The Best Sheepskin Boots: How I Make Them and Why

Approx. 5-minute read

Making the best sheepskin boots has been my goal since I started Xanthe Anna. But what does “the best” really mean? It has to be more than warmth and comfort. The best sheepskin boots need to look beautiful, be made from ethically sourced materials, last for years, and be repairable when needed.

Tall, brown sheepskin slipper boots, seen in profile.

Tall, brown sheepskin slipper boot

These boots can be tailored to your style, with your choice of colour, type of sole, and height of boot. In this blog post, I’ll show you how careful design, attention to detail, and a love of making boots come together to create something you’ll love to wear.

 

5 Reasons Xanthe Anna Sheepskin Boots are the Best:

  • Ethically sourced materials – High-welfare sheepskin, veg-tan leather, and recycled soles and thread. Read more about sheepskin boot materials.

  • Built to last and repairable – Each pair is made to be worn for years, with a repair service to extend their life.

  • Removable insolesReplaceable sheepskin insoles to extend the life of your boots for that cosy new boot feeling.

  • Designed for comfort – Barefoot-friendly, with a wide toe box that gives your toes plenty of space to wriggle.

  • Customise – Choose your colours, boot height, and type of sole to create your perfect sheepskin boot.

Illustration of the best sheepskin boots, with annotation including; eco tanned shepskin, veg tanned leather heel, replaceable inner soles, recycled thread, organic hemp binding, recycled rubber sole.
 

Design Details

The boots I make are designed to look as good as they feel. I’ve worked with sheepskin for 18 years, and since launching this business in 2021 I've developed a design I’m proud of. These boots follow the natural shape of the foot, with a zero-drop sole (the heel and toe are level) and a wide toe box for comfort and healthy posture.

Through years of practice I've perfected each stage of construction. Some signature details include:

  • Leather heel - burnished edge, perfectly parallel stitching, and precise placement of the embossed logo.

  • Seams and lines - straight seams and elegant, refined lines.

  • Toe fullness - extra height at the front reduces pressure on the big toe, increasing comfort and durability.

Close up of pink veg tanned leather heel shows the parallel stitching and perfect placement of embossed logo.

Vegetable tanned leather heel

 

Why make the best sheepskin boots?

I choose to do things differently from fast fashion, prioritising quality over shortcuts. Slow fashion is about creating clothes that are designed to last, rather than chasing short-lived seasonal trends. It values care, skill, and craftsmanship at every stage of production.

Maybe I’m a perfectionist, because I find it rewarding to make every pair of boots the very best they can be. I'm guided by attention to detail and a commitment to quality, and each boot is made with purpose. Learn more about me and my approach on the about Xanthe Anna page.

Xanthe making sheepskin boots in her workshop, Wales.

Xanthe at the sewing machine

 

How Are The Best Sheepskin Boots Made?

Many boots are made in large factories overseas, where workers specialise in just one part of the process. At Xanthe Anna, I make every pair myself from start to finish, so I know exactly what goes into each boot.

Here’s what the process looks like:

  • Select the best sheepskin for size, style, and type of boot.

  • Plan the layout carefully to make the most of each skin, then cut the pieces.

  • Sew the pieces together, precisely.

  • Emboss, skive and burnish the veg-tan leather heel.

  • Sew the leather heel onto the sheepskin.

  • Attach the innersole.

  • Glue the outer sole.

  • Finish the top edge with hemp binding.

  • Check every detail before it leaves the workshop

I see the whole process through from start to finish, understanding how each stage affects the next. Each skin is unique, and as I cut and shape it, I learn its character to make the right decisions so they can be the best sheepskin boots.

Profile view of navy blue sheepskin boot with leopard print heel.

Navy blue and leopard sheepskin boot

 

Sheepskin Boot Colours: Choose the Best for You

Choosing your colours is one way to make these boots uniquely yours. With this personal touch, they’ll be the best sheepskin boots you’ve ever owned.

Explore these sheepskin boot colours:

With your choice of leather heel and thread colour, your boots can be subtle and matching, or you can create a more dynamic look by adding a second colour. Options include burnt orange, teal, or leopard print. Blue and brown sheepskin have the most combination possibilities. Every colour combination on this site has been carefully curated to ensure it looks beautiful.

Are these the best sheepskin boots?

If you ask customers of Xanthe Anna, the answer is yes. Some of my favourite feedback includes:

“They are quite literally the best pair of sheepskin boots ever.”

You can read the full review on my Trustpilot page.

Every pair is made with the wearer in mind. From choosing colours and height to selecting the right sole, people design their boots to suit their own style and needs, and I make them carefully, especially for them. Hearing how much the boots are enjoyed shows that they really are the best sheepskin boots.

 

FAQs: The Best Sheepskin Boots Answered

  • Xanthe Anna sheepskin boots are warm, durable, and comfortable, made to the highest standard using ethically sourced materials. Xanthe combines these qualities with thoughtful design and a gorgeous range of colours.

  • Sheepskin boots are for anybody who likes to have warm feet.  These boots are unisex, for both men and women and available in UK sizes 2–13.

  • They’re stitched from shaped pieces of sheepskin, finished with a reinforced heel, a removable insole, and a durable sole. Each pair is handmade from start to finish using specialist tools and machines.

  • Many boots are made worldwide in large factories. Xanthe Anna boots are handmade in Wales, UK.

 
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