

In the past, PETA has called out Ugg for its involvement in the wool industry. Because, while they may initially be bred for their wool, most sheep end up being slaughtered for food at around five to six years old. Like leather and suede, wool is a co-product of the meat industry. Wool and sheepskin are two more key components of the classic Ugg boot, and because both come from sheep, neither is vegan. The industry is linked to a number of major environmental issues, including water pollution and deforestation, as well as 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the global leather goods market is predicted to reach a market value of $720 billion by 2030.Īnimal agriculture is not only associated with poor animal welfare, but it is also detrimental to the planet. They are co-products of the same system and are significantly profitable materials in their own right. Created to maximize profit, these intensive farms keep thousands of animals cramped together-with barely any opportunities to go outside or express their natural behaviors-until it is time for them to be slaughtered.Īnd while many may think of materials like leather or suede as separate from the intensive meat industry, that is not the case. While Ugg claims that its animal-based materials are “sourced from animals that have been raised humanely” the truth is, around the world, around two in every three farm animals live on factory farms. A type of soft leather, suede is not vegan, as it is sourced from the underside of a variety of animals, like goats, calves, deer, and lambs. One of the key materials used to make Uggs is suede, which features on the outside of the boot. But keep your eyes peeled, as Ugg has also claimed that new styles will be added to the collection over time. That said, last year, the brand released a new range called Plant Power, which included shoes made with carbon-neutral and plant-based materials, like hemp, Tencel, and sugarcane.Īt the time, the brand’s president Andrea O’Donnel said Ugg had “taken inspiration” from its “iconic styles” to create new silhouettes for the line, which included sandals, platforms, and a plant-based version of its Neumel chukka boot.Ĭurrently, none of the brand’s plant-based styles look like its signature lambskin Ugg boot. Are Uggs vegan?īecause it features materials like sheepskin, leather, wool, and suede, the classic Ugg boot style is not vegan. But first, let’s take a closer look at why the OG Ugg boots are not vegan. We’ve rounded up the best vegan Uggs (ok, Ugg- inspired boots) on the market right now. But that doesn’t mean everyone can’t join in the retro footwear fun. Unfortunately, the OG Ugg boots contain a number of animal-based materials. And now, as Y2K nostalgia reigns on the red carpet, they’re officially back in style. It seemed like everyone -from Beyoncé to the now Princess of Wales-wanted to be seen wearing sheepskin on their feet in the 1990s and early aughts. But sporting talents aside, people were also taken with what some of the US Olympic team members were wearing on their feet: fleecy, cozy, sheepskin boots, otherwise known as Uggs.Īfter that, and with a little help from Oprah’s Favorite Things list, Australian brand Ugg and its signature boots soared in popularity. Firstly, they scooped 13 medals, placing them in the top 10. At the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, all eyes were on the American athletes for a few reasons.
