Slippers

The HFG is particularly concerned with the identification and promotion of healthy footwear for adults. Such footwear will inevitably be worn outdoors for at least a portion of a person’s life and will have been designed to be used as such. The HFG does, however recognise that in certain situations, there can be a desire to wear footwear other than outdoor shoes. Slippers are an example of such items.

The experience of the HFG shows that because of the soft materials used in the manufacture of uppers and the lack of an adjustment mechanism in the design of some slippers, many slippers do not meet all of the criteria for being designated as healthy footwear as described by the HFG. Despite this, some slippers will meet the HFG specification and the HFG recommend that these criteria are sought in slipper purchases as well as in shoes. Even if slippers do meet the HFG criteria, they shouldn’t be used outdoors, as they have not been designed for use in these situations and as such are not ‘fit for purpose’ outdoors. Wear of slippers in these situations could lead to falls and premature wear of the slipper.