We instituted a “no shoes in the house” policy years ago after one too many kids stomped through the house in muddy cleats, and it mostly stuck. I love the cleaner floors, but there are downsides. Living in northern Nevada means it gets pretty chilly at certain times of the year, especially with all our hardwood floors, and I’m prone to cold feet anyway. We have a Pug and a Labrador, and it’s like their job is to shed as much as possible, so walking around in socks means hairy feet.
Cozy Earth Lakehouse Clogs
The solution? House shoes! I’ve worn the typical scuffs (Ugg) and the not-so-typical wool slippers (Baabuk), and then I got the opportunity to test the Lakehouse Clog from Cozy Earth. First impressions were stellar. They’re comfortable, supportive and oh-so-stylish in a distinctively lake house kind of way. But after a little over two months of not-so-taxing wear, a few shortcomings are becoming apparent. Before treating yourself to the Cozy Earth Lakehouse Clog, keep reading for the inside story.
Pros
- The suede footbed is wildly comfortable and molds to your foot for the perfect fit.
- The slip-on design is super convenient.
- There are only two color choices, but they’re both stylish and versatile.
- The rubber outsole means you can sport these for quick errands.
Cons
- The upper is a wool-synthetic blend, not 100% wool.
- Durability may be an issue, especially given the price point.
Price: $175 | Sizes: Women’s 5-10, Men’s 10-13 | Colors: Oat, charcoal | Materials: Wool/polyester upper, cushioned suede footbed, crepe rubber outsole
Laid-Back but Luxurious
I saw the lookbook for these clogs long before they were available on the Cozy Earth website and I loved them immediately. I’m a big fan of the slip-in clog style, so that was automatically appealing, and I liked the understated color palette. They’re just as good looking in person, nailing that high-end casual thing that Cozy Earth does so well.
Comfortable Clog Style
It’s my own personal rule that you should be able to slide into house shoes even if your hands are full. The Lakehouse Clog passes that test with flying colors. I can be holding a cup of tea and my laptop or an armful of laundry or three bags of groceries and I can still slip into these with my eyes closed. They’re a comfortable weight and despite the completely open back, they’re easy to walk in and just as easy to kick off when I’m relaxing on the sofa. They aren’t tight, but they aren’t especially loose either—I don’t feel like my foot is sliding around or that the clogs are about to slip off. Full marks for function, for sure.
The clogs have a unisex styling with sizes for women (5 to 10) and men (11 to 13). In other words, it’s all the same shoe, just sized differently.
Hits and Misses on Materials
I assumed that the Lakehouse Clog was made with felted wool, but the brand is a little vague here. The website copy lists “felt upper,” and I had to chase down the publicist for specifics. The upper is made with 90% wool and 10% polyester — not my favorite — but I’ll admit that it looks and feels high-end and substantial. Plus, after wearing these clogs every day for over two months, they don’t stink. I wear them with socks, just to be safe, but I know that synthetic materials can hold on to odor. That hasn’t been an issue at all. Plus, the material has done a pretty good job of holding its shape. There’s some creasing on the top, and the mouth of these shoes has stretched slightly, but again, they stay comfortably on my feet.
The suede footbed is very well done. It’s incredibly comfortable, lightly cushioned and supportive. The suede is pliable, so it kind of cradles your feet and adapts to their shape. I also like the crepe rubber outsole, which is grippy on our hardwood and means I can wear these for a quick run outside to the mailbox or compost bin. You could definitely wear these for errands, and I have accidentally left the house in them before (I disinfected the bottoms when I get home!). Honestly, they look great with jeans.
One note that Cozy Earth cautions against “excessive moisture to preserve the longevity of the materials,” so you probably wouldn’t want to wear these in the rain or on wet grass.
Limited — But Excellent — Color Selection
There are only two color options for the Lakehouse Clog, but they’re neutral enough to go with anything. Both the oat and charcoal colors are textured and kind of dappled, so neither is a solid shade. That contributes to the overall aesthetic. Bonus: It also does a great job of masking stains. When a bottle of ketchup jammed in next to my oat milk fell out of the fridge and broke, one clog was coated in the stuff. I used a damp cloth to clean off the ketchup, and it looked good as new.
Cozy Earth Lakehouse Clogs
Now, the Bad News
This is where things go a little sideways. I loved my Lakehouse Clogs so much that within a week of getting them, I jumped online to order a pair for my husband. He wears his around the house just like me, so call it light wear, indoors only. But recently, he noticed that the very top of his right clog looked slightly torn. Upon closer inspection, we found the felt upper is separating from the sole pretty badly in several different spots on both of his shoes. Of course, I checked my pair immediately and found one spot where it might be beginning to pull apart (but nothing like what’s going on with his).
This is disappointing, but even more so given the sky-high price point. The Lakehouse Clog is $175, and it’s not unreasonable to expect them to last longer than a few months. The good news is that Cozy Earth has a pretty spectacular warranty for apparel, which includes footwear, it protects against manufacturing defects in materials and craftsmanship for a lifetime. It’s easy to submit a claim directly on the website, which we did. We had a friendly, apologetic response within 24 hours and they promised to replace the clogs we bought. The bad news? The next restock is in three months! When I asked whether other people were making warranty claims on these clogs, the customer service rep told me this was the very first.
I also emailed the publicist who sent me my press sample to see whether this was an unusual situation, and she was equally shocked and apologetic. Honestly, I’m inclined to believe them both. We have a lot of Cozy Earth products around here (my favorite sheets ever, towels, joggers, sweatshirts, tees) and all in all, the quality really is top-notch.
About that Price Tag
Yes, $175 is kind of outrageous for house shoes, I know that. But another great thing about Cozy Earth is the brand’s never-ending sales. There is literally no reason to ever pay full retail for anything from this company. Just wait a week or two for the next sale to hit. A recent example: The Mother’s Extended Day knocked off up to 30% and included free shipping over $100.
Another tip? Make sure to sign up as a member! There are two membership tiers. The free plan, Cozy Earth Enthusiast, earns you 10% cash back on every purchase, which adds up to pretty great rewards that can be applied to future orders. The Cozy Earth Member plan is $149 a year and comes with a lot of perks, but I’ll be honest that I haven’t joined myself (though I’m tempted).
Before making a purchase, try dropping your items in the cart and leaving the website. Odds are good you’ll get an email with some sort of offer — it happens to me all the time!
Cozy Earth Lakehouse Clogs
So, Yay or Nay?
In this scenario, I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I live in my Lakehouse Clogs and so does my husband. Yes, his pair isn’t holding up well, but the brand did the right thing and will be sending a replacement once they’re back in stock (stay tuned—I’ll update this post then). Bottom line? If you can snag these things on sale, don’t think twice.
