Genuine sheepskin boots: how to tell real sheepskin from a fake

What are genuine sheepskin boots?

Genuine sheepskin boots are made from double-face (twin-face) sheepskin: a sheep hide tanned with the wool left on, so the fleece inside and the leather outside are one material. The classic construction is twin-faced sheepskin with the fleece inside and a synthetic sole. Suede with sewn-in fur or fabric with faux pile can also be warm footwear, but it is a different construction.

When people look for “original” sheepskin boots, this is usually what they mean: boots of natural double-face sheepskin rather than an imitation. Double face is not a model name but a type of material: the hide is tanned with the wool left on, and the outer side is finished as smooth leather or a suede-like surface. So it is the material itself you need to check — here is how.

Babylon is a Ukrainian footwear manufacturer with its own factory in Kharkiv, producing since 1997. Its range includes sheepskin boots for women and men made from natural double-face sheepskin and nubuck.

How do you tell real sheepskin from faux fur?

The most reliable test at home is to part the pile near the collar and look at the base. In genuine sheepskin the wool grows out of the hide, so you see dense leather with no threads. Faux fur sits on a woven or knitted fabric backing.

Five more signs you can check in a shop or as soon as the parcel arrives:

1. The pile. Natural wool is slightly crimped, with fibres of different length and thickness. Faux pile is usually uniform, evenly trimmed and a little shiny.
2. How firmly it holds. Gently pull a few fibres: wool in sheepskin holds tight, synthetic fibres come out of a fabric base much more easily.
3. The collar edge. In double face the cut edge is leather and wool in one layer. If you see two layers — an outer material and separately sewn fur — that is a lining, not twin-face sheepskin.
4. The insole. Sheepskin models often have a fur-covered insole. A thin textile insole with a “fur” print is a reason to reread the composition.
5. The label or product page. In the EU, Directive 94/11/EC requires footwear to be labelled with the material of the upper, lining and sole. If there are no pictograms, look for words: “sheepskin”, “natural fur”, “faux fur”.

Double face, fur lining or faux fur: what is the difference?

These are three different constructions. Double face is leather and wool in one layer; “suede or nubuck + natural fur” is two natural materials joined by a seam; “nubuck + faux fur” is a natural upper with a synthetic lining. All three appear in catalogues, including Babylon's.

Faux fur is not a “fake” if the seller states it openly. A fake is synthetic material sold as sheepskin.

Which Babylon boots are made of genuine sheepskin?

Babylon lists the composition of every model on its product page, so double-face sheepskin is easy to find by the words “double face” or “doubleface”. Four examples with different constructions:

• Men's sheepskin boots UGM-1-11 — upper of natural double-face sheep leather, dense sheepskin fur inside, fur-covered insole, 3.5 cm TPR sole with tread. Rated comfortable down to −20 °C.
• Women's sheepskin boots Frost-74 — double-face leather, sheepskin fur, 3.5 cm EVA sole; comfort range on the product page from +5 to −20 °C.
• Women's sheepskin boots UG-1-44 — natural double-face sheepskin: leather and fur are one piece, dense thick fur inside, a light sole and braided laces.
• Women's slip-ons MARY-84 — chocolate natural nubuck with a natural fur lining, hand-assembled.

• NubuckMen's sheepskin boots, down to −20 °C UGM-1-11Heel counter and bottom trim: smooth leather with a nubuck insert; inside: natural dense; insole: fur-covered€133View →
• LeatherWomen's sheepskin boots, down to −20 °C Frost-74Heel counter and decorative tongue insert: genuine leather; inside: dense; insole: fur-covered€115View →
• LeatherWomen's sheepskin boots, down to −20 °C UG-1-44Inside: thick; sole: lightweight; temperature: down to −20 °C€133View →
• NubuckWomen's fur-lined nubuck boots, down to −20 °C MARY-84Lining: natural fur; colour: chocolate; style: slip-ons€115View →

All of these are handmade at Babylon's own factory in Kharkiv.

How to choose sheepskin boots: Babylon models compared

Choose sheepskin boots by three things: what is inside (double-face sheepskin, natural or faux fur), the sole and the construction. For frost, pick sheepskin models whose product pages state a range down to −20 °C; at Babylon, all women’s boots in the Ugg range, fur-lined ones included, are rated down to −20 °C.

Sizes: women’s models 36–41 (Nestle 36–40), men’s 39–45. Each product page has its own “size — foot length” table, so compare your foot with the table of that exact model; step-by-step instructions are on How to choose your size. All models: Women’s Ugg boots and Men’s Ugg boots.

Why does real sheepskin matter in winter?

Double-face sheepskin keeps you warm and still breathes: the wool traps warm air and absorbs some of the moisture from your feet. Feet sweat less, so they get cold less when you walk for a long time in frost.

The second reason is durability. Fur in double face cannot peel off or slide, because it grows from the hide; faux pile on fabric tends to mat and pill over time.

Sheepskin is ruined by radiators, not by frost. Let wet boots dry naturally, away from heat and direct sun — that's what the care notes for every one of our models say.

The third is size. Almost every Babylon model is made on its own last, so every product page has its own “size — foot length” table. See “How to measure your foot at home” for the method.

How to avoid mistakes when buying sheepskin boots online?

You cannot touch the pile online, so judge by what the seller is willing to state and show. An honest product page names the material of the upper, lining, insole and sole, and the photos show the collar from the inside.

• No vague words. “Eco fur”, “microfibre” or just “fur” — ask whether it is natural.
• Inside photos. Look for a close-up of the collar edge and the insole.
• Returns. Babylon accepts international returns and exchanges within 30 days of delivery, so you can inspect the pair at home.
• Price. Double-face sheepskin is an expensive material. A very low price for “genuine sheepskin” is a reason to check the composition twice.

For the difference between real leather and synthetic alternatives, read “Genuine leather or faux leather”.

How do I order Babylon sheepskin boots from abroad?

Babylon ships worldwide for free from Kharkiv, Ukraine; delivery takes about 14–20 days depending on the country, and local import duties, if any, are paid by the recipient. International returns and exchanges are accepted within 30 days of delivery, and every pair has a 30-day warranty. In Ukraine you can try the boots on in showrooms in Kharkiv (128 Sumska St, 50/52 Pushkinska St) and Kyiv (18 Pavlivska St).

Browse sheepskin boots for women and men, or go straight to women's and men's models.

Babylon winter range: women’s winter footwear, men’s winter footwear, Ugg boots, women’s boots and men’s winter boots.