Shop the story: Sheepskin Slippers | Men's Slippers | Women's Slippers
The short answer: genuine sheepskin slippers are worth it if you wear slippers every day. The wool keeps feet warm without the clammy feel of a synthetic lining, and a well-made pair lasts for years with basic care. Then match the sole to where you walk: a soft hide sole for indoors only, a hard sole for quick trips outside.
This guide covers how to tell genuine sheepskin from a lookalike, which sole and style suit the way you live, how a new pair should fit, and how to keep it clean.
In this guide
- What makes a slipper genuine sheepskin?
- Are sheepskin slippers worth it?
- Soft sole or hard sole?
- Can you wear sheepskin slippers outside?
- Which style should you choose?
- Men's, women's and kids' slippers
- How should sheepskin slippers fit?
- Socks or bare feet?
- How to clean and care for sheepskin slippers
- Frequently asked questions
What makes a slipper genuine sheepskin?
A genuine sheepskin slipper is made from twin-face sheepskin: a single tanned hide with the wool still attached. The wool side faces in and the suede side faces out, so the lining and the upper are the same piece of material rather than two layers glued or stitched together.
That matters because "wool-lined" or "sheepskin-style" can mean very different things. Some slippers use a separate wool lining sewn into leather, and many use a synthetic pile on a fabric backing that only looks like sheepskin in a photo. Two quick checks help:
- Part the wool. On genuine sheepskin you'll find the leather of the hide at the base of the fibres. A woven or knitted fabric grid means a synthetic pile.
- Read the listing. Look for "genuine sheepskin" or "twin-face sheepskin" in the materials, not just "fleece", "faux shearling" or "plush".
For a closer look at the differences, see our guide to telling genuine sheepskin from synthetic and our sheepskin types guide. Our slippers, scuffs and booties are made in New Zealand from twin-face sheepskin with roughly 22 mm (0.75 in) of wool. The exception is our slipper socks, which have a knit-style upper over a lambswool fleece lining and a genuine sheepskin insole.
Are sheepskin slippers worth it?
For everyday wear around the house, usually yes. Wool traps air for warmth and lets moisture vapour escape, so feet stay warm without getting damp and then cold. Synthetic pile tends to flatten and hold heat and moisture against the skin, which is why cheaper pairs often feel sweaty and lose their softness quickly.
The trade-off is a higher upfront cost and a little care. If you want a slipper you can throw in the washing machine and replace each year, a synthetic pair is the cheaper option. If you want one pair that stays comfortable over several winters, genuine sheepskin is the better buy.
Soft sole or hard sole?
The sole decides where you can wear a slipper, so it's worth choosing before the style. We use three types:
A soft sole is the most comfortable choice for carpet and for sitting still, but it wears faster on hard floors and shouldn't go outside. If your floors are tile, timber or concrete, a hard sole also puts more between your feet and the cold floor. Our sole types guide has photos and more detail on each.
Can you wear sheepskin slippers outside?
Yes, if they have a hard sole and the trip is short and dry: the mailbox, the deck, putting out the bins. They aren't waterproof, so avoid wet grass, puddles, snow and long walks. A few habits help them last:
- Treat the suede with a sheepskin protector and water repellent before first wear and again after cleaning. It improves resistance to water and stains but doesn't make them waterproof.
- If they get damp, blot them and let them dry slowly at room temperature, away from heaters and direct sun.
- Wipe the sole before you come back onto carpet.
Soft hide soles are for indoors only. If you want something you can wear outside more often, look at our Kiwi House Boots, which have an EVA sole for indoor and light to moderate outdoor use, or our sheepskin boots.
Which style should you choose?
Once you know the sole you need, choose the shape by how much of your foot you want covered and how quickly you want to get them on.
If cold feet are the main problem, two things make the biggest difference: more coverage around the ankle, from a bootie or slipper boot, and a hard sole if your floors are cold.
Men's, women's and kids' slippers
Most of our adult styles are unisex. Sizes are listed in US men's sizes with the US women's equivalent beside them, so the same style works for anyone in the household. Our men's slippers and women's slippers collections group them for easier browsing.
- For a traditional men's slipper, the Men's Premium has a closed shape, a flexible side-stitched sole and a replaceable insole. For wide feet, outdoor soles and sizing, see our men's sheepskin slippers guide.
- For an easy everyday pair, scuffs like the Josie, in chestnut, sand or pink, slip on and off without a second thought.
- For children, the Kids Sheepskin Bootie Slippers have a bootie shape that stays on better than a scuff and a ridged EVA sole with a shaped heel. Measure their feet rather than going by age. For babies, see our baby sheepskin range.
How should sheepskin slippers fit?
Comfortably snug when new. The wool lining compresses and the suede upper moulds to your foot over the first couple of weeks, so the fit relaxes with wear. If you're between sizes, or you'd like a little more room, choose the larger size. When you try them on:
- Your toes should lie flat without pressing into the end.
- Your heel shouldn't lift out as you walk in a closed-heel style.
- Check the fit with the socks you'll actually wear, if any.
Our scuffs and slipper socks come in letter sizes (S to XL, or S to 2XL for the slipper socks), and every product page has its own size guide, so check that before ordering. Unworn pairs can be exchanged within 30 days; see our returns policy for the options.
Socks or bare feet?
Either works. Many people wear sheepskin slippers barefoot, which puts the wool directly against the skin where it can do its job of handling warmth and moisture. If you prefer socks, a thin natural-fibre pair keeps that benefit better than a thick synthetic one, and thick socks can change how the slipper fits.
How to clean and care for sheepskin slippers
Most of the time, sheepskin slippers only need airing and the odd spot clean. Washing should be a last resort, because the suede side is easily damaged by the wrong method.
- Protect them first. Apply a sheepskin protector before first wear and after each clean.
- Spot clean marks. Apply a little Woolskin Wool Wash, wipe gently with a damp white cloth until the shampoo is gone, pat dry, and let the area dry slowly.
- If they need a full wash, hand wash in cool or lukewarm water with a sheepskin wash, rinse in cold water, press out excess water with paper towels and stuff them with dry paper towels to hold their shape.
- Dry naturally, away from direct sun, heaters and radiators.
- Never put sheepskin slippers in the washing machine or tumble dryer, and avoid detergents with enzymes, bleach or fabric softener.
When the insole of a side-stitched style (the Loafer Clog, Men's Premium or Flexi Sole Booties) eventually wears down, it can be replaced with a plain sheepskin insole instead of replacing the whole pair. For the full method, including stubborn stains, see our sheepskin care guide.
If you're shopping for slippers because of heel or arch pain, our guide to slippers for plantar fasciitis, arthritis and sore feet covers what to look for, and a podiatrist can advise on your own feet.
Why buy from Kiwi Sheepskins
We're a family-owned sheepskin specialist based in Auckland, New Zealand, and have been since 2002. Our slippers are made in New Zealand from genuine twin-face sheepskin, we ship worldwide from Auckland, and every pair is backed by our 12-month guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Frequently asked questions
Are sheepskin slippers worth it?
For daily wear, yes. Genuine sheepskin keeps feet warm without the sweaty feel of a synthetic lining, and the wool holds its spring much longer than synthetic pile. They cost more upfront and need a little care, but a good pair lasts for years.
Can you wear sheepskin slippers outside?
Pairs with a hard EVA or TPR sole can go outside for short, dry trips. They aren't waterproof, so avoid wet grass, puddles, snow and long walks. Soft hide soles are for indoors only.
Can you put sheepskin slippers in the washing machine?
No. Machine washing and tumble drying can shrink and stiffen the suede and damage the wool. Spot clean with a sheepskin wash, or hand wash in cool water if needed, and dry naturally away from heat.
Do sheepskin slippers stretch?
They settle rather than stretch. The wool lining compresses and the suede upper moulds to your foot over the first couple of weeks, so they should feel snug, but not painful, when new. If you're between sizes, choose the larger size.
Should you wear socks with sheepskin slippers?
You don't need to. Many people wear them barefoot so the wool sits against the skin. If you prefer socks, choose a thin natural-fibre pair, and check the fit with them on.
Which sheepskin slippers are warmest?
Styles that cover the ankle, like a bootie or slipper boot, keep in the most warmth. If your floors are tile or timber, a hard sole adds a barrier between your feet and the cold floor.
What's the difference between sheepskin slippers and wool slippers?
Wool slippers are usually made from felted or knitted wool with no hide. Sheepskin slippers use the whole pelt, with the wool still attached to the tanned skin, which gives a more structured upper and a denser lining.
Ready to choose? Browse our full range of New Zealand-made sheepskin slippers.
