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Hi - I would be interested in other peoples opinion of Ugg Boots, in particular for children. I am of the opinion that they are not supportive enough for the developing childs foot? Just wondered what others point of view was on this particular style?
Hi - I would be interested in other peoples opinion of Ugg Boots, in particular for children. I am of the opinion that they are not supportive enough for the developing childs foot? Just wondered what others point of view was on this particular style?
Seen hundreds of people who are clearly walking off the medial side of the sole of UGG type boots. That is the upper is bulging massively over the medial side, with ludicrous medial heel wear on the sole, to the the point where they are effectively walking on the medial side of the upper beneath their feet. Makes me laugh out loud when I see these down town. I hope the real things may offer more support than the cheaper copies- I suspect this may be the source of the problem- cheap copies that lack sufficiently stiff heel counters, but who knows they may all be this rubbish?
I wouldn't wear them, or let my daughter wear them- if nothing else they're are somewhat last, last year and chavy. Set trends- don't follow them. Whoever thought Crocs looked good want's shooting... Ain't fashion rubbish
Can't agree with Dr Spooner more, I have observed countless UGG (or generic equivalent) wearers right over the medial side of the boot.
The high end ones, real deal and similar are, IMO, not much better. The heel counters are effectively non existent even in boots costing circa £180. In balance the brand UGG do some other styles, rather that the classic, which are more substantial.
I cannot think of a justifiable reason to recommend these types of footwear to patients, they function as a glorified slipper. Interestingly enough I have been told they were developed as beach wear for Australian surfers, worn without socks they provided natural thermoregulation via the material, they are probably not much more supportive than their beach wear cousins the thong sandal.
I have to say I am the least chavy looking person in my town, however I do wear Uggs and they are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Being the real thing they are well constructed and are best worn with bare feet as the sheep skin keeps the feet warm but aired. I have to say that in my mid fifties, i do not have any foot problems and usually wear sensible shoes such as ecco, and yes crocs when appropriate (usually on the beach or in the garden)!
Would I put my child in them? Maybe, if they had normal development and no obvious problems, but they must be the correct fit and that is difficult on a child as the sheepskin does bed down a little after a while and so they need to be tight when first purchased. Also, kids feet grow so quickly so it would not be economically sensible in my view. As far as support goes, if they are a good fit they will be as supportive as any other boot.
I too have seen the medial bulging of the cheap boots on the market- exacerbated by the trend of the teens of today wanting to wear their shoes as sloppily as possible! That said, they seem to be able to walk miles in them and keep them on all day, so they cant be uncomfortable, but whether they would predispose the wearer to problems later on-who knows?
It is a case of getting what you pay for , as for most things in life!
Cornmerchant
Last edited by cornmerchant : 8th December 2008 at 03:23 PM.
Reason: punctuation
No shoe is a panacea and despite celebrity endorsement we are responsible for selecting footwear for ourselves and others appropriate to activity and or development. So fashion fads of Crocs, Ugg boots and Valenki are no better no worse than anything else but conditions do apply.
In Australia the UGG is a profit without honour as well as stimatised as a sign of low socio-economical status. Elsewhere of course it has become a fashion icon brought to the US 's attention by Oprah, initially enjoying a female fashion abefore it more recently passed over to males with David Beckham a conformed devotee. Sheep skin clothing has been worn for millenium and provided protection from the cold as well as lubrication for the skin. The Ugg is a modern relative which in most cases has no animal material within its make up but the loose fibres of the modern ugg do offer insulation (to maintain skin tmeperature at a constant in hot and cold conditions) next to the skin which makes them feel very comfortable. The integrity of the boot/shoe is unlikely to be maintained with wear and therefore the ugg boot is not a supportive shoe. Hence it should be worn for short periods only.
Crocs love them or loathe them represent 21st century polymer technology ironically encased within one of the oldest shoe styles known. Again as lightweight shoes these are no different in functionality to other similar styles. However they are not, nor does the manufacturer profess to claim, ideal supportive footwear. Wearing for short periods of time (in appropriate environmental surround) will accommodate the growing foot but may not be the most ideal supportive shoe to be worn at all times.
Hybrid combinations of uggs and crocs are now available and this new genre does go some way to provide support, comfort and insultation in lightweight footwear. But they are far from ideal as the panacea of shoes.
Valenki (Russian felt boots) are also enjoying a vogue just now and provide much of the same comfort as Uggs and have a little move shape similar to wellington boots. The wellie is also up there with the fashionista but again would not be the best for growing feet if worn all the time but for shost periods - no problem for the vast majority of children.
Condemnation of shoe styles has more to do with the snobbery associated with the kind of shoe you can afford to wear. Throughout history being 'well heeled' has become a clear indication of breeding and social status. Many 'snobs' (Australian prison slang for shoemaker) cannot bare the thought of a cheap skate shoe becoming 'respectable.' The phenomenal hate campaign which has surrounded the rise of Crocs is superb example of blatant shoe snobbery.
Seen hundreds of people who are clearly walking off the medial side of the sole of UGG type boots. That is the upper is bulging massively over the medial side, with ludicrous medial heel wear on the sole, to the the point where they are effectively walking on the medial side of the upper beneath their feet. Makes me laugh out loud when I see these down town. I hope the real things may offer more support than the cheaper copies- I suspect this may be the source of the problem- cheap copies that lack sufficiently stiff heel counters, but who knows they may all be this rubbish?
I wouldn't wear them, or let my daughter wear them- if nothing else they're are somewhat last, last year and chavy. Set trends- don't follow them. Whoever thought Crocs looked good want's shooting... Ain't fashion rubbish
Any Evidence for these low level statements Dr. Spooner?
Ifd not, I;ll have to let all four of my daughters wear them awaiting the proof.
Mr Hyde
As with all footwear the trick is to throw them out when they exhibit signs of excessive wear. Uggs are like wellies and should be worn only when the weather (not fashion) dictates.
I've always been of the belief that Ugg Boots are not only providing about as much support as a thong or any other slipper, but more importantly they are such a fashion faux pa that they should be banned in public places.
That being said, sitting down with Ugg boots, a piece of chocolate and a glass of red wine at night has to have positive health belefits with the stress relief, antioxidants, constant temperature of the extremities (to prevent chill blains) and helping sleep.
Cheers!
__________________
Adrian Misseri
B.Pod.,M.Hlth.Sci.(Pod.)
Ugg boots or sheep lined footwear are very medicinal and have been used for centuries for their therapeutic insulting properties. Absolutely ideal for pre gangranous ischaemic limbs and prior pump boots often the only reason for maintaining a compromised leg. Orignially the lanolin from the fleece lubricated the skin to therapeutic effect. In the 18th century sheep skin shoes were often prescribed by doctors and worn by chronically ill people.
Greetings... I so love this site! Where else can an invaluable insight be gained as to the predilections of the genus 'Pod' be so laid bare ! I know we take alot of stick in our profession, but I've yet to experience any '...therapeutic insulting properties..' of any shoes... perhaps I have been concentrating on the wrong areas? I know of some shoes that are an 'insult to our profession' but this adds a whole new dimension (!)
I bought my ugg boots (original company in Newquay Cornwall) in 1993 (£40). I used them for post surfing wear ie. to warm my feet quickly. They are IMO the most uncomfortable boots I have ever worn. My feet roll around unsupported, heel counter has no stability and I have twisted my ankle on numerous occasions. Do not let children wear these. That is not me talking as a Pod. I'm speaking from first hand experience and as a Mother.
I've got a pair of EMU's (similar but with firmer sole) and as a Raynauds sufferer I cant fault them. However I would not want to walk too far in them as I made the mistake of ordering a size bigger for thick socks which I soon discovered I didn't need. It will be along time before I can afford another pair. I too wouldn't recomend them for children.
Merry Christmas everyone !!
The cheap ones are slippers. The proper ones are fluffy wellies.
And like slippers they are really rather comfy. But not a good idea to walk far in!
And like wellies they are tolerable and better than slippers. But not at all supportive and not the best thing for serious walking.
Horses for courses. I have no objection to them per se, but they are one of a range of shoes worn by teenage girls which makes me grind my teeth when they come in complaining of knee pain!
I do not consider myself qualified to comment on the asthetics of the item.
Thank you all for your insightful comments. My mother-in-law wants to buy a pair for my daughter (tricky situation!) but the above confirms my thoughts on the boots.
The cheap ones are slippers. The proper ones are fluffy wellies.
And like slippers they are really rather comfy. But not a good idea to walk far in!
And like wellies they are tolerable and better than slippers. But not at all supportive and not the best thing for serious walking.
Seem to match what I have been told that there are nothing more than solid slippers and in not meant for serious walking
a piece from feetforlife.com
'Ugg boot bother
The innocuous looking furry boot, loved by celebs from Kate Moss to er..Jade Goody, has taken the fashion world by storm. With Ugg boot copies being sold in supermarkets for under a tenner, the boot has fast become a fashion staple.
However, as leading podiatrist Michael O’Neill, has highlighted, the boots are not as ‘sensible’ as they look. O’Neill says: “Ugg boots can cause a lowering of the arch, which can cause tendon strain.”
The condition Achilles tendonitis has become a common problem for Ugg boot wearers. The boots cause friction to the heel resulting in bruising and tenderness. People with flat feet are at particular risk from Ugg boots as they offer little or no support for flat arches.
If your Ugg Boots are causing you discomfort, don’t worry help is at hand. Firstly, ice should be placed on the affected area. The Vulkan Instant Ice Pack is excellent at reducing swelling. For long term support of the ankle joint while wearing Ugg boots you should try the Vulkan Ankle Support which will support the feet and ultimately reduce the pain.'
If legend has it right the origins of the Australian Ugg boot can be traced to surfing jackeroos in the nineteen sixties. Inventive surfies working on a West Australian sheep ranch wrapped pure merino wool next to their skin after taking their daily dip in the chilly surf. Soon a rough type boot was forged with linoleum sole and called "ugly boots” or "uggs’ for short. The fashion spread to other surfing communities where the crude linoleum was replaced with rubber soles. When surfer, Brian Smith took his uggs to North America, the US beach boys were envious and soon the entrepreneurial Australian was importing uggs and distributing them through little surfing shops. The demand grew steadily and by the mid eighties the style was established as a West Coast favourite. Smith sold his interest to a US company Deckers Outdoor Corporation and the Ugg became a registered trademark in North America. A few festive seasons ago Oprah Show featured 'Face behind the name’ which showcased some of her favourite products. Ms Winfrey found her Ugg Boots very comfortable and fully endorsed them. This instantly created a consumer demand which ironically Decker was ill prepared for and did not have sufficient stock to meet the rush for their UGG boots. This created an artificial demand and US consumers bought them from any suppliers they could including Australia and New Zealand. Meantime realising the commercial potential for uggs Deckers Outdoor Corporation registered UGG it in the United States as well as 40 other countries plus to safeguard their foothold in this fashion market. The Australasian manufacturer were irritated to the extreme because they could no long promote their own Australain UGGs without infringing on copyright. A long court battle ensued but the US Company won their case. Needless to say the popularity of UGGS grew and could be seen from Dog Town to the Paris Catwalks. The commercial success of UGGs mirrors the meteoric rise of Crocs and other casual slip-on shoes which together represents a social phenomenon in clothing which has not been witnessed since World War II when (demobbed) men started to wear cotton T shirts and gym shoes and the style was picked up be teenagers. No one can be sure why this new fad has taken place but in the spirit of Zeitgeist (sign of the times) one potential explanation for the enormous popularity of slip-on footwear relates to increased security subsequent to September 11 where travellers must now remove their footwear at airports and other security posts. In the 21st century, the ugg and flip flop are ideal for this purpose.
toeslayer
Yeah sorry , Simons right Inversion Ankle sprain or "going over " on the ankle, saw another girl in a pair today she also had very severe genu valgum, are we supposed to inform the public if we think its serious? or just wait till they seek help themselves when theyre in pain?
__________________
I see you girls checkin' out my trunks
I see you girls checkin' out the front of my trunks
I see you girls lookin' at my junk, then checkin' out my rump, then back to my sugarlumps
I think Jon my have a touch of "students enthusiasm". Give him time, he will mellow.
Jon-many people deviate from the norm in gait, stance and biomechanics. It does not mean they all have problems-some live symptom free all their lives and will never need us!
Yeah i know I’m a bit eager, I just want to help people though and i hate hearing patients say "if only someone had told me that sooner i wouldn’t be in this mess". I understand compensation takes place alot in gait and if something’s not broke why fix it =S
Whilst I agree about the lack of support (I often see teenage girls walking 'sloppily' around the town, over the medial bulge and I want to rip them from their feet)... However, they are very warm and comfortable. I have a few patients who have chillblains and who swear by them, I also have a few who wear long term SCF padding and find that UGG boots are most accomodating for this. I do HATE Crocs though...
Ugg Boots
Hybrid Mode
