Footwear 101: What is Sheepskin?
, by Ed Stone, 5 min reading time
Sheepskin is a fantastic material that’s been used to make garments for millennia. The hide is breathable and easily shapes to your foot, while at the same time being healthy to wear. These qualities combined with the unique, plush fur make sheepskin excellent for shoes, jackets, and any other garment.
This guide will first discuss what those benefits are, then dive into some common questions about sheepskin. That way, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this fantastic textile from what it is to do proper UGG Boot Care for your UGG boots!
Benefits of Wearing Sheepskin
The first and most important thing you need to know about sheepskin is that you’ll never want to wear a shoe without it again once you try it.
Why is that?
Sheepskin is world-renowned for its unique:
- Comfort – Sheepskin is extraordinarily soft and warm—like a hug! But the best part is that the warmth isn’t overpowering. Like wool, sheepskin, and sheepskin wool is a year-round fabric that keeps you warm in the winter and cools in the summer.
- Style – Everyone knows that, once fall rolls over summer, UGGs and similar genuine sheepskin boots are an essential part of the “everyday look.” But low top sheepskin footwear and slippers are also a great way to accessorize all year round.
- Fit – Another fantastic element of sheepskin is the way it molds to your foot. Like natural memory foam, sheepskin shoes will adapt to your foot over time, locking in your perfect fit. Many people prefer to buy them a bit snug and break them in.
- Skin Conditioning – Sheep skin is also a great way to manage dry skin in the winter months. The natural oils in sheep’s hide, called Lanolin, is a natural skin conditioner, and will make your skin softer when worn without socks.
For these reasons, sheepskin is one of the most popular and well-loved materials for shoes, jackets, and other textiles.
Get yourself a pair of sheepskin shoes, and you’ll understand why immediately.
Frequently Asked Sheepskin Questions
If you’re a diligent shopper, you know how important it is to do your research. Understanding everything you can about a product is the most important part of finding the perfect match for you—and at a price point that suits your budget.
While some people are well aware of the many benefits sheepskin can bring, some of its characteristics remain shrouded in mystery. For that reason, we’ll walk through some of the most common questions people have about sheepskin:
Is Sheepskin Leather?
Yes! It’s an animal’s hide. Like suede, which is also featured in many sheepskin products, sheepskin can look different from full-grain or other kinds of traditional leather.
Looking at a sheepskin boot interior, it’s hard to imagine that it’s in the same category as a car’s leather interior. But like other leather products, sheepskin uses the animal’s natural qualities and repurposes them for humans.
However, unlike certain leather goods, sheepskin (and lambskin) preserve more than just the actual skin itself. When you buy a sheepskin leather product or item, you’re buying it for the amazing fur preserved as well. That fur is what lends it its versatility.
What is Sheepskin Used for?
As noted above, it’s commonly used in footwear. For instance, Boot World carries a wide range of sheepskin shoes from all of your favorite brands. But sheepskin isn’t only for shoes.
Some of the most common uses for sheepskin include:
- Coats and jackets
- Gloves and Hats
- Rugs and throws
- Shoes and boots
Sheepskin lined jackets and coats are extremely popular world-wide. The traditional style, called shearling, also features suede on the exterior. Beyond that and shoes, sheepskin is also often sold as a plain textile to be used as a sheepskin rug, throw, upholstery, or any other purpose.
Is Sheepskin Ethically Sourced?
Yes, so long as you’re buying from trusted companies. Here at Boot World, we carry ethical options from industry leaders like UGG. Their animal welfare program is outstanding, assuring that the sheepskin sourced for all boots is:
- From sheep raised for food, not wool
- From farmers who meet strict guidelines
- From suppliers who do not muless the sheep
Unlike wool, sheepskin is not harvested multiple times over the course of an animal’s life. Instead, it is extracted when an animal dies. That way UGG and other ethical producers ensure that lamb, one of the most popular meats across the world, is efficient and sustainable.
Sheepskin isn’t just ethical; it’s one of the most ethical animal products you can buy.
Which is Better, Sheepskin or Lambskin?
This is actually a trick question: they’re the same thing! When you see “sheepskin” on a product label, it means that the product contains a sheep’s hide with fur attached. If you see “lambskin” on the label, it means the product contains either a lamb’s hide or a sheep’s hide. Sometimes, manufacturers refer to sheepskin as “lambskin,” even if it’s not from a lamb.
That just goes to show how interchangeable they are!
Whether you’re sticking your feet into sheepskin slippers, or plunging them down into full-height lambskin boots, the benefits are still the same.
Shop Sheepskin at Boot World
Here at Boot World, we’re your first and best option for buying sheepskin shoes. From UGG to Burleigh, we carry all your favorite brands, as well as many exclusive and legacy models. Our prices can’t be beaten, and shipping is free on purchases over $100 dollars.
Ready to hear what all the hype is about? Browse our collection today.
Sources:
- GQ. A Brief History of Shearling Jackets. https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/gallery/the-history-of-shearling-jackets
- Leather Dictionary. Sheepskin - Lambskin. https://www.leather-dictionary.com/index.php/Sheepskin_-_Lambskin
- UGG. Animal Welfare. https://www.ugg.com/animal-welfare-faq.html
Reviewed By:
Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog” Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.
A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.