Genuine sheepskin boots aren't one product — they're a family of styles built around the same core idea: a twin-faced sheepskin upper, warm enough for winter and comfortable enough to wear all day. The right pair for you depends on the height, the sole, and how wide through the calf you need. Here's how to choose, size and look after them.
Table of Contents
- What Makes Genuine Sheepskin Boots Different
- Sheepskin Boot Styles Explained
- Choosing the Right Sole
- Getting the Sizing Right
- Sheepskin Boots for Women and Men
- Caring for and Protecting Your Boots
- Sheepskin Boots from Kiwi Sheepskins
- FAQ: Sheepskin Boots Questions Answered
- Conclusion
What Makes Genuine Sheepskin Boots Different
Genuine sheepskin boots use twin-faced sheepskin — a single skin tanned so the outer side finishes as soft suede and the inner keeps its natural, shorn wool pile, typically around 1.6cm (5/8 inch) thick. That's different from boots that are only wool-lined or use a synthetic fleece insert, which is common with cheaper imports.
Key takeaway: if a listing just says "sheepskin" without specifying twin-faced or double-faced sheepskin, it may only be lined rather than made from a genuine pelt — worth asking before you buy.
All our boots are handmade in Auckland, New Zealand, by a single manufacturer we've worked with for two decades, which is also why sizing and quality stay consistent across styles.
Sheepskin Boot Styles Explained
The main differences between our boot styles come down to height and sole. Here's how the range breaks down:
Browse the full range in our sheepskin boots collection.
Choosing the Right Sole
The sole affects comfort, traction and how the boots hold up outdoors, more than the style name does:
- Chunky TPR (thermoplastic rubber) sole. Used on our Ultimate range. Flexible, lightweight and side-stitched, with a removable foam-backed sheepskin insole — non-marking and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- EVA sole. The lightest hard sole option, used on our Classic range and the Kiwi House Boots. Best for mainly indoor and light outdoor use; the ridged tread offers a little more outdoor grip than the basket-weave pattern.
- Soft hide sole. Cattle hide, colour-matched to the upper, with a thin foam layer underneath — an indoor-only sole built purely for softness.
Key takeaway: if you want one pair for both errands and evenings at home, choose a chunky TPR sole. If they're staying indoors, EVA or soft hide will feel plusher underfoot. Our full sole types guide goes into more construction detail if you want it.
Getting the Sizing Right
Sheepskin boots are sized in unisex US Mens sizing (each size also lists the equivalent US Womens size, one size up — e.g. US Mens 7 is US Womens 8). Several of our styles, particularly the EVA-soled Classic range, also run large — it's worth checking each product's specific sizing tab rather than assuming your usual size.
If you're a half size, we recommend rounding up to the next full size. The wool pile adds real thickness inside the boot, and that's especially worth allowing for if you plan to wear socks with them.
If you're between our standard tall boots and need more room through the calf, the Extra Wide Calf Ultimate Tall adds roughly 8cm / 3.1in of additional calf circumference over our standard full-calf styles.
Sheepskin Boots for Women and Men
Our sheepskin boots are made on a single unisex last and sized as US Mens with the US Womens equivalent listed alongside it, rather than as separate men's and women's product lines. That means the same style, colour and sole options are available regardless of who's wearing them — the main decisions are height, sole and calf width covered above, not a separate "women's" range with different features.
Caring for and Protecting Your Boots
Brush the wool regularly to keep the pile upright, and treat new boots with a water-repellent spray such as our sheepskin protector and water repellent before their first wear — it helps water bead off the suede finish rather than soaking in, and it's worth reapplying after each clean.
For step-by-step cleaning, see our full sheepskin care guide.
Sheepskin Boots from Kiwi Sheepskins
Every pair in our sheepskin boots collection is handmade for us in Auckland, New Zealand, by a single manufacturer we've worked with for two decades — which is why quality and sizing stay consistent from one style to the next rather than varying batch to batch. If you're unsure which style or size suits you, our team can help before you order.
FAQ: Sheepskin Boots Questions Answered
What's the difference between EVA and TPR soles on sheepskin boots?
EVA is the lightest hard sole, best suited to indoor and light outdoor wear. Chunky TPR soles are more flexible and durable, and better suited to regular outdoor use as well as indoors.
Do sheepskin boots run true to size?
It varies by style — several of our EVA-soled styles run large, so check the specific sizing tab on each product page rather than assuming your usual size. If you're a half size, we recommend rounding up to the next full size, as the wool pile adds thickness, particularly if you'll be wearing socks.
Can you wear sheepskin boots outside in the rain?
Our chunky TPR-soled Ultimate styles are suited to outdoor use, but sheepskin isn't waterproof. Treating boots with a water-repellent spray before wear, and reapplying after cleaning, helps protect the suede finish.
What's the difference between mid-calf and full-calf sheepskin boots?
Mid-calf styles sit lower on the leg for everyday wear, while full-calf ("tall") styles offer more coverage and warmth. Both are available with EVA or chunky TPR soles.
Are sheepskin boots unisex?
Yes — our boots are sized as US Mens with the equivalent US Womens size listed alongside, on a single unisex last, rather than as separate gendered product lines.
Conclusion
The right pair of sheepskin boots comes down to three choices: how tall you want them, which sole suits how you'll wear them, and getting the size right before you order. Browse the full sheepskin boots collection to compare styles side by side.
