Are Soft Sheepskin Boots Hard on Your Feet?

Sheepskin boots may be warm, cozy and oh-so-adorable, but behind that comfy cuteness lies this cold, hard fact: The popular footwear can be brutal on your feet.

The fashionable boots typically offer zilch when it comes to arch support, which can bring both temporary pain and long-term consequences. And that fuzzy lining? It’s the perfect environment for … well, some pretty gross stuff.

So, before you decide to make shearling boots your everyday footwear, let’s have a healthy chat with podiatrist Nicole Nicolosi, DPM.

Sheepskin boots and arch support

If you peek inside a pair of sheepskin boots, you’ll notice something about the insole: “It’s usually completely flat without any sort of structural support for the arch of your foot,” says Dr. Nicolosi.

So, why is it important to give your arches some assistance? Basically, because they’re doing a lot of work. Your arches distribute pressure evenly across your feet to keep you upright and moving. They provide flexibility, strength and stabilization.

“Giving your arches support is important for the proper alignment of your feet,” explains Dr. Nicolosi. “If the support isn’t there, that can result in altered mechanics as you walk around.”

And if your gait is off day after day after day, there can be serious consequences.

“I give the analogy of a car,” says Dr. Nicolosi. “If your car is out of alignment, you get more wear on certain tires. It’s the same with your feet. If they’re out of alignment, you get more wear in certain joints.”

In the short-term, that can lead to aches in your ankles, knees, hips and back. Long-term, it can result in arthritis. (Issues tend to be worse if you have flat feet, too.)

Solution: Consider shoe inserts

If footwear doesn’t come with arch support, you can add your own. Placing orthotic inserts inside of your sheepskin boots can provide some stability for your feet where little existed, says Dr. Nicolosi.

That extra bit of support can help you avoid a rolled-ankle walking style labeled the “UGG® shuffle” after one of the more popular shearling boot brands.

An added bonus, too: Inserts add cushion beneath your feet to absorb the shock of each step.

Basic orthotic inserts can be purchased online or at various stores for as little as $25. Prescription orthotics customized to match the specific contours of your feet also are a pricier option.

Bacteria growth in shearling boots

Toes and feet certainly love the toasty feeling offered by shearling boots. Unfortunately, bacteria and fungi are pretty fond of it, too.

Sweaty feet tucked into the fuzzy interior of sheepskin boots create ideal conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow and thrive, notes Dr. Nicolosi. That can lead to you getting infections and rashes such as:

• Athlete’s foot.
• Dermatitis.
• Toenail fungus.

Another result? “Bacteria lets you know it’s there by an odor,” says Dr. Nicolosi. “So your boots may end up smelling pretty bad.”

Solution: Wear socks and disinfect

Sheepskin boots are soooo soft and comfortable that you may be tempted just to stick your bare foot inside. Resist the urge, says Dr. Nicolosi. “Wearing socks can help limit your exposure to any bacteria in the boots.”

Regular cleaning of your boots can keep them fresh and bacteria-free, too.

Tips for wearing sheepskin boots

So, it’s pretty clear that there are a few potential health issues when it comes to wearing shearling boots. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave your UGG®, Bearpaw®, Emu® or other fashionable fuzzy boots in the back of your closet.

“They shouldn’t be your choice for daily footwear,” says Dr. Nicolosi, “but that doesn’t mean you can never wear them.”

So, if you simply love the look of sheepskin boots, try to:

• Avoid wearing them on consecutive days. Limiting your time in the boots will help limit stress on your feet and allow the inside of the boots to dry out between wears.
• Not wear them for long walks or hikes. Sheepskin boots are hardly high-performance footwear. Don’t plan on putting in miles with them on your feet.
• Keep them dry. Getting the boots soaked with rain or snow creates damp conditions beloved by bacteria. If they do get wet, allow the boots to dry thoroughly before wearing them again. A quick cleaning isn’t a bad idea in that situation, either.

To hear more from Dr. Nicolosi on this topic, listen to the Health Essentials Podcast episode, “Talking Foot Health and Shoes.” New episodes of the Health Essentials Podcast are available every Wednesday.