As a traveller, one of the toughest questions is always “what shoes should I take on vacation?” They take up so much space, but it’s also something you kind of can’t live without. Depending on the type of trip you’re going on, Blundstones might be your new go-to travel boot.
Blundstone boots are worth it because they’re comfortable to wear for a whole day – no matter the weather or terrain. Plus they’re sold in a lot of different styles and colours for any occasion!
Blundstone is Australian company from 1870, so they have enough experience to know what they’re doing! They’re a bit on the pricier side, but your feet will thank you for bringing them on your next trip!
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Are Blundstones Worth It?
Blundstone boots aren’t exactly the cheapest footwear of choice. They range from $130 CAD to $260 CAD (depending on the style and colour you want).
Despite the hefty price tag I can safely say that Blundstone boots are worth it! You’re buying a sturdy boot that can last you years! They’re also very versatile to wear in different temperatures and for different activities. They’re the ultimate boot to whatever your trip throws at them!
But How Long Do Blundstones Last?
Blundstones swears by their boots lasting for two to seven years if worn as everyday boots and with proper maintenance. But I know people that have had their Blundstones for YEARS! And when I say years, I’m talking a good 10 years with everyday use!
So far I’ve had my Blundstone boots for over 2 years and there’s only a bit of wear and tear on the heel from when I take them off. I wear them well throughout the year (even during the winter months… skip ahead to see how I adapt my Blundstone boots for winter).
I also bought the Blundstone classic rustic style which is more of a washed leather so they don’t really look more worn as I wear them throughout the years.
But if you do want to get the most out of your boots it’s also important to look after them properly…
They Require Some Maintenance
Blundstones are sturdy boots that are meant to last through thick and thin. But as with any quality shoe, they have to be properly looks after. It’s simple, if you don’t take care of them, don’t expect them to last as long. To extend how long Blundstones last, I recommend putting in a bit of maintenance to keep them in top shape.
When I first bought my boots, I sprayed them with a water resistant spray to safeguard them even more from rain. You should do this about once a year as well.
There’s also a wax you can buy to maintain the colour. Amazon sells three main wax colours, shop brown wax here, shop black wax here, or shop cherry wax here. Having bought the rustic Blundstones, I don’t need to use wax on them.
I did find that after the first year, I needed to replace the insole. I wore them so much that they were completely flat. It added a lot of comfort to have a new fresh one. (P.S. You don’t need to buy Blundstone brand insoles as they’re quite overpriced.. the same goes for winterized insoles). You can buy whichever brand you want, I like replacing them with an arched insole even for more support! But simple insole replacements (like these on Amazon) work just as well!
Blundstone Boots Have A Style For Everyone
There’s a Blundstone boot for EVERYONE! A travel boot does not have to be big and clunky to be comfortable. Okay, so the Original Blundstone might be a bit big and clunky, but they’re a trendy Chelsea boot style nowadays.
Blundstones sells a TON of different boot styles. The most popular are the Original, Classic, Dress, Thermal (waterproof) , Active, and even a Women’s series. These series either come in both rustic or leather finish options. They are for the most part all Chelsea boot styles, I’ll go into some more detail about each series below.
I went with the Rustic Classic Blundstone. I was looking for a boot that I would be able to tour the city, but also trek muddy hiking trails and not worry about ruining them. When you’re travelling, you have to be ready for everything. The rustic finish is really good for that.
Finding The Right Blundstone Boot For You
The Original and the Classic Series are the two most popular types of Blundstone boots. Although they both have the classic Chelsea boot style, there are a few differences. They have a different lining, the Original boot is lined with either cotton or cambrelle where as the Classic is lined with leather (this makes the Classic a warmer boot). The fit is also slightly different, the Original runs a bit narrower compared to the wider Classic boot.
The most popular Original boot is the 500 series (see it on Amazon). But it’s also the only series to offer a lace-up boot if you’re looking for that (which is better for hiking!).
The Classic Boot 585 is the most popular Blundstone boot there is (see prices on Amazon). The rustic finish, for me, was a real selling point to not have to worry about the look of the boot.
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The Dress Series is a great option if you want something a bit fancier (check them out on Amazon here). They’re medium wide and have a chisel (square) toe. These are the ultimate day to night shoe, ready for touring all day and bringing you straight into your dinner plans. You won’t have to go back to your hotel to change with these!
If you’re travelling to hotter or colder destination, they also have a boot for you. The Active Series is shorter, lighter, and ultimately more breathable boot. The Thermal Series comes with better waterproofing and lining making it the ultimate Blundstone boot for winter (although, I have some recommendation below if you’re looking for a warmer boot as well).
They also sell Blundstone Boots Women Series, which offers three new types of boots with heels and accents.
Blundstones Are Ready For Anything! Maximum Versatility
One of the main reasons I love Blundstones for travel is for the versatility they offer: rain or shine, hiking or city dwelling. Depending on the style and finish you get, they can even bring you right into your night time adventures (either Blundstone boot Women series or dress series)!
Hiking shoes are not meant for walking on concrete in the city, you’ll wear them out. But this isn’t the case for Blundstones. They are great hiking boots for light hikes, but if you’re looking to do some more serious hiking trails I’d recommend the Original series with laces for extra support.
Plus, Blundstones are good for any weather! Travelling in the spring, summer, fall or winter! They’re also water resistant, which is a real concern if you’re going to be outside all day, you never know what weather you’re going to have on vacation. With Blundstones, you’re ready for anything! Literally one boot can do it all!
Are Blundstones Boots Good For Winter: Weathering The Extremes
For me, these boots are perfect for cooler spring and fall weather. But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them in other seasons. I start wearing them when it gets to around 10-15 °C (41 – 50°F) outside to around 0°C (32°F) during the winter.
BUT! If I pair them with thin wool socks and sherpa lined insoles, I can wear them even when it’s -10°C (14°F)! If you still need some added warmth, buy some toe heaters that you put in your boot for the day.
They do sell the Thermal Series which are warmer Blundstone boots for winter, but then you’re stuck with only a winter boot and nothing to wear the rest of the year. That’s why I’d recommend buying the Classic Series and winterizing them yourself.
I do find that Blundstones are a bit too warm to wear in the summer, but some people love them all year round! I know people who wear them in Israel… where it’s a sauna! But, let’s be real, if I’m going on vacation during the summer, I don’t want my feet to be stuck in shoes anyway.
How To Winterize Your Blundstones – What You’ll Need (Amazon Links)
Blundstones For Travel: How Do You Pack Them?
If you’re travelling by plane, boots aren’t exactly the smallest item to pack. I won’t lie, if you decide to bring these bad boys, they will take up a lot of space in your suitcase. I’ve been in the same situation where if you can bring a smaller pair of shoes, you may consider sacrificing comfort for space.
But, what if I told you that you didn’t have to? Blundstones are so comfortable that these are your go-to travel boot. What I love to do though is to actually pack them on the way down and then wear them on the way home. This way, I know I’m going to have more than enough room for souvenirs… I may have a problem.
This is also why I recommend not buying the Thermal Series. If you’re travelling to a colder destination, you’ll still be able to wear your boots on the plane, and then you can add all you winter add-ons after (go to winter add-on recommendations).
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Buying Blundstones: Heads Up! The Sizing is WEIRD
I think I bought a good 6 pairs before finding the right size (they didn’t have my size in store so I had to order them online). The first size I bought was too small, the second pair too big… and then somehow it took me 6 tries to find my size.
Blundstone is an Australian company, so the sizes, especially for women, can be quite confusing. Depending on where you’re buying your boots from, they may be in men’s sizes. So, you’ll have to convert your size first to men’s (US) and then convert it to Australian sizes (about 2 sizes bigger).
On top of that, half sizes don’t increase the length size. This is why when I bought a half size bigger, they were the same as the first pair… The half size only increases the width, so if you have wider feet, go up a half size even if you wouldn’t normally.
Another thing to keep in mind is if you’re buying from the Dress Series, these run a full size longer! So, you’ll actually want to size down for these… Blundstones also gives you an extra insole with each boot, this is how you get half sizes. So if you’re in between sizes, buy one size up and add the second insole. See the sizing chart here!
Breaking In Blundstones Takes TIME!
I cannot express this enough. BREAKING IN YOUR BLUNDSTONES TAKES TIME. If you’re planning on buying Blundstones for travel, make sure you have sufficient time to break them in before your trip.
I bought my Blundstones for my 4 month trip to Europe and I though I’d made a terrible decision buying these the first month away. The reality is that I didn’t leave myself enough time to break them in. I only bought them about a month before I left and couldn’t really wear them because it was a heatwave in Montreal. So I was left with breaking them in on my trip.
Both my partner and I bought the same pairs (and yes, we were constantly matching!) and both had aching feet. It was the bottom of our feet that hurt the most – you have to break in the sole of the Blundstones. They hurt so much that I couldn’t wear them for a week afterwards. I had to buy insoles for my other shoes and I even needed to put my feet on ice some nights.
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They were tolerable about a month later to walk for longer, but I’d say I really only started to love them 6 months after buying them (2 months after our trip had ended!). Now that I’ve had them for over 2 years, Blundstones are my go to travel boot for city walks and hikes!
The trick is to break them in slowly, and not to overdo wearing your Blundstones at the start. Start slow by wearing them for a bit each day for longer periods of time. The time it takes for you to break in your Blundstones is different for everyone. You might need no time at all, maybe it takes a month or 6 months! A common time frame to break in your Blundstones is about 2 months of constant use.
It’s also common to get blisters while breaking in Blundstones on your heel. You can use a shoe stretcher (buy one on Amazon here) or try crushing the heel with your hand to soften the leather. The simplest method is also just to wear a band aid on your heel before putting on your Blundstones.
Hack To Speed Up Breaking In Blundstones
If you don’t have 6 months to slowly break in your Blundstones, I recommend buying an insole. It may seem like that kind of defeats the purpose of buying these boots but it makes them A LOT more comfortable during the break in period.
This is what we did while we were away so that we were still able to wear our Blundstones for travel.
Find Your Perfect Pair Of Blundstones On Amazon
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Marika
Saturday 13th of February 2021
these boots are so cute! I am always on the lookout for comfy travel shoes. I will have to check these out.
Meghan
Monday 15th of February 2021
Me too! I've been really happy with my blundstones since breaking them in, they've been great for travel!
Lisa Shehan
Saturday 13th of February 2021
I'll be honest.. I had never heard of this brand, but I've seen people wearing them before! They look like a great pair of travel boots - I appreciate your review featuring the pros and cons! I'll have to look into them for myself!
Meghan
Monday 15th of February 2021
They really are! So durable and comfortable for an entire day of touring! Just remember they do have a really long break in period
Brittany
Saturday 13th of February 2021
Finding good, comfortable travel boots can be so difficult! Thanks for sharing this helpful post!
Meghan
Monday 15th of February 2021
IT really can be! :D