Explain slippers to me

[Namenumber3]

Genuinely don’t get slippers and thought Christmas might be a good time to ask.

So you’re in the house, taken off your shoes or boots and you have tights or socks. It’s inside so tights and socks are warm enough. When you want to go outside you slip on crocs, plimsolls whatever.

I don’t get slippers. Why do you need shoes indoors?

I have a pair of indoor shoes because they are much more durable than slippers. Just plastic slides like someone would slip on after sports. The key is they are orthotic. I never walk barefoot or in regular shoes. It’s the key to keeping plantar fasciitis at bay.

I wear my suede Arizona Birkenstocks as my indoor footwear.

1. Socks aren't enough to keep my feet warm because we don't waste energy by overheating our house.

1. Socks wear thin easily if you only wear them

What's your problem with people who like to wear slippers?

Wonder if OP has had a fainting spell at hearing people in Australia wear slippers? Indeed the dreaded UGG boots originated here and are mostly worn as slippers.

All the time. We all have giesswein type also which are a felted wool and they get washed fine. Rubber bottoms so non slip.

Ds is at nursery where it’s compulsory to take shoes off at cloakroomsl and all children (and adults) have to wear slippers. proper ones with decent soles, not giant cartoon things that cause slipping.

We also take ours with us to friends houses, and have unique washable ones at home for guests if they want ( just throw in machine after). They get used all the time.

we have wooden floors. But I would never wear outdoor shoes on them, they would be scratched from stones and covered in wet and mud

I've always had hot feet so never used to need slippers. But now I'm 51 I need thick woolly socks and slippers to keep them warm.
Especially when working from home in a room with laminate flooring.
So don't knock them OP you may well, one day, understand.

I have tiled floors and my feet get freezing. When my feet are cold I feel unhappy. I only wear slippers in winter. If I didn't get cold feet I wouldn't bother. No way would I wear outdoor shoes inside! I wash my slippers in washing machine

Why might different people have different needs and preferences? Are you this ridged and judgmental about all differences of opinion?

I wear slippers because we have wood and tile downstairs and socks are not warm enough. I also wear slippers because if I don’t I always seem to stub my toes on stuff. I only wear them downstairs as it’s carpet upstairs. I always wear socks and slippers, so they are no more smelly than shoes.

Some people have pets and get hair all over their socks if they don't wear slippers.

Also interested to know in what slipperless region the OP lives in!

Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone we visit at home that doesn't have slippers, in fact a lot of our friends are Eastern European or Scandi and also have the culturally obligatory basket of spare slippers for guests (etiquette is to keep your socks on in shared slippers).

I wear slippers because;

• They're warmer than socks / tights
• They can be kicked off easily when required (like tucking feet under me on the couch)
• They're comfy and snug
• We have a wood floor that leads directly to stairs and would be forever arse over tit down them in socks only
• They protect from stepping in spilled water / legos

There's nowt so queer as folk - sock haters, slipper haters, slippers aren't sexy. I mean, who wants to look sexy while doing household chores?

I'm envious of people who never get cold feet or feel the cold. They must have low heating bills.

Well done OP on being privileged enough to have a warm toasty home in December in a cost of living crisis. Clever you. Not like those weirdos who have to wear yucky slippers

I read the OP and further responses and simply thought - You Are Stupid

And yep - love my slippers and always wear them. And yep I'm thoroughly gross and would never put them through the wash. No = they don't smell.

I generally buy a new pair every two years and wear them with socks....

This again.

I don't understand the mumsnet hatred of carpets. We are a shoes off house, don't have small children or pets and I clean my carpets regularly.

My carpets are not disgusting. People and animals are disgusting, not carpets.

God, OP, it’s really not that perplexing, surely?

Extra warmth, protection from stubbing my toes. Not slippy on our uncreated stairs. If there is water on the kitchen floor (eg from a plastic tub upended in the dishwasher) I don't end up with wet socks.

Mumsnet is bonkers sometimes.

Have you ever been camping, @Namenumber3 ? You have a rubbery mat between you and the floor to stop the cold ground leaching the warmth from your body.

Slippers are like that- the rubber sole acts as an insulating layer. Sheepskin works as well. Felted wool is also good. Knit isn’t dense enough so socks don’t cut it.

I also need the shock absorbing qualities. I wore bare feet for years and ended up with joint issues and plantar fasciitis.

I never wore slippers until my mid 30s when someone bought a pair for me, but now wouldn't go back to just socks.

Because wearing outdoor shoes inside is vile, particularly on carpet. Yuk.

Carpet is vile, even if you are neurotic about removing shoes indoors. Thus: hardwood floors throughout. Thus: slippers. For warmth and safety; wooden stairs are treacherous.

So I can’t ask a question?

I would say the replies are more ridged and judgemental frankly 😁

I’m mid 50’s, hard floor downstairs, thermostat set low. I’ve never been a slipper person and I just wanted to know what other people got out of them really.

I wear sheepskin booties. So when my massive heavy dog treads on my feet it doesn’t hurt so much!

Carpet is not vile @Archymum.
We live in a damp, not very warm part of the UK and hard floors are cold and noisy. They are only vile if you make them vile.

I would say the replies are more ridged and judgemental frankly 😁

What do you expect when you create such a ridiculous OP?

I would have thought that the answer was glaringly obvious op. They keep my feet warm. And yes, warmer than an extra pair of socks, and less fiddly to put on.