The term “scuff slippers” refers to slippers that are completely backless. Slippers are well-known casual footwear that are specifically made for relaxing at home. They truly are the ultimate in ease-of-use. Since these slippers are backless, the wearer can easily slide the slippers on and off the foot. These slippers make popular, practical house shoes. Though many slippers on the market feature a small lip that goes around the heel, true scuff slippers don’t have any type of closing around the back of the foot or heel.
Scuff slippers are made from a variety of fabrics and come in men's, women’s, children’s, and unisex styles. Some slippers even feature embroidered college or professional sports team logos. Commonly used fabrics include suede, cotton, sheepskin, faux fur, fleece, wool, memory foam, cashmere, and terry. Some slippers are made of soft, fluffy, plush materials and feature thick padding on the soles for a luxurious, comfortable fit. Other styles have hard soles that can be worn both inside and outside.
Both open-toe and closed-toe scuff slippers can be found. Styles also range from the completely casual slipper that’s strictly meant to be worn at home with pajamas, to slippers that can pass for clogs and be worn while running errands. Many styles can be worn year-round and will keep the wearer both warm and cool, depending on the season.
Slippers with an open back are called “scuff” due to the scuffing sound they make when walked in. Scuff slippers are sometimes called “slide” or “slide-on” slippers and there may not be much, if any, real difference between the names. All these different terms for slippers can be confusing, especially since manufacturers don’t follow any guidelines to determine which slipper is a “scuff” and which is to be labeled a “slide.” Even though the definition of what is and isn’t a scuff slipper may change from one manufacturer to the next, scuff slippers are generally characterized by their lack of closing on the back of the foot or heel.
Scuff slippers are not to be confused with mules or clogs, which most commonly refer to shoes, not slippers. Mules and clogs are either open- or closed-toe, backless shoes that can be easily slipped on. Clogs are traditionally made of wooden material and were originally worn by the working class. Mules, on the other hand, were created for aristocrats and today refer to backless shoes that feature a fancier heel.