There’s nothing better than getting in after a long day, kicking off your shoes and sliding your feet into a comfortable pair of slippers. But why keep that next-level comfort confined to indoors when a new generation of slippers are sturdy and stylish enough to handle the outside world, too.
Birkenstock, UGG and Crocs have long specialised in the indoor-outdoor hybrid slipper, and sleep brand Simba has now entered the category with its own chic lineup: the Rok, Stormur and Ylur.
The brand knows a thing or two about comfort and cosiness, with its sleep products featuring heavily in our best mattress, pillow and duvet roundups. Now, it’s taking things beyond the bedroom, with slippers designed to feel delightful underfoot – even claiming to gently massage your feet as you walk.
They sound dreamy – but do they deliver? We slipped them on to find out.
The Simba slipper range at a glance
These cosy slippers offer three layers of comfort. First, there’s the cushioned leather insole, lined with nine gel pockets of pressure relief. Then there’s the lightweight midsole, made from a cork-effect material for both aesthetic purposes and to align with the natural shape of your foot. Finally, there’s the outer rubber sole, which makes them extra resilient for both indoor and outdoor use.
Do they massage your feet? Well, there’s no comparing a pair of slippers to a deep-tissue 90-minute foot massage in a spa, but they do offer some of the same benefits as a good old foot rub. Simba says the design is inspired by traditional reflexology methods – the ancient Chinese belief that there are nine pressure points in your feet, each corresponding to different body parts. When these targeted areas are massaged, blood circulation increases, which can ease any aches and pains and even help manage stress.
How we trialled the Simba slippers
To find out if Simba's slippers live up to their comfort claims, we swapped our old battered house shoes for the brand’s three signature styles. We wore them at home and for running errands out and about. We considered the quality of the materials, whether they held up to general wear and tear, how supportive and cushioning they felt, and whether they were worth the price.
Simba Rok Slippers
The Rok is a classic moccasin-style slipper, with an enclosed toe and a smart look that easily works out and about. It’s reminiscent of the Birkenstock Buckley.
Our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, initially planned to wear them mainly around the house, but after a month of testing, has found herself reaching for them non-stop when heading out. “They’re just ridiculously comfortable; I don’t want to lace up my trainers or shove my feet into tight boots when I see these waiting on my shoe rack,” she explains. “They’re so easy to slip on and, surprisingly, they don’t slip off my feet, even when I’m marching up steps or power walking to avoid being late.”
“They feel lightweight and breathable, and the flexible leather is durable enough to handle all types of terrain,” she adds. “The fit is true to size, but there are adjustable buckles so you can tweak if needed.
“I’ve received lots of compliments when wearing them, too – which is always a good sign.”
Simba Stormur Slippers
The Stormur is a clog-style slipper with a more casual, laid-back feel that’s better suited to indoors. It has an open back and soft front and everything’s pulled together with a stylish buckle detail. There’s more than a hint of the Birkenstock Boston about them, but they come with those added massage benefits, combining style with substance.
Our senior homes writer Megan Geall has been wearing the Stormur slippers for over year now and they’ve become a core part of her WFH uniform. “My Simba slippers have genuinely changed my life,” she told us.
“They now never leave my feet and have become more like an extension of me than just slippers. I honestly rave about them to everyone – they're super comfortable and the gel support points are really soothing on the soles of my feet,” she adds.
“I love that you can wear them both inside and out thanks to the sturdy rubber sole, which means I don't need to switch into shoes when I'm hanging the washing out. The price point is quite high, but the quality is worth it – I've worn them every day (and for every waking hour that I'm at home) for months and they still look brand new.”
Simba Ylur Slippers
Prefer an open-toe option? The Ylur is a sandal-style slipper that’s ideal for warmer spring and summer days. Designed to keep your feet cool while still offering that cushioned, supportive feel underfoot, they’re a great choice for pottering in the garden or strolling along the seafront on holiday. The only question is: to sock and sandal, or not?
Priyankaa also tried these out and is a huge fan. “I took them on my recent holiday to France and they’re genuinely the only shoes I wore – even in the evenings (I’m pregnant, I have an excuse),” she says. “I wore them for thousands of steps, and my feet weren't throbbing by the end of the day. They felt stable even on cobbled streets thanks to the non-slip outsole, and they didn’t require any breaking in, either.
“With the days of non-stop rain (hopefully) behind us and the sun finally starting to make an appearance, the Ylurs will be getting a lot of wear from me. Even after a bit of a battering, they’ve held their shape and look surprisingly fresh.”
The final verdict on Simba slippers
Not your bog-standard bed shoes, Simba’s range sits somewhere between slipper and shoe, blending comfort with all-day wearability. For Megan, the Stormur slippers are almost too nice to wear outdoors, while Priyankaa can’t stop wearing the Rok out. Meanwhile, the Ylur comes into its own in warmer weather, offering a breathable option for both indoor lounging and holidays. They are admittedly on the pricier side, but if, like our satisfied testers, you plan to wear them every day, they give great cost per wear.
They’ve also retained their quality over time and are refreshingly easy to care for. Speaking of which, we spoke to our household advice editor, Katie Mortram, for her advice on how to clean your Simba slippers. “Use a shoe cleaner suited to the material and air dry in an open, ventilated space,” she recommends. “Apply a relevant protector spray, again making sure it's suited to the material. And avoid wearing outdoors when mud and puddles are likely.”
Granted, these designs won’t replace a plush, sink-in house slipper, but if you want something you can wear from morning to night, indoors and out, they’re a worthwhile upgrade.
Shop the slippers on the Simba website
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
