Comfy UGG boots may lead to foot problems

March 15th, 2010. By AbiK

Remember when UGG’s first hit American shores? And you saw people like Pamela Anderson (Lee or Not-to-Lee?) wearing them in LA—even on the beach? And you were wondering why the heck someone needed boots that looked like they belonged in an igloo in 80-degree heat? And you’re still wondering—except now you realize they’re “like slippers you can wear anywhere!”—and people do wear them anywhere.

Because OMG they’re so comfortable! And fashion be damned—if Pamela, Miley, Reese, Jessica, Megan and Eva wear them (thank you coolspotters.com)—well, that’s the only testimonial anyone needs, right?

So here’s a testimonial that appeared in the Telegraph (UK) today that wasn’t exactly too fashion-friendly—it’s some commentary from Dr. Ian Drysdale on the ever-popular UGG boots and it ought to give some parents pause when considering whether to succumb to the wear-’em-to-school-cause-they’re-cool trend for their daughters. Dr. Drysdale, by the way, is head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Here’s the Telegraph headline:

Ugg-style boots “damage feet due to lack of support”

It seems that UK podiatrists and chiropadists believe that UGG’s and there omnipresent knock-offs are leading to a rise in the number of people having pain in their feet and knees.

According to Dr. Drysdale, because the foot does not get the proper support on the inside, it will lead to more ankle, knee, hip and back problems. He goes on to say, “These boots are not designed for outside wear. Just because something becomes a trend or fashionable doesn’t mean it’s good or right.”

Amen (non-religiously, of course) to that.

What it comes down to is that this style of UGG boot is basically a glorified slipper—like someone took some classic slip-on Isotoners added some more fluff and a high-top and voila! Used to be you wore something like this indoors when relaxing and where you only walk in 10-yard stretches at a time. Secondary purpose: Merry Christmas, Grandma!

Dr. Drysdale explains in the article that young teenage girls’ bones are “plastic”—in that they are developing when they are growing. He states that “If that structure is developing in an inappropriate way, then the ultimate structure will be deformed.” Ouch.

Backing up Dr. Drysdale is Mike O’Neill, a consultant podiatric surgeon, who said: “As the foot slides around, you get wear and tear on the joints on the inside of the foot. The ankle is in the wrong position, the thigh bone also changes position, and you get an abnormal movement in the pelvis, which leads to back problems.”

The Telegraph reports that Ugg Australia, who make the designer version of the boots, told The Daily Mirror that their boots are “comfort” rather than “performance footwear” and consumers should be aware of “knockoffs” which lack reinforced heels or insoles in their boots.

And if you’re wondering, hmm, does this mean UGG may be (switch to whisper here) liable for any foot ills in those who wear them? Well, this story has also been picked up by Dr. Jonathan Turley, legal scholar whose blog is Res Ipsa Loquitur—and as he notes, “It is interesting to see how few product liability actions occur over such allegations. If this is designed as a slipper, the use outside would certainly satisfy foreseeable misuse. However, the lack of support is not viewed as a product defect but a type of open and obvious characteristic.”

So UGGs may be looking a bit more U.G.L.Y. but seems like they’ve got an alibi: caveat emptor.

Tags: Foot Problems, Product Liability, UGG, UGG boots

This was posted on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 12:06 pm and is filed under Defective Products . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.