Still wearing your Uggs? Your feet aren’t thanking you.
The persistently trendy boots are the subject of a new wave of criticism by health experts in the United Kingdom, who say that the furry footwear – and its many cheap knockoffs – are “harming the feet of a generation of young women,” according to the Mirror.
“Because these boots are warm and soft, young girls think they are giving their feet a break. In fact, they are literally breaking their feet,” Dr. Ian Drysdale, head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, told the paper.
“Their feet are sliding around inside. With each step, the force falls towards the inside of the foot and the feet splay,” Drysdale explained. “This flattens the arch and makes it drop. The result can be significant problems with the foot, the ankle, and, ultimately, the hip.”
The original Uggs, made by Ugg Australia, were a cult favorite of surfers. The shearling-lined boots became a fashion craze in the mid- 2000s, thanks to celebrity fans such as Cameron Diaz, Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Years later, Uggs are still popular – and while the slipperlike boots seem best suited for loafing around the house, many women wear their Uggs all day, every day. And therein lies the problem, says Dr. Robin Ross, podiatrist and incoming president of the New York State Podiatric Association.
“If someone plans on going on a long hike or standing on their feet all day, [Uggs] are not good, whether it’s the brand or an imitation,” Ross said. “People tend to get pain on the outside of the ankle, the arches start to hurt, and they tend to get foot fatigue.”
Ugg Australia has said their boots are “comfort” not “performance footwear, ” and said buyers should beware knock-offs, which lack the reinforced heels or insoles of their boots, according to the Mirror.
But just because the brand name boot is better constructed doesn’t mean it will hold up during your daily commute, Ross warns.
“All of these types of boots do not offer the control, cushion or support that is necessary for long-term standing or walking,” she said. “We tend to walk on concrete, asphalt or industial flooring – very unforgiving surfaces.”
To give your feet a break while wearing Uggs, Ross recommends you have a podiatrist make you an orthotic – a custom-made foot mold that will fit in the shoe.
“I have a pair of Uggs, and I always put my orthotics in them,” Ross said. “It holds the foot in a corrective position as I stand or walk. A podiatrist or foot specialist can fabricate them for you.”
And don’t forget to air out your boots after a long day of walking, Ross says, or you’ll have more than just achy feet to worry about.
“A lot of people will wear [Uggs] without socks,” Ross notes. “Once a week or so, if you wear them a lot, spray with Lysol and let them air out overnight. That will help to kill any fungus or bacteria.”
