Are UGGs Out of Style in 2024? The Irish Truth About Slippers in Rain, Mud, and Pub Crawl Weather

When the rain starts drumming on the rooftops of Galway and the wind howls down O’Connell Street, what do most Irish people reach for? Not designer boots. Not trendy sneakers. It’s the soft, fuzzy, sheepskin-lined slippers-UGGs. But here’s the real question: in 2024, are UGGs still a staple in Ireland’s damp, chilly, and utterly practical footwear culture-or have they become a relic of 2010s fashion memes?

UGGs in Ireland: More Than a Trend, a Survival Tool

In Ireland, footwear isn’t about looking good-it’s about staying dry, warm, and upright. The average annual rainfall in Galway is over 1,200mm. That’s more than double London’s. The ground doesn’t just get wet-it turns into a sea of clay and puddles that cling to your shoes like glue. UGGs, with their thick sheepskin lining and cushioned soles, aren’t just cozy-they’re functional. You slip them on after a long day at the office in Cork, walk to the corner shop for bread and Guinness, and then head back to a house where the central heating is a suggestion, not a guarantee.

Forget the Instagram influencers telling you UGGs are "so last decade." In Ireland, they’re still sold out every October at Dunnes Stores, SuperValu’s footwear section, and local shops like Claddagh Footwear in Galway City. You’ll see them on nurses leaving the University Hospital Galway, on students from NUI Galway trudging through the rain to the library, and on grandmothers in Tipperary who swear by them for keeping their feet warm during morning mass.

Why UGGs Survived When Other Trends Died

UGGs didn’t survive because they were trendy. They survived because they solved a problem no other slipper could: warmth without bulk. In 2024, you can buy a pair of waterproof wool-lined slippers from Clarks or Bally for €80, but they don’t have the same cloud-like comfort. UGGs, even the basic Classic Short, cost around €120-but they last three winters if you treat them right. And in Ireland, that’s not expensive. It’s smart.

Compare that to the latest "athleisure" slippers with neon soles and mesh uppers. They look great in Dublin’s Temple Bar on a sunny afternoon. But try walking from your house in Limerick to the bus stop in November with those on. You’ll be soaked by the time you reach the stop, and your toes will feel like ice cubes. UGGs? They wick moisture, trap heat, and don’t slip on wet flagstones.

The Irish Twist: UGGs as Everyday Uniform

Here’s something you won’t see in New York or Los Angeles: Irish people wear UGGs to the grocery store, the post office, the local pub, and even to casual Friday at work. There’s no shame in it. In fact, it’s a badge of honor. If you show up to a community meeting in Ballina with UGGs on, people won’t judge-they’ll nod and say, "Ah, you know how it is."

This isn’t just about fashion. It’s about cultural pragmatism. The Irish don’t care if your shoes are "on trend." They care if they keep your feet dry during a sudden downpour while you’re waiting for the 45 bus to Athenry. UGGs fit that bill perfectly. You can even find them in Irish-made versions now, like the Irish Sheepskin Slippers from Galway Wool & Leather, which use wool from Connemara sheep and are stitched by hand in Sligo.

Are UGGs Out of Style? Here’s What the Data Says

Let’s cut through the noise. Google Trends data for Ireland shows that searches for "UGG slippers" have stayed steady since 2020, with spikes every September and January-right before winter hits. Sales at Boots Ireland and Debenhams (before its closure) consistently ranked UGGs as the top-selling slipper category in 2023. Even online retailers like IrishShop.ie report that UGGs are their most returned item… not because people hate them, but because they buy two pairs-one for home, one for the car.

And let’s not forget the secondary market. Facebook Marketplace in Cork and Donegal is flooded with secondhand UGGs. People sell them because they’ve worn them out-not because they’re embarrassed to be seen in them. A pair of lightly used UGGs in size 8 sells for €35 to €50. That’s cheaper than a decent pair of waterproof boots, and just as warm.

What’s Replacing UGGs? Not Much.

Some people swear by Dr. Martens slippers or Keen indoor-outdoor footwear. But they’re heavier, less breathable, and cost more. Others try the "premium wool slipper" trend from brands like Sheepdog or Merino Wool Co. But these lack the cushioning that makes UGGs feel like walking on clouds after a long shift at a Dublin call center.

Even the rise of eco-conscious fashion hasn’t killed UGGs. The brand has responded with a Recycled Wool Collection made from post-consumer sheep wool-perfect for Ireland’s growing sustainability-minded crowd. You can now buy UGGs in Ireland that are 80% recycled, with biodegradable soles, and still keep the same comfort. That’s not trend-chasing. That’s evolution.

Who Still Wears UGGs in Ireland? Everyone.

Here’s a quick snapshot of who’s wearing UGGs in Ireland right now:

• Students at Trinity College Dublin-on their way from the library to the canteen, no shoes allowed indoors.
• Teachers in rural primary schools-where the floors are cold, and the radiators are broken.
• Healthcare workers at Cork University Hospital-on their feet for 12 hours, then collapsing into UGGs at home.
• Retirees in Waterford-wearing them to the local bingo hall, because "my feet are old, and I don’t need to impress anyone."
• Expats from warmer countries-bought their first pair after their third winter here and now refuse to leave without them.

There’s no demographic that’s "too cool" for UGGs in Ireland. The only people who don’t wear them are tourists who bought them as a joke souvenir and then left them in the closet.

How to Make UGGs Work for You in Ireland

If you’re thinking of buying UGGs-or you’ve got a pair gathering dust-here’s how to make them last and look right in the Irish context:

1. Buy the Classic Short-not the boot. It’s easier to slip on and off, and you won’t look like you’re trying to be a California surfer.
2. Treat them with a waterproof spray-brands like NIKE Waterproofing Spray or Grangers (made in Scotland, sold everywhere in Ireland) work wonders. Spray them before the first snow.
3. Keep a pair by the door-and another in your car. The Irish don’t walk far without a backup.
4. Pair them with wool socks-not cotton. Cotton holds moisture. Wool wicks it away. Simple.
5. Don’t wear them to the pub if you’re dressed up-but if you’re in jeans and a jumper? Go ahead. No one will blink.

Final Word: UGGs Aren’t Out of Style. They’re Just Real.

In Ireland, style is measured in dry feet, not Instagram likes. UGGs aren’t a fashion statement-they’re a weather response. They’re the footwear equivalent of a warm soda bread fresh out of the oven, or a pint of Guinness served just right. They don’t need to be trendy. They just need to work.

So no, UGGs aren’t out of style in 2024. Not here. Not in the rain, not in the mud, not in the pubs of Doolin or the back lanes of Belfast. They’re still the quiet, reliable, slightly scruffy heroes of Irish footwear. And as long as the Irish weather stays the same, they’ll keep being worn.