Can someone please school me on the various models of Blundstone boots?

[Rambo66]

I think I'm interested in buying a pair or two of Blundstone boots but there are a bunch of different styles that look similar and I don't know the differences.

The ones I'm interested in are the 500, 550, 558 and the 510,. What are the differences between these styles?

Also, I'm thinking the Stout Brown might be a cool alternative to black (although a pair of each wouldn't hurt) but I haven't seen them in person so I'd like to get your thoughts on them.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[James71]

I wore blundstone boots for nearly 35 years until they sacked all their staff, closed their factory in Australia and moved the lot to Taiwan or indonesia or china or somesuch place. Quality, tradition, loyalty, heritage all out the window for the desire for lower labour costs.

All of my family and all of my friends did too.

We now all wear red backs. Still proudly Aussie made. Good luck.

 

[Smithy]

I haven't worn Blundies since the early 90s so not up with the play with their models now. They certainly pissed off a lot of Aussies with their shoving off to China though.

I only buy RM Williams now and love them. They'll last forever if you polish them regularly and use saddle dressing once in a while, and they can be resoled over and over again. They get my vote.

 

[Optionseeker]

Hey Rambo, try this website...
http://www.blundstone.ca/boots.html

They seem to have a good description of the various styles... looks like 500 and 510 are 'Originals' and 550 and 558 are similar to originals but with a leather lining.

Just slightly off topic but when did they leave Australia? My 500's are about 8-9 years old and look almost perfect despite heavy use.

J

 

[shortbow]

I'm leaving the real info to the Ozzies, and to hell and beyond with Blundstone for the desertion, but my old Oz-made ones are the 500 and I was given to understand when I bought them that they were the "originals." Like others, I've been wearing mine for donkey's years now and they are without doubt the best, most comfortable, lightest boots I've ever owned. BUT, if and when they wear out, I won't buy any more. The only power we have over the burgeoning hegemony of China's economy as it destroys any notions of quality and puts millions out of work is to QUIT BUYING CHINESE.

 

[shortbow]

BTW, when I was in the big tack shop down in the big city a few weeks ago, almost all the western boots, high end prices included, were made in China. OMG, things are going to hell in a handbasket.

 

[Talbot]

I haven't worn Blundies since the early 90s so not up with the play with their models now. They certainly pissed off a lot of Aussies with their shoving off to China though.

I only buy RM Williams now and love them. They'll last forever if you polish them regularly and use saddle dressing once in a while, and they can be resoled over and over again. They get my vote.

RM's are great, wore em pretty much exclusively in my late teens. Not sure I'd wear them under my car though. What are they retailing for these days?

T

 

[Smithy]

RM's are great, wore em pretty much exclusively in my late teens. Not sure I'd wear them under my car though. What are they retailing for these days?

T

That's a point, although I wouldn't use a nice new pair of Craftsmans for working in!

I think a pair of RM work boots like Stockmans are around $190 odd which is more than Blunnies but I know which I'd rather have. RM dress boots are around $370 at most places, although there's a place on Russell Street where you can pick up a pair of Craftsmans for around $340.

 

[James71]

They left Australia about 2 years ago. Given I really don't want to spend hundreds on boots to feed the chooks in, redbacks are great at about a hundred bucks at my local produce shop.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"I have a pair that I have owned for about 25years, they look good with "Bombay Bloomers", and Khaki socks, still going strong, I use "Dubbin" on them"

 

[Smithy]

They left Australia about 2 years ago. Given I really don't want to spend hundreds on boots to feed the chooks in, redbacks are great at about a hundred bucks at my local produce shop.

Can you resole those Redbacks? Interested to know as if you can, they are well worth a look-see for the price.

 

[JasonLi]

checkout this article, it is exactly what you are looking for:
Blundstone Boots Various Models Review: Original 500 vs Super 550

 

[Jaxenro]

I am going to buck the trend here about moving jobs to China and elsewhere but sometimes it isn’t so simple or purely labor costs. Yes labor is a large chunk but so are taxes, regulations, and all the other costs of doing business and it isn’t often as simple as moving overseas to save a few dollars in labor as it is move overseas or close. Let’s be honest over the last fifty years most Western (I.e. Europe, North America, Australia) countries have implemented laws and trade deals and policies that almost require companies to relocate manufacturing overseas if they want to stay in business. First we squeeze them dry then complain when they try to salvage the dry husk