Day 13: Blundstone Original Chelsea Boots
The only better (by which I mean long-lasting and uber comfy) boots I’ve ever had were Cole Haans with Nike Air insoles. They were of course discontinued before I could stock up. For the last decade or so, I’ve sworn by the Blundstone 510 – the original in black. I was seduced a year ago (or was it two?) by a “fashionable” version (#2343) with a blue sole and blue stitching…but I can’t seem to break those in – too many painful blisters. They’re supposed to be the same as the 500 series, just “prettier”; they are not the same. So I keep coming back to my 510s. And while they’re arguably a little pricey (though I’d pay more for good boots – worth it!), if I amortize the $200 cost over the five years each pair has lasted, they’re a great buy.
– Fitz
No number 12? Now you’re just playing with us.
I used to wear these all day in a furniture factory, they are good. They haven’t been made in Australia for a long time though and now seem to be made in whatever low labour cost country they can get the best deal in. Those people gotta eat too but it’s an industry and outsourcing method not exactly known for humane treatment.
Many (perhaps most?) Australians who wear this style of boot have moved to Redback boots, which are more comfy than the old blunnies and are still made here. They are also no more expensive. I’m pretty sure they are available in the US.
Avoid Blundstones if you have high arches… for some people the seam at the “V” corner of the upper leather patch may dig into the foot. I have never understood why that small piece of leather needs to be sown in, except for that it is cheaper than using a full piece of leather. Many moons ago they were made without the inset piece, similar to the Women’s #2460, or the new mens #1900. The Redback boots are likely better for those of us with high arches, or perhaps Rossi if you can find them.
I greatly admire women who place a premium on good-quality foot-wear, as opposed to “style”. I’ve always been amazed and appalled by people who are willing to permanently deform and injure their feet with cheap and ill-fitting stuff. That said, unless your footwear is personally bespoke and custom-made, and perhaps not even then, almost ALL off-the-shelf footwear is high-risk. If you can find a brand and shoe-last-pattern that consistently works for you, you should stick to it, and if it fails, abandon it like a tool-stealing step-child.
The closest to Tasmania my blunnies have got is when I went there on holidays. I live in them though. Flog them, put polish on them and they come up great.