Blundstone boots - experience?

[malley]

Fancy something like these;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004G9L2...ve=22134&creativeASIN=B004G9L2OO&linkCode=asn

Basically after a leather, soft(ish) soled boot for day to day use. prefer robust footwear always. Any experience of Blundstone ref quality, durability etc? Any other suggestions?

Cheers.

 

[sasquatch]

I got some for work in 1997, they were brilliant until the soles went spongy and fell apart last year. I put many a mile on them over the years and the actual boots were fine, it was the material of the actual sole that degraded and fell to bits. Not sure if it's true but I have heard the quality of Blundstone has gone down in recent years?

 

[mrcharly]

Not sure about recent blundstones. I got some rossi boots (same styling) 4 years ago and the soles are starting to wear now. But then I hardly ever wear anything else.

The leather on Rossi and blundstones tends to be really good quality veg tanned (best maintained with a wax like Dubbin). Stands up to really hard use, always polishes up to look classy, with that deep oiled-leather sheen.

 

[juttle]

I had a pair of these a while back, and I think they're still kicking about somewhere! They are, dare I say it, at tough as, er, well, you get the picture! Very comfortable, hard wearing, highly recommended, elegant, they're not, the pair I had were not waterproof, but they didn't claim to be. I gave them the WD40 treatment and after that they were waterproof as well!

All in all, though, they're only a pair of dealer boots made famous by Mr Mears, why not look at the Timberland offering, Chelsey, I think, about the same price.

Anyway, good boots, but there are other possibilities.

Just my two penn'oth, etc...

 

[resnikov]

I got some for work in 1997, they were brilliant until the soles went spongy and fell apart last year. I put many a mile on them over the years and the actual boots were fine, it was the material of the actual sole that degraded and fell to bits. Not sure if it's true but I have heard the quality of Blundstone has gone down in recent years?

Exactly the same happened with me. But very good boots.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

[mrcharly]

All in all, though, they're only a pair of dealer boots made famous by Mr Mears, .

They aren't dealer boots, they are Aussie stockboots and have been made from long before Mr Mears was a twinkle in his dad's eye! My dad bought me my first pair when I was 14 - and the soles were ruined by fighting a grassfire that got into the top paddock.

 

[topknot]

Or RM Williams Stockyard boots , i find they are a better fit than Blundstone.

Topknot

 

[peaks]

Same experiences as others - soles are the weakpoint after about 4 years of use. Otherwise great boots.

Now switched to Hoggs dealer boots - personally I think they've got the edge on the Blundstones
http://www.fifecountry.com/specialist/workwear/footwear-c72 or http://www.fifecountry.com/hoggs-of-fife-b31

 

[myotis]

The soles on my Blunnies have also split, but after a fair bit of use. Years of life left in the uppers, but no way of resoling them.

My redbacks,

http://www.bushgear.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=64

are heavier weight, and have soles that look like they will last for ever. I have worn mine almost every day for a few years with no sign of wearing.

The Blunnies are thinner leather and thinner soles, but this also makes them more slipper like to wear. Probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. The Redbacks have more of a workbook feel, where as the Blunnies would be good as lightweight workboots or you could get away with them as "dress" boots. The Redbacks are too clunky for this, but still exceptionally comfy.

I would certainly consider another pair of Blunnies, as they are more suitable to wear to the office as wel as dealing with the unexpected foray into the woods, local quarry etc, than the Redbacks, but for bimbling about, the Redbacks feel more bombproof.

Graham

 

[myotis]

Same experiences as others - soles are the weakpoint after about 4 years of use. Otherwise great boots.

Now switched to Hoggs dealer boots - personally I think they've got the edge on the Blundstones
http://www.fifecountry.com/specialist/workwear/footwear-c72 or http://www.fifecountry.com/hoggs-of-fife-b31

That's interesting, coming from Fife, I have often looked at these and wondered if I should give them a go. I will have another look.

Thanks,

Graham

 

[forestwalker]

I've worn many a pair as well. Soles die after a few years, but what soles do not?

 

[malley]

So. If we could get something like Blundstones but repairable? I find as I get older I feel the need to have things that can be repaired, maintained. Seems like Danner and Red Wing promote this. I have some Alfred Sargent dealer boots that are fantastic but a but formal. Are the Hogg boots very stiff soled?

 

[peaks]

The £49 dealer boots are the ones I have from Hoggs and I haven't found them uncomfortable, but comfort of shoes/boots is a very personal thing. I'd say they are stiffer than the Blunds, but my feet feel fine after 8+hrs in them.
Not sure if they can be repaired - Hoggs do offer a repair service...

I do rate Hoggs stuff - I have waterproof fleece which has been going strong for about 5 years heavy winter use.

 

[SCOMAN]

I've worn my Blunnies for the last year in and around salt water and they're going strong. Shop around for a good price. The only downside is they can't be resoled. Someone mentioned RM Williams boots, they are great and can be resoled but are considerably more expensive. I wanted RM Williams for years and they were better than I thought. Give the Aussies their due the do make good work boots.

 

[malley]

Thanks for all the info guys

I've worn my Blunnies for the last year in and around salt water and they're going strong. Shop around for a good price. The only downside is they can't be resoled. Someone mentioned RM Williams boots, they are great and can be resoled but are considerably more expensive. I wanted RM Williams for years and they were better than I thought. Give the Aussies their due the do make good work boots.

I haven't come across much in the way of bargains - all Blundstone 550s seem to be £90-00 plus?

 

[malley]

Thanks for all the info guys



I haven't come across much in the way of bargains - all Blundstone 550s seem to be £90-00 plus?

Which make the Hogg boots look good value!

 

[galopede]

I have a pair of the Blunnies and have also had a pair of the Hoggs.

The Blunnies are supremely comfortable straight out of the box and have lasted me well with a lot of wearing. I have type 2 diabetes and lousy feet but they are one of my most comfortable shoe/boot.

The Hoggs on the other hand are heavier and well built. Comfortable when on! Something about the shape of the boot or my foot makes them really hard work to get on or off! Hell of a fight getting them off especially. So hard that I gave them to my son in the end and he wears them constantly!

Gareth

 

[malley]

Just checked out some RM Williams boots at country outdoors in Alnwick. Beautiful. However, they were £250-00.

 

[snozz]

Blundstone are what I've worn for the past 10 years or so. New past every 3-4 years due to sole again, as others have said. But split over 3 years, £30 a year seems good value for solid, very comfortable boots that polish up easily to look formal and smart if needed. I wear mine for work, standing up for 5-6 hours a day.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Don't get the square toed Blunnies- totally different fit and not as comfortable or as easy to slip on and off.