Having previously reviewed the Baabuk Urban Wooler and Sneaker I was eager to see how the Baabuk felted wool slipper performed. I wear slippers every day and have worn out a couple pairs of sheepskin moccasins, so I was looking for a slipper I did not have to keep replacing. I was also curious to see how they would fit my toddler; could they really stay on busy little feet?
Baabuk is a Swiss company founded by a passionate-about-wool husband & wife team. The Baabuk slippers are produced in Nepal, the country of wool, and each pair is crafted over a three day process. Handmade thanks to ancestral know-how, the Baabuk’s are environmentally friendly and ethically produced using three main elements: wool, water, and soap. (Learn more about how they are made here and here. The difference between a Baabuk slipper compared to other felted wool slippers, is that it is meticulously constructed from one piece of seamless and stitchless wool. To ensure the quality of every slipper, they have developed their own production and designed innovative machines. The quality of the product is made possible by workers in the Baabuk Nepal factory that receive higher than average salaries and have good working conditions. The Baabuk factory guarantees that no children work in the workshop and that there is an equal number of men and women on staff. All of this has earned Baabuk the certification of a B Corporation. (learn more about B Corporations here)
I was given a pair of adult and toddler slippers in exchange for my honest review, however all opinions are my own. (This post may also include some affiliate links for your convenience, click here to read my full disclosure policy)
FIT: The Baabuk slippers come in two styles, the Gus and the Jeremy. My review is for the Gus slipper. I sized the slipper according to my shoe size and was told that they do stretch out slightly with wear. It was a little snug when I first started wearing them and they did stretch a little but not enough to wear with thick socks. If you have wider feet or if you want to wear thicker socks with your slippers I would suggest sizing up. I was curious how well they would stay on but I have never had them fall off. For my son we sized them according to his measurements (size 26) and I could barely get his foot in the slipper. He does not have unusually wide feet and there was plenty of room at the toe but the slipper has a much more narrow fit than his other shoes. I tried the size 27 and it was easier to get his foot in but he said it was still tight on his foot and he didn’t like how it felt. I also put the size 28 on him and it was much easier to get his foot in the slipper but he had about and inch of space at the toe and they did not stay on his feet because they were so big. Sadly, they were just not a good fit for my son but if your child does not have a wide or thick foot I would certainly give them a try. I’m hoping they will fit my daughter when she is bigger. As for staying on toddler feet if you can get the proper fit they will stay on very well and are easy to slip on and off.
COMFORT: Unlike sheepskin slippers there is no cushy feel to the Baabuk slipper. The felted wool is firm and rigid but is not scratchy. Like most slippers there is no arch support but the natural rubber sole and felt combination make them very flexible. I started wearing these in the summer and they did not make my feet hot. In the winter, my feet tend to get cold easily and I found that without socks the slippers alone did not keep my feet warm as my ankles were exposed. Baabuk has since come out with the Nadia slipper which would resolve that issue. The natural rubber soles are very flexible and provide the perfect amount of traction.
DURABILITY: If you were looking for a pair of slippers to last a lifetime I do not think you could find a better pair. The felted wool is incredibly durable and the rubber soles are stitched on very securely.
EASE OF CARE: It is not recommended to get the slippers completely wet. A damp cloth can be used to clean the surface of the slippers to remove any dirt and dust. Even though mine are lighter grey they still do not show any dirt or wear.
CONCLUSION: Knowing the care and effort that goes into every Baabuk slipper makes me truly appreciate the craftsmanship. They are a wearable work of art crafted by a company with high values that are easy to support with my purchasing power. Baabuk slippers and shoes can be purchased here.
Leave a Reply