About Ugg Boots

Could these gloriously warm and comfortable boots have origins leading back to the beach? And did the word Ugg actually come from the word ugly? Here are some facts about Uggs that may not be as glamorous as the boots.

History

The trademarked Ugg boot lifeline goes back to 1971 when Uggs-N-Rugs, the family-owned manufacturer and retailer of the now-trendy Westernized boots, made and sold this boot. Originally, surfers used these boots post-surf, and Uggs were more of a sock--with no sole. Surfers and beach dwellers called them ugly boots, ughs or ugs for short. It wasn't until Uggs-N-Rugs sold the boot to Deckers Outdoor Company in 2003 that the boots came overseas.

Identification

Uggs are sheepskin boots, sometimes with synthetic soles, depending on where they are made. The exterior is usually a fleece-like sheepskin material, and the interior is made of wool. They can be tall, cropped, with laces or without. You can find the Ugg brand on shoes and sandals. Just look for the Ugg trademark on the heel.

Theories/Speculation

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the trademark of the Ugg and the usage of the word Ugg. In 2003, Deckers Outdoor Company sought legal action. They didn't want other companies using the name "Ugg," although it was used in the 1960s in Australia to describe the Ugg boot as an ugly boot. Deckers was not successful. Austrailians were happy when the verdict came out, stating, "The evidence overwhelmingly supports the proposition that the terms (ugg, ugh and ug boots) are interchangeably used to describe a specific style of sheepskin boot."

Geography

It is speculated that the boots were originally worn on Bells Beach in Victoria, although Uggs-N-Rugs, located in Perth, Australia, was the first to manufacture and sell them. Now Uggs are an international hi, and continue to be worn in the summer and winter, in both beach areas such as Malibu and Miami as well as ski resorts in Aspen or in the Andes.

Warning

Not all Uggs are created equal. If purchasing Uggs online or in a store, check to see where they are made. Australian-made Uggs are typically made of high-quality fabrics and go through an extensive process of cleaning, dying, cutting and conditioning of the sheepskin. There are many imitation boots made to look like Uggs, but they can have low-quality linings or synthetic soles. Do a little research before dropping $200 on a pair of Uglies.

Resources

• Uggs-N-Rugs is a small family business, manufacturing and retailing sheepskin ugg boots.
• The name "ugg" or "ugh" for the popular sheepskin boots
• History of the Ugg Boots