14 DAY TRIAL // At a first glance, flat-soled shoes, like the incredibly popular Uggs and the ballerina shoes, seem to be the most comfortable options women are currently offered, especially if compared to the 4-inch stilettos available in most stores. However, podiatrists continue to warn, if their design is not appropriate, they can do even more damage than their high-heeled counterparts – and this also applies to cheaper, counterfeit Uggs, the Daily Mail says.
Uggs Australia are undoubtedly immensely popular, despite being repeatedly rubbished by fashion critics as the ugliest invention ever to see the light of day, right up there with Crocs. Nevertheless, these sheepskin boots are very comfy and warm, which has made them a favorite with countless Hollywood stars, both female and male, but also with millions of people around the world – if they afford to spend over $220 for a pair of shoes. They’re well made and, most importantly, they offer proper support for the feet so that the gait is not altered.
The same doesn’t apply to the imitations that have sprung out of nowhere and conquered the hearts of (mostly female) customers. “Kock-off versions of the designer boots are crippling a generation of young women, ‘literally breaking’ their feet. With just six months of wear women could saddle themselves with a lifetime of foot deformities, backache and pain in their feet. And a phrase has even been coined for the gait of devoted wearers – the Ugg ‘shuffle’ – which describes the lopsided, pigeon-toed way in which cheap versions of the boots force women to walk. Top brand Ugg Australia boots, which cost from £150, are worn by celebrities including Kate Moss and Cameron Diaz, sparking a craze for the flat, furry generic boots. But low-cost imitations often provide inadequate foot support,” the Mail writes after speaking to concerned podiatrists.
When they’re worn by young women, knock-off Uggs are even more dangerous. “Because these boots are warm and soft, young girls think they are giving their feet a break. In fact, they are literally breaking their feet. Their feet are slipping around inside. With each step, the force falls towards the inside of the foot and the feet splay. This flattens the Arch and makes it drop. The result can be significant problems with the foot, the ankle, and ultimately, the hip,” Dr. Ian Drysdale, head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, says for the publication.
So, while telling themselves that they’re doing their feet a favor by not walking in high heels, the women of today are actually doing more damage – and they’re not even aware of it. The number of female patients complaining of back pain, toe deformities and feet pain has increased considerably in the UK in the past months, which is why experts deem it necessary to inform potential customers of the dangers that come with Uggs knock-offs.