| There are Sheepskin Boots and then there are | | | | which removes any remaining dirt and fat |
| "sheepskin boots!"One only has to type | | | | after which the skin is pickled in a pre-tan |
| "sheepskin boots" into any major search | | | | bath - this expands the skin and turns it |
| engine to be inundated with what seems like | | | | into leather. The skin is then refleshed to |
| hundreds of retailers - all of whom are only | | | | clean the leather one more time before the |
| too anxious to relieve you of your hard | | | | final tanning process where tanning agents |
| earned cash in return for a pair of sheepskin | | | | are added to allow the skin to become |
| boots. But with so many different brands to | | | | washable and heat stable. The skin is then |
| choose from how do you know you are making | | | | tested for shrinkage, put through a sammy |
| the right choice? There seems to be every | | | | machine which presses out the excess moisture |
| type of boot on offer, in every price bracket | | | | and improves the skin's shape, dried again, |
| - from those costing as little as a few | | | | then dry cleaned with white spirit before |
| pounds all the way up to the top branded | | | | being spun and hung out to dry. The next |
| makes costing a few hundred pounds per pair. | | | | step is to dye the skin in a bath of dye to |
| How can you be sure that you are getting | | | | which has been added acids which allow the |
| value for your money and does quality really | | | | dye to fix to the wool fibres, then the skin |
| matter when buying a pair of sheepskin | | | | is given a final rinse, sammied and hung once |
| boots?To answer these questions we need to | | | | again to dry. Once dry the skin is buffed to |
| start at the very beginning of the sheepskin | | | | clean the |
| boot making process - that is we need to | | | | |
| start | | | | back and improve the appearance and the wool |
| | | | is combed and sheared to a uniform length. |
| with the sheep!The Sheep | | | | The combing and shearing process |
| | | | |
| High quality sheepskin boot manufacturers | | | | can be repeated many times until the desired |
| use the skins from Merino sheep which are | | | | effect is reached. Then, and only then, are |
| universally regarded as providing the best | | | | the sheepskins ready to be made into |
| quality wool and skins. The Australian | | | | |
| geography and environmental conditions are | | | | boots!Are Man Made Alternatives Better? |
| uniquely suited to rearing Merino sheep of | | | | |
| the highest quality and this is why the best | | | | Man is a competitive beast and likes nothing |
| sheepskin boots are made using only genuine | | | | more than trying to go one better than mother |
| Australian Merino sheepskins. The hides from | | | | nature by tinkering with her treasures and |
| Merino sheep tend to be thicker and more | | | | trying to improve them. Indeed there are |
| durable and the wool itself is very dense | | | | many occasions when man-made fabrics make for |
| with excellent shape retaining properties. | | | | a much better product than anything found in |
| They therefore lend themselves very well to | | | | the natural world. Take ski wear for example |
| the manufacture of boots with their ability | | | | - the massive strides made in the manufacture |
| to endure wear and tear whilst at the same | | | | of lightweight, breathable yet waterproof |
| time keeping their shape and good looks for | | | | clothing has revolutionised the ski wear |
| many years.Sheepskin, also known as shearling | | | | market. Now you can stay out all day in |
| fleece, is actually a fur - it has leather | | | | layers of moisture wicking undergarments, |
| skin on one side and wool fur on the other. | | | | lightweight fleece sweaters, and Gore Tex |
| The sheepskin wool is embedded into the | | | | coats and pants which have been specially |
| leather and because it is attached to the | | | | designed to keep you warm, dry and |
| skin real sheepskin does not shed, pull out | | | | comfortable no matter what the weather or how |
| or wear off. Sheepskin wool is soft, | | | | many times you fall over!However, Man does |
| resilient and naturally thermostatic - the | | | | not always know best! Especially when it |
| wool fibres are hollow and capable of | | | | comes to sheepskin boots! Cheaper types of |
| absorbing up to 30% of their own weight in | | | | sheepskin boots |
| moisture without feeling wet to the touch. | | | | |
| The fibres wick moisture away, enabling it to | | | | are made using a layer of wool or synthetic |
| evaporate through the leather outer and this | | | | fleece material which has been glued onto pig |
| natural "breathing" ability ensures that your | | | | or cow hide. This is then brushed up and is |
| feet remain comfortable and dry whatever the | | | | often loose enough to be pulled away from the |
| weather.Similarly during | | | | backing which enables it to wear away when |
| | | | the boots are worn. This synthetic sheepskin |
| cold weather the sheepskin fibres trap the | | | | does not breathe and results in the |
| heat of your body inside the boot thereby | | | | unpleasant sweaty feet problem of cheap |
| providing excellent insulation whilst at the | | | | boots. It is impossible to copy |
| same time the free flow of air between your | | | | synthetically the astounding list of natural |
| feet and the sheepskin eliminates any | | | | qualities found in real sheepskin but |
| clamminess.Real sheepskin has many wonderful | | | | unfortunately these cheap boots are often |
| properties. For example did you know that it | | | | marketed as "Sheepskin Boots".So as you can |
| is non-static, flame resistant, wind proof | | | | see real sheepskin is a marvellous product - |
| and that the leather side is naturally water | | | | just ask any sheep! Don't accept pale |
| resistant? It also drapes beautifully and | | | | imitations - insist on high quality sheepskin |
| will return to its constituent shape - this | | | | boots and they will be an investment which |
| means that over time your sheepskin boots | | | | you can enjoy year after year. Manufacturers |
| will mould themselves to the shape of your | | | | of quality sheepskin boots will be happy to |
| foot offering you a customised fit. And as | | | | tell you where their sheepskins come from - |
| if that were not enough, the high naturally | | | | it is only the man-made sheepskin boot |
| occurring lanolin content in the wool acts as | | | | manufacturers who will be evasive with this |
| a moisturiser so you can even moisturise your | | | | information.So, Bottom Line?Yes! Quality does |
| feet as you walk!The Making of the Boot | | | | matter when buying sheepskin boots. You |
| | | | don't have to buy the most expensive make of |
| Another factor to consider when choosing | | | | boot but you do need to be sure of where the |
| sheepskin boots is the actual process of | | | | makers got their sheepskins from. If you |
| converting a sheep's skin into a workable | | | | want real quality and value for money then |
| boot | | | | invest in a pair of boots made from genuine |
| | | | Australian Merino sheepskin and you will be |
| making material. This is a much more | | | | able to enjoy them for many years to |
| involved process than most people realise! | | | | come.(c)2005. Sue Madelin is the owner of The |
| First the sheepskin has to be trimmed and | | | | Snug Stop, purveyor of finest quality |
| | | | Australian Merino sheepskin boots, and a huge |
| washed to remove the dirt. It is then put | | | | fan of her many pairs of Warmbat sheepskin |
| through a fleshing machine which cuts off the | | | | boots. |
| flesh and fat. Next stop is a detergent bath | | | | |