Watch CBS News

Ugh! Can Those Trendy, Furry Boots Keep You From Having Golden Arches?

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Those trendy, furry boots are everywhere.

But some foot doctors are now warning that the trendy boots, namely Ugg, might lead to big problems for your feet if not worn properly.

Speaking of proper, did you know the company never refers to their boots as Uggs plural?...just Ugg. They also warn consumers about buying imitations.

Here, Ugg Australia provides answers to FAQs.

Are UGG® Australia Classic boots bad for my feet?

No. UGG is synonymous with comfort. Our products are created for the occasion they are intended to be worn. The Classic silhouette is our original boot that California surfers wore when leaving the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you are commuting to and from work, running errands around town or relaxing at home, this is the go-to style from our heritage collection. In the past 30 years, our product team has enhanced and improved both the construction and comfort features on this Classic UGG® style, and have developed addditional styles and collections that feature several different outsoles for various occasions.

What are some of the construction and comfort features of the UGG® Classic boot?

Structured heel counters and nylon binding on the Classic boot offer substantiaal support

The sheepskin insoles and 117mm twinface sheepskin provide lasting comfort

All boots in our Classic Collection feature a soft foam insole covered with genuine sheepskin

All the boots in the Classic Collection feature a light and flexible molded EVA outsole designed for amazing comfort with every step.

Classic Collection boots include an additional layer of soft-forming footbed foam underneath the sheepskin insole to enhance comfort and wearabilty.

Should consumers be concerned about a perceived lack of ankle and arch support?

The UGG® Classic boot is not performance footwear. It is designed for ultimate comfort and warmth. UGG® Australia has several different categories of men's and women's collections including cold weather, fashion, sneaker and casual which provide varying levels of support and technnical, functional benefits.

The Weather Collection features products with a waterproof full grain leather upper with a breathableVent® membrane. An exclusive Vibbram® outsole provides durability and traction. Completely lined in genuine sheepskin, this functional calf-height boot will keep you extremely comfortable and warm for outdoor activity all winter long.

The Fashion Collection features city-ready sculpted latex wedges providing maximum fashion and arch support for walking out and about. Additional buckles and zippers serve to help with a perfect fit.

The Sneaker Collection features twinface sheepskin around the ankle for an extra touch of comfort. The sneakers are built with over 5mm of molded EVA with arch support and gum rubber outsoles for functionality and durability.

What are the benefits of the genuine sheepskin used in many UGG® Australia products?

UGG® Australia uses only the highest-grade sheepskin available. Twin-face sheepskin is used in many of our core products, such as the Classic boot. A piece of twin-face sheepskin has been treated on both the fleece side and the skin side, providing the soft comfort for which UGG® Australia is famous.

Grade-A sheepskin is extremely dense and soft, which provides for a more comfortable and durable material. Lesser quality material and synthetics can be coarse, scratchy and non-breathable. Grade-A sheepskin breathes naturally, wicking away moisture and allowing air to circulate freely.

Fleece breathes, wicks moisture away and allows air to circulate, keeping feet dry.

Sheepskin is naturally thermostatic thus keeping bare feet close to your natural body temperature regardless of the temperature outside.

Do all brands that look like UGG® Australia have the same features and quality?

There are many counterfeit UGG® boots, so we encourage consumers to be aware of this and to purchase from an authorized UGG® dealer. There are also many knockoff products of the Classic boot that are not made with genuine sheepskin and do not have the insoles and substantial heel counters that UGG® Australia boots feature. These products are identified by the slouchy, rolled-in ankles that much of the media coverage features, erroneously identifying the products as UGG®.

A list of authorized dealers can be found on the UGG Australia website: http://uggaustralia.com

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.