The Glerups Alternative: Washable, Breathable Trainer Slippers

Looking for comfy indoor trainers? Meet CrepStars Trainer Slippers — 4.5★ from 77 reviews, machine washable, from £49.99. Shop now →

If you've been hunting for a Glerups alternative, you're probably weighing up two things: comfort and practicality. Felted-wool slippers have a loyal following for good reason — they're cosy and beautifully made. But wool isn't for everyone. Some people find it runs warm, most wool slippers can't go in the washing machine, and the premium price tag makes you think twice before wearing them out to the bin. If that's you, there's a different kind of indoor shoe worth a look.

CrepStars Trainer Slippers are the all-day indoor trainer — a trainer and slipper hybrid built for people who want the cosiness of a slipper without the downsides of wool. They look like real trainers, feel like slippers, and at £49.99 a pair they sit firmly in the affordable bracket. Here's how they stack up.

Why people look for a Glerups alternative

Glerups built their name on premium felted-wool slippers, and they do that one thing very well. The reasons shoppers go looking elsewhere tend to be consistent:

• Warmth: Wool insulates brilliantly, which is lovely in January and a bit much the rest of the year. If your feet run warm, an all-season option makes more sense.
• Washing: Most wool-lined slippers can't be machine washed — they need careful spot-cleaning, which is a faff when life gets messy.
• Price: Premium materials come with premium pricing, and not everyone wants to spend that much on something they wear barefoot around the house.
• Style: Classic wool slippers look like slippers. Some people want something they can answer the door in without feeling underdressed.

CrepStars approaches the problem from the opposite direction. Instead of a traditional slipper that you might occasionally wear outside, it's a trainer-styled shoe that's comfortable enough to live in indoors. Not slippers, not sneakers — something in between.

The hands-free heel that does both jobs

The standout feature is the collapsible heel. Crush it down and you wear them slipper-style — feet in, feet out, no bending down, no fiddling with laces. Pull the heel up and they become a proper trainer for nipping to the shop, walking the dog round the block, or grabbing the post. One pair genuinely covers two roles, which is something a fixed-back wool slipper simply can't do.

It sounds like a small thing until you've lived with it. No more keeping a separate pair of shoes by the door for quick trips outside. The grippy, trainer-style sole means a dash to the car or down the garden path is no problem, then you fold the heel back down and you're in slipper mode again indoors.

Breathable instead of insulating

Where wool traps heat, the breathable knit upper lets your feet breathe. That makes CrepStars an easier year-round choice — cosy in winter without overheating in spring and summer. The footbed is cushioned and supportive, so they feel good underfoot through a long day at home, whether you're working, cooking or just pottering about.

Genuinely machine washable

This is the big practical win. CrepStars Trainer Slippers go straight in the washing machine. Spilled coffee, muddy garden trips, general everyday wear — wash them and they come out fresh. With wool slippers, washability is usually off the table, so this alone is reason enough for a lot of shoppers to switch.

CrepStars vs Glerups: a fair comparison

Both are well-made indoor footwear, and the right choice depends on what you value. Here's an honest summary of how they differ:

• Material: Glerups use premium felted wool that's warm and insulating. CrepStars use a breathable knit upper designed to stay comfortable across seasons.
• Washing: Wool slippers typically need gentle spot-cleaning. CrepStars are fully machine washable.
• Wearability outdoors: Wool soles are best kept indoors. CrepStars have a grippy trainer-style sole that's fine for quick trips outside.
• On and off: CrepStars add a hands-free collapsible heel — wear them slipper-style or pull the heel up for full trainer mode. Traditional slippers have a fixed back.
• Look: Wool slippers look like slippers. CrepStars look like real trainers, so you can answer the door without a second thought.
• Price: Glerups sit at the premium end. CrepStars are £49.99, with multi-pair savings — two pairs for £89.99 or three for £127.48, and free UK delivery over £89.99.

None of this is a knock on wool slippers — if pure warmth and traditional craft are what you're after, they're a solid choice. But if you want something washable, breathable, easy to slip on and off, and a fair bit kinder to your wallet, the comparison tips in CrepStars' favour.

The everyday details

CrepStars come in three colours — Desert Sage, Tap Shoe Black and Snow White — in men's sizes UK 7 to 10. They currently hold 4.5 stars across 77 Trustpilot reviews, with most of the praise landing on the same things: how easy they are to live in and how good they look for an indoor shoe. You can read more about the range over on our CrepStars homepage, or go straight to the detail on the Trainer Slippers product page to pick your size and colour.

At the end of the day, the best slipper is the one that fits your life. If wool has felt too warm, too precious to wash, or too pricey, a breathable, washable, hands-free trainer slipper is a genuinely practical swap — and an easy one to make.