I got my first pair of EMU Stinger Lo's (chestnut) in late 2010 and wore them practically every day for two winters. From day one, I could wear them without socks, walk around for hours, and be 100% warm and comfortable. Today, the outsides are dirty, but I still wear them and the lining's just as thick and warm as when I first got them. I LOVE these boots!

Fast forward to late 2012, I ordered the same pair of boots in a different color (charcoal). I even went to my Amazon order history from 2010 to ensure that I was ordering the exact same boots from the same page. My new boots arrived, and I put them on for a trip to the store. I noticed right away that the lining in the new pair was much softer and "fur-like"; not woolly, thick or dense like my older pair.  I couldn't even finish my shopping trip before the seam at the top of the heel (above the EMU logo) poked through the lining and rubbed the backs of my heels raw. This definitely did NOT happen with my first pair in 2010.

I've worn the newer boots many more times since then, hoping I just needed to break them in, but I still can't wear them for an extended period without first putting bandaids on the back of my heels, AND wearing socks. This defeats the purpose of wearing the boots at all.

I tweeted EMU (@EMUAustralia), and emailed them through their website, asking if they changed their lining in the last two years, but received no response yet.  Not cool, EMU.  I am disappoint.  Unless this lining thing is a fluke, I will not buy another pair of EMUs and will switch to UGG for my next pair.