Sourcing Australian Made Ugg Boots

Really, finding Ugg boots in Australia shouldn't be so difficult. We did invent them, after all. The thing is that there are two distinct types of that particular shoe around. The first is the branded, Ugg Boot, which is manufactured by a US company called Decker. The second is the traditional ugg boot (notice the difference in punctuation), which are made in a traditional style with materials abundant over here. There have been some legal wranglings between the US Decker and single eBay sellers recently, who are no longer allowed to sell their wares under the name Ugg. Does this make any kind of difference to what you see as what an Ugg boot is and how to find it? Well, probably...

Some stockists may be reluctant to stock them due to the legal wranglings, but this shouldn't be across the board. Larger stores like K-mart will be able to show you a range of Ugg products. Be aware though, branded Ugg boots are a seasonal item, and searching for them in the height of summer is unlikely to yield results.

The best place to find Australian made Ugg boots is in a tanner or skinner's market. These can be reasonably easily found in most weekend markets, and you' will probably find that you will stumble upon some anyway, especially in winter. But what's so good about Australian made ugg boots? Well, for a start, they're better made than the American Decker branded ones. The mass-produced processes used to create Ugg boots were not conceived with longevity in mind. There is a fair chance of the soles perishing long before the naturally long-lasting skin wears out.

But what exactly is the history behind Australian made ugg boots? Ugg boots originated in the first World War, when pilots had a need to keep their feet warm in cockpits. They became popular as a unisex footwear item amongst any aviators who worked in unheated cockpits or holds. After that, their popularity was chiefly amongst surfers and swimmers, things we're also famous for. The nature of the natural fibres and comfort made them perfect for surfers particularly, and in the 70's they were brought to the states and sold in abundance to surfers. It seemed that Australian made ugg boots had made a real impact amongst the surfing community in the US.

Once Decker, a US company, bought the rights to the name, a cease a desist order was placed on Australian manufacturers. Selling non-branded ugg boots with Ugg in the name is now seen as a legal infringement by Decker. Australian made ugg boots are great quality though, so there's no great loss. Also, bear in mind just how many fakes there are out there. Of course many will want the comfort and style without the real fur, and that's admirable, but there are a huge number of forgeries out there that dupe many people looking to buy the brand. The best thing to do if you really want to avoid buying fakes is to buy them from a major outlet. I mentioned K-Mart earlier, but there are many more around for you to try.

Remember, Australian made ugg boots have a real history, and while they may not be national dress, we should be aware that they are a natural and useful piece of clothing for near enough everyone.