a higher quality pair.
Whether you’re looking to invest in slippers for yourself or your children, always prioritise pairs that offer strong support, breathability, and grip. Try to avoid synthetic materials that will make your foot too hot and instead look for breathable, insulating fabrics such as leather and soft suedes that will keep feet cosy as the temperature drops.
Many surfaces within our homes can be slippery, especially wood and tile floors. Protect against accidental slips and trips and invest in slippers that have a sturdy grip and flexible sole. Add extra protection with a secure style of slipper. Open back mules can be difficult to keep on your feet whereas fully enclosed slippers like a moccasin will offer a comfortable fit that supports natural movement. Our collection of girls and boys slippers are designed in a classic moccasin shape to stop them slipping off little feet.
For colourful children’s slippers it’s best to avoid novelty exaggerated styles and instead look for slippers that don’t add bulk and reflect the shape of their natural foot. Our kids’ slippers collection brightens up dull days with fun, vibrant designs whilst offering essential comfort and support to growing feet.
Author: Sam, published 02-03-2023.
