ProView – Exped Camp Slipper

The EXPED Camp Slipper became an essential item on my packing list during a winter filled with hut trips and sleeping in the back of my truck. From a drafty backcountry A-frame to a helicopter-accessed lodge, and everywhere in between, the Camp Slipper kept my feet toasty warm all winter long.

I’ll admit, I’ve been wearing down booties for years and I’ve come to count on them for cold weather camping — so when I received the EXPED Camp Slipper and tugged them onto my feet, I was a bit skeptical at the lack of full-ankle coverage. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the grippy material on the soles and edges, and was curious as to how cozy they would be.

Warmth

When the snow starts to fall, I’m out in it — mostly touring on skis. Last winter was no different, and I got to try out the Camp Slipper in early December during a two-night stay at a backcountry A-frame. The cabin was about as rustic as could be — a log structure with a wood stove, a cooking area, a couple of benches, and floor space to roll out sleeping bags. Gaps in between the stacked logs of its frame allowed cold air inside, but there was plenty of wood for the stove. One of the rules of the cabin, like many backcountry huts and lodges, was that ski boots had to come off as soon as we got inside. I donned the Camp Slipper each evening and found that they provided ample warmth, even with my ankles exposed. And, the sticky grippy material on the bottom provided traction on the smooth wooden floor as well as protection from the occasional puddle hiding in the dark. On that trip, I was sold on the Camp Slipper.

Next, I had the opportunity to take the Camp Slipper to Canada, for a trip to a backcountry lodge. We traveled to the lodge by helicopter, and you can only carry so much weight and volume, but I knew these would be an essential piece of gear. Again, the Camp Slipper kept my feet enveloped in soft, plush warmth on evenings and mornings. The only place I couldn’t wear them was outside in the powder — and yes, the Canadian powder was deep!

Packability

I took the slippers on one more hut-based ski trip (an AIARE course at Stevens Pass, WA), and then on a three-day ski traverse linked by a system of yurts. On this final trip, I was with a group of six other ladies that I work with, and we were traveling on Nordic skis with giant backpacks, and of course, costumes. Although there’s only so much you can stuff into a backpack and the costumes were bulky enough, I decided once again that the Camp Slipper couldn’t be left behind. And, I appreciated that these slippers are small enough that they compress and compact easily into a backpack pocket. It was easy to include them.

Size

Now for the nitty-gritty details: I wear a size 9.5 pretty consistently across the board, and when I need to choose between a 9 and a 10, I almost always size down. I did the same for these and tested a size medium, which is a DE/EU 40-42 and a USA 7-9. The Camp Slipper fits perfectly, so I would say they run true-to-size. They hug my ankles comfortably, keeping out cold air, and don’t slide around on my feet, so I can trust the grip on the sole. They’re soft, lightweight, and as I mentioned above, they compress well so they’re an easy item to squeeze into any pack.

Durability

I wore the Camp Slipper indoors and outdoors. They don’t have much cushion underfoot, so I wouldn’t recommend wearing them on asphalt (I wore them on my driveway and they were not particularly comfortable). As one might imagine, they’re not ideal for deep snow, though I was able to wear them to the outhouse during the yurt trip when the snow was already packed down. After a winter’s worth of use in many huts and around my own house in Bend, OR, the slippers still look like new. I’d say that’s a great indication of their design and durability.

Final Word

Overall, the EXPED Camp Slipper exceeded my expectations when it came to warmth on overnight winter adventures. I was also impressed with how lightweight and packable they were, which made it an easy decision to bring them along. I would highly recommend these slippers for any overnight adventure when you’ll want to keep your feet cozy.

Find EXPED Camp Slipper on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!