Footwear FAQ

  • How do I know if I have the correct size?

    Sheepskin is one of those unusual materials of which there is no equivalent. Most people know that leather shoes stretch, well with sheepskin shoes this happens even more so. A good fit means the shoe is nice and firm - almost to the point of being a little uncomfortable due to the fact that they will stretch.

    Another key factor is that the wool compresses with your weight and contours to the shape of your feet. Note: it is best to try uggs on without socks ie. Barefooted As we do not do half sizes, we prefer that you opt to go down to the nearest whole size for a really nice snug fit rather than go up to the nearest whole size for loose fit.

    If you buy sheepskin footwear too big and comfortable to start off with, you will find that as they stretch and loosen, you will slip in them. This will reduce the life of them because you will rub the wool of the skin more quickly and put added pressure on the skin as you slide around. So it is always better to buy a nice snug fit.

    A good rule of thumb is that if you place your bare foot on the bottom of the sole (outer side) with your heel lined up with the heel of the boot and there is 2.5 to 3cm (say 1 and a 1/4 inch) between the end of your big toe and the front end of the sole then these are perfect. Any more than that and they will be quite roomy once the wool has flattened and the skin has stretched. Do not add any extra to your length to make any allowance for the density in the wool pile, this is done during the design of sheepskin footwear before manufacture to ensure easy sizing and accurate fitting.

  • Does any brand of sheepskin footwear stretch?

    Absolutely! Sheepskin is the softest of all leather and we all know that ordinary leather shoes stretch, so too and even more does sheepskin. There are however, some brands that will definitely stretch far more so than others. This is quite simply to do with the grading of sheepskins. Like wool is classed, sheepskins are graded for their strength, durability, wool quality, density, thickness of pelt etc.

    Generally lower graded sheepskins are thinner in the pelt and will stretch much more so. These are to be avoided as these skins can tear more easily. All our sheepskins, for all our products, are of the highest grade available, to maximise the life of the product, to give the most comfort, look and feel the most luxurious and make our customers, customers for life!

  • Are Ugg boots waterproof?

    No. Genuine sheepskin footwear is not waterproof, however is somewhat water resistant. It takes a fair bit of moisture to penetrate through the skin and then through to the wool. Only footwear with an outer layer of a waterproof material are almost waterproof and quite often these are not lined with genuine sheepskin but a woollen look-a-like.

    You should spray the sheepskin with a leather and suede water repellent to help prevent penetration of moisture and stains. Apply 2 coats of repellent when boots are new and again after they have been wet (and dried). I

  • Can I wear ugg boots hiking, camping or in the bush?

    Once again, sheepskin is a soft leather. Hiking through rough terrain increases the risk of twigs, branches, sharp rocks, etc. catching the soft leather and potentially tearing it. Regardless of the type of sole on them, the soft leather can still be torn if enough force is applied.

  • How long will the uggs and slippers last?

    This is a hard question to answer given that every person wears shoes out differently. It depends on your environment, how often you wear them and where you wear them, your physical characteristics, your care of them, and so on. Some people can wear the same pair for 10 years whilst others need a new pair every year. Your sheepskin footwear is a vulnerable leather so treat them as such and be aware that they can tear if caught on snares, for example is the most common tear that we see been caused by a screen door.

    The best analogy we can give is under normal conditions a set of car tyres can last 40,000 kms. It doesn’t matter if 40,000 kms is travelled in 3 months or 3 years, 40,000 kms is still 40,000 kms. And a non-walking (wheelchair bound for example) person’s ugg boots will last considerably longer showing less signs of wear just like a vehicle in a museum will never need new tyres.

    Some tips to prolong the life of your sheepskin footwear are:

    • Avoid wet grass, wet snow, mud and excessive wetness.
    • Allow to dry fully before wearing again. No matter what any retailer or manufacturer tells you, frequently wet ugg boots will deteriorate more quickly and the soles can tear away from the uppers.
    • Don't play sport in them (cards with friends okay),
    • Don't work in them (unless desk, computer work), and no gardening, watering in them!
    • Limit wearing to sealed dry surfaces or hard dry ground.
    • Remove using your hands, not toe to heel, to avoid tearing the sole away from the upper with this repetitive action.
    • Please check those toe nails and keep them short so as not to cut thru the sheepskin with your nails resulting in a toe blow-out.

    It’s ok to wear your ugg boots anywhere and everywhere if you accept the fact that you may need to replace them more often than the next person that only wears them mornings and evenings indoors.

    Keep out of your dog's reach because dogs love to chew them. If you get hot in them, take them off because you will sweat and no ugg boots are suitable for summer wear. Avoid transferring smells from other shoes by placing clean dry feet only into your sheepskin footwear. Always buy sheepskin footwear in the correct size, both too loose and too tight can cause toe blow-outs (holes caused from toes). Store ugg boots away from a damp rid product as the natural moisture will be soaked out of your boots and your boots will shrivel up. Store ugg boots in a low humidity area as humidity can cause TPR soles to crack. And most importantly, don't wear socks with them if you live in milder areas of Australia, socks really aren’t needed and could cause overheating and sweaty smelly feet.

    Be kind to your sheepskins, is a luxurious but vulnerable leather.

  • Why shouldn't I wear socks with my ugg boots?

    Most of Australia's cities day time winter climate does not get cold enough to warrant wearing socks. Socks can cause overheating and inhibit the sheepskin's ability to breathe. As you overheat the sheepskin does its job well helping you to stay warm and dry however by doing so it retains the heat and moisture (from sweat) in the sheepskin and mostly within the innersole. This retention and the inhibiting to breathe are what causes the smells but also can cause mould and rot to form between the innersole and the outer sole. You won't be able to see this until the innersole deteriorates and the outer sole comes way from the upper.

  • How do I keep my uggs and slippers clean?

    Apply 2 coats of a leather and suede water repellent such as UGG Water Repellent or Waproo Suede and Leather Water Repellent after purchase and before first wearing. This helps to keep dirt and grime to a minimum as well as helping to waterproof the sheepskin. Be aware though, that once your footwear gets wet, you need to reapply another coat after they have dried.

    You can hand wash your sheepskin footwear - but do it carefully. We recommend sheepskin shampoo and conditioner as it washes the wool and conditions the skin, in cold to lukewarm water. Do not soak or fully submerse your boots, and use a soft brush or sponge in the washing process. If you do however soak your boots, place them in your washing machine on a spin cycle for a few minutes to get rid of excess water. Place boots in the shade to dry away from direct heat sources such as sun, fire or heaters, as any form of heat will shrink the sheepskin. NB: Colours may fade or run especially the darker dyes. You will notice once the footwear has dried that they have shrunk slightly but this is normal. After wearing them again, they will go back to the normal warm and comfortable state that you love so much.

    If you find you have a grease stain on your uggs, try rubbing some white chalk over the stain and leaving for a few minutes. Then, using the bottom of your hand or thumb, gently rub the stain. Repeat this a few times until the stain has disappeared. Remember: prevention is always better and easier than the cure! A quick and easy way to spot clean your uggs is using a suede shampoo/foam and a soft brush or sponge on the outer. Brush gently so as to not remove colour or dyes, in small circular motions and wipe away with clean dry towel. Re-apply water repellent. Baby powder rubbed through the wool will absorb odours and moisture, shake or vacuum excess out. If uggs become wet, do not place in a dryer, oven or microwave. Yes! this has actually been done before and the outcome was not pleasant! Machine washing is not recommended and therefore done so at your own risk.

  • How do I remove mould from my UGG Boots and Slippers?

    Use a mixed of half vinegar and half water with a teaspoon each of detergent and tea tree oil into a spray bottle, shake well and then spray the boots all over, inside and out, so both skin and wool are wet. Set them aside to dry fully, no direct heat source. Once dry, use a damp cloth or a baby wipe to remove any visible mould on the skin (outside) and vacuum, or brush and shake, the wool (inside).

    If the above method of removing the mould hasn't been successful or the mould smell remains, washing may be the only option now. If you do decide to wash your UGG boots you can do so in the washing machine on a wool cycle and lukewarm water, but it is very important to only use Woolskin sheepskin shampoo and conditioner as regular detergents including wool wash can damage the skin. Remove innersoles if they are able to be pulled out, and place in a delicate’s laundry bag and wash with your UGG boots. Spin on high and then allow your UGG boots and innersoles to dry fully, both away from any direct heat source including the sun.

    The Woolskin contains tea tree oil which is an anti-bacterial. Here is a link to the sheepskin wash https://www.mortels.com.au/products/woolwash-shampoo or https://www.mortels.com.au/products/ugg-boot-care-kit which also contains a protectant spray after you have washed and dried. This protectant spray has anti-mould properties as well as being a water and stain guard.

     

  • Are the dyes colourfast?

    Like any strongly dyed fabrics you will experience colour lost and over time fading of colours. Footwear made from BLACK or DARK COLOURED sheepskins should not be worn over light coloured clothing or socks as the dye from the wool may migrate onto fabrics. Any persons with a skin condition should not wear BLACK or DARK COLOURED sheepskin footwear as the dye may migrate and irritate the skin. Skin irritation from dye migration is extremely rare but best avoid dark coloured footwear if you have experienced dye irritations in the past.

    Dye migration onto the skin from BLACK wool is extremely common. BLACK or DARK COLOURED sheepskins should not be allowed any contact with household furnishings or fabrics such as carpets or lounges and BLACK or DARK COLOURED sheepskins should never be put into contact with leather furnishings such as lounges or ottomans as the dye from the hide may transfer onto these fabrics. Dye migration or transfer may last weeks, months, or years and the amount of migration will vary considerably from one wearer to the next.

    The manufacturer shall not be liable for any damage arising from the use of footwear not in accordance with the given instructions. NB. Dye migration is not a manufacturing or material defect and we will not exchange or accept return of footwear if not in original new condition.

  • Do you give any warranty on footwear?

    We stand by our products and offer a total quality guarantee. Our products will be free from any material defects or faulty workmanship however if a defect manages to slip thru undetected prior to sale, this defect will become apparent within 90 days and you will receive 100% of the purchase price by either an exchange or refund. Wear and tear is not covered by guarantee.

    Fading and colour changes in sheepskin and wool are not a manufacturing or material defect and therefore excluded from our warranty. Variations in colour and texture in sheepskins or its wool should not be regarded as a fault ... these are unique traits of a natural product. Should you experience a problem with your footwear within 90 days of purchase and need to return your order, please follow the directions given once you have contacted us.

    Please note that if returned footwear is found not to be defective in either manufacturing or materials but rather have symptoms of wear, then you will be required to pay for return of product to yourself. Some wear and tear issues not covered by our footwear warranty, regardless of the age of the footwear, include but not limited to: physical characteristics (uggies are not supportive footwear) toe blow-outs (holes in the toe area), mouldy/rotten footwear, stretched (as they will stretch), intentional or accidental damage, and a complete trashing over a wild weekend or similar. NB. Warranty becomes void (regardless of the age of the footwear) if footwear is not worn or kept in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations as per our care and cleaning information.

  • What is your return policy?

    We are happy to exchange size, colour or style on the basis that the returned item is in original new condition accompanied with proof of purchase. Please contact us before returning items to ensure we have what you require. Additional cost may apply if changing to a different style or size. Returned postage is at your cost.

    Should you need to exchange you order, within 14 days of receiving it, please follow the directions given once you have contacted us. Footwear returned to us must be in original new condition. If we are not able to accept the returned footwear for exchange based upon "worn", "stretched" or "stains", then the footwear will be return to you at your cost. Sorry, we cannot exchange "worn" or "stretched" footwear or after "wear and tear".

Mortels, since 1958.
Proudly Australian owned, grown and made ... Naturally!

Learn More