This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
There’s one brand that has dominated the slipper game for years: Ugg.
But the Ugg Scuffette II slippers come with a hefty price tag, and Ugg isn’t necessarily the only option. And just like we tried and loved this highly rated Amazon knit pullover sweater set and nightgown dress, we also saw that Amazon also sells a lookalike memory foam slipper option, from the brand Donpapa, for a quarter of the price.
Since savvy shoppers know it’s only a deal if the product is worth it and holds up, I set out to compare them, alternating between each for a week.
Not only do the longer-lasting premium materials offer more heat absorption for a more cozy feel, we found the Uggs offer a better overall fit (especially for those with smaller feet) that justifies the price for those who wear slippers daily.
We found these slippers do a good (not as a great as Uggs) job at keeping toes toasty while also being surprisingly comfy thanks to the full faux-fur lining and memory foam cushioning, making them ideal for those who don’t wear slippers often and want something budget-friendly.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Suede and genuine shearling, rubber sole | Faux fur, rubber sole |
| Sizes | 5-12 US, medium width | Medium (7-8 US) |
| Colors | 11 | 7 |
| Fit | Cozy but slightly big | True to size |
| Features | Water-resistant, trimmed and lined with real sheepskin | Anti-slip memory foam, trimmed and lined with faux fur, machine washable |
| Price |
$95 |
$23 |
To make sure you end up with a new pair of slip-slips (as I lovingly call them) that fits on the first try, you might have to order a different size than you would normally go with depending on which brand you decide to order. For the Ugg Scuffette II, I found that they ran big and I ended up sizing down (I’m typically a 6.5-7 but wore a 6 in these slippers). Although I was in a full size smaller than I sometimes wear, there was still room at the heel. They were snug overall, but this just helped keep the slipper on as it loosened over time with walking.
For the Donpapa version, I wore the Medium (7-8 US) and it was definitely bigger. I could’ve gotten away with sizing down if a size Small was available, but this version was just fine too — nothing a pair of cozy socks couldn’t fix. But something to note before ordering this style: The brand tells shoppers to ignore the size number at the bottom of the sole, that “it’s the manufacturer size, not on behalf of US size.” So only go by the Medium, Large and X-Large and ignore any numbers in the product pictures (which might get confusing).
Comfort and warmth
Considering that I work from home and I live in a shoe-free household, I get a lot of wear out of my slippers. So I can feel the difference between just an okay pair of slippers and one that is going to disintegrate between my toes in a matter of weeks very quickly. As soon as I tried on the Donpapa pair I was surprised at how silky the faux fur felt — and throughout the entire shoe, not just around the rim like some cop-out slippers. Plus, you can feel the memory foam cushioning with each step, and although neither base was particularly hefty, Donpapa’s version was slightly thicker.
But then there’s Ugg’s style, with its suede exterior and cloud-like shearling made from real sheep or lamb fur. Not only does this lining do a better job of keeping my feet warm for longer periods of time, but I also don’t have to wonder if I’ll get weeks or months before I wear it out. This quality lining can easily stand up to a year of abuse from my feet before showing signs of starting to crack under the pressure.
