What is an Ugg Boot?

There is a lot of confusion over the origins of Ugg boots (also spelled Ug and Ugh), how they got their name and what the definition is. We hope to clear up some misconceptions!

There is no denying that Ugg boots are a uniquely Australian icon. In fact Australian sheepskin boots are rated second as the top Aussie icon, behind Kylie Minogue and ahead of Steve Irwin (ref. ninemsn.com).

The Definitions

• The Macquarie Dictionary (1981) defines the term ug boot as being a fleecy lined boot with an untanned upper.
• The New Shorter Oxford Dictionary (1993) defines the term ugg as indicating a kind of soft sheepskin boot.
• The Dinkum Dictionary (1988) defines the term ug boot as indicating a boot made of sheepskin with the fleece on the inside lining. The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (1982) defines the terms ug boot and ugg boot as a fleecy-lined boot with untanned upper.
• The Oxford English Dictionary Online (2004) gives ug, ugg and ugh as being a proprietory name for a type of soft sheepskin boot.

There are a few ideas as to the when the first Ugg boots appeared. Some suggest that during WWI and WWII, pilots would use sheepskin boots to keep warm in cold, non-pressurized aircraft. It has been said that these boots may have been called “Fug” boots. The boots used at this time had a very different appearance.

According to Australian folk law, the first Ugg boot made it’s appearance in the Bells Beach area in Victoria, Australia (about 1.5 hours from Melbourne), during the 1960′s. It was a group of young surfer boys looking for a purely practical solution to cold feet after surfing. They had access in the local region to sheepskins and so they very roughly sewed together these sheepskins to construct primitive looking, but very comfortable and warm footwear. The sheepskins had a natural “wicking” effect to remove moisture, as well as anti-bacterial properties, which no doubt would have helped the smelly surfer boys!

Australians are known for giving nick-names and then shortening and contorting those names beyond recognition. The Ugg boot was first given the nickname Uggly Boots, because their appearance was considered undesirable. This was soon shortened to Uggs and since then the name “Ugg” has become a familiar term in Australia and New Zealand.

Today sheepskin boots are manufactured by many companies from small tanneries, to surf companies, to large corporations. Most have improved synthetic soles to make them a comfortable walking shoe, extending their use beyond slouching at home or on the beach after a surf. The popularity of sheepskin boots has also vastly increased in the last decade; in particular due to celebrities and fashion labels finding favour with our beloved Ugg boot. Personalities who are known to wear sheepskin boots include Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pamela Anderson, Drew Barrymore, Sienna Miller, Britney Spears, Jessica Biel, Kate Winslet and many more (visit our Celeb Spotting Blog to see Celebrities wearing Ugg Boots).

A company called Deckers purchased and registered various trademarks referring to Ugg, Ug, Ugh and Ugh-Boot. Deckers sells a brand called “Australian Ugg’s”, which are manufactured in China. Deckers, an American company recently threatened legal action against various Australian manufacturers for using the trademarks which they own. A legal decision was reached, which allows Australian businesses to sell boots using the terms Ugg, Ug and Ugh. It was confirmed that these terms are generic in Australia.

Technically, many sheepskin boots have similar properties. What separates the highest quality boots is that they are made with Australian merino sheepskins. Poorer quality products may use cow hides with fleece lining. These can still have fantastic benefits, but our opinion is that the cream of the crop is the puritan sheepskin boots, made in Australia.

So, you may see some web sites and other shops selling “sheepskin boots” rather than Uggs and this is probably for legal reasons. At our shop, Made For Walking, we often refer to our boots as “Sheepskin Boots”. But, because we are an Australian company, selling authentic Australian Uggs, we are entitled to refer to them as Ugg Boots. We predominantly call them Sheepskin Boots by choice. We don’t think they’re ugly!

Disclosure
We have a web site selling EMU Sheepskin Boots, which are made in Australia from Australian sheepskin. So that makes us a little impartial!