WP Standard Mr. Grumpy: Not so Grumpy
Price: $99
Why Buy?
The WP Standard Mr. Grumpy slipper offers quality materials (and a really cool outsole) in a package that should get more comfortable with time.
Why Avoid?
The WP Standard Mr. Grump is available in limited sizing, and there may not be one that fits you perfectly.
Specs
| Model | Mr. Grumpy |
| Height | .3″ |
| Size | Men’s XL (12-13.5) |
| Weight | 349 g / 12.3 oz |
| Materials | Leather / Leather |
| Construction | Stitchdown |
| Country of Origin | Mexico |
History
WP Standard might not be well known for their footwear. Indeed, if you type their name into google the autofill responses include Backpack, Tote, Leather, Roll Top, etc. However, when I found out about the Mr. Grumpy slippers, I couldn’t help but love the story.
As they tell it, the founder of WP Standard (Ryan Barr) had his computer set up in his basement. Here he would do all the typical business things that a company founder does – payroll, sample reviews, etc. At the same time, he had a shed out back where he would prototype his new products.
Ryan was shuffling between the two and wanted something comfortable for the 20-yard dash between his basement and shed. The first run was a pair for himself back in 2018, though the slipper wasn’t destined to be. They stopped production soon after.
Recently (well, 2021, but 2023 in my size) WP Standard felt it was time to bring the slipper back to market. This time with a new last, new materials, and a new outsole (more on that later). However, is this time the charm? Let’s dive in and find out.
Disclaimer: This pair of WP Standard Mr. Grumpy slippers were provided for the purpose of a review. However, this review is not sponsored, and WP Standard was not given the opportunity to review, comment, or edit anything said here. The review represents my true opinions on the slippers that I received.
Looks
Upper
The upper of the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy slippers definitely fall into the minimalist camp by design. This particular make up is in the “Tan” colorway, and features a semi-aniline leather throughout. This should develop a fairly strong patina over time. At least, it should if you choose to wear them outside.
If this lighter, patina-heavy leather isn’t your style, there are two other make-ups as well – an olive suede and black leather. Both of these should stay looking closer to new over time if that is your preference.
Looking closely, you’ll see there is a decorative “U” cut out in the leather right in the middle. However, when you wear them, this tends to fade into the background.
For the stitching holding the upper together, WP Standard decided to go for a hidden stitch between the two pieces of leather that form the upper. This helps keep the look very streamlined overall, and is a nice touch. They opted for a slightly different pattern on the shearling-lined model, and I definitely prefer this look.
Inside, you’ll find more of the same – a soft aniline leather makes up a full length footbed. Due to the construction method, there are no stitches underfoot. That’s a big win compared to some of the blake-stitched alternatives that either need a thick insole or have stitching you can feel with your toes.
Outsole
If you want insight into the mind of WP Standard, it’s worth checking out their history posts of developing the Mr. Grumpy. He goes from a rubber outsole for grip, to a leather outsole for looks. Notably, he says that he hopes “no one slips going out to get the paper.”
Ultimately, though, they went with neither. Or both, kind of.
The final product is a leather outsole with 15 ~.5-inch holes cut into it and filled with an amber-hued translucent rubber. The idea is that you get the look and feel of a leather outsole, without slipping away in them. It is also surprisingly thick for a slipper outsole, around the thickness of a a typical “single leather” leather outsole you’d find on an oxford.
Stamped into that leather is “WP STANDARD / Mr. Grumpy” along with the size.
The entire outsole unit is then sewn directly to the upper using a stitchdown-style construction.
Summary
Overall, the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy does what it says it will on the box. It’s a simple design that is easy to throw on to run outside. I don’t have any kids playing on my lawn currently, but if I did these would be perfectly suitable to throw on to and yell at them in (WP Standard’s suggested activity).
Of course, these are fully on the casual side of the spectrum. There really isn’t any dressing them up. All that being said, there are some nice little details that make them feel like something special.
I really do like the look of the outsole. While they probably could have done a pure leather one – nobody is wearing these in the rain or snow outside – there is a real visual interest going on here. I spent way more time than I should have pressing down on the little rubber spots once I took them out of the box.
Fit & Comfort
Fit
The WP Standard Mr. Grumpy comes in 7 total sizes – Men’s S-M-L-XL and Women’s S-M-L. I find that they are wider than average for their given size, though my shoe size is at the bottom of the range they give for my Mr. Grumpy size.
Speaking of, I typically wear a size 12 in most stitched footwear and a size 13 in most sneakers. I followed their recommended sizing and took a Men’s XL, which is designed to fit a 12-13.5 shoe size. They fit me well, but I’m not sure someone with a size 13+ brannock would be able to wear these – especially with socks.
The length will slightly shorten with wear as the initially flat outsole curves to the shape of your foot. That being said, I don’t think you should consider sizing down because of that.
If you do find that they are slightly too tight when you first get them, you should know that they will stretch a significant amount.
Comfort
Out of the box, the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy is a fairly stiff due to the overall thick outsole. That being said, it breaks in fairly quickly overall. WP Standard knows this, and warns you that they take a bit of time to break in. Once it does, it’s more like a glove for your feet than anything else.
One of the changes they added in prototyping was a foam layer under the leather insole, but honestly, after the first few wears, the leather is probably all you need from a comfort perspective. It’s one of the big benefits of having a leather outsole – it softens up and contours to your foot over time.
One other note on wearing them. The combination outsole works great once the rubber makes contact, but when the slippers are brand new the rubber is ever-so-slightly inset into the leather. The first few times you wear these you’re just walking on that leather. After a few times out of the house that will change, but thought you should know before you end up on your back side that first wear.
Materials & Construction
Materials
The vast majority of the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy is made with their full grain chrome-tanned leather. In fact, everything you see with the slipper sitting on the floor is made of this. WP Standard mentions that they selected a lighter weight (read thinner) leather for the upper. That is key to getting the soft and stretchy feeling that they were going for.
Underneath your foot, there is a full-length foam padding. It’s fairly thin, but again I think that the leather will be the more important part of the build for comfort. I believe this was included for that initial on-foot feel the first few times you wear them.
Speaking of leather that will shape to your foot, the outsole is primarily made up of a fairly thick cut of veg-tanned leather. Inset in that is translucent amber-colored rubber. The rubber used here is incredibly soft. I wouldn’t expect super long durability from it, but this is for grip, not durability. Think those white sections in the “Cat’s Paw” outsoles.
That’s it, other than the thread used for stitching. Overall, these are designed to be fairly simple on your feet.
Construction
The WP Standard Mr. Grumpy is made from a traditional stitchdown construction. In other words, the upper is spread outward and then a rapid stitch goes through the upper, insole, and outsole. This is one of the oldest ways of making footwear and is used by a number of famous brands, including r/MFA’s old-time favorite the Clark’s Desert Boot.
I could get into the benefits and drawbacks of the waterproof capabilities of stitchdown vs. blake but… these are slippers. Don’t wear them in the pouring rain. All you really need to know is that the threads will last the life of the slipper.
Ease of Care
When it comes time to take care of your Mr. Grumpy, WP Standard has a fairly specific care routine they recommend. For conditioning, they recommend Chamberlain’s Leather Milk used every 6 months or so. If you need to clean them off, they recommend Chamberlain’s Leather Cleaner.
I have no doubt that these products will do the job, but I almost always recommend good old Bick 4. It tends to cost a bit less than other options and, in my experience, does a wonderful job on more typical cow leathers.
WP Standard offers a lifetime warranty on defects in materials and craftsmanship, including stitching, however they do not currently offer a resole service. It probably won’t make financial sense for them or you – most resoles cost around 30% more than what these cost new – but I did want to flag.
If you really wanted to, your local cobbler likely could replace the outsole with a leather one. Though you’ll miss out on the nice rubber nubs as they are not an off-the-shelf outsole.
Price
The WP Standard Mr. Grumpy slipper currently comes in at a price of $99 for the leather and suede models. If you want something a little bit warmer, they also make a sheepskin-lined model for $125.
Pricing for leather slippers is all over the board – ranging from $30 Amazon specials, to $900 Gucci offerings. However, for a design similar to this one – quality construction, nice leather, etc., WP Standard comes in around, or slightly under, similar choices.
The Beckett Simonon Larson is $99, though they use a cotton lining and suede soles. Saddleback comes in at $129, but only offers a shearling-lined model.
Are the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy Slippers Worth It?
I have to say, I came into these a bit pre-disposed to like the WP Standard Mr. Grumpy slippers. When writing these articles, more often than not I write a section, realize I need a specific picture and run out to take it, only before coming back and writing some more. Designing something that is easy to throw on but also has enough grip I won’t slip when I run outside speaks to me at a personal level. I’ve found them incredibly useful to have around.
Developing a unique outsole is also impressive at this price point. Sure, it’s not entirely new tooling like a sneaker would have, but cutting-holes-in-a-veg-tanned-outsole isn’t a typical manufacturing process. The factory where these are made likely needed to set up a labor-intensive line to make this happen.
Still, $100 isn’t cheap. Especially for something that is difficult to resole. However, if you use them as intended, they’ll likely last for a decade (or more), and with higher quality materials going into them, I wouldn’t be surprised if WP Standard’s profit margin was razor thin at that price.
The only real potential hiccup is the sizing – with 4 Men’s sizes covering a range of Men’s 7 to Men’s 13.5, not everyone is going to be able to find a pair that fits them well. Both shipping and returns are free, though, so if you do end up getting a pair that doesn’t fit the only risk is driving to UPS to return them.
If a well-made pair of slippers is something that is on your radar, you should definitely give the Mr. Grump slippers a look.