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  • September 12, 2024 5 min read


    Why should you choose felted wool slippers in 2024?

    As the chilly months arrive and the cold wind starts to settle in, we start looking around the house for an pair of house slippers to keep our feet warm.

    Alas, those fleece slippers you found in the closet can only make you feel a little cozy before your feet start breaking into a sweat. Likewise with shearling, they probably started out cozy but now they're starting to smell after a couple of years. This calls for the perfect foot-warmers that keep your feet sweat-free, are breathable, and are great for the environment. True, these house shoes sound as realistic as a unicorn, but we’re referring to felted wool house shoes.

    Nootkas felted wool slippers for women

    What is Felted Wool?

    For starters, felted wool isn’t the same thing as wool felt. Both these fabrics have similar origins but different production processes. To begin, raw wool fiber is first cleaned and then large clumps are broken up. This creates a wool roving, the basic raw material for felted wool and wool felt. To make felted wool slippers (also known as boiled wool slippers), the raw wool roving is layered over and over, formed into shoe shapes, boiled, agitated (also known as fulling), and then formed into shoe sizes around a last and set in the sun to shrink to size and dry. Wool has magical qualities that through a boiling and agitation process turns fibers into a thick, dense felt. This is an over simplification, but it's a long process best left for another article, and also a great primer for why you shouldn't let wool get saturated with water. Hint: it shrinks!

    Why Should I Get Felted Wool House Slippers or House Shoes?

    Although there’s a lot of hype surrounding wool sneakers, we’re not talking about those today. We're more interested in what you're wearing around the house, not on the street, so let’s talk about  felted wool house shoes  and slippers.

    You may already have a pair of house shoes or slippers, but here are a few reasons why you should make the switch to felted wool:

    1. Wool Slippers and House Shoes are not too hot and not too cold

    Felted wool house shoes and slippers are thick, dense and fuzzy, they look like they'll be super warm, but you’ll quickly realize that they’re neither too hot nor too cold. Other synthetic fabric-based house shoes tend to overheat your feet rather than just keeping them toasty. Wool retains a healthy temperature, but you’re always free to add a pair of socks for extra warmth. We think you'll find these just about perfect.

    Men's felted wool house slippers

    Shop Men's Felted Wool House Slippers

    2. Wool is breathable and wicking

    Some major disadvantages of synthetic fabric house shoes are that they get too hot, which causes sweating, and does nothing to discourage bacteria growth. This ends up creating an awful smell(we all know it), making it likely that those expensive suede and shearling slippers are going to end in the trash after a year or two.

    Felted wool is much more breathable in this regard because of its moisture-wicking properties. Natural wool is an anti-microbial fabric that prevents moisture from accumulating and allowing bacteria to spread. Hence, your feet stay dry and not smelly. It’s a win-win situation. 

    3. Natural wool is environmentally friendly and sustainable

    Organic wool is renewable and can even be recycled for different products like wool dryer balls. Unlike synthetic material-based house shoes, or slippers manufactured with chemicals, wool doesn't hurt the environment. The wool for Nootkas wool slippers comes exclusively from New Zealand and is comprised of Merino wool and a few other sheep wools to get our perfect cozy wool texture.

    New Zealand has outlawed mulesing of sheep and passed a number of animal cruelty prevention laws, making it one of the most sheep friendly countries on the globe. There are no harsh dyes in Nootkas wool shoes or slippers.

    This makes a choice of natural slippers an eco-friendly one. Felted wool is different from sheepskin because it doesn’t cause harm to the sheep. Comparatively, sheep fleeces are cut during the spring so they can stay cooler during warm months.

    4. Wool is better for circulation and foot health

    Medical professionals consider wool to be hypoallergenic in nature, implying that few people can get an allergic reaction to the fabric. You’re probably thinking about that itch you experience from wool sweaters, but materials used to treat the wool cause allergic reactions, rather than wool itself.

    With its non-abrasive nature, wool is an optimal choice for people who have sensitive skin. Felted wool feels great to wear because of how wool hair has a spiral crimp that gives the fabric certain springiness. This helps promote blood circulation in the feet, for better temperature control.

    5. Nootkas wool slippers are lightweight and anatomically correct

    Give your feet a break from bulky, heavy slippers, because felted wool house shoes and house slippers are lightweight. A single Nootkas wool slipper weights only about 5 ounces! Wool is a flexible fabric that will form to your foot contours over time. Nootkas slippers have a thick wool sole that allows your foot to bend and flex naturally and provide gentle support and cushioning.

    6. Good for Summer Months and Most Climates

    With all this talk about felted wool slippers keeping your feet warm and toasty, you probably think that they’re only suitable for winter wear. In fact, you can keep your feet comfortable during the summer too, with a pair of felted wool house shoes. A surprising fact: wool stays cool during the summer!

    During warmer months, wool’s breathability attracts more air to pass through it, which removes excess moisture and heat from accumulating, thereby keeping your feet cool. If you live in an area where

    7. Wool is a natural and attainable luxury

    Just because felted wool is a much more natural fabric choice for house shoes doesn’t mean that they can’t look great. In fact, the natural look of felted wool looks very luxurious in comparison to many other types of slippers and house shoes.

    Treating yourself with a pair of felted wool house slippers is a worthwhile investment that can keep your feet comfortable, healthy and happy. Having a nice pair of wool bedroom slippers next to your bed is luxurious way to start the day. They’re soft, fluffy, warm (cool, too), and don’t make your feet smell or itch. What else can you ask for? After all, your feet go through a lot every day; show them some love with cozy wool slippers.

     

    FAQs

    What is felted wool?

    Felted Wool is wool that has been agitated in a manner that locks the fibers together so that it is impossible to untangle or loosen them.


    Are wool slippers too hot?

    Nope! Felted wool slippers are naturally temperature regulating and insulating due to the formation of tiny air pockets in the felted wool and wool fibers themselves.


    Won't my feet get sweaty?

    Not likely! Wool breathes and wicks, so moisture can easily escape keeping your feet dry. Wool is also naturally anti-microbial, and prevents foot odor from settling in.