Fake Uggs Will Cripple You: They're "Literally Breaking Your Feet"

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Medical experts are warning that the Ugg-knock-off epidemic is ruining more than the company's brand image—it's ruining women's feet. Low-cost imitations, they say, often do not provide enough support, and they've even coined a term to describe the knock-off-Ugg walk: "The Shuffle."

"Because these boots are warm and soft, young girls think they are giving their feet a break," said Dr. Ian Drysdale, head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. "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."
· How cheap imitation Ugg boots are 'crippling' a generation of fashion victim women [Daily Mail]