On the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, all eyes had been on the American athletes for just a few 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 workforce members had been carrying on their toes: fleecy, cozy, sheepskin boots, in any other case often called Uggs.
After that, and with a little bit assist from Oprah’s Favourite Issues listing, Australian model Ugg and its signature boots soared in recognition. It appeared like everybody—from Beyoncé to the now Princess of Wales—needed to be seen carrying sheepskin on their toes within the Nineteen Nineties and early aughts. And now, as Y2K nostalgia reigns on the purple carpet, they’re formally again in type.
Sadly, the OG Ugg boots include numerous animal-based supplies. However that doesn’t imply everybody can’t rock this retro footwear. We’ve rounded up the most effective vegan Uggs (okay, Ugg-impressed boots) available on the market proper now. However first, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at why the OG Ugg boots aren’t vegan.
Are Uggs vegan?
As a result of it options supplies like sheepskin, leather-based, wool, and suede, the traditional Ugg boot type is just not vegan. That mentioned, final yr, 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 mentioned 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.
Presently, not one of the model’s plant-based kinds seem like its signature lambskin Ugg boot. However hold your eyes peeled, as Ugg has additionally claimed that new kinds will probably 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 surface of the boot. A sort 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 cattle reside on manufacturing facility farms. Created to maximise revenue, these intensive farms hold 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 trade, that isn’t the case. They’re co-products of the identical system and are considerably worthwhile supplies in their very own proper. In actual fact, the worldwide leather-based items market is predicted to succeed in a market worth of $720 billion by 2030.
Animal agriculture is just not solely related to poor animal welfare, however additionally it is detrimental to the planet. The trade is linked to numerous main environmental points, together with water air pollution and deforestation, in addition to 14.5 p.c of world greenhouse gasoline emissions.
Is wool vegan?
Wool and sheepskin are two extra key parts of the traditional Ugg boot, and since each come from sheep, neither is vegan.
Like leather-based and suede, wool is a co-product of the meat trade. 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 previous.
Up to now, PETA has known as out Ugg for its involvement within the wool trade. However after the discharge of its Plant Energy assortment, the animal rights group praised the model for taking a step in the proper course.
Nonetheless, 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 type. There are many vegan options on the market for cozy, cozy, fake sheepskin boot lovers who need the entire 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 title 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 observe his entrepreneurial goals, and the signature EVA and ELLE boots had been created. The preliminary ELLE type wasn’t vegan, however this new model, which options fake microsuede, is 100-percent fake. It’s simply as cozy as the unique, and obtainable 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. Primarily based in Melbourne, the shoe line was created in 2014 by Vegan Fashion, an internet retailer and boutique. Its cozy, heat Willow boots are made with microfiber, which is an artificial materials. Nonetheless, it has been examined and licensed 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 Nineteen Nineties in Brighton, England, Vegetarian Sneakers helped to pioneer the moral footwear trade. Its dedication to accountable supplies has earned it a stable repute within the vegan vogue world, and now the model ships its kinds all around 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 Faux Suede. Necessary word: the latter is designed to be virtually equivalent to the actual factor, which suggests it isn’t waterproof. So take care on wet days!
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Pawj
4 Pawj Mini Boot
Animal lovers are protected with PAWJ, as a result of it was created by considered one of their very own: Julee Merrill. In actual fact, the explanation she based the model, which relies in California, was to create extra kinds that didn’t damage animals. Like these cute fake suede Tan Mini Boots, the family-run model affords 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 big selection of manufacturers all around the world, together with Sleepy Squirrel. The model’s Ugg-inspired slipper boot assortment is solely animal-free and as a substitute options fake suede and wool. You possibly can go for a candy and comfy Misty type, or in order for you one thing that goes greater up the leg, the model additionally affords 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’ll be able to confidently flick thru the 100% vegan catalogue. The Letstayin boot is essentially the most Ugg-like shoe on supply. 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 price animals or the earth and has even acquired a carbon-neutral certification. The model is dedicated to creating sturdy, comfy footwear that may final you thru a number of seasons. These Insulated Nation Boots, for instance, supply a step up from common Ugg boots, as they provide all the identical consolation, however also can 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 affords numerous vegan footwear. The Sarina Boots, made with fake suede and pretend shearling, are simply one of many vegan kinds on supply. These footwear are water-resistant, and are available within the shade Camel for look harking back to Uggs. When procuring Muk Luks’ choices, bear in mind to learn the product descriptions to make sure your footwear are freed from animal supplies.
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For extra vegan vogue and footwear, learn:
Charlotte is a author and editor primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Right here at VegNews, we reside and breathe the vegan way of life, and solely advocate merchandise we really feel make our lives wonderful. Sometimes, articles could embody procuring hyperlinks the place we would earn a small fee. By no means does this impact the editorial integrity of VegNews.
