Hello
I have a pair of Blundstones that I bought more than ten years ago, and they are finally falling apart; the sole is separating from the upper. They had heavy use for five years or so, but I've been easier on them recently - still ten years + is not too shabby.
My initial thought was to buy a new pair, but I dimly remember a similar thread from years ago where someone suggested superior alternatives, along with a youtube video of a man sawing pairs of boots in half to demonstrate which were better made.
The style I've got is what I would call a Chelsea boot, though I've heard others describe them as Dealer boots, and that's the type I'm after: easy to slip on and off.
So, what is the STW verdict? Stick with Blundstones or is there anything better?
Can't recommend any boots but this is the bloke who cuts boots in half.
https://www.youtube.com/c/roseanvil
As far as I can see where I am, the country types wear Redbacks and the county types wear Blundstones.
I wear old five tens or Salomons so can't comment on either.
I went for some Redbacks, on the back of the Rose Anvil video's, can't say for sure how long they will last though, but a year in they're just scuffed. I bought them, as I was slip on curious, there brilliant for popping out and about & look more adult than my MOAB's. Though being a loose fit, I won't wear them dog walking as you have no ankle support, and the loose fit mean your feet move about a lot inside them.
I love my Lanx 'Garstang' Chelsea boots. UK made, very comfy when worn in, superb quality.
I have a pair of Rossi Endura 303 boots.
Not sure how old they are, but I do remember wearing them to my youngest daughter's birth and she is 18 years old next month!
I had problems with the right upper separating from the sole as well.
I tried superglue and shoe glue, but both of them did not work.
Eventually I tried Araldite and, touch wood, that seems to have worked.
I was looking online and they are very expensive nowadays.
Most places sell them for £130 to £140.
But, it is worth shopping around because some farming shops have them for just under £100.
This may or may not matter to you but most Blundstones aren't made in Australia anymore. Redback seem to be still made in Sydney.
You could look at Lanx, they have some (but not all) boots made in the UK or you could look at Redwing who make all their heritage boots in Minnesota. They do a nice Chelsea.
If you go for Redwings, I recommend getting fitted, I'm glad I did as I would have bought the wrong size had i just ordered them online.
If you want UK made, Goodyear welted and resolable whilst being a bit less cash than Lanx, checkout Solovair.
https://uk.nps-solovair.com/collections/dealer-boot?countrycode=GB
Had a set of over a year now and wear them all the time, love 'em. They have a good outlet section on their site if you're lucky there may be something in your size there, if you're anywhere near Northampton the factory shop is worth a visit too.
Also have Red Wings and they are lovely but lordy lord they are expensive now.
Dealer boots are clunky.
Chelsea boots are boots designed for ladies
Thanks all, lot's of good info here.
I like the look of the Lanx, but the price! Yikes! Solovair looks like a good deal. I'm leaning towards Rossi or Redback because of their reputations. I'd love some Redwings, but again the price is high.
I've enjoyed watching loads of Rose Anvil videos, thanks for the link gobuchul.
I like the look of the Lanx, but the price! Yikes!
Fair, but if you have a defence or blue light discount card (or know someone who has) you can get 15% discount. They do occasionally have sales or offers too.
Frankly I wouldn't be seen out of the house in anything less than... https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/craftsman-boot-crocodile-leather-chestnut.html?lang=en_AU&srsltid=AfmBOorQbQ7x8XBIIc6gXMrowTLxGNlvZryL2-JF1ZC9Ofsn7J5gJEN69L8
Hahaha, I thought you were serious till I followed the link.
I mean, they seem expensive... but you can't really put a price on quality can you?
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I have mentioned Redbacks and Rose Anvils video before on here, having tried most farmer style Chelsea boots and blown away by the supreme quality for the same cost
In essence
1. Redbacks still made in Sydney (not moved to China like Blundstones)
2. Incredible amount of premium foam which makes them unbelievably comfortable and durable (as shown in the video)
3. Significantly thicker and premium leather which will only add to their comfort and durability
4. Negligible price difference compared to made in China blundstones/dr martens and their ilk
£120 from here as an example
www.ozoverboots.co.uk/collections/boots-and-footwear/products/redback-boots-nubuck-ubch
••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thankfully, Rose Anvil also removed any minor doubts one may have had about where RM Williams truly belong
•••$589!? RM Williams should be embarrassed•••
Personally I can't wear the elastic-sided slip on boots. I wear Mongrel zip-siders - really easy for coming in and out of the house and cheap. They size pretty big, but are great for me as i've a wide foot.
If you want a pure muddy or abrasive conditions work boot where the uppers are likely to be be toast by the time the sole tread wears out Red Backs are probably a better bet. Wear 'em til they're dead then buy a new pair.,
If you're more of an all round everyday boot then the Goodyear welt of the Solovairs allows them to be resoled so, as long as you look after the uppers, you'll get a very long life out of them.
A resole can be had for £70 a pair here https://bootrepaircompany.co.uk/collections/solovair-repairs, which seams reasonable.
In fairness the welted construction is also a fair bit of the reason why they're more expensive than the Red Backs in the first place.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I have mentioned Redbacks and Rose Anvils video before on here, having tried most farmer style Chelsea boots and blown away by the supreme quality for the same costIn essence
1. Redbacks still made in Sydney (not moved to China like Blundstones)
2. Incredible amount of premium foam which makes them unbelievably comfortable and durable (as shown in the video)
3. Significantly thicker and premium leather which will only add to their comfort and durability
4. Negligible price difference compared to made in China blundstones/dr martens and their ilk
£120 from here as an example
www.ozoverboots.co.uk/collections/boots-and-footwear/products/redback-boots-nubuck-ubch
••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thankfully, Rose Anvil also removed any minor doubts one may have had about where RM Williams truly belong
•••$589!? RM Williams should be embarrassed•••
£120 seems a bargain for those compared to Blundstone at £175+ rrp
Also "Please note that in Redback’s sizing, half sizes are wider, not longer—so choosing a half size up will increase the width rather than the length." is interesting. Blundstone's meant to be the same.
I don't know how much interest there is in my musings, but I have narrowed it down to three for the moment. Four if we include reeksy's $5000 alligator skin boots.
Redbacks:
https://www.ozoverboots.co.uk/products/redback-jarrah-brown-soft-toe-boot-ubjk?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=d47f5bf5c&pr_rec_pid=6876073328720&pr_ref_pid=14956588302712&pr_seq=uniform
Rossi
https://wineryboots.com/collections/all/products/endura-elastic-slide-work-boot-brown
and Red Wings
The Red Wings are the priciest, but I like the looks of them most
The Solovairs seem like great boots, but they're a bit dressier looking than the others, which isn't really what I'm after.
The Red Wing pricing on Legend footwear looks almost too good to be true, the Heritage US-made models usually are very hard to find on a discount apart from the occasional odd size or discontinued model.
I have to ask, are they legit?
I've used Legend footwear before (to buy Keen shoes, if I remember correctly) and didn't have any problems. Good question though, I'll investigate.
I have a small collection of Trickers boots which I really appreciate the quality of.
Yes they are expensive but I think if you split the cost over their lifetime it doesn’t seem too bad.
Henry and Stephen are the Trickers dealer/ Chelsea styles.
The Henry on the 4444 last and quite roomy: size down by half or big socks.
Stephen on the 4497 is true to size with a little less room in the toe box.
https://trickers.com/collections/chelsea-boots
The Red Wing pricing on Legend footwear looks almost too good to be true, the Heritage US-made models usually are very hard to find on a discount apart from the occasional odd size or discontinued model.
I have to ask, are they legit?
all their stuff seems to be heavily discounted but too wide a range and unusual styles to be fake, I reckon end of line/old season?
They look great - if a little 'dressy' once again - but that price is way to warm for me. I do understand what you mean about paying high prices for real quality, I've never regretted it when I've done that, but I'm looking for work boots.
I could get a pair of Red Wings for daily use, another pair for best, and a pair of Rossi for emergencies for the same price.
hatter - I've checked out Legend Footwear and they seem legit. I'm definitely leaning that way.
Cool, if they're legit then I'll definitely be checking them out the next time I'm in the market for Red Wings.
Please report back if you do order from them.
I like the look of the Lanx, but the price! Yikes!
I think Lanx are actually pretty decent value, especially if you get one of their introductory offers or pick them up in a sale. They're massively better quality than Blundstones. I like my Blundstones for kicking around, they're comfy but the leather is of poor quality and looks it.
Personally I’m trying not to buy any more boots that can’t be properly resoled. I’ve thrown away too many disposable boots where the leather is starting to look worn in and they’re comfortable but the soles and construction are junk so not worth repairing.
I've just had a look at the prices of Blundstone vs Lanx. At rrp Blundstones are starting at £170 and Lanx starting at c£220.
At these prices Lanx are massively better VFM. Much better quality leather, resolable, lined, just a much higher quality product in general.
And then you have Solovairs, which are resoleable, UK made and about the same as Bundstones pricewise.
Obviously you have to like the look.
I also quite like the Lanx, drove past their factory in the Summer and realized just a tiny bit late that I should have probably stopped and stuck my nose in.
I also quite like the Lanx, drove past their factory in the Summer and realized just a tiny bit late that I should have probably stopped and stuck my nose in.
Their marketing is definitely 'hipster ****er' but that doesn't really matter if you like the product.
Do take their star ratings with a pinch of salt though, I gave a mediocre review of their socks and it never appeared on the website.
Had several pairs of Blundstone's and still have a pair in the cupboard to break in as found them on a great deal a few years ago and bought 2 pairs. However the last pair have not lasted as well as the originals, leather has worn quicker, soles worn more and generally looked shabbier much quicker.
As such I will look elsewhere when I do need to replace them. Redbacks look best value but do fancy a pair of Lanx too!
Had several pairs of Blundstone's and still have a pair in the cupboard to break in as found them on a great deal a few years ago and bought 2 pairs. However the last pair have not lasted as well as the originals, leather has worn quicker, soles worn more and generally looked shabbier much quicker.
As such I will look elsewhere when I do need to replace them. Redbacks look best value but do fancy a pair of Lanx too!
get them out and wear them. Blundstone soles suffer from hydrolysis - they will break down and disintegrate if you DONT wear them. (I've had this happen on a pair I wore really infrequently).
The Red Wing pricing on Legend footwear looks almost too good to be true, the Heritage US-made models usually are very hard to find on a discount apart from the occasional odd size or discontinued model.
I have to ask, are they legit?
Following on from this thread, I too needed a new pair of boots to replace a worn out pair of Blundstone's. Looking at the price of Red Wing's on Legend Footwear, I had my doubts, but online reviews suggested they were legitimate.
I ordered RW Chelsea boots off them on Monday morning, taking the size from an old pair of RW Mocs. They arrived this afternoon, and to be honest they're perfect. They are original RW's no issue. The box looked as if it had been round the block but the boots are fine.
So, yes. I'd say Legend are legit. Ten out of ten for customer service..