How Are Ugg Boots Are Made?
Well we all know about this Ugg Boots fashion craze that's hit the world don't we? Those ugly fluffy looking boots that originate from Australia. But how is the humble Ugg Boot made?
The number one essential factor needed for manufacturing a genuine Australian Ugg Boot is the material (the sheepskin hide).
You may be aware that their are plenty of different ugg boots styles popping up on the internet these days. If you do a few basic searches on the net you will find yourself a cheap pair of non-authentic uggs somewhere, but let me tell you 99% of ugg boots sold on the internet are made in china. China made Australian ugg boots? Hmm how doess that work? Anyway
these China boots are maufactured using inferior sheepskin internal material and probably suede external material which doesn't allow the boot to breath and leaves you with a smelly boot you wont want to put back on after 4-5 wears.
These china made copies just dont stand up to the Genuine Australian Made Boot.
So one things for sure if your interested in buying a pair of sheepskin ugg boots on the internet or anywhere for that matters, dont try to save a dollor or two when purchasing your boots?
If you want a boot that's warm in winter cool in summer then you must insist on a boot manufactured with Genuine Australian double faced Sheepskin preferbly Australian Merino Sheepskin.
One of the questions often asked about ugg boots is:
Do you have to really kill the poor sheep just to make a pair of sheepskin boots?
The answer is NO. Not one sheep has to be slaughted to obtain their hide and fleece. The sheepskins are shawn of the sheep back and the sheep regrow their fleece just like humans do hair. It's completely painless for the sheep. I've been told by a few old school ugg manufaturers that the sheep actually like the experience of feeling free and would prefer to be shawn rather than have to carry a thick thick woolen coat around with them in the hot Summer.
Once the sheepskin hides are taken from the sheep then the process of preparing the hide for manufacturers and ensuring the hides are up to export standard begins.
Woolskins are usually preserved with salt prior to being processed by tanneries.
At the tannery the skins are processed in large vessels called paddles which vary in capacity from 3000 to 15000 litres. In contrast to hide processing, in woolskin processing mechanical action is kept to a minimum in order to minimise felting of the wool. Rotating blades on the paddles move the skins slowly and gently, and processing is performed at much higher float ratios (typically 20-35 litres of water per skin) than are used in hide processing.
Typically it takes about 10 working days for the skins to be tanned and finished ready to be cut into panels for ugg boots.
Step 1. Tanning/ Processing
Soaking (16 hours) - The skins are rinsed in cold water to remove excess salt and dirt from the wool and pelt.
Rehydration (soaking) of the pelt takes place in a fresh cold water float overnight.
Fleshing - The skins are fleshed using a fleshing machine which removes excess fat and muscle tissue from the back of the skins. This allows for more rapid and complete penetration of chemicals in the later stages of processing, particularly during pickling and tanning.
Scouring (30-45 minutes) - Surfactants are used at 38oC to remove dirt and grease (lanolin) from the wool.
Pickling (16 hours) - Prior to tanning, the skins are pickled in a solution containing acid and salt.
The salt is added to prevent swelling of the skins by the acid. The internal pH of the skins is lowered to approximately 2.8-3.0, thereby preparing the skins for penetration by the tanning agent.
Tanning (16 hours) - Tanning is generally achieved by using chromium salts which form cross-links with the collagen, stabilising the skin structure and preventing putrefaction. The tanning step is conducted at about 25oC and pH 2.5-3.0 to allow for penetration of the chrome. Once penetrated, the chrome is fixed to the collagen by raising the pH to about 3.6 using sodium bicarbonate, and heating to about 35-40oC.
This step raises the shrinkage temperature of the skin from about 60oC to around 100oC.
Wool Dyeing / Fatliquoring (3-4 hours) - After tanning, the wool may be dyed a variety of colours. Wool dyeing is performed at about pH 4.5-6 and at 60-65oC, "Pelt reserve agents" being added to prevent the wool dye staining the pelt. After the dye
is exhausted, the pH is lowered to about 4.0 to fix the dyes to the wool, and fatliquor is added to the bath. Fatliquors are emulsified oils which are used in leather manufacture to lubricate the collagen fibres, allowing them to move freely when the skin is dried, thereby imparting softness to the skin.
Drying (4-24 hours) - Once tanned and wool dyed, the skins are then dried in heated forced-air dryers by "toggling" the skins to a frame. Drying is conducted at temperatures of 50-80oC.
Drycleaning (4-24 hours) - The dried skins are "drycleaned" in either white spirit (a high-boiling petroleum fraction) or perchloroethylene. The drycleaning removes the natural fat and grease present within the skins.
Pelt Dyeing / Syntanning - Once the pelt grease is removed, the skins are returned to the paddle for pelt dyeing.
This step is performed at low temperature (less than 30oC) in order to minimise staining of the wool by the pelt dye. After pelt dyeing, the skins are "syntanned" using synthetic tanning agents in order to give the pelts added fullness and firmness. The skins are then redried.
Step 2. Finishing
Once all the tanning and processing steps have been completed, the skins are ready for final finishing prior to being used in ugg boot manufacture.
Staking - After "conditioning" the skins to approximately 20% moisture content, the skins are staked in a staking machine. This softens and stretches the skin pelt, and puts a "nap" on the pelt surface.
Combing / Ironing / Clipping - The wool is combed in a combing machine to remove tangles and any burrs or grass seeds present in the wool. An iron (a hot, 150oC revolving cylinder) straightens the wool, removing the natural wool crimp. Finally, a cylinder clipping machine is used to clip the wool pile to the desired length, usually about 12-15 mm.
Step 3. Manufacturing
Panels are cut from the skins using a "clicking press". Once cut, the panels are sewn together using industrial sewing machines, then the sole is glued to the boot. Once this is done, the boots are ready for sale!.
Boots
Boots provide the basic comfort and extra protection that our feet need when we are working, relaxing, adventuring, mountaineering, hiking, and backpacking, among other activities. Different types of boots are available in the market, each suited for different purposes and works.
Boots can be divided into work boots, hiking boots, cowboy boots, and many more. Made up of different materials and designs, these boots are made keeping in mind the functions they will perform.
Research shows that there are certain brands which specialize in making different types of boots. Some examples of such brands are: Ariat, Timberland Pro Series, Wolverine, Georgia, Rocky, Blundstone, Caterpillar, Dr. Marten, Magnum, Nautilus, Chippewa, Carolina, Durango, Acme, Double-H, Roper, Justin, Altama, John Deere, Wearguard, Dexter Fargo, Dunham, Rockport Lakota, Danner, Kamik, Cabela, La Crosse, Dan Post, Lucchese, Tony Lama, Abilene, Sage, and others.
Cowboy boots are...
Boots > Boots
Shoebuy.com Launches Holiday Gift Center
Boston, MA (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) November 22, 2005 -- Struggling to find that perfect holiday gift? Dreading the crowded parking lots and long lines at the shopping malls? Shoebuy.com understands the stress that comes along with holiday shopping and has launched a holiday gift center to alleviate some of that pressure and help you find the perfect gift for anyone on your list. 
The gift center is conveniently broken down into different sections to help you narrow your choices. Mens Gifts feature items such as slippers, boots, loafers, camping gear, belts, wallets, and other accessories.
Shoebuy.com Launches Holiday Gift Center
Boots > Shoebuy.com Launches Holiday Gift Center
What is "Ugg" Means? Where can I Find Sheep Skin Boots?
The origin of the Australian ugg boot has a variety of stories as to how and when the ugg sheep skin boots were actually invented. One of the versions has the sheep skin footwear as the boot worn by pilots during World War One. These boots were referred to as "Fug Boots" denoting their use as ugg boots used for flying. In the 1930's, Blue Mountain Ugg Boots were commonly worn by sheep shearers for their added warmth over regular footwear. "Apache Ugh Boots" were fashioned by Mortel's Sheepskin Factory in the 1950?s.
By the 1960's surfers were wearing their own version of the boot, finding them an easy and comfortable way to warm up after surfing the cold Australian waters.The original ugg sheep skin boots were made with two pieces of sheepskin attached in the front and a soft sole. Most Australian's believe the name "Ugg" derives from the word "ugly", therefore coining the term "Ugg Boot", as uniquely Australian as "Joey's " and "mate's". Given the ugg boot's various stories of...
What is "Ugg" Means? Where can I Find Sheep Skin Boots?
Boots > What is "Ugg" Means? Where can I Find Sheep Skin Boots?
New Online Store for Hiking Boots and Hiking Shoes
Boston, MA (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) September 27, 2005 -- Shoebuy.com announces the launch of its new hiking boots online store. The store features over 500 styles of hiking boots, shoes and sandals for men, women and children.
The store is designed to make it easy to find exactly the right hiking footwear. Customers can browse through the store a variety of ways including:*???Gender ? men's, women's, boys, girls*???Size - from a girls or boys size 10, to a women's size 17 and men's size 16*???Width - from narrow to extra wide*???Price ? from less than $30 to over $300*???Style name*???Popularity*???Brand "We make it simple to buy hiking boots or hiking shoes that fit your needs," said Anne Crays,...
Boots > New Online Store for Hiking Boots and Hiking Shoes
Three Kinds Of Baby Clothes
When buying baby clothes parents are suddenly inundated with multiple choices that can become quite confusing. How many cute and adorable outfits does little Bill or Hillary need? How many "Onesie" body suits are enough? For little people that grow so quickly there are certainly a wide variety of clothing options, how does a new parent know what to get?To help settle the dilemma and answer these questions, parents need to keep in mind a simple "rule of three." Babies need three kinds of clothes....
How Are Ugg Boots Are Made? Boots suits Three Kinds Of Baby Clothes
Boots > Three Kinds Of Baby Clothes