Here’s What’s Holding You Back From *Still* Not Being Able to Balance on One Leg

I’m a comfort-first kind of person, especially in the winter. So, when I’m holiday shopping for my list (okay… and for myself), I want to give the gift equivalent of a hug—aka if it’s soft, cozy, and encourages maximum lounging, it’s definitely going in my cart.

For me, that starts from the ground up with a cloud-like pair of slippers. I love as-seen-on-Instagram slippers in theory, but I’ve learned the hard way that they end up falling flatter than last year’s New Year resolution (just speaking for myself here, of course) in the support department. And when I think about this year’s list—which includes my mom, who’s always complaining about foot pain, and my bestie who loves to run—I know they’d take arch support over TikTok trends any day.

Enter: my beloved Vionic cozy collar slippers. These things are comfy, podiatrist-approved, and as supportive as real shoes. I wear them around my apartment all the time, and now I’m spreading the love by gifting them to everyone I know—because who couldn’t use some extra support this year? Added bonus: They’re on sale on November 11 only, so I can give the gift of comfort without maxing out my budget (phew).

Vionic Velvet Cozy Collar Slipper — $65.00

Originally $79, $65 on November 11 only

Pros:

• Supportive
• Podiatrist-approved brand
• Great gift idea

Cons:

• Pricey when not on sale

Shop Now

While I pride myself on finding the most supportive slippers on the market, don’t take it from me—according to board-certified podiatrist Jodi Schoenhaus, DPM, RPhs, FACFAS, there are a few criteria you can measure your cozy footwear against to be sure they’re up to snuff. “One of the key features in looking at a supportive slipper is the overall firmness of the slipper,” she says. “When you’re able to take the slipper and easily bend the slipper in half, most likely this slipper will not offer you a lot of support.”

I put my Vionic slippers to the test, using all my strength to try folding them. Despite my best Hulk-like efforts, the sturdy rubber sole barely budged—confirming that these meet Dr. Schoenhaus’ first support standard. (The strength test only bruised my ego a bit.)

“Another important factor is the amount of arch support in the middle of the slipper,” Dr. Schoenhaus says. To her, Vionic stands out for its commitment to providing good arch support along with a supportive base. And her third criteria? Just like with most outdoor shoes, the more cushiony the fit, the more support and comfort you can expect, she says. Sliding on the Vionic cozy collar slippers honestly feels like stepping onto a cloud—they even have a layer of plush lining that rests just above your heel, which is great news for my blister-prone ankles.

These Vionic slippers are *the* ultimate comfort-and-joy gift this season. For family and friends (and yes, even for yourself—because you deserve all the self care), they’re a simple way to give your home team a bit of extra relaxation. Because nothing says happy holidays quite like coziness from the ground up.