Last Updated on 21/08/2024
In this guide to the best camping slippers and down booties, we share the warmest, most lightweight, and most comfortable slippers to wear inside a tent (or out). We look for things like waterproofing on the soles and grip, sizing, and the different types of camp slippers you need to know about.
Camping Slippers or Down Booties are the perfect lightweight camp shoes for wearing inside your tent after a long day hiking. Not only are they incredibly lightweight for a second pair of shoes, but they are also ridiculously comfortable and warm to bring your toes back to life if you’ve been hiking in the snow.
In hot countries like Australia or Thailand, you would probably take some flip-flops or sandals as your camp shoes, but insulated camping slippers are the way to go in colder climates. We selected the best camping slippers and down booties available today and tested them side by side so that you don’t end up with some duds.
12 Best Camping Slippers and Down Booties
Teva Reember Terrain Moccasin
- WEIGHT: Lightweight
- MATERIAL: 100% recycled ripstop upper, 50% recycled brushed polyester lining, 100% recycled polyester wool-like collar
- INSULATION: Microfiber
- SOLE: Rubber outsole with Teva RAPIDresist technology, 30mm dual layer Teva ULTRA-COMF foam footbed
The Teva Reember Terrain Moccasins are the absolute best slippers for camping. With warm and breathable uppers and a wool-like collar, these moccasins are excellent insulators on a cold day and a pleasure to wear. The soles are also fantastic – they can be used on wet ground, frozen ground with slight inclines, and forest floors where there are plenty of hazards for thin soles. Thankfully the soles are thick enough to provide some grip as well as protection from small prickles.
If you are anything like me, you will buy these for camping and end up using them every day at home, around the house or garden. If you have ever tried a pair of Teva sandals, you will know how lightweight and comfy they are. These hiking slippers are even comfier.
KEEN Howser 2 Outdoor Slippers
- WEIGHT: 11.6 oz / 328.9 g
- MATERIAL: Water-Resistant nylon upper, Ultra-soft microfleece lining
- INSULATION: Quilted nylon
- SOLE: Non-marking rubber outsole
The KEEN Howser 2 Outdoor Slippers fit more like a shoe than any others in this guide. They are a slim, nimble, and much tighter fit than anything I’m used to. Not in a bad way… They are extremely comfortable for my wide feet and not hard to take off, just not as easy to slide into as the Teva Reember Terrain Moccasins above.
Keen is known for their protective toe boxes, and even these slippers have better toe protection than most trail running shoes. This gives you the confidence to wear them more like shoes and take care of tasks around camp without taking them off. The uppers are nicely water-resistant which is a necessity if walking on wet grass outside your tent.
If you want some camp slippers you can wear every day without worrying about getting wet, then the Howser 2 Outdoor Slippers from KEEN are ideal. They are like a hybrid slipper that feels like a shoe but are much comfier for lounging around in.
Rab Hut Slipper
- WEIGHT: 6.9 oz / 196 g
- MATERIAL: Pertex® Quantum ripstop water and abrasion-resistant uppers
- INSULATION: Cirrus™ powered by 3M Featherless insulation
- SOLE: EVA midsole, Tough nylon sole with grippy silicone traction print
The Rab Hut Slippers are one of my favorite types of slipper for taking camping for their simple but effective construction and durable nature. The Pertex Quantum ripstop fabric can withstand light showers and a few steps on wet grass but is not designed to be worn like lightweight hiking boots.
The good thing is that even if they do get wet, the Cirrus 3M Featherless insulation will keep your feet warm and will dry out very quickly. But if you want to save weight and keep your toes extra warm, you can get these with a down filling here.
As well as being warm and comfortable in winter, the Hut Slipper from Rab does not overheat on warmer nights and are great for lounging around. We regard these as one of the best camp slippers and would recommend them to anyone looking for their next pair of camp shoes to wear at the end of a hike.
The North Face Thermoball Traction Mule V
- WEIGHT: 17.6 oz / 500 g
- MATERIAL: 100% recycled P.E.T. ripstop upper with DWR, Fleece lining
- INSULATION: Thermoball Eco synthetic insulation
- SOLE: Collapsible heel with elastic gores, 20%-recycled rubber outsole with traction
The North Face Thermoball Traction Mule V are one of the best camping slippers for apres ski and putting on after a long day dealing with cold feet. There is a very nice balance between warmth/comfort and traction/durability, making these base camp slippers ideal for wearing inside and outside of the tent.
The water-resistant fabric protects the top of the shoe with reinforcement around the lower parts to help keep moisture out. Synthetic down-style insulation makes them nice and packable for backpackers and means that your feet stay warm even if the camp mules get wet. The elasticated heel makes them easy to pull on and keeps them secure, or they can be worn like a slip-on if you prefer.
Western Mountaineering Standard Down Bootie
- WEIGHT: 6 oz / 170 g
- MATERIAL: Durable downproof nylon outer shell fabric with DWR, Internal elastic heel strap, Adjustable elastic draw closure
- INSULATION: 800 fill power European goose down insulation
- SOLE: Waterproof and durable rand material, Insulated foam insole, Non-slip Toughtek outer sole
The Western Mountaineering Standard Down Bootie is designed to keep your feet warm and comfortable like no other top camping slipper on this list. The beauty of down insulation is that it packs down incredibly small, is super lightweight, and lofts up nice and big for the most superior warmth and comfort. Western Mountaineering are experts at making down camping gear.
Even though these down booties are bigger than low-cut camp slippers, they pack down smaller and are more lightweight than almost all of them. The water-repellent material sheds light on rain while the high rand and Toughtek outer sole do a very good job of keeping the bottom of your bootie dry. Down booties are often worn for some Arctic expeditions as well as by high Alpine mountain climbers to keep their feet warm at night, but they are just as satisfying to wear wherever you are.
Montane Prism Booties
- WEIGHT: 5.85 oz / 166 g
- MATERIAL: PERTEX Microlight Rip-stop outer fabric, Soft brushed microfleece lining, Adjustable ankle
- INSULATION: 160g PRIMALOFT GOLD insulation
- SOLE: Tough Hypalon sole
The Montane Prism Booties are some of the best ultralight camp slippers for weight-conscious packers and comfort enthusiasts. The Pertex Microlight upper is 100% windproof, highly durable, and water-resistant enough to endure short contact with damp ground. There is a grip control between the Hypalon panel on the sole and the inner sole to prevent insulation movement and double-layer slipping.
Soft brushed microfleece lining helps wick moisture and provides extra warmth and comfort. The ultra-fine synthetic insulation fibers are designed to mimic goose down and will keep feet warm even if they get wet. If you are looking for a well-made, lightweight camping slipper to take backpacking then this could be the bootie for you.
Chaco Revel Moccasin
- WEIGHT: Lightweight
- MATERIAL: Cozy felted polyester upper, Soft fleece lining
- INSULATION: None
- SOLE: Crepe textured rubber outsole 20 mm Lug Depth
The Chaco Revel Moccasins are not designed to keep your feet warm in freezing conditions but make excellent shoes to wear around camp when paired with thick socks. There is no insulation, but between the outer fabric and soft lining they do keep your feet a little warm. They are also one of the coolest-looking camp slippers in the guide.
The synthetic wool-like fabric is reinforced around the rand, and the sole is durable enough to walk around outside without much fear of damaging them. I would recommend the Chaco Revel Moccasins to backpackers, anyone who does a lot of camping, and definitely for wearing around the house and garden. But if it is the winter warmth you are looking for, these are not for you.
Rab Hut Boot
- WEIGHT: 9.6 oz / 272 g
- MATERIAL: Pertex® Quantum ripstop water and abrasion-resistant uppers
- INSULATION: Cirrus™ powered by 3M Featherless insulation
- SOLE: EVA midsole, Tough nylon sole with grippy silicone traction print
The Rab Hut Boots are almost identical to the low-cut slipper version below the ankle, but the boot version continues up the leg for added warmth and comfort. If you are someone who really appreciates being warm on a cold day or night, then these synthetic down booties might be for you. It should be noted that these boots don’t just keep your ankles warm but also make your feet warmer which can make them a bit too hot for summer nights.
Like the slipper version, they are not really designed to walk around on the wet ground but can resist light rain and short stints on damp ground. Combine these with a pair of down pants and a down sleeping bag, and you will have sufficient warmth to keep your feet warm anywhere in the world.
Exped Camp Slippers
- Weight: 5.9 oz / 167 g
- MATERIAL: DWR- coated Texped Nylon uppers
- INSULATION: 100% quick-drying polyester insulation, Oeko-Tex 100 Certified
- SOLE: Slip-proof sole
The Exped Camp Slippers are some of the most packable synthetic camping slippers which perform very well in and around camp. These ultralightweight camp slippers are great for travelers who don’t have much free space in their backpacks, nor do they want to be carrying any heavy gear you can do without.
They are treated for water repellency and dry out very fast, but the sole was unexpectedly impressive and handled short stints on the wet ground very well. Certainly worth a look for weight and space-savvy backpackers and hikers who only have a pair of hiking boots and nothing else to put on at the end of the day. You can make your own DIY camp shoes, but they would be no comparison to the Exped Camp slippers after a day of hiking with sore and sometimes wet feet.
Columbia Packed Out II Slipper
- WEIGHT: 13.2 oz / 376 g
- MATERIAL: Nylon upper, Omni-Heat™ reflective lining
- INSULATION: Synthetic insulation
- SOLE: Techlite™ lightweight midsole, Omni-Grip™ non-marking traction rubber outsole
The Columbia Packed Out II Slipper are super warm and comfortable in cold weather thanks to the reflective Omni-Heat reflective liner and soft padded footbed. Easy to slip on and off thanks to the low-rising padded collar and plenty of traction in the rubber soles, make these a top-rated camping slipper. The Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining helps to regulate your temperature with small silver dots and breathable material.
The Omni-Grip soles are totally waterproof and made from rubber which means these camp slippers can be used on snow or wet ground without dampening the insulation. I really like these outdoor slippers for camping and backpacking because they are lightweight, warm, and have a decent sole. Not the best choice for camp slippers to wear inside sleeping bags.
Baffin Base Camp Insulated Bootie
- WEIGHT: 14.4 oz / 408 g
- MATERIAL: Soft nylon upper
- INSULATION: Synthetic insulation stays warm when wet
- SOLE: Slip-resistant, durable nylon bottom made up of several advanced thermo-set polymers
The Baffin Base Camp Insulated Bootie is a really cozy insulated bootie for wearing inside your tent dry ground, or around the house. The lofty baffles provide lots of comfort and warmth in the toes where you need it most, and the draw cord helps lock in the heat in freezing temperatures. They are not designed to be waterproof, but they are water-resistant, and the sole is quite durable.
The Baffin Base Camp Booties compress down small and will keep you warm even if they get wet thanks to the synthetic insulation. The insulation at the very top is fairly thin, but around your feet, they are very lofty. They are one of the heaviest options on our list of the top 10 camping slippers, but if weight is not a big deal, then these are great value and very durable.
RockDove Down Memory Foam Slippers
- WEIGHT: 12.6 oz / 357 g
- MATERIAL: Polyester upper, Fleece lining
- INSULATION: Synthetic Down
- SOLE: Memory foam + EVA footbed, Rubber (TPR) sole
The RockDove Down Memory Foam Slippers are a good value lightweight slipper you can wear outdoors. The synthetic down and fleece lining is toastie warm but nicely breathable, which means you can wear them without socks, and moisture is wicked away from your feet for improved odor control.
The heel design is very comfortable with a simplistic style, and the fabric tag at the back makes getting them on and off fast and easy. The small tube baffle around the hem is a really nice touch that feels very soft. The memory foam inner means comfort wherever you walk, and the rubber sole means you can wear them outdoors without worry.
Outdoor Slippers Vs Tent Slippers
There are two types of camping slippers you might be looking for. The first is a pair of slippers you can take camping to wear outdoors; The second is some insulated slippers you can wear inside your tent and even sleep in to prevent cold feet. Some slippers do both, but others are heavily weighted one way or the other. The main decider here is the type of sole you choose.
Rubber soles with grip are what you need to wear your bushcraft slippers outdoors, as this ensures they stay dry and you don’t injure your feet on sharp objects lying on the ground. Fabric-soled slippers are the better choice to wear inside your shelter as they are less likely to damage your tent floor or air bed.
Synthetic Vs Down Camp Slippers
You might be wondering whether to buy down or synthetic camping slippers and are probably aware of the benefits of each. Just in case, here are the reasons why both camping slipper insulation types have their benefits:
Benefits of Synthetic Camping Slippers
There are a few benefits to synthetic outdoor slippers, but the main three are that they work even if you get them wet, they are more durable, and they are cheaper than down filling. Because slippers are quite small, the insulation doesn’t significantly impact the weight because most of the weight is made up of fabric and soles. So camping slippers with synthetic fiber insulation are not such a bad choice if you want to wear your slippers outdoors around camp.
Benefits of Down Camping Hut Slippers
The benefits of down slippers are that they are very lightweight, packable, and very warm. After a hard day of hiking or just being on your feet and it is time to rest when back at camp, you first want to take your boots off and get comfortable. Down camping slippers are the coziest thing you can put your feet into (along with merino possum socks!).
Which is Best?
Hard to say which is best but if your priorities are warmth and coziness, then down is the winner, or if you want to wear your slippers outside, then synthetic insulation makes more sense. You can get down slippers with waterproof fabric, a rugged sole, and synthetic insulation that is warmer than down. But in general, this is a good guideline.
Camping Slippers Vs Booties
Once you know what kind of insulation you want, you can choose the length and style of the slipper to suit your camping needs.
Low-Cut Slippers
Regular outdoor slippers, mules, and slide-ons will have a low cut that is below the ankle. They keep your feet toasties warm but rely on socks, base layers, or pants to keep anything above warm. For most campers, a low-cut slipper is fine and can be paired with some warm socks, but if you are camping in below-freezing conditions, then a bootie might be more appropriate.
High Cut Camp Booties
Outdoor camping booties and high-cut slippers are designed to add extra warmth and allow you to tuck your pants inside the boots to keep all the warm air in. Booties cost more than slippers in general and especially when made from down insulation, as they require much more filling. Is your backpack tight on space? If so, then low-cut slippers will be slightly more packable and compact.
What to Look for in a Tent Slipper or Bootie
The main features to look for in tent slippers and booties are the insulation type, the sole durability, warmth, and waterproofing. This is how we prioritize the specifications of camping slippers:
Insulation
As already covered above, the insulation type should be one of your first considerations when looking for some warm camp footwear inside your tent. Down insulation offers the best weight-to-warmth ratio but synthetic insulation works better if it gets wet. Choose wisely, and get in touch if you have any questions.
Sole
Many camp slippers will have a reinforced fabric sole which is great for inside a tent or sleeping bag, but outside, these suffer when you step on even slightly damp ground. Rubber soles offer the best protection for camping slippers outside but also are the least practical and, frankly, unnecessary inside a tent. The rand or height that the sole reaches is also something to look for as the higher the protective sole fabric goes, the better waterproof protection you will have.
Material
Even if your insulated slipper soles are waterproof, wet grass can still affect your comfort if the fabric on top isn’t. You will find that most of the tent slippers in this guide use a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment which helps. The material also needs to be durable as you will expose them to abrasions with every step (potentially). Nylon material is a safe bet.
Size
Unlike other footwear, slippers don’t come in every shoe size and half increments. Instead, you will often see a small, medium, and large which will give a range of something like US 4 – US 7 for small slippers, US 8 – US 11, and US 12+ for Large. You can find out how the sizing is measured on the manufacturer’s websites more often than not and then measure your feet before you buy.
What are Camping Slippers for?
Camping slippers are designed to keep your feet warm either inside your tent and sleeping bag or to wear around your camp in the morning and evening. They are the single best way to reward your feet after a tough day of hiking, and nothing feels better than taking your boots off, cleaning your feet, and then slipping into your slippers.
Perfect inside your tent, campervan, or even at home, camping slippers can be worn anywhere within reason. They are not designed for walking long distances or clambering over rocks but instead for loitering around camp, going to the loo at night, wearing them to eat breakfast, or when you finish a section of a trail.
Can You Use Camping Slippers Outside?
Some camping slippers are better designed to be used outdoors than others, and the major contributing factor for this is the sole material. No matter how well-enforced, fabric soles will never work as well as rubber or PU soles. If your slippers are designed to be used outdoors, they will have a solid rubber sole with some kind of tread underneath for grip. If your slippers don’t have this, they are designed for your tent and not walking outside.
Are Camping Slippers Waterproof?
Not all camping slippers are waterproof, and some are even not supposed to be used outdoors at all. If your camping slippers are waterproof, they will have some kind of membrane within the outer fabric and feature a rubber sole to lift them off the ground. As far as we know, there are no fully waterproof camping slippers out there, but if there are, we will be sure to let you know.
Are Camping Slippers Worth It?
Camping slippers are worth the money all day long. After a long day of trekking up mountains, when you finally pitch your tent, it feels so amazing to take off your often wet, boots and socks and put on a warm pair of camp slippers. If there is a stream or river nearby, a quick soak will also do wonders, but the best part about cold feet when camping is tat you get to put your slippers on at camp to warm back up.
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