Last October, I set out on a three-day backpacking adventure up to Conundrum Hot Springs in Aspen, Colorado. I packed a bag that weighed 35 pounds with a change of clothes, a sleeping bag and pad, many layers and some of the food a group of eight would come to consume over the course of the next seventy-two hours. The views were magnificent — all of the Aspen trees decorated the edges of the trail cheering us on as we continued up to 11,400 feet, roughly. And while my new hiking boots were sturdy and warm, at the end of each day all I wanted to do was put on a pair of slippers and big chunky socks. Since it was October in Colorado, the weather was rapidly changing and we were pretty chilly at night, so the thought of sliding my feet into something warm (that wasn’t my heated Nalgene bottle at the bottom of my sleeping bag) was heavenly.
While slippers aren’t always the most convenient piece of apparel to make space for in a hiking pack, I keep them on my list for every adventure trip I plan. From upstate peak-bagging adventures to lazy exploration weekends in the Hudson Valley, I pack a pair that’ll keep my feet warm and dry all night long. While most slippers are built for indoor use, a pair that’s soled with something slightly heavier duty is a good place to start. Trust us, your feet will thank you the next time you go camping or hiking.
Mahabis Outdoor
Billed as the slipper you can wear at home and everywhere else, these shoes are made with 100-percent merino wool lining, similar to Allbirds (one of our favorite travel shoes). There are seven colors to choose from ranging from black to mint. The contoured footbed paired with a TPU-based sole that grips in all conditions will feel great when you’re sitting around the fire.
