I take my foot warmth pretty seriously, especially after suffering the consequences of frostnip on my toes. Which is why I absolutely love a solid pair of down booties that are not only comfortable, but also sufficiently insulated for indoor and outdoor use. Cue the Down Booties from Sierra Designs, a pair of slide-ons with durable construction and a decent price tag of $80.

　　Theyre stuffed with 550-fill DriDown insulation. Thenatural down is treated with a molecular-level polymer, adding a hydrophobic finish on individual down plumes, which repels water and resists wetting out.

　　Like sleeping bags for your feet, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are highly packable and toasty warm, making them perfect to throw in a backpack or suitcase prior to any overnight excursion. I tested these booties over the course of a quintessential Colorado winter in the Rocky Mountains that saw low temps and plenty of blustery weather.

　　Better yet, you don’t have to be an extreme outdoors person to snag these shoes — they are more than suitable for indoor use while doing chores and hanging around the house. Or because of their unisex sizing and adjustability, these would make an awesome holiday or birthday gift for a loved one.

　　In short: These Sierra Designs Down Booties are a warm, versatile down booty that won’t empty your wallet. Thanks to the 550-fill DriDown insulation and DWR-treated nylon ripstop outer, these booties stay warm and dry even in damper, wetter conditions. The heel cuff reaches the lower-mid calf and can be tightened, enhancing insulation and protection from the hut to the outhouse. The soles of these shoes are made with a sticky, cushioned silicone, but they lack the tread needed to walk on ice or slick surfaces. For folks needing a unisex down booty that is compressible and warm, be sure to snag this pair.

　　Read our full roundup: The Best Down Booties.

　　The Sierra Designs Down Booties were redesigned for 2024 to include more sizes and an improved outsole; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Sierra Designs Down Bootie

　　Specs Weight 9.5 oz. / 269 g (size M) Sole Smooth silicone grip for added traction Waterproof No. Water-resistant with PFC-free DWR-treated outer Outer 50% recycled nylon ripstop shell Liner 100% polyester tricot Height Mid-calf with adjustable closure Pros Lightweight and packable Adjustable cuff closure adds to insulation Traditional down boasts more warmth than synthetic Cons Sizes are broad so it is more challenging to find the right fit Sole is not suitable for walking on slick elements like ice or snow Meghan LaHatte CHECK PRICE AT SIERRA DESIGNS

　　My friend Sarah giving the Sierra Designs Down Booties a try while enjoying an early morning brew at her cabin; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Sierra Designs Down Booties Review I remember slipping my feet into the Sierra Designs Down Booties and finding instant satisfaction in how stinkin’ comfortable they were. From the outside, they don’t look like they boast much in terms of foot support. But the inner bed is actually quite cushy. Its almost like having two little memory foam mattresses for your feet.

　　Furthermore, the fit can be further improved by using the adjustable toggle located at the cuff, so you don’t need to worry about these sliding off when you’re walking around. These booties are available in general, unisex sizing from XS to L. For reference, I am size 7.5, and I prefer a wider toebox and have higher arches. So, the small size fits me well.

　　If you’re confused about sizing, be sure to use Sierra Designs’ chart that specifically lists what each size corresponds to in U.S. sizing. I did find in my research that folks struggle to find a perfect fit with these shoes, since the sizing is so generalized.

　　While the fit for me was overall pretty comfortable, I did find that my toes tended to slide around when walking, especially on slightly off-camber surfaces. These down booties are not made to walk miles and miles in. So shorter treks are most ideal if you choose to rock these over the winter.

　　These natural down booties are packable, making them perfect for any overnight excursion; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) DriDown Goodness Sierra Designs makes these down booties with natural insulation, DriDown, a down thats treated with a polymer to make it water-resistant. This hydrophobic finish means that your down booties will stay dryer longer and have better warming abilities from the moisture-resistant properties. The 550-fill and baffle-style construction makes them perfectly toasty for lower temperatures.

　　I tested out these Sierra Designs Down Booties in a variety of winter and spring conditions in Colorado, finding them to perform well when temps were around freezing and up. They were plenty warm for having coffee on a friend’s porch in the remote town of Marble, Colo. Because of the loft, my toes stayed plenty warm without feeling any bite from the occasional breeze.

　　Overall, I appreciate how well the down in these booties can resist moisture, especially as someone who regularly sees fresh snow almost daily in the winter. The DriDown insulation truly does well when exposed to moisture. Even after walking in some snow, dewy grass, or light rain, my feet stayed dry.

　　The flat, textured sole is suitable for most outdoor and indoor surfaces, aside from ice; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Textiles, Eco-Friendly DWR Treatment Sierra Designs made these booties with a 50% recycled nylon ripstop shell that is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent). The nylon outer makes these slippers lightweight, while also giving a similar robustness to that of a down puffy or jacket.

　　Additionally, the DWR is free of perfluorinated compounds, making these booties more environmentally friendly and ethically designed. I found that after walking in various types of moisture, the water beaded off these booties impressively well, and they dried quite fast. 

　　This liner is designed with tricot, a polyester knit-style fabric. This liner is luxuriously soft on the feet, especially if you’re someone who opts out of wearing socks in your down booties. I particularly appreciated this fleecy interior when I had to throw the booties on for a quick dog walk or stroll to grab the newspaper when I didn’t feel like making the effort to wear socks. 

　　The Sierra Designs Down Booties are also easy to pull on, thanks to the front pull tab and rear cuff closure. The cuff closure is made with an elastic cord and plastic toggle, which allows wearers to precisely fit the booties to their mid-calves. This adjustability helps keep encroaching snow and coldness out as well. Plus, you can use the cords to clip your booties to the outside of your backpack.

　　The DWR-treated outer keeps the moisture out and the warmth in; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Best Use Between the DriDown and water-resistant nylon outer, I am impressed with how moisture-wicking and durably made these down booties are without adding any extra bulkiness.

　　Though, the tread — or lack thereof — leaves a little to be desired. The flat silicone sole is perfect for indoor use thanks to its stickiness, but it is not sufficient for walking on terrain like firm snow or ice. Trust me, I fully put this to the test when I completely slipped walking on some ice outside my friend’s cabin — oops!

　　I found that these booties were also suitable for walking on concrete, damp grass, dirt trails, and wooden decks. Ideally, they are best used indoors with shorter outdoor trips around camp or from the cabin to the outhouse or rig.

　　Furthermore, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are a little over 9 ounces in the medium size. The use of natural down makes them remarkably packable.

　　If you are heading out on a backpacking or overnight backcountry ski excursion, these can easily be stuffed in a pack without taking up much space or weighing you down. Better yet, go ahead and stuff them in your sleeping bag so when you cozy up for the night, they are already in there for you to throw on.

　　These versatile down booties are pretty stellar for many uses. From chores around the house to fireside s’mores with friends on a crisp night, I loved this pair. And because of the muted colors and general sizing, they also make a fantastic stocking stuffer around the holidays.

　　Be sure to use the cuff toggle for a precise fit and improved insulation on these down booties; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Conclusion In summary, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are an innovative and thoughtful take on the traditional down booty. Oftentimes, down booties lack enough durability or tread for outdoor use, but Sierra Designs flipped a switch when they re-released these puppies.

　　They have enough of a sticky silicone sole for quick (ice-free) jaunts in wintery conditions without sacrificing the feathery weight that you would find in a down sock. And while I wouldn’t necessarily walk on icy surfaces in these, they are suitable for standing in powder or hanging outside the local ski chalet.

　　The 550-fill DriDown is not only exquisitely warm but also moisture-wicking and quick-drying. This level of insulation is suitable for use in winter when the flurries fall and the cold air bites. The memory-foam style cushions are perfect for folks needing comfort after a long day of snowshoeing or nordic skating.

　　At less than $80, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are a solid down booty for the price. They do just as any down booty should: provide long-term warmth and lasting comfort for your feet. I recommend these to folks who desire a mostly indoor slipper with some outdoor use around town or camp.

　　If you want a down booty made to trudge in extreme conditions, I recommend seeking a pair with a durable, textured rubber tread. Currently, the Sierra Designs Down Booties are available in five unisex sizes from its online store.

　　Slip into some serious comfort with the Sierra Designs Down Booties; (photo/Meghan LaHatte)

　　The Best Winter Boots for Women of 2024 We tested the best winter boots for women of 2024, from winter hiking boots to extra-warm snow boots. Our top picks include Sorel, Timberland, and more!

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　　Meghan LaHatte CHECK PRICE AT SIERRA DESIGNS