UGG Vs. Koolaburra: What Is Best For You?

Shopping for a new pair of winter boots can be either fun and exciting or terrifying, depending on what you have to deal with. I’ve gone through both types of experiences, and I can honestly say that shopping for UGGs – or at least similar boots – is without a doubt fun and exciting.

Especially when you’ve also got Koolaburra, a brand owned by UGG that sells boots that look identical to the real deal but at half the price.

This detailed comparison looks past the initial similarities and explores the differences in build quality and features of UGG and Koolaburra boots. If you’re not sure which brand to pick for your next pair of winter boots, you should have a clear idea of what’s best for you by the end of this comparison!  

Warmth And Insulation

UGGs are some of the warmest and coziest boots money can buy. If you don’t like the cold and want boots that can keep your feet warm even in sub-zero temperatures, UGG boots are the only way to go. It’s why they’ve managed to stay expensive for so many years – once you’ve tried genuine UGGs, you will keep buying them and you won’t settle for anything less.

The main reason for the insane warmth of genuine UGGs is the wool lining. It’s the best insulator and it’s perfect for footwear because wool is moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and it’s not absorbent. I’ve worn these boots without any socks, and even though they kept my feet toasty warm, they did not get sweaty. That’s also the case with all UGG slippers.

One thing to note is that UGG has recently started to include upcycled wool in their footwear, along with Lyocell material. About 80% of the liner is still done with genuine wool, but they’re slowly incorporating lyocell because it’s a more sustainable material.

Koolaburra boots also have some wool in the liner, but it’s nowhere near as good as the liner in the UGGs. The cheaper brand incorporates a sock liner in their boots made from 80% polyester and 20% wool. In UGGs, it’s the other way around, and the 20% is a natural and sustainable material with properties similar to wool instead of polyester.

Don’t get me wrong, the fuzzy lining inside the Koolaburra boots is still super warm and toasty and performs a lot better than the cheaper lining inside UGG knock-offs and copies. But it’s not as moisture or odor-resistant as wool, and it’s likely your feet will sweat more inside these boots than they would in UGGs.

Insoles And Comfort

The initial comfort you feel when you first put on boots from either UGG or Koolaburra is very similar. Both boots have fully lined insoles for maximum coziness and an EVA midsole for cushioning and support. UGGs are more comfortable in the long run because wool is a much better material for insole lining than faux fur.

Additionally, I expect that Koolaburra shoes will perform very similarly to UGGs, and much better than the cheaper UGG knock-offs. Comfort is really the only area where the difference in performance is minimal, and that includes both the good and bad features of the two brands.

Neither UGGs nor Koolaburras are extremely supportive. They’re not the best brands for people who deal with issues like plantar fasciitis or flat feet and usually require footwear with lots of support. Another thing to note is that neither brand is a good option for people with high arches because they likely won’t be able to get their feet inside most models of the boots.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing is a feature where neither of the two brands excels, so if you’re looking for proper rain boots you’ll have fewer options. Koolaburra has just three waterproof pairs of shoes for women and none for men, plus none of their regular boots are waterproof.

UGG has a wider range of weatherproof footwear, with more than a dozen different options. They make rubber rain boots, hiking boots, and even extreme weather boots with far more rugged outsoles and better stability in harsh conditions.

Also, the regular UGG boots have some water resistance; you’re not supposed to wear them in the rain, but they won’t get completely wet just from the snow and lose their insulating properties.

No matter which boots you end up with, I recommend getting a waterproofing spray and just spraying the boots at the start of the winter season. This will significantly help with water resistance and allow you to tread through ankle-deep snow in both UGGs and Koolaburras without having to deal with wet socks later.

Grip And Traction

UGGs have a proprietary Treadlite outsole that offers some grip and traction, but it’s not the best. As much as I love my boots for their warmth and coziness, I don’t like wearing them if I know that I’ll have to walk on slippery surfaces.

UGGs are fine if you’re treading through sticky fresh snow; the texture on the soles is just right to help you walk through ankle-deep snow, while the uppers protect your legs and ankles from the wet and cold.

However, the rubber on the sole is not at all sticky, so it does nothing on an icy surface. I’ve slipped and fallen a couple of times when I wore UGGs and the ground was frozen, and I’ve only worn my Timberlands since for such conditions. One thing I must point out is that I own the classic UGG boots and have not yet worn any of the brand’s more rugged pairs of boots with better outsoles.

The funny thing is that UGG slippers are the complete opposite of the boots. The outsole on those shoes is so sticky and grippy that I wear them all the time around the house when I have to walk on ceramic tiles and wooden floors.

They stick perfectly to the ground so you can’t slip even if you tried, which honestly just allows you to get around faster and get more things done. If only it were the same with their boots.

Koolaburra shoes are even worse than UGGs when it comes to grip and traction. The vast majority of the brand’s boots feature the same type of outsole. It’s similar to the Treadlite sole in performance, so don’t expect lots of grip and traction on slippery surfaces. The sole on the boots does have lugs for good grip, but it doesn’t offer too much traction on ice.

Also, Koolaburra has fewer all-weather boot options, and those are the only pairs that feature a different type of outsole. With just three options for women’s boots and only one properly rugged outsole (on the Imree boots), you’re better off shopping UGG’s product range if you’re prioritizing grip and traction in your footwear or looking specifically for hiking boots.

Pricing

These two brands are in two different price ranges, and that makes perfect sense if you remember that Koolaburra is owned by UGG. The company priced Koolaburra as the more affordable brand to appeal to people who aren’t willing to spend $200+ on cozy boots, as well as a solid alternative for kids and teenagers who might grow out of the boots pretty fast so it doesn’t make sense to get the more expensive shoes.

Most Koolaburra boots retail for less than $100, whereas UGG boots are usually between $100 and $200, with lots of pairs costing more than $200. UGG boots do have features that can justify that higher price point, like the genuine wool in the lining, the waterproof exterior, and the better soles.

The difference in price mimics the difference in quality, so the choice is obvious. If you want high-quality warm and waterproof boots, go with UGGs. If you want something that’s similar to UGGs but don’t want to pay the premium, Koolaburra boots are the next best thing.

Best Koolaburra Boots

Koola Short

Koola Short is Koolaburra’s take on the model of Classic Short UGGs. They’re extremely similar at first glance, and if it wasn’t for the color differences and the label on the back, I doubt you could tell that these aren’t genuine UGGs just from looking at the photos.

The boots feature a molded EVA midsole and outsole, as well as a fuzzy lining that includes 20% wool. The uppers are made from suede and the outsole is textured with lugs for good grip and traction but it’s nothing amazing.

Victoria Short

If you’re a fan of UGGs, you can immediately tell what this boot is supposed to be. This is the budget-friendly version of the Bailey Boot by UGG; the difference in appearance is minimal, so if you like the style but can’t afford the genuine Bailey boots, the Victoria Short boots are an awesome alternative.

These boots feature a poly-blend sock liner with 20% wool, a molded EVA midsole, and an EVA outsole with some lugs. The boots are not waterproof and they don’t offer the best grip and traction on slippery terrain.

Imree

Imree boots are like a budget version of UGG’s Adirondack boots. They’re the most rugged boots this brand makes, with fuzzy lining, durable leather uppers, and a rugged outsole that offers a lot of grip and traction.

The Imree boots are fully waterproof, so they’re great for both rainy and snowy weather. The faux fur lining will keep you toasty warm, but unlike the genuine Adirondack boots, these aren’t rated for extreme colds and are probably more suitable for mild autumn weather.

Best UGG Boots

UGG Classic Short Boot

The Classic Short Boots by UGG are the brand’s most iconic footwear and the boot everyone thinks of first in relation to UGG. The boots are exceptionally warm and comfortable to wear, and honestly feel like you’re walking around with two clouds strapped to your feet. They’re also water-resistant enough for snow and have an outsole that offers decent traction.

These boots aren’t suitable for very wet weather, and I don’t recommend them for slippery conditions.

UGG Lug

The UGG Lug boots are an interesting option if you’re looking for something more rugged. These boots feature an excellent outsole that offers a lot of grip and traction, making them a solid option for hiking, outdoor adventures, and just walking around on slippery surfaces. These boots are entirely waterproof and they’re great for rainy and wet weather.

However, they don’t feature any of the wool lining that other pairs of UGGs are known for, so they’re not quite as warm. This is more of an autumn boot, whereas the Classic UGGs are just winter boots.

UGG Adirondack

The Adirondack boots combine the best features of all UGG boots. They’ve got waterproof leather uppers with 80% wool lining inside, and an outsole with lots of deep lugs for excellent grip and traction. These boots are rated for -32ºC cold, so they’re absolutely perfect for winter.

Even though they’re entirely waterproof and suitable for rainy weather, they might be just a little too warm for autumn, unless you’re like me and you’ve always got cold feet.

Koolaburra Vs. UGG: What’s Best For You?

What’s it going to be for your next pair of winter boots – Koolaburra or UGG?

If you want the best boots you can buy, it’s got to be UGGs. They’re worth the extra money because they’re so insanely warm and comfortable, plus they’re surprisingly durable. I’ve worn the same pair for about three years now, and they still look almost brand new, with the exception of a small crease around the ankle.

Koolaburra boots are similar to UGGs in design, but the difference in performance is large enough to justify the difference in price. So, if you don’t want to spend too much money on boots, go with Koolaburra, but don’t be disappointed when you realize that you’re not getting premium performance.

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