SugarSole Explained

In brief: SugarSole is UGG's sustainable outsole technology made from fast-growing sugarcane foam, replacing petroleum-based ethylene with a plant-derived alternative. It debuted in Autumn/Winter 2022 and is expanding across the UGG line. Cushioning and traction are designed to match UGG's Treadlite outsole, so shoppers get the comfort they expect from the brand with a lower environmental footprint underfoot.

What is SugarSole?

SugarSole is UGG's sustainable outsole technology, manufactured from fast-growing sugarcane foam rather than the petroleum-based ethylene that has long dominated footwear soles. The idea is straightforward but meaningful: replace a fossil-derived input with a renewable, plant-based one, while keeping the comfort and performance UGG wearers expect. Sugarcane grows quickly and absorbs carbon dioxide as it does so, which makes it an attractive feedstock for a more responsible outsole. SugarSole is part of UGG's broader sustainability push, sitting alongside other plant-based and recycled components in the brand's most forward-looking collections. For the shopper, it means the cushioning underfoot is doing a little extra work for the planet without asking you to compromise on the cosy, dependable feel UGG is known for.

How does sugarcane foam work?

Conventional foam outsoles rely on ethylene sourced from petroleum, a finite fossil resource. SugarSole substitutes a plant-derived alternative drawn from sugarcane, so the same kind of lightweight, cushioning foam can be made from a renewable crop instead. Because sugarcane absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, UGG cites a meaningful offset: roughly 1.6 pounds of CO2 absorbed for every pound of petroleum-based ethylene replaced. That is a tangible, material-level change rather than a marketing gesture, addressing the raw input at the start of the supply chain. The engineering goal throughout is parity, delivering the same comfort, durability and grip from a greener source so the wearer experience stays consistent with the rest of the UGG range.

How does it perform?

A sustainable material is only worth wearing if it performs, and SugarSole is engineered to match UGG's established Treadlite outsole for both cushioning and traction. That benchmark matters, because Treadlite is the brand's proven technical compound, so aligning SugarSole to it means shoppers are not trading comfort or grip for greener credentials. In practice, that translates to the soft, reliable underfoot feel UGG is famous for, with dependable grip across the everyday surfaces these shoes are made for. The technology is designed to deliver plant-based comfort with a lower environmental impact, so the choice becomes easy: the same UGG experience you already trust, made from a more responsible foundation.

Which UGG styles use SugarSole?

SugarSole made its debut in Autumn/Winter 2022 and has been expanding across the UGG product line ever since, appearing in selected boots, slippers and sandals as the brand rolls sustainability deeper into its range. At OD's it features in styles such as the UGG Classic Mini Regenerate and pieces from the Icon-Impact Collection, where it often pairs with other responsible UGG components. As the technology spreads, you will increasingly find it across the seasonal collections rather than confined to a single hero style. If keeping a lower environmental footprint matters to you, look for SugarSole in the product description or ask in store, since it signals that the outsole is built from renewable sugarcane foam rather than conventional petroleum-based material.

SugarSole at OD's Designer Clothing

At OD's we stock UGG footwear featuring SugarSole across selected boots, slippers and sandals, giving you plant-based comfort with a lower environmental impact in the silhouettes you already love. Our team can point you toward the styles that use it, including the Classic Mini Regenerate and Icon-Impact pieces, and explain how the sugarcane foam compares to the brand's classic outsoles. Browse the range online with next-day delivery and free click and collect, or visit our St Helens store to try styles on and feel the cushioning for yourself. It is an easy way to choose a more sustainable pair without giving up the warmth and comfort that make UGG a year-round favourite.