Say No to Uggs

There's no such thing as a winter uniform, but some days it seems there might as well be: sweatshirt with sweatpants or Spandex leggings tucked into UGG boots. While you love your UGGs and I have to admit, the one pair I tried on were very comfortable in the store, they are just not made to survive harsh Canadian winters. UGGs have been in vogue since about 2003, which, depending on personal opinion, is fine...just not as winter boots.

Sheepskin boots called uggs were made in rural Australia and New Zealand since the 1920s. In the 1960s, they became popular among competitive surfers to keep their feet warm. This just goes to show: UGGs are not, nor were they ever intended to be, winter boots! If you need any more proof along these lines, ask yourself this simple question: How often do Aussies have snow storms?

UGG boots are made of shearling sheepskin, which is what makes them so luxuriously comfortable, giving them that slipper feeling. Unfortunately for Canadian wearers, it is also what makes them vulnerable to water damage. One of the greatest shortcomings of UGG boots is that they're not waterproof, which, as this winter season in Lennoxville has proven, is a must for wintry climates. You can pay extra for a special waterproofing cream to somewhat protect the sheepskin, but the salt on our roads will more than make up for any damage saved there. You end up with white veins all over the tops and sides of your boots, and by the time spring rolls around, they are damp and ruined and not even close to their original colour. Even that soft, furry shearling lining which seemed so appealing back in October has become matted and grey by March.

Research has shown that UGG boots are also bad for posture and have caused the same amount of damage as walking around in stilettos every day does. I'm sure we've all seen it: the UGG shuffle, that pigeon-toed walk that actually looks painful to everyone around the wearer. When you walk in them, your feet slide around, which flattens the arch of the feet and causes back pain and, over time, joint problems. This can actually lead to early onset arthritis, so no matter how comfortable they seem, you shouldn't wear your UGGs every day.

Another drawback to the still-vibrant trend is the cost. Genuine UGGs cost anywhere from $150 to $275 per pair, which can get really steep as it becomes necessary to purchase replacement pairs each winter.

While the classic sheepskin UGGs are just not practical for Quebec winters, if you really love the brand, you don't have to give it up: the company UGG Australia does make what they call performance and cold weather boots, which have appropriate ankle support along with more of a tread than their classic boots do. These are winter boots of which Canada approves: tall and double laced, and at least in this reporter's opinion, far cuter than the classic sheepskin look. Jeans tucked into these would be an original UGG style, which this season so far has shaped into an oxymoron. Price is still high, but if you're going to spend the money on UGGs anyways, these are the tough older sister of the pair most of campus seems to possess. Here's to dry feet and cute shoes.