They were first introduced to Californians way back in 1978 when Brian Smith, a surfer, brought a load of sheepskin boots with him from Australia. Brian began to make friends with other surfers and next thing you know they were wearing the sheepskin boots too. I guess the rest of the world figured if Californians are wearing them then they must be the newest fad and the UGG Boot's fame was born! In 1995, the concept was acquired by Deckers Outdoor Corporation and it was Decker that turned the famous boots and UGG name into what it is today.

These days you can find more than boots by UGG. They have a really cool line with casual shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, backpacks, cell phone holders and you can even find pillows. They also carry a Sheepskin Care Kit to make sure your products are always clean and cared for. There are sizes and styles for men, women and children.

One of my latest favorites are flat ballet shoes named The Antoinette's which are made of thin twin-faced sheepskin for a slim and flattering fit and it has a cute little tie. I have it in a leopard print but it is also available in a solid goldish brown. They are very comfortable and also quite appealing.

There are many benefits in purchasing any of these products other than the comfort and warmth. They are very durable and long lasting. They use what is called twin-face sheepskin which is treated on both the fleece side and the skin side making it very soft. This really helps in the dead of winter as the sheepskin helps to keep your feet very close to your body temperature. They should fit you snug as your feet will mold to the sheepskin as you wear them but make sure they are not tight or uncomfortable.

You can find all the styles and products at some of the top stores in the world. I have a feeling the UGG products will be around for at least another few decades and I am sure they will just keep getting more popular. They may be odd but, I love my UGGs.

If your searching for other odd footware try looking for these:

Vibram's Glove Shoe - They sell for between $70-$100 and are allegedly great for all sorts of make believe sports like ChiRunning, Pose Method Running, and Bouldering.

Nike - Shoe Pouch For Nike+iPod Sport Kit. Available in black, red, hot pink, neon green, teal blue, navy blue, purple, and gray, the Shoe Pouch is a waterproof bag that allows you to place the sensor inside and attach to your shoe via its shoe laces. It allows runners and walkers to use the sensor from the Nike+iPod Sport Kit without having to purchase special Nike+ shoes. In addition, the pouch also provides reinforced loops, high-quality neoprene and stitching, and a Velcro strip covering the slit where the sensor is inserted. The Shoe Pouch is priced at US$7.99 each.

Crocs - Really soft, super comfortable, molds to your feet; Barely there, weighing only 6 ounces; Vented so air passes through, keeping feet cool; Non-marking. They also come in a various amount of colors including Fuchsia, pink, purple, red, royal blue, yellow, green and much more. Depending on the type of crocs you get you will be spending different amounts of money!

Their popularity seems to have arisen from the fact that many Hollywood stars both young and old have been seen wearing a pair of Ugg Boots, which obviously comes at a price.

However, if you were to carry out a quick search of the internet you would be able to find yourself a pair at a fraction of the price that you would have to pay for them originally.

One of the first things you must consider when looking to purchase a pair of discounted boots from any website is that the price you are being offered is not to good to be true, be warned you may find yourself actually purchasing a pair of imitation or counterfeit boots instead.

A good way of purchasing a pair of original Ugg boots is to search for after the season sales held by many of the more the reputable sites that have these boots available. By searching for such a discount as this you are more likely to be purchasing a pair of the genuine article rather than a counterfeit.

Also by going to one of the many online stores that now have these boots available at an inexpensive price and will usually inform you if the article being purchased is genuine or an imitation. A number of these sites you will also find actually act as an affiliate for the companies such as "Ugg Australia" who are genuine (this means that they have the right to sell Ugg Boots at their site).

Another way you could possibly obtain a pair of these very desirable boots is by searching an internet auction site, however, again be aware that not all articles being sold on sites such as this are genuine and there is a potential for them to be a counterfeit pair. If unsure about the originality of the boots then I would suggest that you do not purchase them.

Finally, when you decide to purchase your footwear from an internet store or auction site you should look at their returns policy. You do not want to be stuck with a pair of boots that you are not satisfied with as you are unable to return them or receive a refund. Again it would be sensible to check into an internet store or website before you decide to purchase the item to make sure that the seller is reputable.

I hope these guidelines will help you in your decision on where you are going to purchase your Ugg Boots from.