Emu Vs. UGG: Is There A Difference?

When you first try to compare Emu and UGG boots, you’ll have a hard time discerning any differences. At least, that’s true for the classic pull-on boot, which both of these brands do iconically well. Emu is an Australian brand with a longer tradition than UGG, so they’re definitely not one of those brands that make poor-quality copies of UGG boots.

In fact, Emu boots are just as good as UGGs, and even better in some respects. Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between these two brands, so you can easily decide which is ultimately the better option for you.

Insulation and Warmth

UGG and Emu boots are both lined with sheepskin on the inside, so you can expect a similar level of warmth from either brand. The difference in warmth is truly minimal and it shouldn’t impact the decision of which boots to buy.

Neither should the difference in performance, which is also barely existent. Because both brands include sheepskin lining, both Emu and UGG boots are moisture-wicking and odor-resistant on the inside.

I think it’s important to mention that UGG has recently started to incorporate Lyocell in the lining, in order to make the boots more sustainable. The material has similar properties to wool, so there’s really not a difference in real-world performance.

Another thing to keep in mind is that both UGG and Emu offer several levels of warmth and insulation. The Classic Boots are the standard for both brands, but they also have much warmer boots, as well as boots without any insulation that are better for mild weather.

In any case, whether you buy a pair of UGGs or Emus, you can expect to have toasty warm feet whenever you put on the boots.

Insoles and Comfort

UGGs are very comfortable boots thanks to the fully lined interior. Even the insole is entirely covered with sheepskin, which means that you can put these boots on your bare feet and stay perfectly warm. The insoles on UGG boots are not removable, so they’re not the best option for people who usually require more support and prefer to use special insoles.

Walking in either UGGs or Emus feels amazing. There’s lots of cushioning in either boot, and it’s almost like you’ve got two fluffy clouds strapped to your feet. If you want to keep your feet cozy and toasty warm even in the dead of winter, either of the two brands is up to the task.

One advantage of Emu boots is that they have removable insoles. This makes them a lot more versatile than UGGs and more suitable for people who have all sorts of issues with their feet that might require them to use special insoles. This can’t be done with UGGs but is perfectly fine with EMUs.

However, keep in mind that you’re giving up some of the warmth and comfort by removing the original Emu insole. You can buy replacement insoles on their website, but they currently have just two versions of the sheepskin lined sole (slim and regular), and no options with extra support.

Grip And Traction

UGGs are insanely warm and comfortable, but they’re far from the best boots around when it comes to grip and traction. There is some texture and depth to the lugs on the UGG Treadlite soles, but the boots are still not something you should wear if you’re walking on a slippery surface.

I’m speaking from personal experience on this matter because I’ve worn Classic UGGs when it was slippery outside and deeply regretted the consequences of my own actions.

It’s important to keep in mind that the brand has many other styles of boots that include more rugged outsoles that perform better on slippery and wet surfaces.

Styles like Adirondack, Sidnee, Lug, and Ashton Addie are equipped with significantly better outsoles than the Classic boots and are a much better option if you’re looking for winter boots you can wear when it’s slippery outside and still have plenty of traction of stability.

Emu boots are a little better than UGGs in this respect. They have a similar midsole but the outsole is clearly a different compound, so it offers a little more grip.

It’s got a wavy texture for good grip and traction on snowy surfaces and it’s still not the perfect solution for frozen ground, but it’s better than the outsole of the UGGs. The upgrade in performance is minimal though, at least on the classic Emu boots that look just like the classic UGGs.

Additionally, it’s also important to mention that Emu has a few more styles in its product range that are better suited for extreme weather and more rugged conditions. Those pairs of boots (Blurred, Valerie, and Taylor) feature much more rugged outsoles made from a different compound, and which perform a lot better on slippery terrain.

Waterproofing

Classic UGGs are not waterproof boots. They are treated to be water repellant and you can keep reapplying the spray every year to maintain the protection, but you should never wear classic UGG boots in rainy weather. They can protect you from the snow, but they won’t do much in puddles and rain.

Keep in mind that I’m talking just about the classic UGGs. The brand has dozens of fully waterproof boots in its product range, and that usually includes a version of classic UGGs that changes every season. UGG also sells rubber rain boots, extreme weather boots, and loads of options made from leather that are perfectly suitable for both rain and snow.

It’s the same thing with Emu boots for the most part. The Australian brand offers many styles of boots that are completely waterproof, but the classic pull-on boots are just water-resistant. You’ll have to reapply the treatment once a year to maintain the level of protection as the boots age, and you should avoid wearing them out in the rain.

One thing I will say about Emu is that when they decide to make a waterproof boot, they do it right. Take the Moonta boots as an example – they feature waterproof suede uppers, a waterproof membrane with seam-sealed construction, double stitched seams, waterproof adhesives on the soles, and even a waterproof footbed.

You could walk through ankle-deep puddles in these boots and your feet would still be dry, warm, and cozy.

Additionally, I think it’s important to mention that Emu does offer one style of the classic boot in a waterproof version. It’s the Paterson Classic Lo, and it’s available only in a dark-brown color.

Men’s Shoes

Although UGG and Emu boots are mostly thought of as women’s boots, both brands have options for men in their product range. Emu has just eight products for men, mostly boots and slippers. UGG, on the other hand, has more than 200 products in its men’s product range, including some very rugged boots suitable for all sorts of outdoor adventures.

If you’re looking for men-specific products, UGG is a much better option than Emu, especially if you’re looking for a specific type of boot or even clothes.

Price

Emu and UGG boots are priced very similarly. You can expect to spend $100-200 on a brand-new pair of boots without any discounts. At the moment, Emu has only one pair of boots that cost more than $200 listed in their shop, while UGG has many more products with a higher price point. Because of that, I’d say that Emu is a little bit cheaper than UGG, but it’s a difference of $10-20 per pair of boots.

Best Emu Boots

Emu Blurred

The Blurred Boots are Emu’s take on a classic snow boot. Whether you enjoy hiking in the winter, like to spend time in the mountains, or just need boots that you can wear when there’s lots of snow on the ground, these Emus won’t disappoint. They’ve got water-resistant uppers and sheepskin lining on the inside, for maximum coziness and warmth.

The shoes also feature the Sharky outsole; it’s serrated for maximum grip in snowy conditions, and it’s made from high-quality and durable rubber.  

Emu Moonta

The Moonta boots by Emu are a great option for the winter. The knee-high boots feature a waterproof suede construction with double-stitched sealed seams and warm sheepskin lining. These boots have a -30°C thermal rating, so they’re excellent for very cold winter weather.

The boots also feature an EVA midsole and a waterproof rubber outsole that offers good grip and traction but is not extremely rugged.

Emu Platinum Stinger Slim Lo

Platinum Stinger Slim Lo is Emu’s style of classic pull-on boots. These are very similar to UGGs in both design and performance, and the main difference is that they’re about $20 cheaper than genuine UGGs. The boots feature water-resistant suede uppers, sheepskin lining on the inside, a removable insole, and a rubber outsole with a wave tread.

One thing to note about these boots is that the lining is pure sheepskin, which is no longer the case with classic UGGs.

Best UGG Boots

UGG Classic Short

The UGG Classic Short is the most iconic UGG boot and usually the first style anyone thinks of when UGG is mentioned. It’s super comfortable, very warm, and water-repellent enough that you can wear the boots in snowy weather and be sure that your feet will stay dry. These boots are not waterproof and they’re not suitable for rainy weather.

Classic UGGs are equipped with a Treadlite sole that is textured enough for walking through snow, but it’s not good for walking on slippery surfaces. It doesn’t offer a lot of traction, and I can’t in good conscience recommend wearing these boots if there’s ice on the ground because there’s a good chance you’ll slip and fall.

UGG Adirondack

The Adirondack boots are the most rugged style offered by this brand and they’re perfect for anyone looking for the ultimate winter boot. They feature waterproof leather uppers with cozy sheepskin lining on the inside. These boots are insanely warm, and they’re suitable for extremely cold weather.

Additionally, these UGGs feature a white spider rubber outsole with lots of deep and multidirectional lugs, for excellent grip and traction on all terrain types. They’re seriously one of the best pairs of UGGs money can buy, but they’re also one of the priciest.

Biltmore Hiker

The Biltmore Hiker boots are one of UGG’s many options for men, and they’re so different from the classic styles of the brand that I just had to include them to represent the versatility. These are hiking boots with spider rubber outsoles that offer all the grip and traction you could need on challenging terrain, as well as a seam-sealed waterproof construction.

The boots don’t have any sheepskin lining so they’re perfect for autumn hikes, and they have a very comfortable and supportive footbed.

Emu Vs. UGG: What’s The Better Option?

Emu and UGG boots are so similar that it genuinely doesn’t matter which brand you go with if you’re looking for classic pull-on boots. The differences are minimal and you can expect almost identical performance from either brand, with Emu having the upper hand when it comes to the grip and traction of the outsole.

It’s slightly better and the boots are about $20 cheaper than UGG, so I’d say go with Emu if you don’t care about branding and just want warm and comfy sheepskin-lined booties.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a different type of boot, you’ll simply have many more options in UGG’s product range. They make extreme weather boots, rubber boots, slippers, sandals, sneakers, and even clothes, and they’ve got hundreds of products in addition to the classic boots. Emu’s product range is much smaller, and it includes fewer options for extreme weather and hiking.

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