Sheepskin, or wool, has clothed people for millennia, keeping them warm in wintry climates and comfortable in warmer environments. Also known as shearing or fleece, sheepskin continues to be a timeless choice. It is an extremely versatile fabric, and is used to make many kinds of clothing, from coats and hats to socks and gloves. Footwear has been one of the most popular uses for sheepskin; boots, slippers, and clogs made of sheepskin are valued for their comfort and style.

The numbers of sheep are overwhelming. Individual flocks range from as little of a few hundred to as many as 100,000 or more! Three-quarters of all Australian sheep run in flocks of 3,000 or more. Australia produces 30 percent of all wool used worldwide, from over 100 million sheep. Other significant sheep flocks are found in the he USSR (117 million), China (111 million), New Zealand (50 million) and India (40 million).

More than 80 percent of all Australian sheep are a breed called the "Australian Merino". The outstanding feature of this sheep is its large size, and is known primarily for its heavy fleeces of fine quality wool. It is a distinct breed that has adapted to the specific conditions of the Australian countryside. Geelong, on the south east coast of Australia, is considered the wool capital of the world. In fact, Emu Australia, a premier manufacturer of sheepskin products, controls all processes from sourcing and tanning to manufacturing in the Geelong location.

Sheepskin = Shearling = fleece = wool

What Makes Sheepskin Special

Since sheepskin is naturally thermostatic, you can wear them in conditions from-30 F to as high as your thermometer will go! Also, sheepskin contains lanolin and will moisturize your feet when worn barefoot. In Australia and the US, the typical way to wear sheepskin footwear is without socks.

• Instead of going into the Drum for dying they proceed directly to Buffing.
• At this point the skins are placed on a Roller Coating machine and colored to the required color
• The skins are then Trimmed, Brushed and Ironed
• Final inspection takes place and they are complete
  

• After the Dry Cleaning process the skins are laced in a drum
• They are fully dyed both pent and wool to the color required
• The skins are dried again
• The skins are Buffed, Trimmed, Brushed and Ironed
• Final inspection takes place and they are complete
  

Sheepskin Brands

Popular UGG Australia is taking their brand to the next level by introducing its first product extension. Just recently, they launched a new accessory line of totes, handbags, and muffs.  In addition to these fashionable handbags, UGG also produces slippers, wooden clogs, shoes, and boots.

"Great bags are the perfect next step for such a greatly loved shoe collection", says Greg Besner, the president of UGG Australia.

The style of these new accessory products mimic the traditional style of their boots, giving consumers another opportunity to show off this pop sheepskin look. The first collection of bags features leather details, brass hardware, and obviously, sheepskin. UGG Australia's goal is to keep the bags looking and feeling rich with the signature UGG style while still serving function.

The first styles are categorized into three groups: the Classic, Sundance, and Fluff collections. They are available in the common sand and chocolate tones (pictured left), as well as denim, lilac, ruby, baby blue, and baby pink. All of their can be found at SheepskinShoes.com. UGG Australia is focusing on capturing the hearts and interests of fashion lovers of all ages.

Click here to buy UGG Australia sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Emu Australia and Aussie Dogs both produce their sheepskin boots in unique ways. While most manufactures obtain the sheepskin as a byproduct, Emu shaves their sheep and attaches the fleece to a cloth that is then adhered to split cow hide. This results in increased durability, lower production costs, a more affordable price for the consumer, and some very happy sheep! In fact, Emu calls their boots "Happy Sheep Boots".

Aussie Dog features a style of boot where there is a pigskin laminate used to covered the outer sheepskin. This makes the boots longer-lasting, more water repellent and covers any imperfections that may found in the raw form of the sheepskin.

Minnetonka Moccasin is a completely American-based manufacturer of fine sheepskin moccasins and casual footwear. Minnetonka is in the unique position of trying to keep their production of footwear domestic. All materials used to create Minnetonka sheepskin boots are made in the USA. Part of the manufacturing process is executed in Puerto Rico, and Minnetonka uses only American sheep.

Click here to buy Minnetonka sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Founded in 1976, Cloud Nine has spent almost thirty years putting together one of the largest selections of sheepskin slippers and sheepskin accessories in the country. Their commitment to a standard of excellence has shined through to thousands of customers over the years.

Cloud Nine uses only the finest premium grade sheepskin pelts, selected for their density, strength, and quality. Almost all the sheepskins used in the production are from Australia, New Zealand and the USA. The hides are tanned with the best technology available, in factories all over the world.

Click here to buy Cloud Nine sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Experience the feel of luxurious sheepskin inside our slippers and caress the velvet nap of the natural suede uppers. You will then understand why Staheekum is synonymous with comfortable surroundings. Inside, natural sheepskin caresses your feet; outside a velvety natural upper surrounds them. Yet despite this unparalleled level of comfort, Staheekums are as rugged as their namesake landscape thanks to handcrafted construction using the finest natural materials. Staheekum is synonymous with comfortable surroundings. Whether that's from the valley's reputation or slippers is often debated late into the night.

Click here to buy Staheekum sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Today, over three decades after Warmbat sheepskin boots were first created, our Warmbat footwear range has been enhanced with the use of modern sole materials and have evolved in response to contemporary fashions. Yet every pair of sheepskin boots and footwear we make resolutely preserves the quality standards for design, materials and workmanship that defined the original Warmbat and distinguish it from inferior imitations.

Click here to buy Warmbat sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Acorn,based in the US state of Maine, is another sheepskin brand sold at SheepskinShoes.com. With years of production history, Acorn has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about comfort and warmth, and imparts this expertise into each pair of boots. Some pairs have accompanied astronauts millions of miles into outer space. Some have been wear-tested atop Mt. Everest by Tenzing Norgay and his sherpas. But the most important pairs have traveled less renown paths. Acorn produces a very high quality sheepskin boot at a very affordable price. Acorn Slippers and sheepskin footwear is top quality. Acorn has been committed to comfort for over 25 years. The Acorn mission is comfort on earth for every customer. To provide the best quality, value, and products, they source from their factories in China, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and their Lewiston, Maine, where they are headquartered.

Click here to buy Acorn sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Penelope Wildberry blends cutting edge design that appeal to trend seeing woman, teens and children. Some boots are hand painted and every pair is a one of a kind piece or art. If ordered Swarovski crystals are hand placed individually. While wearing the Penelope Wildberry brand you will feel spirited and trendy just as we do while designing our line of merchandise. From its initial debut the response to the Penelope Wildberry brand has been wildly successful.

Click here to buy Penelope Wildberry sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Winter boots by ULU Boot: insulated, waterproof boots and shoes. Men's and women's quality sheepskin winter boots. ULU is inspired by the people and the cultures of the circumpolar region where design is driven by function. Named after the handcrafted U-shaped knife that is both a part of living and a piece of art, every pair of ULU shoes and boots is carefully crafted from the finest natural materials to provide all day comfort wherever your day might take you.

In 2003 Ulu introduced their goal of creating shoes and boots that captured the harmony of style and function. ULU footwear is inspired by the people and cultures of the eight countries of the circumpolar region (Canada, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Russia and Sweden).

Click here to buy ULU sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Click here to buy LAMO sheepskin footwear and accessories.

Click here to buy Beach Feet sheepskin footwear and accessories.

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