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Are these $42 Amazon slippers a worthy alternative to $110 Uggs? Here's our take
Our style editor put both slippers to the test to see if the pricey name brand is really worth the extra money compared to a more affordable option.
Ugg slippers have been a huge hit since the early 2000s, and nowadays the Tasmans are probably their hottest style, after being spotted on multiple celebrities. They are so comfy, cozy that they were even deemed the best overall choice in our critical roundup. I had a pair for a few months that I wore pretty much every day before my dog chewed them, and to say I was devastated when I found them destroyed would be an understatement.
But when I went to order new ones, I noticed there was a near-identical pair on Amazon for a fraction of the price. After seeing multiple shoppers call these Metricfalcons "a perfect dupe for the Ugg Tasman slippers," I was intrigued enough to try them and to find out if these claims were legit, so I ordered both the originals and the look-a-likes and embarked on a real-time compare-and-contrast mission.
I've been wearing both pairs for a few weeks now, sporting them everywhere from around the house to shopping at farmer's markets and, of course, walking my dog. Here's my rundown...
The Matchup:
No wonder we named these the best overall choice in our best slippers guide. And after testing them head-to-head against a lookalike pair, we found the Tasmans do, in fact, reign supreme and are definitely worth the extra money
- Super comfortable
- Very soft, cozy lining
- Stylish and easy to slip on and off
- Expensive
- No half sizes
metricfalcon
While these are more than comfortable enough and look quite similar to the "real thing," we had some issues with the fit. But if you are just looking for a budget-friendly slipper in this style, they're a fine choice.
- Comfortable and soft lining
- Waterproof and machine-washable
- A convincing-looking alternative
- Fit too high on foot
- Run small and only goes up to size 10
Uggs vs Metricfalcons: Fit
Well, neither of our competitors comes in half sizes, which is disappointing for an 8.5 like myself. The last time I bought Uggs I sized down to an 8, and while they fit fine, this time I sized up to a 9 so I could wear thick socks with them in the winter, and I love the looser fit. The Metricfalcons, however, were a bit tight even in a 9, which was surprising. Other reviewers said that they run small, so I thought going up a half size would be enough, but I actually think I should have gotten a 10(!). This bodes ill for anyone with particuarly big dogs, because 10 is the max size available for Metricfalcons.
The other difference I noticed is that the Metricfalcons sit much higher on my foot, which makes them feel a bit awkward when I walk. To be fair, I'm not sure if I would have noticed that they hit in a weird spot if I wasn't directly comparing them to the Uggs, but it was very noticeable when I wore an Ugg on one foot and a Metricfalcon on the other.
Uggs vs Metricfalcons: Style
Although the design is super similar, I did notice a few slight differences. The Tasmans have the Ugg logo stamped on the sides so people will know you are wearing the name-brand version. I ordered them in chestnut and the Metricfalcons in brown, and while the colors look identical online, I found the Uggs to look much more natural when I actually had them in my hands. The Metricfalcons, conversely, have a more orangey tinge to the dye. The knitting around the cuff is also much brighter. I prefer the subtler style of the Uggs.
The other main difference: The cuff goes all the way around on the Uggs, and the Metricfalcon's have a tab on the back of theirs, which I feel like could be useful to help you slip them on and off if these were boots. But since these are backless, the tab seems unnecessary, not to mention that it kind of awkwardly rubbed against my heel after a while. And oh yeah: The toes of the Metricfalcon pair are also more rounded than on the Uggs, and the lining down the middle of the upper is much more pronounced and stiff.
Uggs vs Metricfalcons: Comfort
The Tasmans are lined with the same cozy sheepskin as your favorite Ugg boots, and they were super fluffy when I first slipped them on. After wearing them a few times, the furry lining definitely gets matted down a bit but it stayed plenty soft and comfy. While the wool lining of the Metricfalcon's wasn't as fluffy as the Uggs, I was impressed with how soft and cozy they felt on my feet.
Uggs vs Metricfalcons: Durability
The Tasmans feature the same rubber soles as the brand's signature boots, which I love because it means I can wear them indoors and out with ease and won't have any traction issues in them. The Metricfalcon soles have similar grooves to the Uggs, and they even have non-slip grippers built-in, so that's fine. I'm not sure how either would hold up on icy conditions, though.
Interestingly, the Tasmans are not waterproof and the Metricfalcons claim to be. I wore both outside during a drizzling rain and I didn't notice watermarks or stains on either. Although my Ugg slippers didn't withstand the shark phase of my puppy's teething, they did handle everyday wear and tear perfectly. Now that my dog is older, trained and doesn't eat shoes anymore, I don't foresee any issues with this new pair. As for the Meticfalcons, they seem to be holding up just as well so far. Rest assured, if I notice any huge differences as I continue to test them, especially during the slippery winter months, I will issue an update. Which brings us to...
My verdict
We found the Ugg Tasman's to be the superior choice!
When it comes to comfort, fit and style, the Ugg Tasman's reign supreme and are definitely worth the extra money. They felt more comfortable on my feet and were much easier to walk in. I like the looser fit and the fact that I can wear a thick pair of socks with them. They also just look a bit sleeker, and the color looks better and more natural. For these reasons, I would definitely shell out the extra money for the name-brand style. But if these factors aren't a concern to you and you just want to jack the swag of this shoe style, the Meticfalcon is a fine alternative (as long as you don't have supersized feet).
