Why Does Everybody Own Blundstones?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Blundstones have somehow managed to stay popular, even after 150+ years of being in the shoe industry. Will they last another 150 considering they’re really just… brown boots?
Subscribe to Future Proof!
/ @levihildebrandyt
Stay updated on our socials
Instagram: / futureprooftv
Facebook: / futureprooftv
TikTok: / futureprooftv
Reddit: / futureproof
For further reading, check out the sources for this video here:
docs.google.co...
Script: Holly Conklin
Animator: Zachary Kastrukoff
Editor: Reid Valaitis
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Want to work with Future Proof? Get in touch:
contact@befutureproof.ca
Sorry team! We meant to have the video out last week but things are crazy! Our video about our favourite boots will be out on Saturday! Thanks so much for all your support!
We will never forgive you. Consider yourself #cancelled
You can't really resole them though so less durable/long-lasting. They don't utilise 'goodyear welt' stitching.
I have owned three pairs ( I am 50 this March) I had seen them early but afforded my first pair when my 25 year old was 5. Lasted 9 freaking years , the were made in Australia. My second lasted 7 they were chunky soled , but my 3 is not holding up so well at 5 . They can be re heeled , with the glue on method elastic can be replaced. But when the sole lasted 9 freakin years the leather wore out first .
And to put this in context I own two pair of union Vancouver made Daytons in college and combat boots with fireman zippers , one pair of docs nothing lasted the same
3:15 holy shiz so your job is a tap dancer!!! you are a tap dancer all this time and here I thought you're a RUclipsr!
As a Tasmanian, there was a lot of public out cry when they closed the factory and moved production overseas.
I had a pair of blundstones for eight years as my only shoe, but the soles were worn out and they were way too expensive to repair. I bought Canada West Romeo boots for my next pair. These boots are Goodyear welted, made in Manitoba and they were $50 less than blundstones. Another option is Oliberte a Canadian b corp with excellent warranties and Goodyear welt construction.
Let's go Canada West!! We'll make sure to look into Oliberte... Thanks!!!
I had a similar experience. After eight years, my Blundstones were more comfortable than slippers, but the heels were shot and I couldn't find anyone to repair them at any price. I kept them, unwearable, in my closet for months just because it killed me to throw away otherwise perfectly good boots.
@@cawelshman1204 I don to own where you are but I did find a guy in Toronto that was willing to repair blundstones they are few and far between. It was the price of a new pair to do it too.
Same, I bought the Ladies' Canada West Romeos for the same reason, because of the Goodyear welt for longevity. Plus its made in a C width which is great for my wide toes!
What a bummer they are not easily repairable! Definitely not BIFL, then. I have several pairs of vintage Justin boots that have to be at least 20 years old, all ebay purchases, and all have been tuned up by my local shoe repair guy. Good boots should last for decades when cared for, not just years.
Thank you for this vid! I agree that Blundstones are kind of associated with a certain ethical shopping standard, and I appreciate knowing how they actually stack up. Loving the new channel so far!!
Thanks so much, Sarah!! 😜🔥
Any plans to look into any activewear brands? I’d be neat to see a series of videos looking into the activewear market and even comparing brands.
We'd love to! We'll make sure to add this to the list of video ideas. Thanks for the suggestion + the support!!!
Yes please!
@@LeviHildebrandYT Salomon would be pretty interesting. I noticed that their boots (the Quest Element) started to eat shit faster than their earlier versions. I did a bit of digging and turns out they have been bought out by the same company that bought out Arc'teryx.
In the early 80s, I used to wear Blundstone lace-up boots for bushwalking. Never knew the brand even though my mum's family was from Tassie. Then, on one bushwalk, a guy wore elastic-sided Blunnies. I thought he would break his ankles but he didn't. Therefore they stuck in my mind. Not long after, everyone seemed to be wearing them, they became widespread in Melb. Even my aunt had them.
For me, being a volunteer firefighter they're great (easy to put on before running out the door to go to the fire station and then to take off when changing into FF clobber) or when going out on a cold night to close the front gate or get something from the car.
They can also be worn at work (steelcaps), in a semi-casual setting or even (polished) with a suit. Practical and versatile.
I loved my Blunnies when I had a pair in the early 90s. But when they wore out and I couldn’t get them resolved, I knew I needed to find a different company. Thanks for the Canadian recommendation.
I appreciate this video. It's not always easy to find the fine print info on companies, so I'm grateful you are doing most of that legwork for us, thanks!! I had been considering Blundstones, and held off to allow space/thought before a rather bigger price tag purchase. Glad I waited, and now can seriously consider other, longlasting options!!
I’ve been debating this purchase for a year and I’m so glad I waited and saw this video! Thank you for helping me make more informed purchasing decisions
That's what we're here for, thanks for tuning in! 😉
Hey, Levi! I'd love to see a video on "ethical" denim brands such as Everlane, and most specifically, Warp + Weft, Levi's "green" line, and also any other brands that market as ethical denim!
We'll make sure to add these to our list of ideas for future videos! Thanks for taking the time to comment + tune in to what we're doing here 😜
Frank and Oak would be another interesting company that has eco friendly denim
love your videos! kudos to your team for trying to raise consumer awareness. everything is so convoluted nowadays, so many products, so much marketing. thank you for keeping the videos short and succinct. I can watch them in 5 minutes in 2x. keep em coming!
If you are looking for a boot like blundstones, but want the real Australian deal, try Redbacks or Rossi boots, both are still made in Australia.
I have 2 pairs of Rossis and LOVE them! So comfortable and solid.
As of August 2024, it looks like only Redbacks are still made in Australia. The Rossi Booma and Endura were off-shored.
This is a channel I didn’t know I needed thank you
Thank YOU for joining us here! 👏
A boot brand that I believe deserves a spotlight is Jim Green. Jim Green is a South African brand that makes boots for hiking, hard work, and Rangers protecting endangered species.
The main benefit is that they do not cut corners and quality is their priority; furthermore they are very, very affordable.
Blundstones are great. I have a pair that has survived my job as a new construction plumber for 2 years without any problems at all. Trust me when I say I am very hard on my boots and clothes so I do not skimp on durability and quality. That being said, my desire to support brands that are making their product in their actual country of origin has slowly become a priority for me. My work pants are all now 1620 and I am saving for Nick's Handmade Builder Pros. Great video!
If you do buy second hand blundstones be aware that the TPU sole can degrade if they aren't worn for awhile (I.e they sit in a closet unused for 1+ years). Ensure the seller shows you the sole doesn't crumble or rub away easily before you buy! Also you can resole blunstones it's just more difficult and some cobblers might not know the process.
Great analysis! I will definitely wear mine until they fall apart, then look for a more ethical and repairable (and Canadian!) option. Also, love seeing more of this content again from you! I'm excited to see this channel grow.
We're excited too, thanks so much for joining us here 😉👍
I was on the fence about getting a pair of these, and I’ll say this has helped solidify my opinion. I’ve seen them more and more as a fashion piece and it’s such a shame they’re leaning into that narrative.
We totally agree with that one!!
Spend up a bit. Paul Smith (not PS Paul Smith although Portugal is making great products). Even Frye has gone to croak a bit. Or RM Williams. I’m yet to regret spending up on boots. Boots or bed, you’re in one or the other.
Given the prevalence of the Chelsea boot design, I think it's pretty easy for consumers to look elsewhere for a better quality boot without the Blundstone name. I have a pair of Blundstones and a pair of Canada West boots, and the quality of the latter impresses me everyday I wear it. The only downside is that they are difficult to find within Canada, let alone outside of Canada.
I absolutely love my Blundstones and will wear them for as long as humanly possible. They've held up great for years! If I ever need to replace them I'll look around for different options
Glad to hear they've lasted you so long!!! Thanks for taking the time to comment + join us here 👏
Great video Levi! In Australia Blundstones are less a fashion brand and are easily the "go to" brand for work boots - you won't find many people wearing their "Blunnies" to watch the footy at Blundstone Arena. They lost a bit of that strong reputation once they stopped being Australian made though. Perhaps they're finding that the expectations of fashion consumers to be quite different to their original core market.
@vistadrummer09 yes. blundstone have "tasmania" printed on their pull tabs, but they haven't actually been made in tasmania, or even australia, since 2007.
there are two pairs of similar boots still made here that i know of; redback boots and mongrel boots. i own a pair of redback boots, they only cost like $120 AUD brand new (i think somewhere around $80 USD, but not sure) but for some reason they cost a lot more overseas, maybe because of shipping.
Even if it's made in Australia, the cemented construction and non-resoleable nature would, in my opinion, render Blundstone boots worthless.
I had my first pair for 10yr. They only ever needed one repair (free of charge from Blundstone) on the rear pull strap and that was at year 7.
They have been relegated to my grass cutting and gardening boots and i have worn through the heel and through a small portion of the leather near my small toe. They were worn year round, ice, snow, sand and sun...you name it. Never let me down!
I just recently grabbed a pair of winter specific Blundstones as well as a pair of there new "active" line boots. I expect nothing less then another care free 10yr.
🎉
A video about the Red Wing Company would be great!!!
Added to the video idea list! Thanks for taking the time to tune in 💪
@@LeviHildebrandYT Came here to say this. AFAIK, all of their boots use the Goodyear welt, and their Heritage line at least is all made in the US.
I wasn't aware Blundstones were available outside Australia, but I was aware when they stopped manufacturing boots locally and went to China the quality was just not the same. I've switched to Mongrel Boots that are Australian made, very durable and have excellent comfort.
Even if it's made in Australia, the cemented construction and non-resoleable nature would, in my opinion, render Blundstone boots worthless.
Love my Blunnies.
Comfortable, warm, waterproof and durable.
And the women’s series look really cool.
They're comfortable, they go with pretty much everything, and they're never really going to go out of style,
As a pro chef i always wear out the leather far ahead of the soles by pivoting in one spot over and over. Danskos & Blundstones are my go to, so comfy for 12 hour days on my feet.
I was about to buy a blundstone but this video changed my mind, in a good way thanks
I’ve had mine for 5 years and they are still going strong. I wear them everyday for every occasion, work, town, hiking. They are the best
I bought Redbacks and absolutely love them and recently came across Blundstones in a store and was surprised how flimsy they feel by comparison. Arguably they may look a bit tidier but the Redbacks are a way better boot, still made in Australia and, at least here in the U.K., significantly cheaper too.
Agreed. On to Redbacks now…. Better value, same price here in Georgian Bay, Ontario! Peace Be The Journey!
i just don’t love the look of the redbacks, which is so vain, but it’s hard to commit to them after owning blunnies for so long
@@charliexoxox the comfort is worth it. once "broken in" redbacks are easily one of the most comfortable boots i've ever worn, and they don't squeeze your toes together like most shoes, they are actually shaped like your foot.
Fully Agree! Redbacks, or W.M Moorby from Canada West…otherwise save your money.
Love my Redbacks. About 10% cheaper than blundtstones here in Victoria BC. Nick's Boots is where my next pair of Chelsea's will come from. Very reasonable price for a hand made boot.
I've been wearing Blundstones almost all the time for 30 years. In that time I've owned maybe 5 pairs. In the past I got five to ten years out of a pair. The last time I went to by a new pair I could tell they were different the second I picked them up, then I found they were not made in Australia (Vietnam I think). For a long time I refused to buy a new pair for the price they want when they were made in a cheap labour country, then I broke down and bought a pair. We'll see how long they last. If I don't get 5 years out of them I won't buy them again.
I wore Blundstone working at Rookwood as a grave digger,I wore the soles smooth,that was prior to year 2000, my next pair became a sticky black mess underneath leather boot shapes ,new sole material is garbage
how are they doing so fr bud? considering getting a pair
@@Thorn_416 Yesterday when I was putting them on the pull tab ripped off and the seem came apart at the back. Fixable, but the first time this has ever happened.
Thank you for the update!@@minuteman4199
Repairable boots are stellar if they fit as well as my Blundstones. If not, I’ll just keep buying Blundstones when or as needed, not before. And for me that is every 8-10yrs of pretty regular, varied wear. Sounds eco enough to me
I'm in the Automotive Field my Redback Boots is still in use since 2017. I was going to buy Blundstone boots but not being made in Australia was a turnoff
Apart from the very important issues you bring up Levi, a better quality boot in the style of the Blundstone chukka is the Redback. Their shoes are still made in Australia I believe, and a number of “tear down” videos on RUclips attest to their superior quality. Keep up the good work with this channel. Cheers.
Good to know! Thanks for joining us here 😉👍 Cheers!!
they're sorta sitting in between that fast(ish)-fashion and the high quality durable repairable stuff.
Also, a look into the sustainability of Brita water filters would be something interesting!
That's a great suggestion, thanks Anton! We'll add it to our ever-growing list of video ideas. Thanks so much for tuning in 😜
i adore my blundstones. after wearing technical mountaineering/woodsman/workwear boots for years, the light weight & flexibility of the blunnies was a game changer. they can be worn out in town in addition to hiking all day or a day in the garden or walking the dogs in the rain. i worked the ramp at the airport for years & they were my go-to. the soles do wear away quickly in that environment, but my solution? you can get a pair worn like 3-15 times on ebay for $30-70. im on my third pair now & have spent like... $120 for all three? i would never buy them at retail price for what you get, but they're my favorite shoes i've ever bought & converted many a friend from clunky work boots. they feel like running shoes in comparison. handsome durable running shoes. no fiddling with laces either, while still holding your foot well.
Blundstones are crap. I used to wear blundstones when I was first an apprentice back in 2004. Then I noticed so many tradies and people in my industry (HVAC technician) wearing steel blue boots, and I gave the argyle model a try (their most popular model by a long way) and they crap all over Blundstones. They’re way more comfortable, way more supportive, way better on your feet if standing all day as they’re lace up and actually support your feet and ankles, and they’re endorsed by the Australian physiotherapist association. Blundstones aren’t.
@@tinderella2386 ha, i didn't say the blunnies were the best brand out there or for serious industry work. time & a place for everything. i'm saying the quality to price to comfort to style ratio points are all checked & i stand by that 👍
Fair point, and you’re right yeah. Steel Blues are close to $200aud a considerable amount more, but you can’t wear them anywhere unless you want to look like a tradie/builder. I’ve had both and Blundstones were fine, and I thought they were great the whole time I had them tbh. Then I tried on steel blues and even in the store brand new as I’m trying them on was blown away by how comfy they are. Sucks both brands aren’t made in Australia as they could have been excellent export brands.
@@tinderella2386 yes , and something about the leather used on steel blues so that it doesn't harden up so easily after several wet n dry cycles . If leather hardens , it cracks at the fold lines unless maintained properly with various compounds to keep leather pliable . It could perhaps be kangaroo leather for steel blue although i haven't noticed a statement to this on the tongue label .
Just watched this and cancelled my Blunny order on Amazon. Instead, I bought Canada West Romeo boots for my next pair. They are Goodyear welted, made here in Manitoba and they were $50 less than Blundstones. My old Blundstones lasted many years before they needed resoling. That did not go well.
wait i thought this was like a big professional youtube channel that has an office and stuff thats been making really good video for years, there is only like 12 videos? surprisingly amazing videos man. genuinely love the storytelling skills so and knowledge you have
I have a pair and I love them to death. Best boot I’ve ever owned. So comfortable.
@Ville Yes. I can't think of any boot I wouldn't wear socks with. They're not lined.
Blundstone boots can actually be resoled! A goodyear welted construction is IMO a better way to go, but if you already have a pair of blundstones you like I would recommend looking into getting them repaired once they wear out.
For the price of a new pair yeah...
@@pinchpeak5203 Yeah I mean its not more expensive than doing a fullsole on a pair of welted boots, but the boots aren't that much more expensive than a resole, you're right. If you're going for sustainability, putting a new sole (that wont crack/crumble like the original) still seems like a good way to go, but obviously your mileage may vary
@@pinchpeak5203 To be fair your more expensive good year welted boots (like RMs) also cost a pair of Blundstone's to repair. Quite frankly sole repairs are not cost effective.
I bought my Blundstones last year because Allbirds simply don't work all year around in the area I live. I absoulutely love my Blundstones, but its worth noting I did buy a more expensive insole to put in because I have a lot of knee issues and need comfort. I gotta say though, I absolutely love them and they've held up really well with my 20,000+ steps a day, prone to random hiking lifestyle. They also just released a vegan verision which is super cool! I just wish they were more repairable!
They're definitely popular in the hiking community! It's nice that they hold up in any weather/terrain... Thanks for tuning in!!
I think that Blundstone also uses the cement welt construction instead of the Goodyear welt because it’s more water resistant. Of course it’s cheaper too, but I think that they pass those savings onto the customer.
Unfortunately so common for brands to pass the monetary burden onto the consumer. Thanks for taking the time to comment + join us here!
Goodyear welts are more watertight as they are not glued on. Glue degrades when it gets incontact with water, dirt etc. Also heat and cold cycles will degrade it, making it last for a shorter time
Blundstone is not cement construction. The outsole is moulded to the leather upper using very high heat. This style of boot construction is common in Australian and new Zealand work boots and is far more water tight than good year welt construction.
I have had two pairs purchased in the last 15 years break down in the soles. One pair was a gooey mess that left stains on my carpet, the other pair the sole crumbled off while walking through the Sydney airport. In contrast, I still wear my Blundstone from the 1980s in the garden. The uppers are now soft suede and the elastic is stretched but the older style rubber soles are still going strong. I can't understand why a reputable company would be willing to destroy their brand by continuing to use an inferior product for their soles. Well-made shoes should last decades if treated kindly, not simply disintegrate over time.
That type of compound used for the soles also will deteriorate in storage.
I hear you! I've had two pairs do this to me and I'm done with Bluntstone's and will tell anyone who will listen to stay clear. After the first pair fell apart, I gave them one more shot. No dice. The second pair did exactly the same thing, planned obsolescence. Canada West boots from here on in…Cheers.
I haven't tried them myself but if you are looking for an Australian-made goodyear welted Chelsea boot R.M. Williams is THE quintessential Australian Chelsea boot and I've heard stories about people wearing them for 20+ years
I’m an Aussie, never heard of Blundstones, must be like fosters - no one drinks it but the rest of the world thinks we do.
RM Williams have always been THE Chelsea boot to get for both the farmer and the businessman. $$ but last forever, handmade in Adelaide.
I finally got a pair on Tuesday. The 163. It’s the green patch safety boots version. The tags say made in Vietnam.
I applied some mink oil on it and started wearing them the next morning. They are very comfortable tbh. If I still feel the same way in a few months. I will consider getting a regular pair for my daily wear.
They may not have a Goodyear weld, but you can still resole them. I got mine done a few years ago after the sole crumbled (a known problem). Yeah, it was $120 to get them resoled, but that's still half the price of a new pair and the new sole (Vibram) won't fall apart again. Leather is still good and I am not expecting to have to replace them any time soon.
Of course on the other side are my Red Wing classic boots. They can, and will, be with me until I am six feet under.
I'll be completely honest, as an Aussie if someone came up to me and asked me to name an Australian shoe or boot company, Blundstone wouldn't be one I thought of immediately, like RM Williams would be the first, and then Uggs, might just be coz I'm from rural NSW, Idk. But the vibe I got from this video is that internationally, they're what we're known for, I just found that kinda wild.
I just had a soul of the shoe falling of after ten years.
Gore rex shoe with the thread that still had life in it. The glue just gave up and I had to bin them.
Buying things that last is a sign of luxury for me, not flashy one season nonsense
I have a pair of RedWings Iron Ranger and yes, they will probably last 20 years, but I also find myself using Blundstones almost every day. I do agree that they should have Goodyear welt but also think that the fact they dont is what makes them so comfortable. If you are a person who wears out the sole quickly they are not for you but mine have years and so far They still have many more on them. Definitely cant say I would mind buying another pair when they were out. I think a pair of shoes that gives you 5-8 years is good enough for my sense of responsibility to the planet. I also think about the fact that unlike my Redwings, my blundsones are more versatile fashion wise so they replace more pairs of shoes in my closet than the RW.
Excellent points.
Maybe used to. Our big makers, baxters, succumbed. My jodhpur boots from the 70s with leather sewn soles were good till early 2006. They made military footwear plus different soled boots good for farmers. Not for fashion but function.
I got 2 years out of my last pair of Blunnies, admittedly i wear them pretty hard but the sole completely disintegrated. Switching to jim greens or redbacks now
My Aussie husband had a 10yr old pair of Blundstones. They were really worn but in pretty good shape. I said take them to a cobbler and have them resoled and cleaned. He decided instead during a trip home to OZ to buy a new pair and toss the old ones. Big mistake. The new ones hurt his feet. We’ve tried professional and home remedy methods to soften them to no avail. He really misses wearing Blundstones.
I have had a few of these pairs. Here in Europe you buy them in over priced high end fashion shoe shops, but where I bought mine were from hardware stores from NZ and Australia. Classic and simple and comfortable shoes.
In Ireland all work Chelsea boots are called dealer boots and are available in every local hardware and co op, the dressy Chelsea boots are not and are sold in the fashion shops. Every farmer here wears dealer boots. I've bought boots from Australia when redbacks weren't available here at the time but they're readily available now. The locally available boots were extremely hardwaring and retailed about 40 to 60 euro while the redbacks are over 120 but were not as comfortable
Got my first set of Bluny's when i was a kid, im now 56 and about to my 8th, 9th pair. I don't wear them everywhere or all the time more of a winter shoe with a thickish sock, so versatile and inexpensive for how long they last and the abuse they take.
14 months and loving them. Very comfortable and getting better.
I have a black pair of Blundies and I love them. Got them 2 years ago and they have worn really well. Not to mention, they can really take a beating and they go with pretty much everything.
As an Australian I had no idea Blundstones were sold and are popular in other countries =D
Blundstones aren't fashion boots. They're work boots here in Australia. You will be hard pressed to find any work boot with a goodyear welt in Australia. The prevailing idea is the replace the whole boot before it fails, with another boot which has very little to no break in period. Blundstone, Redback, Steelblue, Oliver, Mongrel and any other brand I can't quite remember all have very much the same range and similar ideology.
Used to be a relatively cheap boot for tradies 20 years ago $60-80 when Nikes costed over $100
Seems strange they’ve now somehow become a ‘fashion’ boot. That also like saying crocs are cool
Been wearing Redbacks (a more comfortable boot I say) for years, made in Sydney Australia since 1925.
Spot on video…Bluntstone boots “ are not made to last! “ the leather is not bad, but the soles fall apart ( disintegrate is a better term) and they do not stand behind their product. They've known about this issue and have done nothing to fix it it, and then blame the customer for the problem. Just chucked out my second pair because of this problem, and if allowed I'd post photos showing the damage. The boots cannot be re- soled because they lack a welt. I'm done and glad you brought up Canada West , because I now have three pairs of their boots which should last me the rest of my days. Superior craftsmanship and fully able to be restored and re soled. Better yet made in Canada 🎉🎉🎉.
ROSSI BOOTS For the win! Made in Australia. They don’t sell them in North America, but you can find sellers in AU that will ship them. Well worth it.
When Blundstone was still making their boots in Oz/Taz and were unlined leather they had leather outsoles and were super comfy. Their TPU sole is more comfortable but their fit lacks a bit but is still a great boot. If you want resoleable buy RM Williams??
Mate, I’m from Tasmania and have been wearing Blundstones - “Blunnies,” as we call them - for over fifty years. They are a good boot and, compared to $500 R M Williams equivalents with welted soles, long lasting and good value. However, they’re not a patch on what they were; their newer TPU soles break down, often before the uppers die, rendering them unwearable. Sad. Another Aussie company, Rossi, do very, very similar boots and actually make them in Australia. I’ll be buying my next boots from them.
The Blundstone 997 are absolutely insanely comfortable and durable
You are right! I recently bought some Blundstones knowing that they are no longer what they used to be. Still 100% Australian remained the boots
Redback (which should be top quality), Mongrel and Blue Southern. However, it is very difficult to find these Australian brands in Europe with the full range of sizes and buying them directly in Australia is a gamble if you get the wrong size
Thanks for teaching me about Goodyear Welt. From now on, that's gonna be a must-have for all my boots.
I've gone through four pairs of Blundstone and won't be buying any more. Each pair lasted less than the previous pair. I just bought my first pair of Redbacks and so far I'm very happy. They're more comfortable than Blundstone, thicker leather and better sole, and they're made in Australia .
As an Australian, Blundstones are good but they've got nothing on Redbacks.
We kept the best stuff for ourselves 😉
No no no no no. Come to Tasmania. You will see the love of Blundstone hit you in the faaaaace. This boot is not basic it is fundamental/essential. We go from four seasons to the wilderness to city in the space of 40 minutes so this boot is a keeper, no matter how basic it's considered outside of our beautiful island.
My blundstones of 5 and a half years just had the soles disintegrate while I was walking at the farmers market! They literaly from one day to the next just started crumbling apart and I was leaving a trail of sole pieces behind me. I wear them every year so I was very disapointed and sad as we had many adventures together. If you are thinking of getting some, just dont! or at least dont get attached like I have.
I had that happen, contacted the company, and they sent me a new pair for free. That was years after the warranty had expired. But they had a problem with a generation of their soles, and they stand behind the product. The pair they sent me as a replacement is now 5ish years old, and they are still going strong!
Glad they stood behind the product for you, unfortunately I just chucked out my second pair for the same reason as the first pair, the soles literally disintegrated, went back to the store where I purchased them, they called the company and said the would give me a discount,( not a new pair and I took the deal-but then it happened again!) The uppers in both cases where like new, took them to three shoemakers and none would resole them. I'm done. Gone over to Canada West and a pair of Redbacks. Sad because I really liked the boots in the beginning. Cheers from Nova Scotia.@@oscholz
Same for me…very disappointed in the sole quality, leaves a black mess behind to add insult to injury. Cheers.
I've been wearing the same pair as my go-to from fall-spring for over 5 years and they are showing very little wear. I give them a polish a couple times a year and they look good as new 🙂. Hoping for another 5 years!
I am very impressed by Blundstone which is popular here in Israel. They don't wear out. Ever, apparently. They are worn year-round and are cool in the summer and never smell. I have had only one pair. But already five years, maybe more! I do not think they are overrated.
I owned blundstones a few years ago but I grew out of them. I now wear Mongrel boots made in Australia and the are comfortable and have lasted daily use for almost 2 years without much wear.
Mongrels are a fine boot, have a pair of suede ones for hot summer field work and a few pairs of redbacks for the rest of the year
I wore mine today in Japan through the snow. Excellent!
Bought some steel cap blundstones and wore them 4/5 times then they sat in a suitcase for a decade, put them on and they were comfortable for the 2 hours before the sole split in half and broke off. So the rubber and glue they use disintegrates if you wear them or not...
Exactly , I've commented that also and others have as well .
And i don't say it's inbuilt obsolescence, i say it's sabotage. It's sabotage because the state of the art for reliable construction is known and understood and established historically ; however the manufacturers choose to ignore the prior state of the art , also they will these days be aware of the shortcomings and choose to not inform the purchasers about the flaw .
I dont care how over rated they are they make me feel good when I wear them and I am confident 😌
I don’t know how the rest you use your boots but I’m an automotive technician on my feet all day and I have a really bad habit of shovel/drag my feet… yet after years and the leather being beat and stretched beyond imagine, the soles still have some life left. Some of the seam between the leather and sole has started to separate a hair, the leather is pretty porous, there’s a bit of steel toe showing, and my feet basically flops around in the boot with 4 insoles. Very well used after 5 years
In the past 8 years, I've gone thru 3 pairs of Blundstones, with another 2 pairs in my closet. I am switching from Blundstone to Redback and Jim Green boots to try them. Blundstone fit well, but the outsoles wear too quickly. They are too expensive for what they deliver. To win me back, Blundstone needs to reformulate the outsole material to wear longer. Or make the outsole a little bit thicker to get more wear.
Blundstones are great, but if I need to replace my Chelsea boots I won't return to Blundstone. I actually find their sizing a bit awkward, I have to keep my toenails very short or they touch the front of the shoe and hurt. I mean, my feet are long but not freakishly long ;) One size up is much too large.
Swedish brand Kavat has a great reputation although a bit wide.
Holy shit I thought I was the only one who experienced this! I have super narrow feet so when I sized up for a longer boot they were just far too wide
This is the first we hear of their sizing issues, that's good to know!! Thanks for tuning in 😜
@@bykaylamoran First I thought it was the different size system, I usually go for a 40 in European sizing and they fit most of the time. But in Blundstones I have 6.5 which should be the same as 40. They are a bit on the short side.
Love these boots - my first pair lasted 12 years and was worn daily during that time!
A pair of R.M Williams is what you need for the classic Australian boot.
I would love to see an episode on Red Wing. They basically have a far superior Chelsea boot that blows blundstone out of the water
Blundstones also cost a fraction of the price, you can find the classic ones with non safety toes for like 90 AUD, every single redwing that i could find on the other hand was more than 350 AUD. No shit they are better when they cost like 4 times as much.
theyre cool and local made but are not nearly as cheap
Nah redwings boots are overpriced and overrated Blundstone is better
Blundstones sound like what you get after someone kicks you hard in the nads.
First hand experience, bought a pair of these a while back and now after only 5 months of consistent wearing I’ve rolled my ankles in them and the back heel rubber is peeling off. Now I’m just looking for something to ACTUALLY LAST.
they're not great; you're absolutely right. the soles fall apart (quite literally) if not worn regularly. they KNOW this issue and choose not to improve the sole material.
I'm super excited for the Birkenstocks video. Birkenstocks makes kitchen footwear and when I worked in industrial kitchens they were the best shoes I ever wore. Although they were the first non-disposable style shoes that I purchased
I hear you on the goodyear welt, but it is very possible that they would not maintain the comfortability they are known for if they changed construction in this way. As for being made overseas, look to R.M. Williams as a comparison. Even boots that are made exclusively in Australia are subject to less than transparent employment practices, ambiguous sustainability, and for that matter it's no guarantee of quality.
Living in southern Ontario, it is pretty hard to get my hands on a pair of Canada West boots. I think I am going to go with redwings in the end, they have less plastic in them, and are only a little more expensive. With thicker leather which should allow them to last for more resoles.
Feel the quality not the width . Thicker leather can crack more easily at the fold lines of the upper . But it depends on the actual leather and the maintenance of it . Definitely you're not getting doc martens , that's good.
@@michaelcorbidge7914 Turns out it is hard to get redwings too. It is difficult to be a conscious consumer sometimes.
Thank you!!!! I’ve been looking forward to this video since you teased in a few weeks back.
Thanks for tuning in! We're stoked on this one...
I’ve had a pair of Blundstone boots for about 25 years.
The original soles are well and truly gone.
I had no trouble in getting them resoled.
They are a work boot that go the distance.
I’m about to get mine resoled again
Why? Because they are bloody worth it
I’ve had the 192 safety boot now for a few months and I love them! Now the leather has broken in a bit, they are even more comfortable than when I had them new. I need a boot that doesn’t have laces and is waterproof because I’m working around muddy locations and using concrete a lot. The only gripe I have is the lack of reinforcement on the toe upper. An additional layer on the toe would make the 192 absolutely perfect. I will
Buy the reinforced boot next time. The soles and insole are just supremely comfy. Brilliant work boot for sure!
Dude I love what you’re doing in this chanel! I’ve been following you on your other chanel but I’m hella excited for this one! I was literally thinking of buying Blundstone shoes before but now I’m not 😆 thank you Levi! Super stocked for this chanel!
Thanks for joining us here + supporting what we're doing!! 👏💪🔥
Had blunnies for close to a decade they went hunting, hiking, city strolls and everything else in between and they were the comfiest boots. Because of that I had no other footwear literally. Bought a second pair and they hurt my feet and not the same so I’ve since switched to red back boots love em will never go back
Nice video. If you’re looking for a high-quality, Aussie made boot, Baxter is the brand. They are family run, have a similar backstory to Blundstone, but use Goodyear welting, and promote ethical overseas partnerships. They also make some boots here in Oz!
This new channel has great branding and editing 👍👍
Glad you think so, thanks for joining us here!! 💪👏
What's the old channel name?
I don’t worry about welt. The leather isn’t as thick as a real boot. The elastic usually starts to give out and the leather is usually pretty beat up before I wore though the sole.
You should look at a South African brand called Jim Green. They make many different shoes, also I Chelsea style like the blundstones. But most of their shoes can be resoled, and they also recently started selling to the American market. Being a South African brand that means very good quality shoes at a very cheap price for Americans
I prefer Blundstone's CSA approves work boots, comfortable and long lasting as mine have over 300km in one season of Hand mowing Greens on a golf course, a lot of back an forth, 12km a day in Rain or shine!.. Now I am wearing them to work on a Ski Hill in the winter, all i need is warm socks. I treat them with Obenaufs LP every 4 weeks and they look good as new, just get more and more comfortable the more i wear them. Best part is my workplace pay's for a pair of CSA approved footwear every year, I actually have 2 pair, I'll probably get a 3rd this year in a different color. I have chucked most of my fast fashion shoes and wear these almost exclusively, I have 1 pair of Helly Hanson winter boots for the real cold snowy says and shovelling and a pair of winter steel toe dakota's for serious work where boots get damaged.
I've learned through the years that support in footwear is a must have and these don't have what I need in footwear, sad‼️