Blundstone Chelsea Boots

Review by Kate Agathon

In the small Colorado mountain community where I live, you can spot a local a mile away.

Here, there is nothing more “local” than someone wearing a Melanzana micro grid hoody from Leadville and a pair of Blundstone Chelsea Boots from Tasmania (a seemingly odd geographical origin pairing, am I right?).

Both men and women wear this combination as if it were an unofficial local’s uniform (the only variation is adding a toque and puffy jacket in the winter).

Therefore, I was excited to finally try a pair of the much-loved Blundstone Unisex 558 Classics Chelsea Boot.

A little backstory: I wear a U.S. Women’s size 5.

Until I attended the Outdoor Media Alliance (OMA) trade show in February, I had given up hope on ever wearing them, since the smallest advertised is a U.S. Women’s size 6.

The brand representative observed me staring at them longingly and asked me if I’ve ever worn them. I responded that I hadn’t because my feet were too small. He suggested wearing a kid’s size.

I was stunned. Why had I not considered that before?

I didn’t even realize that Blundstone made Chelsea boots in youth sizes! When the Blundestone Unisex 558 Chelsea Boot size 3 finally arrived, I was absolutely ecstatic.

Look and Fit

The Blundstone Chelsea Boot kind of reminds me of a rugged version of the Doc Martens of my 1990s youth in terms of design, sole, and logoed pull tabs.

Originally designed in Tasmania as heavy-duty footwear for laborers, Blundstones have become a mountain life staple due to their timeless design, ruggedness, and pull-on convenience.

They looked equally great with my canvas work overalls as they did with my Melanzana hoody dress. Despite being a size 3, the fit was not as large as I had feared (I had read they run large), and they did not require a break in time for walking around.

In fact, the only so-called break in time I would consider is me learning to take them off with ease without having to sit down and despite using the handy pull tabs. That, I suspect, will come with time once they get a bit more broken in.

Also, to make them even more comfortable, they come with a complimentary set of multi-fit footbeds.

As I have settled well into middle age, I have made it my mission to fill my closet with pull-on pants and comfortable waists and replace traditionally laced footwear with those featuring either pull-on, or a BOA Fit System.

The convenience of the pull-on boots to walk dogs or do errands cannot be overstated. The Blundstone Chelsea Boots with their elastic sides eliminate the need to constantly bend over and adjust laces (my laces would perpetually become undone) or deal with annoying hardware.

Can boots be comfortable and protective? Yes.

Features

• Built-in SPS Max Comfort System absorbs up to 90 percent of walking impact
• Heat-injected durable molded TPU outsoles
• 2.5 mm thick water-resistant leather
• Black elastic side
• Cushioned midsole for comfort
• Heel strike zone for shock absorption

Keep in mind that Blundstones are categorized by Australian sizing; exactly 3 sizes smaller than a U.S. Women’s size. Also, Blundstone half sizes increase the width of the boot, not the length.

Overall Thoughts

After being able to wear the Blundstone Chelsea Boots, I finally understand why they are so popular among locals. They’re durable, transcend fashion trends, and comfortable (I mean, they do have a workwear heritage). In short, they are classics- just as their name implies.

While the Mickey Mouse-like Fubuki winter boot trend will come and go, the classic Blundstones will remain.

The Blundstone Chelsea boot comes in an astonishing 22 unisex sizes, 30+ different colors (core neutrals, earth tones and suedes) and several different leather finishes available.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and mom to her furbabies, Sansa and Benjen.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment to her writing.

Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She and her husband, Paul, live in Summit County with their dogs, Benjen and Sansa.

Kate earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving two terms on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

The Dr. of Stoke has been part of the Engearment team since 2016.