From Malibu Point to the world
Brian Smith was an Australian student devoted to surfing and music when he traveled to California in the late 1970s. He noticed that the surfers there did not wear sheepskin boots after chilly morning sessions, as Australians did. He saw an opening.
More than 150 shops turned him down, convinced the boots would never sit beside flip-flops and board shorts. So he sold them from the back of his van at Malibu Point, and word of mouth did the rest. Within a decade Hollywood had noticed, and in 1995 the California company Deckers Brands took the brand worldwide.
Twinface sheepskin and the UGG signature
An UGG is recognized by its soft, round silhouette and the calm of its form. Designer Pierce Lopatic puts it simply: a design is UGG when it feels like UGG. Comfort is the language of the brand rather than an item on a feature list. The material is part of that signature. The signature boots are made from Grade-A twinface sheepskin, which keeps both the hide side and the soft wool side intact.
UGG Classic and Tasman
The Classic sheepskin boot is the brand's signature piece. It comes in several heights, from the Classic Ultra Mini and Classic Micro to the Classic Tall II. Each keeps the same soft outline and sheepskin character.
The UGG Tasman in nubuck, made for both women and men, moved the brand from the sofa to the street. The Tazz II follows the same path. Among UGG slippers such as the Scuffette II, comfort is at its most direct, while the Classic remains the starting point for the whole range.
UGG in new forms
UGG has moved from winter boot to footwear for the whole year. Since 2022, design director Pierce Lopatic has steered a more experimental men's line of trail-inspired boots and sneakers. It builds on the brand's heritage with new ideas.
The collaboration with HOKA co-founder Jean-Luc Diard produced the JLD Boot. It is a classic UGG joined with trail-running technology, finished with a leather mudguard and a removable lace-up spat. The W Otzo Clog points toward where new shapes are heading. Stoy carries UGG for women and men, including UGG boots.
FAQ
What is UGG best known for?
UGG is best known for the classic sheepskin boot, the brand's main product since its founding in 1978. The range now spans boots, slippers and sneakers.
What is twinface sheepskin?
Twinface is sheepskin where both the hide side and the soft wool side are kept. UGG uses Grade-A twinface sheepskin in its signature boots, which gives them their characteristic softness.
What is the difference between the Tasman and the Tazz?
Both are slip-on models with a sheepskin lining. The Tasman is recognized by the braided detail along the collar, while the Tazz has a light platform sole.
What is the UGG JLD Boot?
The JLD Boot is a collaboration with HOKA co-founder Jean-Luc Diard, whose initials the model carries. It joins a classic UGG boot with trail-running technology, including thick foam cushioning and an energy-returning midsole plate.
Is UGG an Australian brand?
The idea for the boots has Australian roots, but the UGG brand was created in Southern California in 1978 by the Australian Brian Smith. Deckers Brands, a Californian company, took the brand worldwide in 1995.
