Have my Bombas Gripper Slippers stood the test of time? Kind of…
In general, we are Bombas fans. Its offerings have earned a top spot in Wirecutter’s guide to no-show socks and in our guide to compression socks. Plus, the company’s cushy grip socks are a staff favorite. We’ve found Bombas footwear to be durable, and we’ve been impressed with its Happiness Guarantee—essentially a lifetime warranty that states you can replace any Bombas item, at any time, for pretty much any reason (even, as the guarantee states, if your “dog confused your socks with a chew toy.”).
Hannah, who has owned hers for a year, hasn’t had any issues with her Bombas Gripper Slippers, but I can’t get mine to last more than a year and a half. This isn’t entirely unexpected—they are, after all, basically a fancy pair of socks I never take off.
My first pair split at the interior seam. My second pair started to pill (an issue I cured with a fabric shaver) and I ran a hole through the lining, straight down to the cushioning. (Incidentally, I didn’t notice this until I turned the slippers inside out during a careful inspection to write this article.)
Every cloud has a silver lining: The holes gave me a chance to test Bombas’s Happiness Guarantee. True to its word, Bombas replaced my slippers in a streamlined process that didn’t require me to send my old pair back. You can even replace gifted slippers using the name of the gift giver.
The Bombas Gripper Slippers aren’t for everyone. Because they lack a sole, you can’t step outside in them. Plus, other than a touch of cushioning, they offer very little support for your feet. If I’m going to be at home all day doing chores, I often switch to sneakers or slippers with a hard bottom.
They’re also on the pricey side. Only you can decide if you are willing to drop a half a Benjamin on washable grippy booties. But for me, it’s a no-brainer: They make me feel at home when I’m not at home. And when I am at home, well, I hardly ever take them off.
This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder.
