Our footwear expert dishes on why Uggs are so popular

Comfy, cozy, and instantly recognizable, Ugg boots have been a fixture in American footwear since their surf-culture debut in the 1970s. The sheepskin leather-and-wool-fleece boots have seen massive waves of popularity over the years—when Oprah put the style on her 2003 Favorite Things list, it cemented its place in the pop culture firmament—but while trends come and go, Ugg boots have continued to win over new fans and delight old ones.

Today, Gen Z shoppers obsessed with Y2K style are introducing a new generation to the boots, but real fans know: Uggs have never gone away.

Our testers have checked out past versions of Ugg boots, but here we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the sheepskin icon.

What are Uggs?

The term “Ugg boots” historically referred to mid-height sheepskin boots lined with the hide’s wool fleece, a style that originated in Australia. Australian surfers popularized them in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, the boots had made their way into the American surf scene. Cozy and easy to slip on after getting out of the water, the boots gained a cult following.

In 1978, Brian Smith founded Ugg in California, and the name continued to grow: The U.S. Olympic team wore the boots at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games, and in 1995, outdoor company Deckers bought the brand.

Today, Deckers manufactures and distributes Ugg boots in the U.S. and globally, except in Australia and New Zealand, where other manufacturers use the term to describe the boot style.

What are Ugg boots made of?

Ugg boots are nearly synonymous with sheepskin, the material responsible for both the style’s smooth, suede-like exterior and the soft wool fleece interior. While the brand’s product line has grown to include sneakers, slippers, and leather all-weather boots, the consistent connection is the signature fleece lining, made from natural wool (as in the Classic Short II) or a wool blend.

How Uggs fit

Boots in Ugg’s Classic collection include not only the iconic Classic Short boot but also slippers, platform styles, and some all-weather boots. These cozy boots should fit snugly but not tightly. They’re designed to be worn barefoot, so your feet get full contact with the ultra-soft, warm woolly fleece. Keep that in mind as you try them on.

How does Ugg make its shoes?

Ugg boots are traditionally made from sheepskin hides with the fleece attached (byproducts of the meat industry), which are tanned and then reversed so the tanned hide is on the exterior of the boot and the soft fleece is on the interior.

How to clean Ugg shoes

While Ugg uses several materials across its line, including leather and textile, its most popular boots and slippers are made with sheepskin leather and lined with natural fleece.

According to Ugg, to clean sheepskin leather, start by brushing off any loose or visible dirt from the surface. (Follow the nap of the leather from top to bottom.) Using a small amount of cool water, dampen the surface of the boot—you want to moisten it without soaking it through.

Take a soft cloth or paper towel and, using either a dedicated suede cleaner or suede shampoo (or a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water), make small circular motions across the material. Once you’ve cleaned the whole surface, wipe it down with a clean, damp cloth. For best results, apply a suede conditioner afterward. Let the boots dry in a well-ventilated place for a day or two.

To clean the interior, dampen a cloth with soapy water and make the same circular scrubbing motions as on the exterior. When you’ve cleaned the entire interior, go back over it with a damp cloth. Let it dry for a day or two. The brand also recommends sprinkling baking soda in the interiors, then shaking or vacuuming it out to remove odors.

While the official Ugg site advises against machine-washing sheepskin products, our writer tried washing two pairs of Ugg boots on the delicate cycle of her washing machine and swears by the results. (Skip the dryer, though; air drying is the way to go.)

Why are Ugg boots so good?

Ugg’s unique construction process makes the boots incredibly comfortable to wear. The thick wool fleece lining the interior wicks moisture and regulates heat, keeping feet warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. They’re also super soft, and since they’re designed to be worn barefoot, the feel is downright cozy.

The slip-on style also makes them an easy-to-wear choice. (It’s no accident they’re so popular on outdoor film sets, where actors can stay warm and comfy while they wait to shoot their scenes, yet have their feet camera-ready at a moment’s notice.) Pair that slipper-like comfort with a rugged, outdoor-ready outsole, and you’ve got a total package that’s hard to resist.

Who’s wearing Uggs?

You don’t have to look far to find Ugg boots or the brand’s other styles—Ugg has had a chokehold on not just everyday women, men, teens, and kids but also celebrity wearers.

In the early 2000s, Ugg exploded in popularity thanks to famous fans like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Whether it’s a Classic Short worn on set between takes or weatherproof boots out and about, Ugg remains an A-list favorite: PinkPantheress, Hailey Bieber, and Dua Lipa have all been spotted in the brand’s boots, among many others.

The brand is also a frequent designer collaborator—the fall 2025 runways saw Ugg team up with Japanese luxury label sacai and London-based menswear designer Feng Chen Wang, among others. Earlier this year, the brand released a collaboration with JW Anderson, and pairs from its 2025 collaboration with Jeremy Scott are reselling for more than $900.

What types of Uggs are there?

While Ugg is still best known for its Classic boots (now available in a range of heights, from ankle to tall), the brand covers the full footwear spectrum.

Ugg’s lineup includes styles for men, women, children, toddlers, and babies, from performance winter boots like the Adirondack Meridian and slippers like the Tasman to sneakers like the RetroFi Lo and even sandals like the Seaside II Flip. Many styles use the brand’s signature fleece lining and sheepskin uppers, but not all.

In addition to footwear, Ugg produces coats and jackets, robes and loungewear, and other apparel, as well as home goods like throws, bedding and blankets, pillows, and sheepskin rugs.

What shoe stores carry Uggs?

A wide variety of retailers carry Ugg boots, slippers, and shoes—in addition to Ugg’s own brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce site, you can find Ugg at department stores like Nordstrom, sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, and online retailers, including Zappos and Amazon. You can also find them in independent boutiques and shops.