Many are surprised to learn that UGG and UGG Since 1974 are different brands

You probably have a pair of UGG boots tucked away somewhere. But here’s the kicker: they might not be the authentic Australian ones you assumed they were. The whole sheepskin boot trend goes way back, but the style we know today really took off in Australia’s surfing scene back in the ’50s. Surfers wore them to keep their feet warm after hitting the waves.
When you think of UGG in the U.S., you probably picture those cozy, trendy boots that became super popular in the early 2000s. Everyone from moms to celebs like Beyoncé was rocking them, thanks to their comfy sheepskin and soft linings. And now, Gen Z is bringing them back into fashion.
But here’s the twist: many folks are just now finding out that the UGGs they’ve been wearing for years aren’t actually from Australia. Unless you bought them from UGG Since 1974, you’re likely sporting the American version. The UGG brand we all know is actually American, not Australian.
Back in the ’70s, an Australian couple, Arthur and Faye Springthorpe, took the sheepskin boot game to the next level. They started making UGG boots one by one in their workshop, and that’s how UGG Since 1974 was born. They didn’t invent the term “ugg,” but they sure made it a family business in Australia.
Meanwhile, over in the U.S., Brian Smith, an Australian surfer, launched his own UGG brand in 1978 after moving to California. He got the idea from an ad he saw in a surfing magazine. After some ups and downs, his boots became a hit, especially with surfers and athletes. The U.S. Olympic team even wore them during the 1994 Winter Games!
Celebrities soon caught on, too. Oprah featured UGG boots in her 2003 Favorite Things episode, and stars like Paris Hilton and Kate Moss made them a must-have item. In 1995, Deckers Brands bought the UGG name, which also owns other popular footwear brands.
Now, the existence of two UGG brands isn’t exactly a secret, but many shoppers are still confused. The Australian brand has made it clear that it has no ties to the American UGG. Recently, a TikTok creator named Eliana Shiloh shared her surprise about the differences, noting that the American UGGs are mass-produced and not always made with Australian materials.
In her viral video, she expressed her disappointment in the quality of the UGGs she bought over the years. After some digging, she realized she probably never owned a pair from UGG Since 1974. The Australian brand clarified that if you bought UGGs in the U.S. in the early 2000s, they were likely from the American company.
So, how did this mix-up happen? Well, UGG was once called UGG Australia, which led many to think they were getting authentic Australian boots. The name changed in 2016 after complaints about misleading branding.
When it comes to the differences, it’s all about how and where the boots are made. UGG Since 1974 handcrafts its shoes using premium Australian and New Zealand sheepskin. In contrast, the American UGG brand produces its boots in various countries, including China and Vietnam, and uses materials that may not be sourced from Australia.
The trademark battle over the term “ugg” has been ongoing. A recent case involving another shoemaker was rejected, and UGG Since 1974 has expressed concerns about the lack of rights for Australian brands. They’re even rebranding to Since 74 in some markets due to legal issues.
So, whether you own UGGs, UGG Since 1974 boots, or something else entirely, there’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye. It’s a tangled history that might just make you say “ugh.”