While there are a number of authentic Australian manufacturers who don’t use the Ugg name, there are plenty of others from other countries that use it wrongly. If you want to avoid accidentally buying fake Uggs and getting a lower quality product, here are some tips on identifying them. Remember, imitation Uggs may look like they’re a bargain, but in terms of longevity and quality, they really aren’t.

Real Uggs Shoes are made from double faced sheepskin. This comfortable material breathes well and keeps your feet from feeling too hot. This material is simply a single layer of sheepskin. One side is the rough skin side, and the other is a soft, cushy fleece. Beware of single faced products, or products made with a cheaper leather that’s had sheepskin offcuts sewn to it. These boots may look the same, but they have much different breathability and thermal properties.

Other signs that the pair of boots you’re looking at my be fake include the
quality of the stitching and the construction of the boot. Quality Ugg boots will be made with good detailing and even stitching. They’ll have flexible soles, not rigid ones, and counterbalanced heels to prevent foot pain. Replica Uggs may have very narrow heels or shorter toes.

Look for extensive, fluffy wool inside Ugg boots. If the fleece seems thin, overly compact, or extremely even, it may be reprocessed or lower quality. Real Uggs have lots of soft, fluffy fleece. It may look slightly grayish, since the wool for Ugg boots is often undyed and unbleached.

Fake Uggs will be less sturdily built than real ones, and will have an accordingly lower price tag. They tend to cost about half what boots made in Australia do. Don’t think you’re getting a bargain if you buy these boots, though. They’ll wear out more quickly, won’t provide the same thermal benefits, and may even come apart over time. Real Uggs have a price tag as high as they do because they’re made to last, as long as you care for them properly. If you want the warmth and comfort of sheepskin Ugg boots, be willing to pay for the real thing. It’s worth it in the
long run.