During these chilly winters months there’s really nothing better than sliding into a pair of hugs-for-your-feet cozy slippers. Which is why we love Padraig slippers – they’re handmade, in Canada and once your kid puts them on, good luck getting them off (even for bedtime, as we’ve found).

Helen Long started Padraig Cottage Ltd., a Vancouver-based family business, with a single pair of slippers in the winter of 1977. She made the slippers for her then young son, with a hand-cut sheepskin sole and a crocheted, hand spun raw wool bootie. Now, decades later, the company is still independently owned and operated out of North Vancouver, and the slippers remain virtually the same. The upper booties are made with pure New Zealand wool, and the leather sole is lined with cushy fleece. The slippers are still hand made by a team of 35 local crocheters (many who are stay-at-home mums), and are hand dyed in small lots, making each pair of Padraigs one of a kind.

At a time when handmade, in Canada, can be hard to find (unless you’re a crafty DIY parent or have grandparents with talent and time on their hands), a pair of Padraigs makes a perfect gift. We got our first pair last winter, and are loyal wearers. The slippers are super easy to get on, even for toddlers, and they stay put with the help of a lace. We’ve found the non-slip leather sole and wool uppers ideal for our slippery and cold hardwood floors. Plus, because of the all-natural materials, we didn’t care when our toddler put her brand-new slippers in her mouth before they went on her feet.

Padraig slippers come in a variety of colours and are made for feet of all sizes (including adults). We’d recommend the multi-coloured style to hide inevitable food spills and dirt, but they are easy to wash back to shape in lukewarm water on the gentle cycle (make sure to air dry.) With the natural wool and fleece, these slippers help feet stay moisture-free, and are warm in winter yet cool in summer. While the slippers will stretch somewhat, we found we had to go up one size for an ideal fit with socks.

Padraig slippers are available through independent retailers across Canada, and are sold at Whole Foods. Or visit www.padraigcottage.com to buy online.