Are Blundstones Good For Hiking? [Top Things to Know] 2023
Designed in Tasmania over 150 years ago, these boots were made to take on all of life’s challenges and adventures.
Blundstones are a popular boot that you’ll see almost anywhere.
They’re tough, fashionable, and of good quality.
But are Blundstones good for hiking? And should we be seeing them out on the trails? Or should they be left at home?
In this post we’ll cover all of the pros and cons of wearing Blundstones on the trails and whether or not you should do so.
Are Blundstones Good For Hiking?
One of the biggest reasons that people love to wear Blundstones out on the trail is because they’re great quality.
These rugged boots were designed to be work boots way back in the 1800s and have stayed extremely durable ever since.
But, they weren’t made to be hiking boots. They were made to be work boots.
They don’t have a lot of the support and traction that we need for being out on the trails.
So the answer is, unfortunately, no, Blundstones are not good for hiking.
If you want to take them on a quick hike through a nature trail or for just a few short and easy miles, go for it.
They work surprisingly well for short hikes on easy trails that don’t require a lot of climbing!
But once you start getting into rougher terrain and longer distances, I would stick with a pair of dedicated hiking boots.
Pros of Wearing Blundstones
Below you’ll find some of the positives that do come with wearing a pair of Blundstone boots on the trail.
Stylish
It’s no secret that Blundstones are extremely stylish and can be worn in tons of different ways with tons of different outfits.
Whether you’re dressing them up with a nice pair of jeans and a top or wearing them around the campfire, they’re cute.
But, style and fashion definitely aren’t the top priorities when it comes to hiking shoes, so this isn’t a real big winner in my book.
Versatility
Another reason people enjoy their Blundstones is that they are so versatile.
People use them for work, walking, hiking, dressing up, and on casual days.
They’re great in spring, fall, and winter, and potentially on cooler summer days as well.
This makes it much easier to declutter because you’ll have one or two fewer pairs of shoes in your entryway closet.
Quality
Just like with how fashionable they are, it’s also no secret that Blundstones are of great quality.
They’re built to last and are extremely durable.
Just like Timberlands, which many people also love for their trustworthiness and high quality.
Though they are expensive (many over $200 per pair), you’ll certainly get what you pay for.
Cons of Wearing Blundstones
There are a few very important things when it comes to hiking footwear, that some shoes just don’t possess.
Unfortunately, the cons of hiking in Blundstones outweigh the pros, so let’s go over them.
Support
Support is an extremely important factor in footwear for the trail because you’ll be walking on uneven ground, on exposed tree roots, and over sharp rocks.
You want a pair of shoes or boots that can support your feet and ankles, no matter which way they roll and move.
Blundstones aren’t built for hiking, so they just don’t have the proper ankle support that you will need.
These don’t have any lacing, so your ankles are just freely moving around in the boot, rather than being supported.
This also means that your foot will be free to slide around in the boot, since they can’t be tightened at all.
Traction
Another important factor of hiking footwear is the traction that can keep you stable in unstable conditions.
While Blundstone outsoles are durable, they just don’t provide the right traction.
They’ll do great in work conditions and on flat grounds, but as soon as you get to an incline, you may lose grip.
This can be dangerous, as hiking trails can definitely get slippery, whether it be from rain, snow, or ice.
Breathability
Blundstone boots are made to be rough and rugged, so breathability wasn’t a huge factor in their creation.
In the winter, this might be nice, because they’ll keep your feet warm, but as soon as the temperatures rise, you’ll be sweating.
You’re going to want something that lets your foot breathe at least a little bit when hiking.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with wet, sweaty, smelly feet, which is really no fun.
Waterproof
When you’re on the trail, you never know when you’re going to come across a puddle or stream that needs crossing.
Which is why I love having waterproof shoes that are designed specifically for these things.
Because Blundstones made of leather material that has been tanned, they do have a water-resistant label.
So light rain or wet grass will be just fine, but if you’re caught in a storm or step over a river, they will get wet.
And when leather gets wet, it can get drug down and become very heavy.
You are able to purchase a waterproofing spray to help keep them intact and more waterproof.
The Thermal and Gumboot models, however, are waterproof.
What Are Blundstone Boots?
If you’ve never heard of Blundstone boots before, don’t worry, you aren’t alone.
Many people have seen the style of boot before but weren’t actually aware of what they were called (just like duck boots!).
Blundstones have been around since 1870 when they were created in Tasmania by John Blundstone.
Their purpose was to be a shoe that could withstand anything thrown at them.
They were used in the 1940s for World War II and were used for workboots starting in the 1950s.
In the 1960s, their signature #500 boot was created, which has since been sold and worn for various activities.
Today, they’re built to be strong, tough, rugged boots that can be worn for just about anything.
From concerts to workplaces to hiking trails to malls, you’ll see Blundstones everywhere you go.
Tips for Wearing Blundstones for Hiking
If you decide to go hiking in Blundstones, you should definitely follow a few tips for the most comfortable experience.
- Break them in before wearing them to avoid getting blisters or having sore feet.
- Make sure you have the proper size so your feet don’t slide around.
- Wear hiking socks so they don’t slide down and cause blisters on your ankles.
- Only go on short hikes with minimal elevation gain.
- Use insoles to make the soles more comfortable.
FAQs
Are Blundstones Good for Your Feet?
There’s not really a surefire way to know whether or not a pair of shoes is good for your feet.
But the American Podiatric Medical Association currently does not have any approval for Blundstone boots.
So if we’re following their guidelines, we can’t exactly say that they are in fact good for your feet.
Are Blundstones Waterproof?
Blundstone boots are not waterproof, but rather water-resistant.
You can purchase a spray to help make them more waterproof.
But the Thermal and Gumboot models are in fact waterproof.
Are Blundstones Good for Outdoors?
They can be good for the outdoors, as long as you aren’t wearing your Blundstones in water or snow.
They’re rugged and durable boots, but because of their lack of waterproofing, it’s not a good idea to get them wet.
So just be cautious when you’re outside so you don’t wreck your precious footwear!
Will Blundstones Get Ruined in the Rain?
Blundstones do have a water-resistant label which does well at wicking away moisture and small rain drops.
However, you should avoid getting them soaked as they will soak up water and become heavy.
They won’t necessarily get ruined, but you should try not to soak them as much as possible.
Are Blundstones Too Hot for the Summer?
They have limited breathability, so it definitely might be too hot in the summer to go hiking in Blundstones.
Are Blundstones Comfortable?
Yes! Many people love wearing Blundstones and find them very comfortable.
However, wearing them for long distances may become uncomfortable because they can become heavy and don’t provide great support for your ankles or arches.
Are Blundstones Good for Snow?
Just like what I mentioned above about rain, Blundstones shouldn’t get too wet, as you may damage the leather.
However, they do tend to keep your feet warm and are water-resistant to some degree.
What Makes a Good Hiking Boot?
A good hiking boot is usually characterized by being supportive, having good traction, and being comfortable.
These are all really important for being out on the trail to keep you as safe and comfortable as possible.
There are so many great brands of hiking boots out there that meet these standards.
Oboz, Salomon, Merrell, Danner, and Hoka are all good examples.
Wrap-Up: Are Blundstones Good For Hiking?
While there are so many different styles of shoes and boots out there that could be worn for hiking, it’s important to choose the right pair.
One that supports you and keeps you safe is the best bet.
So are Blundstones good for hiking? We’ve decided that the answer is not necessarily.
For shorter hikes, they would be great, but for anything longer, get yourself a good pair of hiking boots.
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