Moon Boots back with vengeance

Let it snow! The Moon Boot is making a comeback. First introduced in the 1970's as the footwear of choice for astronauts and winter sports fanatics, the moon boot has now made a re-appearance as the replacement for last year's venerated Uggs.

Not that Ugg's sales are suffering - yet. Over 14 million pairs were sold in the third quarter of this year alone. According to the manufacturer that means an increase of 44% over the same period last year. However, signs of its waning popularity have started to appear across the globe. Fashion trendsetters have been relegating their beloved Uggs to the backs of their closets and have been caught in the act of purchasing moon boots.

The New York Times reported that some US stores have already had to reorder moon boots for eager customers. The boots come in pretty pastel colours and psychedelic prints. The reportedly original Tecnica moon boots, made of nylon and polyurethane, are still available for purchase. However, designers and other sportswear companies have cottoned on to the emerging trend. A trend, it is interesting to note, that has little to do with Hollywood this time round. It is good to see that movie stars are not the only trendsetters.

Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Christian Dior, Michael Kors and Pucci introduced their own versions in the summer. Marc Jacobs reportedly sold 9,000 pairs of its Snow Boot since June. Women wear the boots under mini skirts and summer dresses, just as they did with Uggs.

Companies like Timberland, known for its hiking boots, have also entered the fray with a moon boot design. The new Timberland moon boots will be available in stores next month. By that time, however, new designs may have already made their way onto the shelves. The owner of the Tannery, a store in Cambridge, MA, which sells moon boots, predicts moon boots in tweed and rainbow colours. According to him, the moon boot craze has only just begun.