As the cold nights draw in, slippers are essential — and now they claim to come with added health benefits, from easing lower back pain to moisturising dry skin.
Mandy Francis asked some experts to run the most recent options. Then, we rated them.
Pain in the back, knees and heels
Vionic Relax Slipper
£60, vionicshoes.co.uk
Claim: These have a ‘moulded, orthotic footbed’ and are designed to reduce over-pronation (where the foot rolls inwards) and absorb shock, says the maker.
Expert verdict: ‘Wearing structured footwear around the house supports the arches of the feet, which helps to reduce painful strain injuries such as plantar fasciitis [pain caused by damage to tissue along the bottom of the feet],’ says Gemma Hodgson, a podiatrist at The Foot Lab in Glossop, Derbyshire.
‘Look for a slipper like this, with a footbed that cups the heel, provides arch support and cushions the toes. It will decrease the likelihood of your heel hurting and put strain on your back, knees, and ankles.
‘The only drawback is there’s nothing behind the heel to keep this slipper on, so the toes work harder to grip, which can put stress on the tendons and joints in the foot.’
7/10
Vionic Relax Slipper
Raynaud’s
Slippers Heated Slippers from Snugtoes Funmi Plush
£25.99, raynaudsdisease.com
Claim: The fleece-lined slippers have gel pockets that you can heat up in hot water or in a microwave. The maker says this ‘additional warmth seeps into the foot’ and that the slippers are ‘recommended for Raynaud’s sufferers’.
Expert verdict: ‘Raynaud’s is a disorder that affects small blood vessels in the extremities — when people with Raynaud’s are cold or stressed, it can cause the blood vessels in their fingers and toes to spasm, changing the colour of the skin and making them feel numb, throb or painful,’ says Gemma Hodgson.
‘Slippers with a cosy lining like these are ideal for keeping feet warm and Raynaud’s at bay. However, you must always take your time warming cold feet. You should not heat your feet so fast that you get chilblains. Layering up with thick socks is a safer option.’
5/10
Slippers Heated Slippers from Snugtoes Funmi Plush
Dry skin
Meme Moisturising Slippers
£8.44, rosettelavedette.com
Claim: These single-use cotton slippers are lined with a serum containing aloe vera, almond oil and mango butter, to relieve dry feet such as those ‘weakened by cancer treatments’ or with ‘sensitive or atopic skin’.
Expert verdict: ‘Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, and other conditions, can leave skin fragile and dry, particularly on the feet, as they support the body’s weight when you walk,’ says Gemma Hodgson.
‘The serum here may be formulated for very sensitive skin but if you are having cancer treatment, seek medical advice on any product you want to apply to your skin, as not all ingredients may be suitable.
‘Applying a foot cream containing a moisturising compound such as urea daily before bed works well for most people. These slippers are pricey and perhaps not necessary — but a pampering treat.’
4/10
Meme Moisturising Slippers
Arthritis
Byriver Reflexology Slippers
£25.99, amazon.co.uk
Claim: ‘Therapeutic acupressure slipper with 39 acupressure “buttons” [hard, raised nodules set into the footbed]. Wear with socks for ten to 20 minutes at a time to relieve foot pain due to plantar fasciitis, lower back pain and arthritis.’
Expert verdict: ‘There is some evidence that reflexology — an alternative therapy that involves massaging pressure points on the feet which are said to correspond to different areas of the body — may help to reduce pain,’ says Gemma Hodgson.
‘But I can’t see how these slippers will improve back pain, plantar fasciitis and arthritis — three very different conditions. They lack the structured support and cushioning needed for good posture and foot health, and the substantial nodules on the footbed mean wearing these for a prolonged time could actually cause, rather than ease, foot pain.’
0/10
Byriver Reflexology Slippers
Poor circulation
Rapid Relief premium, reusable cold slippers
£18.85, amazon.co.uk
Claim: ‘Intended to reduce swelling and relieve foot discomfort associated with numerous health conditions, they can also be used to soothe soreness after a long day of standing or wearing uncomfortable footwear.’
Expert verdict: ‘Applying a cold compress to the feet can have an anti-inflammatory effect and help to reduce swelling and pain from injuries and conditions such as Morton’s neuroma, a persistent pain in the ball of your foot,’ says Gemma Hodgson.
‘A warm compress can help to increase blood flow and relax muscle fibres, so easing arthritis pain, stiff and sore muscles.
‘But both treatments should only be used with medical advice, as they can be harmful for people with conditions including poor circulation and diabetes. You can easily damage the skin if your pain sensations or healing systems are impaired.’
4/10
Rapid Relief premium, reusable cold slippers
Post Exercise
Ooahh Sport Slide Sandal
£55, oofos.co.uk
Claim: These are made with a foam ‘that absorbs 37 per cent more impact than traditional foam’, have a curved sole and a footbed that ‘cradles and supports arches’.
Expert verdict: ‘The moulded foam footbed will support the structures of the foot, helping it to move in an optimal position,’ says Sam Singh, consultant orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon at the London Bridge Hospital and the Lister Hospital, Chelsea.
‘The curved sole will support your gait and take some pressure off the ankle joint; and the open structure will allow air to circulate around the feet and help keep them cool and dry after exercise, reducing the risk of any infections.
‘But I’m not sure they will make recovery time faster. A foot massage by hand or by rolling a tennis ball or frozen bottle of water along the soles of your feet can help to ease soreness.’
Ooahh Sport Slide Sandal
Tone your Muscles
Vgeby Half Palm Slimming Shoes
£21.79, amazon.co.uk
Claim: Made from special foam, these are ‘half slippers’ that sit under the ball and arch of the foot, leaving the heel hanging free. These slippers are secured by a thick strap with silicone toe dividers. Exercising in these helps to ‘strengthen muscles in the lower extremities and toes, to beautify and shape the graceful curves of the body’, the maker says.
Expert verdict: ‘Walking and regular exercise is a great way to keep your feet and legs strong and flexible — but you need to wear supportive shoes for stability and to avoid injury,’ says surgeon Mr Singh.
‘These look like a child’s plastic toy and in my view would be unsafe to wear. The heels are high enough to reach the arch and your toes, but not so low that you can easily strain or tear the calf muscles. I wouldn’t recommend these.’
0/10
Foot Odour
Rockdove Men’s Silvadur Anti-Odour Slipper
£18.69, amazon.co.uk
Claims: ‘Made from anti-odour fabric that releases silver ions to eliminate odour-causing bacteria.’
Expert verdit: ‘Our feet excrete around half a pint of sweat a day — which, when they are covered up with closed-toe shoes and socks, can provide a breeding ground for bacteria that then create the undesirable foot odour,’ says Gemma Hodgson.
‘The silver in the lining here has antibacterial properties. Silver ions are thought to interfere with bacteria’s ability to multiply and survive, which may help to reduce the build-up that makes slippers smell and reduce the risk of infections developing, too.
‘However, keeping feet and socks clean and giving your slippers a regular machine-washing will be just as effective for keeping foot odour at bay. The memory foam insoles here, although comfortable, won’t offer the more substantial arch support you’ll get from insoles of thicker foam [called EVA] in other slippers.’
7/10
Rockdove Men’s Silvadur Anti-Odour Slipper
Toe deformities
Inverness Slippers
£59, widerfitshoes.co.uk
Claim: Extra-wide, adjustable slippers with removable insoles for a deep fitting which, according to information on the maker’s website, is suitable for some cases of bunions, hammer toes and swollen feet.
Expert verdict: ‘It can be difficult to find footwear to accommodate toe deformities or swollen feet, which can be genetic or caused by diseases such as arthritis, or even by bad footwear,’ says Mr Singh.
‘People with toe deformities should look for full slippers such as these that cover the heel, toes and arch of the foot and have a roomy toe box, soft fabric and no internal seams.
‘The slippers must be wide enough to be comfortable around the forefoot, with arch support to improve foot posture. This will ease any discomfort and may prevent any problems getting worse.’
8/10
Inverness Slippers