Despite the gloomy days and downright chilly weather that winter brings to many parts of the world, there are some things to love about winter: watching the first snowfall of the season, sipping on chai tea or hot wine, and cozying up with an oversized sweater and a pair of ethical and sustainable slippers!
This guide will help you discover the last item on that list (check out this guide for sweaters and this one for fair trade tea) with the round-up below of house shoes made with eco-friendly natural fabrics — like locally-sourced wool, cruelty-free alpaca fur, organic cotton, and hemp — and ethical production practices.
Not only are the brands on this list providing fair employment for artisans but many of the slippers on this list are helping preserve cultural traditions. Wool felting, for instance, is a heritage art form in Nepal and Kyrgyzstan while moccasins are traditional Native American footwear.
And in terms of materials, the animal fibers used for these slippers are often central to the culture of the artisans making them. Alpacas (where the cruelty-free alpaca wool is sourced from), for example, are a central source of sustenance for the Indigenous peoples of Peru, and have been roaming the Andean Mountains for thousands of years. And sheep, which are sheared for their wool, are deeply respected in various cultures around the world and they are a renewable, sustainable source of income for many.
If you prefer to go animal-free, no problem — there are also eco-friendly vegan slippers in here if that’s what you’re looking for. Now let’s get into the guide!
[Looking for socks to go with those slippers? Visit this guide for sustainable socks!]Note that this guide includes partners and affiliate links. As always, brands meet high standards for sustainability and are brands we stand behind!
1. Betterfelt
A combination of Danish design and Nepali craftmanship, Betterfelt’s fair trade slippers are simple, practical, and comfortable.
Each pair of the cozy wool slippers (the brand has indoor and outdoor options!) are hand felted and handmade ethically in Betterfelt’s workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Slow-Made
Price: $65-$80
2. Kyrgies
Cozy up consciously with Kyrgies classic, fair trade slippers handmade using traditional felting techniques by women artisans in a women-run factory in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgies’ house shoes are made naturally odor-resistant wool that is sourced ethically and locally from unfenced open fields in Kyrgyzstan.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Fibers, Supports Cultural Preservation
Price Range: $69 – $89
3. Dooeys
Voted “Best Overall” slipper by House Beautiful, Dooeys house shoes are made from eco-friendly materials and designed to offer all-day comfort and support.
These sustainable house shoes loafers, mules, are made from plant-based and recycled materials like apple leather, recycled rubber soles, cork and recycled cushioned foam insoles, and a soft organic cotton lining. Theses slip-on indoor shoes are available in three styles: mules, loafers, and sandals.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials, Crafted To Last
Price Range: $130 – $140
4. Chilote
Slip on a pair of these hand-knit, fair trade slippers from Chilote for instant relaxation and cozy, hygge vibes. Chilote’s super comfy house shoes are each handmade by women artisans in Patagonia who work out of the comfort of their homes. The wool for these slippers is sourced locally and the leather used in some of their slippers is all sourced as a by-product of the meat or fishing (in the case of the salmon leather) industry.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Materials
Price Range: $55 – $86
5. Baabuk
Baabuk is a B-Corp certified business with ecologically-responsible and ethical slippers. Their comfy house shoes are made in Nepal by artisans with New Zealand wool that’s cleaned using an eco washing process where the water is recycled.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production
Price Range: $65 – $79
6. Rawganique
Rawganique’s all-vegan, sustainable slippers are made from hemp and organic cotton! This hemp and organic cotton is grown by Rawganique and the slippers all made completely in-house, too. Taking it yet another step further, these soft slippers are completely free of synthetic fibers, most variants are glue-free, and there are also numerous options available without elastic. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more eco-friendly slipper!
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Vegan, Transparent Production
Price Range: $19 – $79
7. AURA QUE
Aura Que partners with a co-operative in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal to create their quality fair trade slippers. The brand has felted slippers if you’d prefer a bit of support and structure or slipper socks for a more snug fit (and if you like keeping your feet warm by curling up on the sofa!).
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Materials
Price Range: $68 – $78
8. Tanri
Tanri’s sustainable slippers are not only made from 100% natural fibers (high-quality merino wool), but are colored with natural dyes too, from sources like walnut and apricot leaves!
Each pair of their soft slippers are crafted thoughtfully by artisans in Central Asia.
Conscious Qualities: 100% Natural Fibers & Dyes, Artisanal Production, Slow-Made
Price: £57
9. SOCCO
Founded by a native Moroccan, SOCCO’s cozy slippers are handmade responsibly in Morocco from high-quality materials. The brand uses only vegetable-tanned leather and natural, non-toxic dyes for their pieces too (which, of course, includes these slippers!)
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Materials and Dyes
Price Range: $50 – $55
10. Felt & Yarn
The fair trade slippers from Felt & Yarn are as cozy as they come! Made from thick merino wool, these slippers will keep your feet warm — but not too hot — and dry. Wool is naturally odor-resistant and moisture absorbent.
Felt & Yarn’s slippers are ethically handmade by Nepalese craftswomen and the company is fair trade certified by Goodweave.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Materials
Price Range: $39 – $42
11. Coyuchi
Popular eco bedding brand Coyuchi now has cozy organic slippers! These mediterranean-inspired plush, sustainable slippers are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and designed for all-day indoor comfort.
Conscious Qualities: Organic Materials, Ethical Production
Price: $58
12. ONE432
These vegan eco-friendly slippers from ONE432 are made from upcycled deadstock cotton or velvet! The sustainable house shoes are made by artisans in Pakistan earning living wages and are crafted with heritage, traditional techniques. ONE432 is also a POC-owned business and donates to their female artisans and to local educational initiatives.
Conscious Qualities: POC-Owned, Eco Materials, Ethical Production
Price Range: $47
13. Kingdom of Wow!
Keep your feet snuggly warm with Kingdom of Wow!’s ultra-cozy house shoes. These ethical slippers are designed to mold perfectly to the shape of your feet for maximum comfort and warmth. Each pair is responsibly-made by artisans in Cambodia earning above-minimum wages and receiving benefits like insurance and complimentary lunches.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Natural Fibers
Price Range: $89 – $95
(Based in Europe? Visit their EU Site here)
14. Jamie Gentry Designs
For a pair of house shoes that can be worn indoors or out, moccasins fit the bill pretty nicely! The moccasins from Jamie Gentry Designs are each custom-made by Jamie Gentry from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation using traditional Native American materials, like moose hide or buffalo hide.
Conscious Qualities: Indigenous-Owned, Ethical Production, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $120 – $300
15. White Bear Moccasins
Another Indigenous designed and owned moccasin brand, White Bear Moccasins is led by Shauna White Bear of the Arikara Nation. Shauna creates full customizable moccasins (choose the style, hide, and detailing), making these outdoor-meets-house shoes investment pieces you’ll have for a lifetime.
Conscious Qualities: Indigenous-Owned, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $225+
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Slip on The Consciously Made Socks From These 15 Brands
Conscious Winter Accessories: Hats, Scarves, and Gloves
Stay Toasty With These 12 Ethical and Fair Trade Blankets
