8 Vegan Ugg Boots to Preserve Your Ft Comfortable, Cozy, and Cruelty-Free

On the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, all eyes had been on the American athletes for a number of causes. Firstly, they scooped 13 medals, inserting them within the high 10. However sporting abilities apart, folks had been additionally taken with what among the US Olympic staff members had been carrying on their toes: fleecy, cozy, sheepskin boots, in any other case often known as Uggs. 

After that, and with slightly assist from Oprah’s Favourite Issues record, Australian model Ugg and its signature boots soared in reputation. It appeared like everybody—from Beyoncé to the now Princess of Wales—wished to be seen carrying sheepskin on their toes within the Nineties and early aughts. And now, as Y2K nostalgia reigns on the purple carpet, they’re formally again in model. 

Sadly, the OG Ugg boots comprise plenty of animal-based supplies. However that doesn’t imply everybody can’t rock this retro footwear. We’ve rounded up the very best vegan Uggs (okay, Ugg-impressed boots) in the marketplace proper now. However first, let’s take a better take a look at why the OG Ugg boots are usually not vegan.

Are Uggs vegan?

As a result of it options supplies like sheepskin, leather-based, wool, and suede, the basic Ugg boot model is just not vegan. That stated, final 12 months, the model launched a brand new vary known as Plant Energy, which included footwear made with carbon-neutral and plant-based supplies, like hemp, Tencel, and sugarcane. 

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On the time, the model’s president Andrea O’Donnel stated Ugg had “taken inspiration” from its “iconic kinds” to create new silhouettes for the road, which included sandals, platforms, and a plant-based model of its Neumel chukka boot.

At the moment, not one of the model’s plant-based kinds appear like its signature lambskin Ugg boot. However maintain your eyes peeled, as Ugg has additionally claimed that new kinds can be added to the gathering over time. 

Is suede vegan?

One of many key supplies used to make Uggs is suede, which options on the skin of the boot. A kind of sentimental leather-based, suede is just not vegan, as it’s sourced from the underside of a wide range of animals, like goats, calves, deer, and lambs.

Whereas Ugg claims that its animal-based supplies are “sourced from animals which were raised humanely” the reality is, world wide, round two in each three livestock reside on manufacturing facility farms. Created to maximise revenue, these intensive farms maintain hundreds of animals cramped collectively—with barely any alternatives to go outdoors or specific their pure behaviors—till it’s time for them to be slaughtered. 

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And whereas many could consider supplies like leather-based or suede as separate from the intensive meat business, that isn’t the case. They’re co-products of the identical system and are considerably worthwhile supplies in their very own proper. Actually, the worldwide leather-based items market is predicted to achieve a market worth of $720 billion by 2030.

Animal agriculture is just not solely related to poor animal welfare, however it is usually detrimental to the planet. The business is linked to plenty of main environmental points, together with water air pollution and deforestation, in addition to 14.5 p.c of worldwide greenhouse gasoline emissions. 

Is wool vegan?

Wool and sheepskin are two extra key elements of the basic Ugg boot, and since each come from sheep, neither is vegan.

Like leather-based and suede, wool is a co-product of the meat business. As a result of, whereas they could initially be bred for his or her wool, most sheep find yourself being slaughtered for meals at round 5 to 6 years outdated. 

Previously, PETA has known as out Ugg for its involvement within the wool business. However after the discharge of its Plant Energy assortment, the animal rights group praised the model for taking a step in the suitable course.

Nevertheless, it’s now encouraging its followers to induce Decker Manufacturers (the proprietor of Ugg) to ditch all animal merchandise, together with wool. 

A letter written by PETA to the footwear company reads: “Sheep used for his or her pores and skin and wool are sometimes mutilated, castrated, and violently killed in plain sight of different sheep who will quickly meet the identical finish. Please use solely vegan supplies, and cease utilizing animals’ pores and skin and wool.”

Vegan Uggs

Ugg could not have introduced it’s going vegan (but), however that doesn’t imply anybody has to overlook out on carrying the long-lasting model. There are many vegan alternate options on the market for cozy, cozy, fake sheepskin boot lovers who need all the look however with out the cruelty.

BearPaw

1 BearPaw Elle Quick

For 20 years, California-based footwear model BearPaw has been making cozy boots for women and men alike. The identify was impressed by a real-life bear, who the founder, Tom Romeo, noticed whereas sitting on a rock close to Lake Tahoe again in 2001. He took the peaceable encounter as a fortunate signal to comply with his entrepreneurial desires, and the signature EVA and ELLE boots had been created. The preliminary ELLE model wasn’t vegan, however this new model, which options fake microsuede, is 100-percent fake. It’s simply as cozy as the unique, and out there in three colours: Black, Charcoal, and Hickory.
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Zette

2 Zette Sneakers Willow Boots

Zette Sneakers solely makes footwear that respects all residing issues, which is why its boots are 100-percent vegan and made by employees who’re handled effectively and paid pretty. Based mostly in Melbourne, the shoe line was created in 2014 by Vegan Type, an internet retailer and boutique. Its cozy, heat Willow boots are made with microfiber, which is an artificial materials. Nevertheless, it has been examined and authorized by Oeko-Tex, a textile security label that ensures supplies don’t embody dangerous substances.
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Vegetarian Sneakers

3 Vegetarian Sneakers Snugge Boot

Based within the Nineties in Brighton, England, Vegetarian Sneakers helped to pioneer the moral footwear business. Its dedication to accountable supplies has earned it a stable popularity within the vegan vogue world, and now the model ships its kinds everywhere in the world. These cozy Snugge Boots function a sole made with rubber and cork (each renewable supplies), whereas the remainder of the boot is made with Vegetan Pretend Suede. Essential notice: the latter is designed to be nearly an identical to the actual factor, which suggests it’s not waterproof. So take care on wet days!
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Pawj

4 Pawj Mini Boot

Animal lovers are secure with PAWJ, as a result of it was created by one among their very own: Julee Merrill. Actually, the rationale she based the model, which is predicated in California, was to create extra kinds that didn’t damage animals. Like these cute fake suede Tan Mini Boots, the family-run model provides a variety of Ugg-esque kinds, in addition to slippers, Polar Fleece Boots, and Arctic Fleece Sneakers.
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Sleepy Squirrel

5 Sleepy Squirrel Misty Slipper Boots

Australian on-line store Metropolis Seaside ships its wide selection of manufacturers everywhere in the world, together with Sleepy Squirrel. The model’s Ugg-inspired slipper boot assortment is fully animal-free and as a substitute options fake suede and wool. You may go for a candy and comfortable Misty model, or in order for you one thing that goes greater up the leg, the model additionally provides its Olympia Slipper Boots in Alabaster and Black.
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Name It Spring

6 Name It Spring Letstayin Boots

Canadian model Name It Spring boasts PETA approval, so you may confidently flick thru the one hundred pc vegan catalogue. The Letstayin boot is essentially the most Ugg-like shoe on provide. That includes a chunky, two-inch platform, these boots function fake fur lining, are made with 30 p.c recycled supplies (from mattresses!), and are waterproof. Select between Mild Beige and Black Textile Microfibre for a extra genuine, Ugg-like look. 
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Will’s Vegan Sneakers

7 Will’s Vegan Retailer WVSport Insulated Nation Boots

Again in 2013, Will’s Vegan Retailer began its journey in animal-free footwear. Since then, it has continued with its mission to make merchandise that don’t value animals or the earth and has even obtained a carbon-neutral certification. The model is dedicated to creating sturdy, snug footwear that may final you thru a number of seasons. These Insulated Nation Boots, for instance, provide a step up from common Ugg boots, as they provide all the identical consolation, however may also survive excessive climate, like rain and snow.
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Muk Luks

8 Muk Luks Sarina Boots

Based in 1972, Wisconsin-based model Muk Luks provides plenty of vegan footwear. The Sarina Boots, made with fake suede and pretend shearling, are simply one of many vegan kinds on provide. These footwear are waterproof, and are available within the shade Camel for look paying homage to Uggs. When buying Muk Luks’ choices, keep in mind to learn the product descriptions to make sure your footwear are freed from animal supplies. 
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Charlotte is a author and editor primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.