For cold feet indoors in spring. Haflinger wool room shoes you can wear all year round

The switch to spring often starts with the things we wear. As we care for and put away each item one by one, we feel a growing sense of excitement for the new season ahead. But in fact, hidden among these items might be an all-around player that can be used year-round, just as it is. This time, we're featuring one of ZUTTO's popular autumn/winter items: room shoes from Haflinger, a brand born in Germany.

Since they're made of wool, you might strongly associate them with the cold season, but when you consider wool's characteristic "moisture regulation" and the "coldness" that's a particular concern for women, wool room shoes can actually be said to be ideal even during this time of early spring, when temperatures tend to fluctuate.

Do you need to change slippers between spring/summer and autumn/winter?

In this season when warmer weather tempts us to dress lightly, it's said that the cold that builds up now can lead to coldness in autumn and winter as well. Cold feet in particular are a persistent, troublesome issue for women year-round. That's exactly why taking measures against cold feet is so important. This is because the feet are the part of the body farthest from the heart, making blood circulation there relatively poor. It's also said that, generally speaking, women have less muscle mass than men, making it harder to generate the heat needed to warm the whole body.

So even though warm slippers that keep your toes from getting cold year-round are said to be good for your health, you might worry about moisture building up inside your slippers on a warm, sunny spring day. However, wool is an excellent material that regulates humidity, so they never become stuffy or damp. This is, in fact, the top recommendation that our staff members who actually wear them all agree on.

Keeping your body warm is important. But as the weather gets warmer, we tend to gulp down cold drinks or dress lightly, which can end up cooling the body down. That's exactly why you should focus on your feet—wearing socks and room shoes to keep them properly warm, even during the warmer seasons.

No. 1 favorite among ZUTTO staff? Haflinger room shoes

At ZUTTO, everyone on staff has their own favorite pair of room shoes they love wearing. That's because the ZUTTO office is a house—so slippers are a must-have even at work. When we took a look around at everyone's feet, we found that as many as four staff members were wearing Haflinger room shoes.

About Haflinger

Haflinger is a room shoe maker founded in 1898 in Goslar, in northern Germany. The brand name comes from a small chestnut-colored horse breed originating in southern Germany, known for its elegant beauty combined with strength. The brand's logo also features the silhouette of this horse.

Each staff member's favorite pair differs in color, and the types are clearly distinct from one another. Since we had the opportunity, we decided to ask the four staff members in detail about the Haflinger room shoes they love wearing.

【Staff U: Indoor Soft, Charcoal Gray (Size 37)】

Years of use: About 1.5 years

・What made you want to buy them?
I bought them in November, when it started getting chilly—the change of season was what prompted me. The slippers I'd been wearing until then were relatively thin and cold, so I wanted something thick and with a solid, well-defined shape, which is why I chose the Indoor Soft.

・Favorite points, and why you want to keep wearing them even in spring
My favorite thing is that they don't lose their shape even with daily use. I feel that even in spring, they keep my feet moderately warm. I've never felt that they get too warm to use in spring or summer. Even now, as the outside temperature keeps rising, my feet still tend to get cold easily. They're also a great help in spring, when it can suddenly turn cool right after feeling warm.

・How does the sizing feel?
My foot size is 23.5cm, closer to 23cm, so a size 37 is a bit large rather than a perfect fit. I think that's partly because the felt has broken in as I've kept wearing them. Even so, the shape holds up so well that they never slip off.

【Staff S: Knut White/Gray (37)】

Years of use: About 1 month

・What made you want to buy them?
Actually, I bought them quite recently, around early March this year. I'd originally been wearing wool slippers, but they started wearing out. So when I was thinking about replacing them, Knut came to mind. Since ZUTTO also carries them, I'd had occasional chances to try them on, and when the import distributor recommended them to me, I tried wearing them in the warmer season and, surprisingly, they felt perfectly natural. The snug, foot-hugging fit was also unlike anything else I'd tried, so I chose Knut.

・Favorite points, and why you want to keep wearing them even in spring
It really is the fit. The upper (the part covering the top of the foot) is deep, so they never slip off. Also, the stitching on the sole has a slightly Tyrolean look to it, which I find secretly adorable—that's one of my favorite points. Since I originally wore wool slippers, I can tell—you really notice wool's moisture-regulating quality when you wear them. In summer, I often get cold from air conditioning, but I find them reassuring for the season ahead as well.

・How does the sizing feel?
My foot size is 23.5cm, closer to 23cm, and I chose size 37. It fits snugly, so I never feel like it's too big.

【Staff M: Knut Fuchsia (37)】

Years of use: About 6 months

・What made you want to buy them?
I bought mine last autumn, around October, after realizing that the slippers I'd been wearing before were somehow tiring to wear. With thin slippers, you sometimes have to tense your toes just to keep them from slipping off. So I was drawn to the fit and decided to buy them. The shocking pink color was also a deciding factor in my purchase. It's cute, but not overly cute—a perfectly balanced grown-up pink.

・Favorite points, and why you'd still want to wear them in spring
What I like is that they don't slip off even when I'm walking. I also love how the insole gradually molds to the shape of my foot the more I wear them. The reason I still wear them in spring is that I don't want my feet to get cold, so I'm mindful of keeping them properly warm. Thin slippers tend to let the cold in, which bothers me, so I still rely on these this season. Wearing them, I've never felt like the inside gets stuffy.

・How about the sizing?
I usually wear 24cm pumps and 24.5cm sneakers, so I was a little worried whether they'd fit my feet when I bought them, but they've molded to my feet the more I've worn them, and now I can hardly go back to any other slippers (laughs).

【Staff T: Indoor Soft, Latte (37)】

Time worn: about 5 months

・What made you want to buy them?
Before I bought these last autumn, I was wearing fairly thin slippers, but I found winter too cold, so I chose warm wool room shoes instead. I went back and forth between these and the Knut, but I chose the Indoor Soft because of its clean, tidy look.

・Favorite points, and why you'd still want to wear them in spring
Because the sole is thick, I don't feel the cold even on a cold floor, which is very reassuring. I also love how the rounded look makes them feel just like real shoes. It's already getting warmer, but maybe because I've gotten used to the thick sole of the Indoor Soft, the relatively thin spring/summer slippers now feel somehow unreliable to me. I think that reassuring feel underfoot is why I still want to keep wearing them. Indoors it's still chilly, so I plan to keep relying on these Indoor Soft slippers for a while yet.

・How about the sizing?
It depends on the shoe, but I'm usually around 23.5–24cm. My feet are relatively wide, so I sometimes need to adjust the size accordingly, but the Indoor Soft has a roomy fit around the foot, which I think is why I could slip into them so easily.

Which should you choose, "Knut" or "Indoor Soft"?

ZUTTO carries two lines. Even though both are Haflinger room shoes with a three-dimensional footbed built on ergonomic principles, they differ in material and wearing feel. Please choose according to whichever feel suits your preference.

【Soft and cute, yet sturdy: "Knut"】

◇Material: 100% boiled wool

Wool that has been compressed with steam and heat and finished into a fluffy state. Its characteristics are a plush texture and a light, airy feel. It offers excellent warmth retention and moisture absorption.

◇Fit: Fits snugly to the foot

The sole has a latex coating, so it doesn't slip even on flooring. The upward-curved toe shape helps prevent tripping. It offers solid cushioning while still feeling soft. There's elastic at the opening where you slip your foot in, and the instep isn't too high—so it fits snugly to the foot.

Built on ergonomic principles, it conforms to the arch of the foot

【Too good for indoor wear? The shoe-like "Indoor Soft"】

◇Material: 100% wool felt

Wool fibers are tangled together without weaving, then pressed under pressure into a felt. It has, of course, the warmth of wool, but its firm, sturdy surface is very durable and resists losing its shape.

◇Fit: A roomy fit, with a thick sole that's reassuring against the cold

Like the Knut, it features a non-slip latex coating and an upward-curved toe, but the manufacturing process differs. Since it follows the same process as shoes made from a wooden last, it has a firmer sole than the Knut and holds its shape better.

Built on ergonomic principles just like the Knut. The heel area offers excellent shock absorption

From what we heard talking with staff this time, it seems the major deciding factors come down to 【fit】 and 【sole thickness】. If you prefer a snug fit against your foot, we recommend the Knut; if you prefer a sturdy, substantial feel underfoot, we recommend the Indoor Soft.

【Hands-on comparison: Indoor Soft vs. Knut】

Staff member T, who wears a 23.5cm shoe, tried on both the Indoor Soft and the Knut in size 37 to compare.

As you can see when placed side by side, the Indoor Soft on the left in the photo runs a little larger. Compared to the Knut, which fits snugly to the foot, the Indoor Soft has a higher instep and more room around the foot. However, if you look at the opening, you can see the Knut is a little wider there. The Indoor Soft resists losing its shape even with a lot of wear. The Knut, on the other hand, may fit snugly at first, but has the characteristic of gradually molding to your foot the more you use it.

Staff T:
I normally wear shoes sized around 23.5–24cm. The Indoor Soft has a bit of room and fits comfortably, while the Knut feels snug. I imagine it would mold to my foot with wear, so it seems best to choose between the two based on your preference for fit. That said, if you plan to wear thick socks with the Knut in winter, it might be worth buying one size up.

Fully washable. A strong ally all year round

Haflinger room shoes can be hand-washed at home. So we decided to try washing a pair of slippers that had been worn for one season. The process is quite simple.

1. Prepare the wash water
Dissolve a neutral detergent well in lukewarm water below 30 degrees (a temperature that feels neither hot nor cold when you dip your elbow in), following the instructions on the tag. Please avoid using fabric softener, as it may damage the wool.

2. Press-wash → Rinse

With your fingers slightly spread, press down on the shoe and then release your hand; when the shoe floats back up gently, press it again. Repeat this motion to remove dirt. Washing for too long can cause the wool to shrink, so keep the washing time short (about 5 minutes is a good guide).
*Lint balls may have formed inside the slippers, so please remove them before washing.

After that, rinse about twice with fresh lukewarm water to make sure no detergent remains.

3. Spin-drying
Place the shoes in a laundry net and spin-dry in the washing machine for about 1 minute. You can also wrap them in a towel or the net to absorb excess moisture.

4. Dry thoroughly out of direct sunlight
Reshape the shoes and let them dry well indoors or in a shaded spot, away from direct sunlight. It takes 2 to 3 days for them to dry completely, so once dried, be sure to check all the way to the toes before wearing them again.

This time, to check whether the wool would shrink, we washed only the right shoe.

Type: Knut (left) before washing (right) after washing

Type: Indoor Soft (left) before washing (right) after washing

Since it's wool, we were a little worried it might shrink somewhat, but of course there was no such issue, and the shape that had molded to the foot during wear stayed just the same. Looking at the surface of the wool, it's hard to tell with the pink Knut since it's naturally fluffy to begin with, but with the Indoor Soft, comparing before and after washing, the surface appeared just slightly fuzzier. However, this was only noticeable to the touch, and there was no loss of shape. With a refreshed feeling, they seem ready to be worn through the coming seasons as well.

【What about everyday care?】

When you notice surface dirt, brush it off with a wool brush. Since these are items for everyday use, we recommend washing or brushing them whenever you feel the need.

These Haflinger room shoes are a ZUTTO staff favorite. It would be a shame to only wear them in autumn and winter out of assumption! Our staff all agree on how comfortable they are to wear. If you're interested, please consider adding them to your list of cherished everyday items.

▽Click here for the full lineup of Haflinger products