The Best Slippers: Tested

Alternate name for our round-robin top performer? The Eleventh Essential. The Teva ReEmber—a more sustainably designed, unisex iteration of the ever-popular Ember Moc—is a camp shoe at first glance. It's a slip-on with a cozy microfiber lining and a durable, quilted ripstop upper that shrugs off dirt and spilled chili mac. It has an EVA midsole for structure and support and a robust rubber outsole that can handle rocky, rooty terrain and even a bit of snow. And at just a hair over a pound for a pair, the ReEmber makes the cut for overnight excursions.

But though you may initially buy for the campground, this do-it-all slipper will sneak into your everyday rotation—and your heart. Our testers dig the ReEmber for the crag and the ski resort parking lot; they wear it to the grocery store and the dog park. They reach for the ReEmber all the time—making it an obvious pick for an REI Editors' Choice Award.

Highlights: The ReEmber has a collapsible heel, which transforms the slipper into an even-easier-to-wear clog. Also, if you remove the footbed, you can toss the ReEmber in the laundry machine on a delicate cycle (let air dry). Lowlights: There aren't many but do note that there isn't additional insulation fill in the ReEmber. It's plenty warm for most three-season adventures, but if you're looking for a super-warm bootie or something to wear inside your sleeping bag, keep reading. Buy here.

"These slippers are the only thing that can get me out of my sleeping bag in the morning," declares one tester. And, really, that's all you can ask for of a good camp shoe. The new Camp Dreamer from REI Co-op is an insulated slip-on that takes its cues from the popular Stormhenge jacket—recycled synthetic fill makes it a lot like a tiny puffy jacket for your foot, while a supple recycled polyester liner is cozy next to bare skin.

But the Camp Dreamer blurs the line between indoor tent slipper and outdoor camp shoe well. A sturdy ripstop upper protects your foot from mud and light weather. It's structured, too, which, when paired with a PU midsole, gives the Camp Dreamer enough oomph to support you on easy walks and hikes. The rubber outsole has a pattern of shallow lugs or bumps which give the slipper a hint of traction. It was capable enough for one tester whose "quick jaunt" to a secret river near camp turned into a sportier, off-trail adventure. That said, the low heel design means the Camp Dreamer doesn't hug your foot as snugly as other options here.

The more rigid upper of the Camp Dreamer certainly makes it feel more supportive than a slipper with a socklike fit, but some testers thought it felt clunky. Consider sizing down, and note the unisex sizing. Buy here.

When staying warm is the name of the game, you want the Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel booties. The Tundra is packed with synthetic insulation that actually lofts like a sleeping bag and continues to insulate even when wet. Inside, a soft, breathable tricot lining is cozy next to bare skin, and underfoot, Outdoor Research designers inserted a 1.5mm layer of Aerogel. The same stuff used in space suits, Aerogel is basically a waterless gel that insulates but weighs next to nothing, shielding your foot from the cold ground when you're standing on snow.

But all that warmth would be for naught if the Tundra was too heavy or bulky to make the cut on overnight trips where weight and space are of the essence. But a pair of Tundras weighs about as much as a freeze-dried meal (roughly 9 ounces, depending on size) and squeezes down to grapefruit size. "I stuff each Tundra bootie into a crevice in my pack, no problem," one editor says.

Though the Tundra has a semblance of an outsole, don't confuse this bootie with a camp shoe. The "outsole" is more of a ruggedized coating, and there's no midsole. Wear it in your sleeping bag or tent, inside the cook tent or even on short jaunts to the outhouse, but don't plan on off-roading. Buy here.

There's no feeling quite like peeling off a stiff plastic ski boot and sliding your foot into The North Face ThermoBall Traction Mule V. The lofted insulation and cushioned footbed deliver "the softest, pillowiest landing," one tester wrote on her feedback form. And we can all agree: Short of shredding endless powder, there may be no better sensation for skiers on planet Earth.

The brand's ThermoBall™ Eco insulation wraps your foot in a warm hug like a puffy jacket or mountaineering bootie, but the Traction Mule is built tougher. "This isn't the bootie for stuffing in the bottom of your sleeping bag," one Breckenridge, Colorado-based tester says. "This is the shoe for icy sidewalks, snowy pathways and parking-lot tailgates." A soft EVA midsole gives the Traction Mule running-shoe DNA and enough support for all-day wear. And a grippy rubber outsole embossed with braille-like patterning keeps you upright on slick pavement.

Testers in Jackson, Wyoming, loved the easy on-off of the Traction Mule, which has a collapsible heel and elastic side paneling. Durability is subpar, though. The Traction Mule will shed light precip and mud thanks to a DWR coating, but it's still a lot like your puffy jacket—one tester's mule suffered a tear amidst some haphazard packing and needed a duct tape patch. Buy here.

A capable loafer with sneaky comfort, the OluKai Nohea Slipper (and Kipuka Hulu Slipper) is an ideal travel companion. It starts with all-day support from a PU midsole and cushy gel insert that help land the slip-on in the grey area between "sneaker" and "slipper." The contoured footbed delivers more arch support than other slippers on our list—a helpful design feature for folks who spend a lot of the day on their feet.

Next comes the comfort you'd expect from a slipper. Plush wool shearling lines the inside of the shoe, creating a fleecy cocoon for your foot. (Nice: Because it's naturally antimicrobial wool, it resists stink, so rock on sans socks, if that's your jam.) The footbed also has a soft wool cover that's removable (and washable).

Finally, our testers lauded the collapsible heel, which allows you to wear the Nohea or Kipuka Hulu as a slide—perfect for speedy airport security transitions yet secure enough for racing to your connection. Buy the Nohea Slipper or Kipuka Hulu Slipper.

A marvel of comfort, the glerups Model A is the sort of shoe we bet you'll wear until it's threadbare—then replace and do it all again. The felt slip-on feels like a cozy wool sock with some underfoot support, and testers and customers alike exalt its ability to mold to your foot over time.

The bootie is constructed with SilkFit®, a silk-wool blend that cashes in on the benefits of both materials. Silk makes is soft, not scratchy, and wool provides natural insulation and breathability. "The Model A is the sort of shoe you'll forget you're wearing," one tester says. "It's always warm, but never too warm." The blend resists odor, too.

A leather outsole provides enough traction for indoor wear or running out to the mailbox, but these aren't meant for big trips beyond the front door. Buy here.

Kiddos deserve comfy toes too, which is why REI staffers swear by the Chaco Ramble Puff for their little ones. Like a fleece for a tiny foot, the Ramble Puff's quilted design delivers warmth and next-to-skin softness, which our testers say is perfect for the campground or colder days outside.

And "outside" is on the table for the Ramble Puff, which has a burly rubber outsole and a wraparound rand that protects the upper from scuffs. The shoe isn't waterproof, but the ripstop upper sheds snow, mud and small splashes without problem. The adjustable closure is easy for small hands to negotiate.

Best part? If you're envious of your kiddo's adventure-ready slippers, Chaco makes a grown-up version, too. Buy the Ramble Puff Kids', Women's or Men's.