L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins Review 2023

Jan 27, 2024

The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins were rated the best slippers overall in my larger tested review of the best slippers for women. Read on for more on why this cozy, comfortable classic style came out on top.

Frigid temperatures can be torturous for people with cold feet. Finding a slipper that is cozy yet breathable, comfy and fits well can be close to impossible. The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins are my best overall slipper pick because they offer exceptional warmth and breathability, a cushioned fit and traction on a variety of surfaces. They’re ideal for cooking breakfast on cool mornings, running out to grab the mail or just snuggling up at home on weekends.

In my tested review, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Mocassins earned the top spot for the best slippers ... [+] for women overall.

Out of the 13 slippers I tested, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins stood out not only for their warmth, but also for their comfort right out of the box, their quality construction and their versatility on different surfaces.

L.L.Bean

Sizes: 5 to 11 | Colors: 7 total, including Brown and Charcoal Blue | Materials: Lamb shearling, EVA memory-foam insole, rubber

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The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins are made from cozy Australian shearling, which creates a fluffy, soft buffer to envelop sore feet. What's especially nice about this style is that the wool lining covers the entire interior of the shoe with no exposed sharp seams, making it exceptionally cozy. The leather was also wrapped in such a way that it didn't rub at the bridge of my foot, ankle bones or heel and cause blisters, as happened with the other two moccasins I tried out.

This was by far the warmest slipper I tested, and it had more substantial and thicker wool than the UGG Dakota moccasins. My main concern about these was whether they’d make my feet sweat. However, when my feet got hot while I was moving around cleaning or doing laundry, the shearling lining drew moisture away from my feet so they didn't overheat or sweat excessively. Another plus was that the buttery-soft exterior required no break-in time, which was not the case with the other, more rigid leather moccasin styles I tested.

In general, moccasin-style slippers are warm and durable, but they tend to fall short on cushioning and have very thin soles. The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins, however, have a shearling-covered, contoured memory-foam insole to buffer feet from walking around on hard, cold floors. The rounded toe of this style also offers enough room in the toe box for toes to spread without feeling squished.

The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins have a shearling-covered, contoured memory-foam insole to buffer ... [+] feet from walking around on hard, cold floors

The wraparound construction of the wool helped hug my feet in all the right places, so there were no gaps in the fit when walking. A substantial heel kept this slipper securely on my foot, unlike other backless slipper styles. The leather lace tie can tighten the slipper slightly at the bridge of the foot if necessary. While it was annoying that it didn't stay tied with a simple bow, L.L.Bean suggests tying a specific bow to remedy that. The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins are also available in medium and wide widths to accommodate different foot shapes, which is useful when fitting a slipper.

The best slippers have soles that feel significant but not bulky and that provide grip on a variety of surfaces. The L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins’ rounded, gummy thermoplastic rubber outsole is just the right amount of grippy without being thick and clunky. It kept me from slipping on a wet bathroom floor and from tripping on carpeting, and it was tough enough to navigate a salted driveway mid-winter. While I’m not one to wear slippers to the grocery store, I liked that this shoe's durable rubber outsole also meant I could wear these for driving, taking out the garbage and enjoying coffee on my patio.

One drawback of these moccasins, though, is that they can't be washed in a washing machine and have to be spot cleaned, so they can get stinky if you don't wear socks. Another drawback: These slippers really shine in cooler temperatures, and they may become too warm in warmer climates and in summer months.

As a magazine writer for 20 years, I’ve covered everything from fashion to health. I’ve spent the past couple of years formally testing consumer products—things that make our lives easier, more fashionable and more enjoyable—such as clothing steamers, hair straighteners and robes. After years spent wearing sky-high stilettos to work as an editor and taking long runs on pavement and treadmills, I appreciate—and long for—foot comfort. When I began working on the best slippers story, I scoured countless consumer slipper reviews. I also reached out to experts who could speak to the benefits of different types of slippers: Dr. Madhuri Mehta, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon at Gotham Footcare; Dr. Alisha Reed, a self-care expert and pharmacist; and Chyrstyn Fentroy, a principal dancer for the Boston Ballet.

With its lofty lambswool construction and cushy memory-foam insole, the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins are ideal for chilly climates, winter mornings or simply walking on cold floors. If you have a relative or friend who always complains of cold feet, this is the slipper for them. These slippers are the perfect partner for enjoying a steaming cup of coffee, lounging throughout a TV binge-watching session or for taking a trip to the garage in frigid temperatures. The Crocs Classic Lined Clogs, on the other hand, are significantly lighter (at 6.8 ounces each) and offer a convertible heel that can be worn as a slip-on or with a secure heel grip. It is a better option for people whose feet run hot and sweaty even when it's cold outside; while it's lined with polyester fuzz, it's significantly less warm than the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins.

I focused on specific criteria for all 13 slippers I tested, including their overall comfort, warmth, arch support and cushioning, stability, traction and how easy it was to maintain them. I did a squeeze test with my fingers to determine if the sole and insole maintained their supportive structure or if they squished down and flattened out easily. I also assessed slippers’ heel stability by wearing them around the house, and I gave each shoe a score of minimal, moderate or high depending on the presence of a heel collar and how easy it was to keep on my feet. I determined if the slipper provided warmth without causing my feet to sweat, and I gave each a score of minimally, moderately or highly breathable. I also spent time wearing each shoe on hardwood floors, tile, carpeting and outside on pavement to determine if it had a grippy nonslip sole that adapted well to different surfaces. I attempted to spot clean or machine-wash each shoe—in this case I had to spot clean it—and gauged how it stood up to wear and tear. Lastly, I considered size and color availability and noted that this model comes in regular and wide widths.

They cannot be washed in the washing machine, but they can be spot treated with mild soap and water using a damp cloth. After spot cleaning, they should be left to dry away from direct heat or sunlight. To remove scuffs or surface stains, you can use a suede eraser and rub back and forth over the discoloration. If you want to combat smells, sprinkle baking soda into the shoe's interior, let it sit overnight and then vacuum it out in the morning.

Sort of. It helps with balancing shock absorption across your entire foot and relieves pain at specific pressure points, so it feels nice when included as a feature in a slipper insole. "Memory foam is especially important for the elderly or those with diabetes who need more cushioning or have bony prominences on their feet," says Mehta. "Otherwise, the memory foam is not as important as structural support."

No, and your arch shape and preferences are something to be mindful of when purchasing slippers. Most traditional scuff-style slippers have relatively flat soles. Moccasins by design tend to have minimalist soles and don't typically have lots of arch support in the shoe platform. Certain other brands, however—like Oofos, Vionic, Crocs and Kuru—often feature slipper styles with significant arch support.