pilarzmom's Full Review: Bearpaw Dream boots for Women
While living in California I never quite understood the Ugg boot craze. But now that I'm a Coloradan I finally get it. Shearling lined boots are comfortable and cozy for those winter months (but I'll still never wear them in summer like some Hollywood types do!). I had a pair of short Uggs with leather ties that I liked and were a bit less "ugly" than the standard Uggs, but I began to tire of the leather laces which never stayed tied. I decided I needed a pair that slipped on easily and didn't need to be tied. Since I'm a bit tighter with my money these days than 3 years ago, I decided this time to look at some of the Ugg knockoff brands. I'm not a teenager and not super brand conscious, so as long as the quality was good, I knew I'd be satisfied. I went with Bearpaw Dream boots and have been very satisfied.
Product Details
Bearpaw Dream boots come in 3 heights: 8, 10, and 12 inch, with a circumference of 15.25 inches. The styling is a bit different than the classic Uggs in that the lug rubber sole is a bit thicker with a deeper tread pattern. It also has a reinforced toe panel, something you don't see in Classic Uggs. I happen to like this toe panel as it makes my size 10 feet appear a bit smaller. However, if you prefer a flatter sole with the styling of classic Uggs, you might want to consider Bearpaw's Eva Boot.
The Dream boot comes in Sand, Black, Chocolate, Hickory, Mist, Gray and Nutmeg suede uppers. It is fully lined with sheepskin shearling that matches the suede. It is available in medium width only, from women's size 5 to 11. I purchased my 10 inch Dream boots at Famous Footwear for $54.
My experiences
I had tried on a number of Ugg knockoff type boots over the course of several days and Bearpaw was my choice for a number of reasons. I had liked Minnetonka's version a lot, as its sheepskin seemed super fluffy and soft, but it didn't fit as well and it was also $30 more. I felt like I was slipping out of the boot every time I took a step. That was not the case with Bearpaw Dream boots. The fit was very good, true to size, and I didn't feel like I was sloshing around in them. Yet they still slip on easily, even from a standing position. I also liked that the Dream boots had a dyed sheepskin lining to match the brown (chocolate) suede. With my original Uggs boots the natural sheepskin got a dirty and didn't look so nice after a year.
One of the reason Ugg boots are so popular with woman is the comfort factor. Dream boots are just as comfortable, either with or without socks. The shearling keeps your feet warm as well as wicking away perspiration. That's why some women wear them year around, although you won't be seeing me do that.
I did spray my boots with a waterproofing spray when I first got them. Although I don't wear these as a snow boot when we have deep snow (like we did this week when the Denver area got 18 inches of snow over a day and a half), I do wear them in slushy conditions where they might get a bit of snow or moisture on the toes. Today I wore them through a few slushy parking lots and my feet felt nice and dry. I think perhaps having the reinforced toe helps as well.
Another benefit of Bearpaw Dream boots is their heavier lug sole. It has a lot of traction and is great on slippery surfaces. My driveway was quite icy this morning and I felt quite secure walking down it in these boots.
I have seen some Ugg knockoffs that don't appear to be well-made, but I haven't seen this with Bearpaw Dream boots. They have double stitching on all seams as well as zig-zag reinforced stitching on the side seams. I've been wearing my boots several times a week for the last month and the sheepskin is holding up very well and not loosing its fluffiness.
If you do prefer to wear your jeans or pants over boots, these may not be a good choice unless you wear a wider pant leg. I typically tuck in my jeans into these boots. Not that I wear skinny jeans (I don't!). But the cut of my jeans is either a slimmer straight leg or "boot" cut (which in this case, doesn't apply to these boots!) and they don't fit nicely over these boots.
Overall rating
I like well-made shoes but I don't like paying a lot for them. That's why Bearpaw Dream boots were a great choice. They may be a knockoff of Ugg's but they offer the comfort and warmth I was looking for, while still proving to be a sturdy boot that should last me several winters. I'm not a teenager with a need to wear a brand-name shoe, so these proved to be a great choice for me. 5 stars.
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