These Vegan Ugg Boots Will Keep Your Feet Comfy, Cozy, and Cruelty-Free

At the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, all eyes were on the American athletes for a few reasons. Firstly, they scooped 13 medals, placing them in the top 10. But sporting talents aside, people were also taken with what some of the US Olympic team members were wearing on their feet: fleecy, cozy, sheepskin boots, otherwise known as Uggs. 

Jump to the boots

After that, and with a little help from Oprah’s Favorite Things list, Australian brand Ugg and its signature boots soared in popularity. It seemed like everyone—from Beyoncé to the now Princess of Wales—wanted to be seen wearing sheepskin on their feet in the 1990s and early aughts. And now, as Y2K nostalgia reigns on the red carpet, they’re officially back in style. 

Unfortunately, the OG Ugg boots are made with a number of animal-based materials. As such, traditional Uggs aren’t suitable footwear for vegans—but that all changed last year. 

Does Ugg make vegan boots?

Thanks to a collaboration between Ugg and Collina Strada, a New York-based fashion label, vegan Ugg boots hit the scene in 2024. The collection—which is now officially sold out—featured eight different styles ranging from the classic Ugg mini platform to ruffled and thigh-high varieties. 

Ugg x Collina Strada

Instead of Ugg’s usual wool, suede, sheepskin, and leather, the collection utilized tencel, polyester microfiber, and sugarcane to help create these innovative boots. The materials mirrored those used in Ugg’s previous vegan-friendly range—dubbed Plant Power—which included sandals, platforms, and a vegan version of the brand’s Neumel chukka boot. At the time, the brand’s president Andrea O’Donnel said Ugg had “taken inspiration” from its “iconic styles” to create new silhouettes for the line. 

While neither collection is available at the time of writing, you can still get that iconic Ugg-style boot thanks to a number of vegan-friendly shoe brands. 

Vegan Uggs

If you’re on the market for that classic Ugg boot, there are plenty of vegan alternatives out there for cozy, comfy, faux sheepskin boot lovers who want all of the look but without the cruelty.

BearPaw

1 BearPaw Elle Vegan

For 20 years, California-based footwear brand BearPaw has been making cozy boots for men and women alike. The name was inspired by a real-life bear, who the founder, Tom Romeo, saw while sitting on a rock near Lake Tahoe back in 2001. He took the peaceful encounter as a lucky sign to follow his entrepreneurial dreams, and the signature Elle boots were created. The initial Elle style wasn’t vegan, but this new version, which features faux microsuede, is 100-percent faux. It’s just as comfy as the original, and available in three colors: black, hickory, and iced coffee. 
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Pawj

2 Pawj Mini Boot

Animal lovers are safe with PAWJ, because it was created by one of their own: Julee Merrill. In fact, the reason she founded the brand, which is based in California, was to create more styles that didn’t hurt animals. The family-run brand offers a wide range of Ugg-esque styles—like these cute faux suede Tan Mini Boots—as well as slippers, Polar Fleece Boots, and Arctic Fleece Shoes. 
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Zette

3 Zette Shoes Willow Boots

Zette Shoes only makes footwear that respects all living things, which is why its boots are 100-percent vegan and made by workers who are treated well and paid fairly. Based in Melbourne, the shoe line was created in 2014 by Vegan Style, an online store and boutique. Its cozy, warm Willow boots are made with microfiber, which is a synthetic material. However, it has been tested and certified by Oeko-Tex, a textile safety label that ensures materials do not include harmful substances.
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Sleepy Squirrel

4 Sleepy Squirrel Misty Slipper Boots

Australian online shop City Beach ships its wide range of brands all over the world, including Sleepy Squirrel. The brand’s Ugg-inspired slipper boot collection is entirely animal-free and instead features faux suede and wool. You can opt for a sweet and cozy Misty style, or if you want something that goes higher up the leg, the brand also offers its Olympia Slipper Boots in a variety of neutral shades and tones.
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Vegetarian Shoes

5 Vegetarian Shoes Snugge Boot

Founded in the 1990s in Brighton, England, Vegetarian Shoes helped to pioneer the ethical footwear industry. Its commitment to responsible materials has earned it a solid reputation in the vegan fashion world, and now the brand ships its styles all over the world. These comfy Snugge Boots feature a sole made with rubber and cork (both renewable materials), while the rest of the boot is made with Vegetan Fake Suede. Important note: the latter is designed to be almost identical to the real thing, which means it is not waterproof. So take care on rainy days!
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Call It Spring

6 Call It Spring Vortex Boots

Canadian brand Call It Spring boasts PETA approval, so you can confidently browse through the 100 percent vegan catalogue. The Vortex boot is the most Ugg-like shoe on offer. Featuring a chunky, two-inch platform, these boots are waterproof and will keep you warm even when it hits -4 degrees Fahrenheit. 
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Will’s Vegan Store

7 Will’s Vegan Store WVSport Insulated Country Boots

Back in 2013, Will’s Vegan Store started its journey in animal-free footwear. Since then, it has continued with its mission to make products that don’t cost animals or the earth and has even received a carbon-neutral certification. The brand is committed to making durable, comfortable footwear that will last you through multiple seasons. These Insulated Country Boots, for example, offer a step up from regular Ugg boots, as they offer all the same comfort, but can also survive extreme weather, like rain and snow.
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Muk Luks

8Muk Luks Sarina Boots

Founded in 1972, Wisconsin-based brand Muk Luks offers a number of vegan shoes. The Sarina Boots, made with faux suede and faux shearling, are just one of the vegan styles on offer. When shopping Muk Luks’ offerings, remember to read the product descriptions to ensure your shoes are free of animal materials. 
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