|
Are the Ugg boots made from genuine Australian Double-faced Merino Sheepskin?
There are several materials that Ugg boots can be made from but only the genuine article will be made with luxurious Australian Double-faced Merino Sheepskin. When you see double-faced in a description is refers to the fact that the material in question (in this case the sheepskin) has two faces, one being the thick woollen face that sits against your leg and foot and the other being the suede that makes up the outside of the boot.
Genuine Ugg boots will be double-faced and will not be two skins glued together.
Alternatives that you may see on the imitation market that are important to be aware of are:
1. Cowhide suede as the outer boot with lower grade sheepskin glued inside, usually in pieces (cowhide doesn’t breathe as well as sheepskin especially when slathered in glue and piece application of sheepskin allow for pieces to come off on the inside, and they often do should glue weaken)
2. An entire boot made of sheepskin but of a lower grade. (The Merino is a sheep unique to Australia that produces the world’s best wool. Merino sheepskins are also very thick which is important when producing a boot, as it’s the thickness of the skin that holds the shape of the boot. Ugg boots made with lesser grade skins will sag and drop looking unsightly, and will ultimately wear much quicker leaving the owner with holes in their boots.)
3. Most definitely the most disappointing version of the imitation Ugg boot is the one made of entirely of synthetics. (There are amazing technologies available in the textile industry that can replicate sheepskin suede and wool so that it can be difficult to tell by the touch. Synthetic boots will, however, be terribly uncomfortable as they will not breathe like natural sheepskin will, leaving the owner with sweaty and smelly feet and boots.)
Some manufacturers do not make their Ugg boots in line with standard shoe sizing.
Sizing is a very important aspect when it comes to choosing your Ugg boots and/or supplier because you want your Ugg boots to fit well and therefore last for ages.
It’s vital to know that some manufacturers, for whatever reason, do not make their Ugg boots in line with standard shoe sizes. Always check the sizing charts with your supplier.
Some suppliers may also not list shoe sizes in a format that you recognise so the most highly recommended way to ensure that you get the correct fit with your Ugg boots is to measure your foot in centimetres or inches and check sizing charts with those accurate measurements. The best way to get this measurement is to place your foot on a piece of paper, rule a line across where your heel sits, then a parallel line across where your longest toe sits, remove your foot and measure the distance between the two lines. Double check! Also keep in mind that sometimes, one foot is slightly larger than the other so measure both feet, taking the largest measurement as your sizing. If you are confused at all by a suppliers sizing, contact them with your measurements.
It is really important to note that some suppliers will not process refunds based on the purchaser choosing the wrong size.
Do the Ugg boots have the correct heel and/or toe support required ensuring a supported fit?
Like any shoes, the better the support, the greater the comfort. It’s really important that the Ugg boots you choose to buy have a good solid heel support and, if they’re intended for outdoor use, a solid toe support is important also. Well made Ugg boots will have firm supports stitched to the boots made from thick leather/suede, often double thickness. Besides helping with the comfort of the wearer, they also help maintain the integrity of the Ugg boots’ shape.
Will the Ugg boots fit snugly on a narrow foot or calf, or have the ability to stretch to accommodate a wider foot?
Ugg boots are a natural leather product that will stretch somewhat with wear therefore accommodating differences in foot width. Finding out how the boots you are about to buy fit is an important aspect to your decision making. If you have extra wide feet, it’s important to note that some suppliers will offer an Ugg boot product extra to their classic range that is specifically designed for the wider foot; others will supply boots that are purposely designed for wider or narrower calves. It’s worth asking your supplier these questions to make sure you are getting the best fit for your foot.
When determining Ugg boot size, it is recommended that you actually measure the length of your foot in centimetres or inches and check the sizing charts noted with each supplier. Some boots vary in sizes from what your normal shoes size may be. Measuring width is also something to consider if you have wide or narrow feet. Advise these measurements to your supplier and have them advise you of the fit of their Ugg boots.
Will the Ugg boots you buy come with buyer protection if you are not happy with your purchase?
When buying Ugg boots, especially online, always read through the return policies and terms and conditions. There are some suppliers who WILL NOT accept returns based on buyer error, choices made by you when buying - sizing, colour, style, etc. Some suppliers will allow returns for buyer error but will not be liable for postage, ie, you will have to cover postage costs. Obviously, if there is any error on behalf of the supplier, such as sending you the wrong style from the one you chose, they should be fully liable for swapping those over to the correct order. Read up through a supplier’s returns policy regarding protocol when a buyer is unhappy with their purchase; always be informed.
Imitation Ugg boots like those mentioned above – glued skins, lesser grade skins or synthetic boots – are also something that a buyer wants protection for. Words you might be looking for in a product description would be A-grade, First Class, Australian Merino Sheepskin, Double-faced, Solid Heel Supports. The purchaser always needs to take control of the situation rather that have these things left up to chance. Read everything very carefully!
Some Ugg boots will come with a guarantee against faulty workmanship but most manufacturers should support their product if there is a clear fault. One of the best ways to safeguard yourself when purchasing is to pay using Paypal which has it’s own buyer protection programme. If you have a dispute with a supplier that cannot be amicably resolved, Paypal will step in to mediate, helping the parties to resolve the issue. Many credit cards offer similar programmes but are often not as easy to use. Always look for Paypal as a form of payment, especially when buying online.
Are the Ugg boots made with care, using traditional methods in Australia, or a rush job in a Chinese sweatshop?
Ugg boots originated in Australia over 100 years ago and have been made here in Australia since then from luxurious Australian Merino sheepskin. Since the recent Ugg boot boom that has swept the world, manufacturing of some Ugg boots has moved to China. When looking for genuine Ugg boots take note of where the boots are made.
How the purchase feels about the humanitarian issues surrounding this question can only be answered by the individual themselves.
The genuine article Ugg boots are handcrafted in Australia using age-old techniques, ensuring a superior boot.
Will the Ugg boots come with specialised care instructions and will cleaning and care products be available?
Like any investment piece, Ugg boots need regular sensible care. Water proofing/protecting the outside of the boot as soon as you purchase them is the best way to ensure that they will look brand new longer.
Occasionally, your Ugg boots will require cleaning and re-proofing using correct cleaning products. Having the correct information and products available to care for your Ugg boots is important to keep you boots in the best condition you can.
Online suppliers will often provide their information online, which is regularly updated and have care product available at their site.
Just like most things in life, you get what you pay for – there is no exception with Ugg boots.
Even favourite surf brands, fashion brands or department store brands cannot compare to the comfort of authentic Double-faced Marino sheepskin Ugg boots. Beware of cheap imitations. Some imitation Ugg boots are actually made from cowhide suede with low-grade sheepskin glued inside. Others imitations are less cautious and are actually made form synthetic sheepskin and suede look a-likes. Both of these alternatives to genuine Ugg boots are uncomfortable, as they don’t breath. The result is sweaty feet and really stinky boots. Cheaper boots made from sheepskin but of a lesser quality will have their flaws, as the boots will not hold their shape due to the skins not being as thick as First Grade Merino.
Will the colour of the Ugg boots stay bright and vibrant for the duration?
If well cared for, Ugg boots should last for years and their colour should stay bright and vibrant. Partly this will be down to protecting and caring for your Ugg boots and partly to the quality of the dyes used in the manufacturing process. Well made Ugg boots will hold their colour.
Make a point of waterproofing/protecting your Ugg boots when they are new and clean and reproof them as needed. When buying Ugg boots as a first time buyer, it’s sensible to order care product at the same time, ensuring that your supplier stocks them.
What type of soles will the Ugg boots I choose have?
It’s important to consider what you are going to be using your Ugg boots for. Not all soles are equal. Generally, Ugg boots will be available in a choice of two types of sole – the EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) sole and the Outdoor Sole. The EVA sole can be worn both inside and outside, however if worn outside it will wear more quickly. They also have less grip in wet conditions. The EVA sole gives a less bulky look. When buying Ugg boots, especially those with EVA soles, it is very important to ensure that they are good quality soles – cheap boots will most likely use lesser grade soles that wear much more quickly.
Outdoor soles, fundamentally intended for outdoor use, will need to be made of a good quality thick, hard rubber with excellent grip as most usually these Ugg boots will be worn in colder, possibly slippery, conditions. When inspecting these soles look for a aggressive spiky looking base, similar to an off road tyre.
How will I wear my Ugg boots?
There are so many styles of Ugg boots available but basically they revolve around the short Ugg boot that comes about a third of the way up the calf and the tall Ugg boot that comes about two thirds of the way up the shin sometimes to the knee, depending on how long your calves are. They can be worn fully extended showing no wool or they can be rolled down at the top to display the luxurious fleece inside (also changing their height).
Although Ugg boots were around in Australia well before, it was the surfers of the 70s warming their feet with their fleecy boots that really got the boom going. With this in mind, there is something really sexy about someone in their swimmers wearing Ugg boots after a swim – short or tall.
Another alternative along the same vein as the surfer look is wearing Ugg boots with mini skirts or shorts. This look works particularly well with denim as the fabric for the mini or shorts but you can get away with any fabric. Keeping the length of the skirt above the knee gives the best effect.
Wearing Ugg boots over skinny jeans can be made to look super casual right through to smart casual. You can use this look with normal jean cuts (straight & bootleg) however regular tucking will be necessary. To really make this look work, get yourself a pair of skinny jeans. Tall Ugg boots or Side lacing Ugg boots work well for this look, depending on the outcome you are trying to achieve. Ugg boots can also be worn under jeans for a less showy look…and of course, Ugg boots are perfect in the house worn with track pants.
Men look rUgged and wild in outdoor short Ugg boots (particular darker colours like chestnut and chocolate) worn under jeans – super comfy also.
The boho or hippy Ugg boot look (aka The Sienna Miller Ugg boot look) would entail wearing your Ugg boots with flowy skirts or even dresses, again preferably above the knee. Sienna is also renowned for wearing slightly alternative Uggs, fashion Uggs known as Roxy Uggs that lace up across the front. Side lacing Ugg boots work well with this look also.
Ultimately, Ugg boots can be worn at the discretion of the wearer. Who’s to say how they should be worn. Taking into consideration the looks that others achieve with their Ugg boots will assist you in deciding which style and colour is for you. | 
