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In Slovenian schools, children change their shoes in the cloakroom every morning and then spend most of the day in slippers: in class, during breaks, on the way to the cafeteria, and in after-school care. A good school slipper is therefore soft, roomy, and flexible. It has a firm heel that keeps it on the foot, a non-slip sole that bends at the toes, and breathable material that keeps feet from getting sweaty. Below, we’ve gathered what the experts say, how to try on slippers at home or in a store, and how to choose the right size. That way, you can rest easy in the fall and throughout the school year.

TL;DR

• Children’s feet develop until the end of adolescence, so they need soft, comfortable, roomy footwear, not rigid “orthopedic” slippers.
• Avoid slides and backless slippers: children slide around in them and grip with their toes.
• The slipper should bend at the toes, not in the middle, and the heel should be firm enough that you can’t squeeze it with your fingers.
• Leave 10 to 15 mm of space in front of the toes and measure the foot while your child is standing.
• When shopping online in the EU, you have 14 days to withdraw from the contract, so you can check the size at home with peace of mind.

Table of contents

• Why slippers matter so much in Slovenian schools
• What experts say about children’s feet
• Slip-on shoes and backless slippers: why it’s better to leave them at home
• Features of a good school slipper
• A quick three-step slipper test
• The right size: measure while your child is standing
• Leather or textile?
• What the school slipper test revealed
• Slippers for gym class and school activities
• Our perspective: slippers that grow with your child
• Copa cop school slippers
• Shopping for school slippers online and returns
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Why slippers matter so much in Slovenian schools

Changing shoes is almost second nature here. Many schools even include it in their rules; at Zreče Primary School, pupils change into slippers in the cloakroom before heading to class. It’s much the same at most schools across the country, from Murska Sobota to Koper.

That means a school slipper isn’t an accessory, but footwear a child wears for more hours each week than any other kind. More than sneakers, more than winter boots. When a child’s feet feel good in their shoes, they feel good too: they can sit, play, run down the hallway, and concentrate in class more easily.

When we started making slippers in our family, this is exactly what we wanted: for every step at school to feel as soft and familiar as a step across the wooden floor at home. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. That’s the sound of a child walking in comfort.

What experts say about children’s feet

A child’s foot is not a scaled-down adult foot. According to the guidance for parents from the Ljubljana Health Centre, foot development begins with the first steps and continues until the end of adolescence, and in the first few years the foot grows extremely quickly. Children’s feet are also more robust, with short toes that are more evenly sized. A narrow, pointed slipper simply doesn’t suit them.

Many parents think their child needs a slipper with an orthopedic insole or a special “corrective” shape. Orthopedist Borut Kovačič of the UKC Ljubljana Orthopedic Clinic explains that children have healthy, flat feet and that they recommend soft, comfortable, roomy footwear, as it has been shown to support healthy development. Feet get stronger through movement, not passive support.

For you, this means something simple: a more expensive, more “technical” slipper isn’t necessarily better. What matters is that it doesn’t rub, squeeze, or restrict the natural movement of the toes and ankle.

If your child complains of pain in their feet, knees, or back, often falls, or walks noticeably on the inside edge of their feet, don’t try to choose slippers on your own. Talk to your child’s pediatrician, who can refer you to an orthopedist if needed. Read more about when walking on the inside edge of the foot is normal and when it isn’t in our article about pronation in children.

Slip-on shoes and backless slippers: why it’s better to leave them at home

Schoolchildren like slippers they can just slip on. It’s quick and practical, but not suitable for school. At Koprivnica Primary School, staff prepared information for parents about school slippers, giving a short answer to the question of whether slip-on slippers are suitable: no. Children shuffle and drag their feet in them.

What happens to the foot? A slipper without a heel does not support the ankle or arch. To keep it from slipping off, the child unconsciously curls their toes and uses them to “catch” the slipper. Their walking pattern changes, and since the foot affects the position of the knees, hips, and spine, discomfort may eventually show up higher in the body too.

The same applies to very thin indoor slippers, whose soles are only slightly thicker than a sock. School floors are hard, often cold, and sometimes slippery. A slipper should protect the foot, not just cover it.

Features of a good school slipper

When you pick up a slipper, assess it using a few simple criteria. We’ve gathered them in a table so you can keep it handy at the store.

OŠ Koprivnica’s guidance highlights these very points: a non-slip sole, a firm heel section, and breathable materials that prevent excessive sweating. We’ve written more about the shape of the front section in our guide to the healthiest shape for a slipper’s toe section.

A quick three-step slipper test

You don’t need a laboratory to assess it. Your hands and a few minutes are enough.

1. Bend the slipper. Hold it by the heel and toe and bend it. It should bend where the foot bends, at the toes. If it twists in every direction like a rag, it’s too soft and won’t protect the foot. If it’s as stiff as a board, it restricts natural movement.
2. Squeeze the heel. Pinch the heel section with your thumb and forefinger. If it collapses easily, the slipper won’t support the ankle. The heel should be firm, but not hard or sharp at the edge.
3. Watch your child walk. Have them put on the slippers and walk across the room a few times. The slipper shouldn’t slip off the heel, the child shouldn’t shuffle, and there shouldn’t be any red marks on the skin after a few minutes.

If the slipper passes all three steps, you’re on the right track. The final step is the most important: the way a child walks tells you more than any label.

The right size: measure while your child is standing

The most common buying mistake is choosing a slipper that fits exactly. When a child stands, their foot spreads and lengthens under their body weight, so measure while they’re standing, not sitting. Have them stand on a sheet of paper, mark the heel and longest toe, and measure the distance. Measure both feet, as they’re often slightly different, and use the longer measurement.

Add 10 to 15 mm of toe room to the measured length. That’s what children need for comfortable growth and natural movement when walking. More isn’t better: a slipper that’s too big slips around on the foot, and the child starts shuffling again.

A child’s foot grows faster than we think, so check the size several times during the school year, not just in August. We’ve described which signs to look out for in the article Shoes that are too small: signs you can spot. If your child has wider or narrower feet, our guide to measuring foot width may also come in handy. For younger brothers and sisters, there’s a quick tip on how to measure slipper size for a three-year-old in five minutes.

Leather or textile?

Both materials have their place, and the choice depends on the child.

Leather slippers are durable, adapt well to the shape of the foot, and breathe well. They’re suitable for children who are active all day and quickly wear out their slippers. With a little care, they’ll last the whole school year, often even longer.

Textile slippers are lightweight, soft, and easy to wash. They’re a good choice for younger schoolchildren, children who like a soft feel, and preschoolers. Just make sure the textile isn’t synthetic and non-breathable, as feet can quickly get sweaty in it.

We make both types, so you can choose between leather slippers and textile slippers, depending on what suits your child best.

What the school slipper test revealed

A few years ago, the Slovenian Consumers’ Association tested 10 pairs of school slippers priced between €6.99 and €19.99, focusing on the types most commonly worn by children in grades 1 through 5. The result spoke for itself: not one pair received an excellent rating.

The test is a few years old and the selection has changed since then, but the message remains the same. Appearance and a low price don’t tell you how a slipper will hold up after three months of wear. So don’t buy based only on the design on the upper; always bend the slipper, squeeze the heel, and smell the material. Yes, even that: a strong smell of glue or plastic is a warning sign.

We compared mass-produced slippers with those made with more care in greater detail in our article on alternatives to mass-produced school slippers.

Slippers for gym class and school activities

Indoor slippers are for classrooms and hallways, not the gym. For physical education, children need sports shoes with suitable soles, which teachers often require separately. Check your school’s rules and pack both pairs for your child in separate bags.

If your child is on a school sports team, they’ll need matching gear for competitions in addition to footwear. Our guide explains what’s included and how to place an order: what is a clothing package for school teams.

For everyday school use, there’s a simple rule: label the slippers and keep them in a breathable bag, not a sealed plastic one. That way, they can dry over the weekend and won’t get lost in the cloakroom. We’ve gathered some tips on choosing in our article from measuring to ordering: a slipper bag.

Our perspective: slippers that grow with your child

We make our slippers in Slovenia, and carry this work in our hearts as a family tradition. Over the years, we’ve seen many children’s feet and learned that children don’t need magical slippers. They need good ones.

That’s why we start with the foot when designing every style. We choose natural, breathable materials because we know a child will spend six, seven hours or more in their slippers. We make the sole ergonomic and flexible so the foot can move as it should. We make the slippers easy to put on, because nobody wants to wrestle with laces in the morning rush in the cloakroom.

We always tell parents the same thing: trust your child. If they like putting on their slippers and don’t slip in them, you’ve made a good choice. If they toss them in a corner after school and complain that they’re too tight, it’s time for a larger size, even if the new pair was bought only recently.

We’re delighted when moms and dads write to tell us they’ve already bought a third pair from us for the same child. It’s the best confirmation that our slippers have become part of their home and their autumns at school.

— Črt

Copa cop school slippers

If you’re looking for school slippers handmade in Slovenia, we invite you to explore our collection of school slippers. Choose from leather and textile styles featuring designs children love: boys, for example, often go for styles like Boy’s Uni leather slippers with a soccer design or Boy’s Uni Gaming, while girls can find their favorites in our collection of girls’ slippers.

Shipping is free on orders over €50. If you’re in a hurry, you can choose priority order processing for €5. If the size isn’t right, exchanges and returns are easy.

Shopping for school slippers online and returns

Many parents avoid buying slippers online because they’re worried about getting the wrong size. That concern is understandable, but the law is on your side. When shopping online in the EU, you have the right to withdraw from a contract within 14 days of receiving the goods, without giving a reason. The seller must refund your payment no later than 14 days after receiving your notice of withdrawal. The buyer usually pays return shipping costs if this was clearly stated in advance, so read the store’s terms before making a purchase.

It’s best to try the slippers on at home over a clean foot wearing the kind of sock your child wears at school, and wear them only on clean indoor floors. That way, if they aren’t right, you can return or exchange them without any hassle. We’ve gathered some more practical tips in our guide to buying children’s slippers online.

Frequently asked questions

Does a child need orthopedic slippers at school?

A healthy child does not need orthopedic slippers. Experts at UKC Ljubljana recommend soft, comfortable, roomy footwear, as movement strengthens the feet. If your child has pain or you notice an unusual gait, consult a pediatrician.

How many times a year do you need to buy new school slippers?

It depends on how quickly your child’s feet grow. Younger schoolchildren often outgrow their slippers during the school year, so check the size several times and don’t wait until the following September. When there’s no longer about 10 mm of space in front of the toes, it’s time for a new pair.

Are barefoot slippers suitable for school?

Soft, flexible slippers with a wide toe box can be a great choice for school if they have a closed heel and a non-slip sole. It’s important that your child feels comfortable in them and that the slippers protect them from cold, hard floors. Find our styles in the barefoot slippers collection.

Leather or textile school slippers?

Leather slippers are more durable and mold to the foot nicely, while textile ones are lighter and easy to wash. Both are suitable if the material is breathable and the slippers have a firm heel. Choose based on how active your child is and how much time they spend wearing slippers.

Sources

• Ljubljana Health Centre: Children’s feet
• Žurnal24: An orthopedist from UKC Ljubljana advises what footwear to buy for a child
• Slovenian Consumers’ Association: ZPStest school slipper test
• 24ur: In a test of school slippers, no pair received an excellent rating
• Your Europe: Returns and the right to withdraw from a contract

Recommended

• School slippers: what requirements should they meet and how to choose the right ones
• Children’s foot health: tips for healthy feet
• Pronated feet in children: slippers that really help the feet
• Proper footwear for children: a guide for parents