Bearpaw Boots vs Uggs – What’s The Difference

Bearpaw Boots and Uggs are renowned cold-weather boots, both known for their comfort, style and similarities. Although each brand has its bells and whistles, they’re often confused. There are, however, a few crucial differences—price is one example.

Today, we have a heavyweight show-down of Bearpaw boots vs. Uggs to simplify which is better for you.

The top differences between Bearpaw boots vs Uggs are:

• Price.
• Materials
• Durability.
• Styles available.
• Customer feedback.

 

What Is Bearpaw?

Bearpaw was founded in 2001 by Tom Romeo. The brand’s original purpose was to produce stylish and comfortable sheepskin shoes and boots.

Its flagship line, the Classic Collection, leads the way with its quaint detailing and comfy materials. Soon after, the brand expanded to include more than just comfortable boots. Now it also produces slippers, sandals and accessories, including hats and gloves.

Bearpaw also has a range intended to be more fashion-forward. The Boutique Collection, which includes striking shapes and different colored boots.

Although, the brand’s soft-sole boots remain its most popular line, despite its resemblance to Uggs. We recommend that you check out the Emma Short Snow Boot and Boshie Winter Boot.

 

What Are Bearpaw Boots Made Of?

When it comes to materials, initially, Bearpaw was solely using sheepskin. However, since then, the brand has chosen to include alternatives for customers who aren’t keen about using animal-based shoes and clothes.

Bearpaw now has full lines of vegan footwear. Instead of sheepskin, they include faux microsuede (polyester) and leather. The quality is still fantastic.

For vegan options, we highly suggest looking at the Loki Vegan Suede Slipper and Vegan Elle Short Hickory.

 

What Is Ugg?

The US brand, Ugg, was launched in 1978 in California. From the beginning, Ugg didn’t solely produce footwear—it also manufactured bags, outerwear, among other items. Its sheepskin boots, however, remain its best-sold items, favored for the soft soles and comfy linings.

In the early 2000s, Ugg’s popularity skyrocketed. Oprah Winfrey featured them on her show for the segment, Oprah’s Favorite Things, where she gifted over 300 pairs to audience members and staff.

There are collaborations between Ugg and other famous brands, such as Jimmy Choo and celebrities, like Tom Brady. Several other celebrity names have worn them over the years.

For the best Uggs, we recommend that you look at the Koolaburra by Ugg Women’s Victoria and Men’s Neumel Chukka Boot.

 

Who Is Ugg Australia?

Ugg has been at the center of trademark disputes since its beginnings. The issue surrounds the name Ugg, which is a trademarked brand around the world, except for Australia and New Zealand.

The name Ugg originates from Australia and New Zealand, where it’s a unisex sheepskin boot, lined with fleece and synthetic soles.

Australian surfers wore the original Ugg boots in the 1960s. Fellow surfers from the UK and US brought them overseas, where they began gaining popularity, particularly in surf communities in California.

The term “Ugg” isn’t a creative brand name. Instead, it’s a specific type of boot, which several brands are producing, including Bearpaw.

Ugg, formerly known as Ugg Australia, falls under the California-based Deckers Outdoor Corporation. It’s a registered trademark in 130 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, all EU nations and China. It manufactures its boots and shoes, mostly in China.

 

What Are Uggs Made Of?

Uggs are most famous for its use of high-quality materials, providing both flexibility and stellar comfort. Its boots and shoes consist of leather and grade-A Twinface sheepskin. One example is the Classic Mini Sparkle Women’s Boot.

 

The Twinface sheepskin is put through a long process to get that Uggs consistency and durability. Uggs stresses that all materials derive from reputable sources, upholding the strict animal welfare standards, which you can read more about here.

Currently, unlike Bearpaw, Uggs doesn’t offer any vegan options. All its materials are sourced from animals, except for the insoles and rubber soles.

 

Difference Between Uggs and Bearpaw

Although they look similar, upon further inspection, you’ll see significant differences between the two boots.

Price

Uggs are considerably more expensive than Bearpaw. This is mostly because of the high-end materials and overall craftsmanship of its boots.

That’s not to say that Bearpaw is terrible. This brand has always been directly rivaled to Uggs due to its lower price point, yet outstanding quality. Of course, it isn’t as high-end as Uggs, but that wasn’t its primary goal.

One contributor is the materials Bearpaw utilizes. Although not to the same extent as Uggs, some of its animal-based options are relatively high-end. But the vegan options are considered more budget-friendly.

 

Overall Durability

This is where you’ll get your money’s worth. Uggs products seem to last longer than Bearpaw with regular wear. The most significant difference is when you compare Uggs sheepskin to Bearpaws synthetics. Sheepskin is naturally durable, which human-made fibers can’t keep up with.

 

Styles Available

In terms of who offers the most choice, Bearpaw and Uggs have a few similarities. The traditional Bearpaws came as a pull-on boot, available in various colors, including white, beige, tan and black. Later versions sported more unusual hues, such as green and pink.

Uggs also started by producing pull-on boots but has since ventured into other styles. It now offers everything from sneakers to leather boots, such as the Stockton Combat Boot.

 

It also has a broad color selection. You can find its boots in tones from pink to violet to darker hues, such as navy, burgundy and green.

Besides footwear, Uggs produces accessories, including scarves, jackets, purses, and vests. It even offers clothing and loungewear.

 

Appearance and Texture

Both Uggs and Bearpaw emphasize appearance and texture. Both deliver in this category—followers praise the brands for the softness and good look. There are some differences, though.

Uggs are recognized for comfort and smooth stitching. They’re very light and the soles are soft and bendable.

Bearpaw, however, features visible stitching on its boots and they’re slightly firmer than Uggs. People also tend to suggest that Bearpaw boots hold their shape better than Uggs.

 

Styling

Both Bearpaw and Uggs are designed for use in cold weather—the materials used will keep your feet toasty.

Pairing each with either jeans, leggings or corduroy pants, tucked in, or with bootcut pants can look just fine.

During the early 2000s, the styling of Uggs, in particular, was varied. Some would wear them during summer, paired with a mini skirt where others would go for tights.

 

Customer Feedback

Users often compare these two brands. Customers note that Bearpaw options are heavier and the soles are less pliable than Uggs. On another note, others mentioned that Bearpaw has an additional layer of fleece inside, which increases comfort and warmth.

Although many wearers claim that Bearpaws are just as comfortable as Uggs, some aren’t convinced. Because Uggs are much lighter, they sit well on the feet. The soles are softer, which some dispute makes them more susceptible to wear and tear.

However, the quality of the sheepskin used by Uggs, allow, at least the upper part, to last longer. Overall, wearers are pleased with the interior materials, dubbing them soft and comfortable.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bearpaw and Uggs the Same Company?

Bearpaw and Uggs aren’t from the same company. As we’ve established earlier, Bearpaw was founded by Tom Romeo in 2001, whereas Uggs dates back to 1978.

Their similarities are uncanny, which is probably why many think Bearpaw is just a budget-friendly Uggs. However, they’re manufactured in different places by varying standards and each has its quality materials.

 

Are Uggs Better Than Bearpaw?

When considering all the facts, Uggs does have a slight advantage over Bearpaw in terms of quality. They seem to last significantly longer, which justifies the price tag a bit. Users also tend to prefer the style of Uggs, not to mention the trendy label.

 

Are Uggs Meant to Be Worn With Socks?

Because of the materials used, neither the traditional Uggs or Bearpaw boots should be worn with socks. Quality wool and sheepskin are a natural ventilator and insulator—it contains soft, hollow fibers, which hold an integral role in stabilizing temperatures.

With that said, because many now contain blends of other fibers, socks may be necessary for insulation.

 

Are Uggs and Bearpaw Waterproof?

Uggs and Bearpaw both have waterproof boots. Bearpaw includes a Never-Wet technology in most of its options, which keeps the interior completely dry. It’s a particular treatment, making the exterior resistant to mud stains, water, red wine, soda, among others.

Like Bearpaw, Uggs offer waterproof options, like the Sienna Matte Rain Boot. With others, you may have to waterproof them yourself. We have an in-depth article about the care and waterproofing of Uggs here.

Here’s a demo video showing how Bearpaw’s Never-Wet technology works.

 

Final Thoughts

Bearpaw boots vs Uggs—which is better? As we’ve seen, these two leading winter boots do possess likenesses, yet both also offer contrasting attributes.

Uggs are high-end—utilizing high-grade wool and sheepskin materials. Bearpaw boots also offer sheepskin, albeit at a lower price point. It’s also the only one that offers vegan options, with faux fur and microsuede.

To answer the question, which is better, many like to declare Uggs the clear winner. You get a sturdier boot, both in its soles and upper parts.

We hope you enjoyed reading and found your answer. If you have a favorite, please leave your reply below.