Is Ugg’s 2021 Pride Shoe Too Hideous to Be Real?

On Friday, the queer internet was set ablaze by a single image, an image that most of us have been unable to burn from our brains over the weekend.

When editor and Food 4 Thot podcaster Fran Tirado posted the image in question—a platformed, open-toed gray Ugg boot with rainbow soles—everyone was agog.

“As someone who’s seen a LOT of bad pride campaigns,” Tirado posted, “I’ve never seen anything as dark as this opened-toed rainbow platform ugg.”

as someone who’s seen a LOT of bad pride campaigns, i have never seen anything as dark as this opened-toed rainbow platform ugg pic.twitter.com/MqAVzZDUkY

— Fran Tirado (@fransquishco) May 7, 2021

Tirado wasn’t the only one in utter disbelief. NewNowNext editor Sam Manzella prayed that the shoes were fake, while others noticed the striking resemblance the shoe bears to a post-surgical foot brace. Others simply confessed that, ugly as the shoes were, they were kind of a lewk.

Cut to today, and the brand Ugg itself has added its voice to the discourse. Only an hour ago, the verified Ugg twitter account responded with: “Good news, this style isn’t UGG or part of our long-awaited Pride capsule.” Apparenty, we’ll have to wait until May 20 to see what Ugg has in store for Pride 2021.

Good news, this style isn’t UGG or part of our long-awaited Pride capsule. Be on the lookout for the real #UGGPRIDE Capsule coming May 20th.

— UGG (@UGG) May 10, 2021

Based on past iterations, however, it’s hard to get too excited about the real Ugg Pride offerings. Last year, the brand made trans pride flag “fluff yeah” slippers that were spotted on none other than…trans icon Justin Bieber??

wait…… HE HAS THE TRANS PRIDE UGG SLIPPERS ON???? they dont have the strap in the back but idc theyre almost identical??? pic.twitter.com/DDoqiwdPV7

— ana (@imsewlonely) September 6, 2020

There were also these fuzzy lil’ dudes

UGG Just Launched Fluffy, Rainbow Pride Shoes With Tommy Dorfman @LGBTBrandVoice #UGGPride #PromForAll – Nail that ‘all dressed up with nowhere to go’ look this Pride Month with @UGG‘s new rainbow-hued collection. https://t.co/Et5GGHWrCx pic.twitter.com/yJmfdXIPtb

— ILoveGay Style 🎩 (@ILoveGayStyle) May 21, 2020

And who could forget these truly excellent examples of all-purpose footwear?

UGG pride collection is FIRE 🔥🥵❤️ pic.twitter.com/mDbN2tbgKe

— The Creamer Cayenne💧 (@CayenneA1) May 28, 2020

Can UGG actually top itself in time for Pride 2021? Let’s hope so.