Blundstone Boots

[Biltmore Bob]

I've got a hankering for a pair of Blunnies, but there ain't no retailers in my neck o' the woods. Anybody out thar what has a pair, can give me a report?

 

[Flitcraft]

R.M. Williams question. . . ?

Greetings, Paddy!
A liitle assistance, Amigo: Do any models of the Williams boots come with rubber soles, and if so, which ones? Any other suggestions/observations much appreciated.
Muchas gracias!

 

[PADDY]

Hi. Their website is http://www.bootsonline.com.au/

They have some that have composite soles (non leather), so that they are oil/fuel resistant (that's what mine are, and they look great and wear great).
I've found that the more beat-up they become and mould to your feet, the greater the character they get. And so versatile too. The ones you see of mine are the GARDENER, and come in black or brown hide, unlined (this stuff is thick). Check first that you can work-out your size, as they are in Australia and I believe when they say an '9' or whatever, it is an English/UK sizing. Good luck with that.

 

[Canadave]

I have both Blundstones and Williams, and I'd have to agree that the Williams are higher quality, but I have no complaints about the Blunnies.

I think these are the closest to the Williams I have...rubber soles. Very well made, comfortable, and high quality.

David

 

[Flitcraft]

Thanks for the leads.
Off to do some boot shopping!

 

[swinggal]

Now for an Aussie perspective...'Blunnies' were (and still are) traditionally a work-boot worn on building sites, mining sites and for gardeing etc. They have a more robust feeling about them and a rougher look. They only became a 'fashion' item in the late 80s/early 90s thanks to gay culture, which slowly trickled into maintream fashion. Tap Dogs also made them more popular worldwide. They finish off a casual vintage outfit nicely and I have sent several pairs to friends in the vintage scene in Europe. Blunnies used to be $25 AUD a pair when I was in high school!!! A friend of mine in London told me that 5 years ago people were paying $300 for them! (suckers)

Williams are different/higher quality with a sahper heel because they were made for stockman and farm workers. Worn mainly by 'country folk' before they became popular with the mainstream too

 

[Canadave]

...Blunnies used to be $25 AUD a pair when I was in high school!!!...

Wow! How much are they now? This model, especially made for the Canadian market, are $179 ($188 AUS/$142 USD).

(I'll add one thing...there are many more "knockoffs" in Australia...other brands with a similar look, incorporating the elastic side panel and front and back loops. On our visit, I wondered if Aussies actually wore these type of boots, or if they were mainly for export, but yes, they are worn by the locals!)

David

 

[swinggal]

Hee hee...knockoffs, thats funnee Most of the other brands have been around a long time too (like Rossi's).

You can still get Blundstones in places like 'Work Clobber' for $50 a pair here, it's were miners/construction workers etc go to get their clothing. They know they have to keep the prices lower there because those guys aren't going to pay $140 for a pair of boots they paid $35 dollars for around 6 years ago.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Gay culture...what a shame.

 

[BellyTank]

I remember- back in NZ in the early '90s being told that Blundstones were going to take the World by storm as "the new Doc Martens ", they kind of did.
The early DMs were actually quite good- then they became a hollow, low quality, brand item.
B
T

 

[swinggal]

Gay culture...what a shame.

Huh? I meant it as a good thing! A lot of my gay friends are the most stylish people I know. Over the last 10 years I think every man under 40 has aquired pair for casual ware...even girlies. :kick:

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Love the sinner, hate the sin, ay Swinggal.

 

[swinggal]

Huh? You've lost me. I couldn't care less what someones sexual preference is....now, back to boots. :kick:

 

[BellyTank]

Don't worry Swinggal, it's not you-
some folk here aren't as liberal as others.
B
T

 

[BellyTank]

No offense intended Bob.
Takes all sorts to make a world.
B
T

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Ain't that the awful truth.

 

[Canadave]

Blundstone - Australian for Boot???

dr greg started a thread here http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=15415http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=15415 but the title may cause some to overlook it, so I'm re-posting.

An excerpt; "The company claims to be "Australian for boot", but its boots are about to be made in Asia. Blundstone, based near Hobart, is shifting most of its production overseas, at the cost of about 360 jobs - 80 per cent of its workforce."

Any Aussies (or others) in the Lounge have a comment?

David

 

[PADDY]

I'm an RM'S man, rather than the Blundies.

I think the average Aussie will be disgusted by this move. And it will just confirm the rot that's setting in with many home grown industries looking after their pennies and dollars..etc by relocation of production to the Far East/Asia. But it's following the trend and can be seen in the likes of the UK, US and other international economies. Sad.

 

[Matthew Dalton]

I know I'll definitely be getting my work boots elsewhere now. Hey, it could even be Akubra next.

 

[dr greg]

under the gunn

I noticed that the MD's name is Gunn. I wonder if he's one of the Tasmanian family of Gunn's that are one of the most rapacious woodchipping companies in the world, apparently the family that actually own (or once did) Blundstone are very distressed about the whole thing.
The rationale is that "young people" want a greater degree of "ornamentation" on the boots, what a load of garbage,they're a workboot, that admittedly had a moment of hipness a while ago with the doof crowd, and catering to the fickle instead of the tried and true leads to this sort of outcome. I wear RM's as well, but they cost too much for work, unless one is a horseman and not actually pounding the ground in them.