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Are your boots damaging your health?

By Lucy Halfhead on Tuesday 16 March 2010

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Ugg Boots

Cheap imitation Ugg boots are crippling a generation of fashion victim women due to the lack of support they provide.

Podiatrists and chiropodists believe the boots, which are particularly popular among teenage girls and young women, are leading to a rise in the number of people suffering pains in their feet and knees.

Dr Ian Drysdale, head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, believes because the foot does not get the proper support on the inside, it will lead to more ankle, knee, hip and back problems.

‘These boots are not designed for outside wear. Just because something becomes a trend or fashionable doesn't mean it's good or right,' he said.

Mike O'Neill, a consultant podiatric surgeon, 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.'

Ugg Australia, who make the designer version of the boots which cost from £150, told The Daily Mirror that their boots are ‘comfort' rather than ‘performance' footwear and consumers should be aware of imitations which lack reinforced heels or insoles in their boots.

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Tuesday 16 March 2010

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25 million Australians would agree...

UGGs are slippers, for scuffing around indoors, not a fashion statement.

Comment by MM on March 16 11:34

I think people may be fooled into believing they are more than just a slipper by their hefty price tag?!
Comment by MR on March 16 12:18

Probably because they are a slipper not a shoe. I can remember when they cost about $50!
Comment by NZ Girl on March 16 13:51

There brilliant version that a company called FitFlop does, i think it is called Inuk or something. It has some sort of super comfy board in it which supports your feet and apparently tones you while you walk. They are the best things I have ever bought and have made this winter bearable.
Comment by GN on March 16 13:52

To be fair though there is a big difference between the support your feet get in the original UGG Australia boots and the UGGS imitations. Whenever I've seen a girl wearing these boots and looking like she's doing her feet more harm then good it's always been in the imitations not the real thing. It's just being sensible at the end of the day - just like wearing stilettos daily is bad for you, so is wearing slipper-type boots.
Comment by Andria on March 16 13:56

I have another reason to avoid wearing UGGs or UGG style boots! I recently tripped on a paving stone as I was walking to work and wearing UGG style boots - you don't pick your feet up properly when you walk and as a result I tripped and fell quite badly on my hands and knee!
Comment by JC on March 16 14:25

Ugg doesn't only produce slippers, the outdoor boots have a proper sole and are very warm (I only wear them when it's snowing).
Comment by AW on March 16 15:02

I have a pair of original uggs and find it uncomfortable even to walk to the corner shop in them. I bought them as slippers and will continue using them as slippers.
Comment by Ceri on March 16 16:01

I have noticed this about these boots in other girls for years. They all walk really badly!
Comment by KM on March 16 16:28

Totally agree...Had a certain chain store version and they made my feet hurt, they collapsed so u are literally walking on the side of the 'boot' and they made my calves and shins ache like hell!!!
Had a pair from a better known chain store and they were miles better..more support...
BUT...they really are no good for your feet and most men would agree...as they hate them..including mine..with a vengeance!!!
Comment by anon on March 16 19:37

Well I'll admit my teenage daughter shuffles round in hers however I don't think she is sustaining anything like the damage to her joints that she would be in sky high stilettos and chunky wedges.
Comment by Sue on March 16 22:20

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