Head into any town around the country (especially those in the Mountain West) and start staring at people鈥檚 feet. I bet within 30 minutes you鈥檒l see at least a couple folks鈥攂oth men and women鈥攚earing a pair of ($200).
The boots are all the rage in聽the United States for several reasons. People love the style, because the Chelsea鈥檚聽over-the-ankle design goes well with tapered or rolled-up jeans, and the leather makes them聽nice enough to wear to work. Some聽outdoorsy types聽have even made them look pleasantly funky with a pair of shorts.
I鈥檓 on the Blundstone bandwagon because these boots聽do a lot of things really well, therefore simplifying my shoe choice. (My editor loves his 550鈥檚, too.) Thanks to a firm but still cushy footbed, the 550鈥檚 have kept my feet happy while standing for hours at work,聽driving for hundreds of miles on end, and crushing聽multi-mile聽hikes. A moderately aggressive聽TPU sole hasn鈥檛 felt excessive on the pavement while I鈥檓 walking the dog, but it鈥檚 given me support while scrambling up rocks on Colorado passes at 12,000 feet.
I don鈥檛 usually wear my 550鈥檚聽during the hottest months of the summer, because nothing鈥攎inus a pair of flip-flops鈥攂reathes well in 100-degree heat. But they鈥檙e聽my go-to shoes from October through May as the leather build is appropriate anywhere and from about 80 degrees to below freezing. They shrug off rain in the fall, and on cold, snowy days I match them with thick wool socks. If you want extra warmth, the brand also makes an .听
During winter, the 550鈥檚 are my favorite pre-ski footwear option, because their height keeps聽snow out as I brush off the car and walk to the lodge. They keep me stable in icy parking lots. After skiing, they鈥檙e easy to pull on and wide enough for my feet to rest a bit after being stuck in vice-grip plastic boots.听
Like all leather products, Blundstones take on a nice patina over time. They actually look better after some scrapes, spills, and miles. In terms of durability, they aren鈥檛 going to last you a decade like a few聽higher-end boots, but their quality leather, double stitching, and rubber sole will withstand at least a couple years聽of daily wear and abuse.听
My wife thinks Blundstones have become a clich茅聽because they鈥檙e so popular. And she might be right. They鈥檒l聽likely lose a few followers after the sheen wears off. But there are still many of us who will continue to love and wear them for their comfort, durability, and versatility.听