Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Winter Boots Review
Water and snow-resistant winter boots with style and longevity
Home > Gear Reviews > Footwear
December 5th, 2023
OUR VERDICT
A city boot that gets down and dirty on the trails? You read that right. While the aesthetics of the Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots will turn heads on sidewalks, the traction, warmth, and comfort will keep your toes happy all the way out into that winter wonderland. (There’s a reason it won our Best for City Walking category in our Best Men’s Winter Boots article.)
For this guide, we tested out the All-Terrain Thermal versions of these classic Chelsea boots more recently alongside the uninsulated-yet-mighty Blundstone Classic 585 for years. We tested in Boston and Portland, Maine all the way to rainy Portland, Oregon.
The quality, durability, and downright comfiness of Blundstones speak to our reasoning for choosing this boot as a category winner in our Winter Boots stories. The insulated version found in the All-Terrain Thermal boots has already come in handy in a slushy and snowy beginning of winter in northern New England, with more icy usage to come.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
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SPECS
Price: $279.99
Waterproof: Yes
Material: 1.8 mm Leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: Thinsulate and removable sheepskin footbed
Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz (pair)
Shaft Height: 6”
Sizes: W 6-11, M 4-14
Color options: Rustic Brown, Antique Brown and Black
WHAT WE LIKED
Classic look
Well-made
Comfortable walking all day
Lasts many years and becomes more comfortable with more wear
Waterproof
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
Not suited for extreme cold or deep snow
BEST FOR
Whether you’re holiday shopping or sticking around the ski resort lodge, Blundstones were meant for walking (in the nastiest, slipperiest, slushiest weather). They’ve served us well on the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Denver, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon, as well as the icy trails outside Conway, New Hampshire. Below are just a few situations that, over the last 3 years, these boots have served our testers well in:
Slushy Denver and Boston sidewalks
Apres ski on the town, around the ski resort, or the tailgate
Winter commutes to the office
Winter markets and festivities
Holiday parties in a snowstorm
Icy walks out to frozen waterfalls in New Hampshire
Christmas tree lightings on the snowy Maine coast
Chasing dogs through snow-filled woods (on multiple occasions)
FEATURES
MATERIALS
Blundstones might run a pretty penny, but their quality materials are the reason why. Their leather comes from 100-year-old family-run leather tannery in Mexico that adheres to strict quality guidelines. The same goes for their waterproof elastic and high-grade pull-tabs, produced by a Tasmanian family-owned textile company. The waterproof leather connects to the elastic with latex-sealed seams to keep the water out, although we still don’t recommend standing in puddles for long periods—the elastic is only so waterproof. Double-stitched seams add to the durability and keep these boots kicking for years.
TRACTION
Deep lugs work well for traction on slick and wet surfaces, whether that’s a muddy field or icy streets. The Vibram outsole keeps your feet comfortable while in contact with the ground, while keeping your feet from fully absorbing the shock with each step you take. Unlike a lot of fashion brands out there, you’ll stay rightside up walking around in these Chelsea boots.
WARMTH AND INSULATION
For winter conditions, the wicking-and-warm Thinsulate keeps your feet insulated, but your toes will be happiest with the soft sheepswool footbed. Not only is it soft, but the wool and Vibram sole keep you well insulated from cold ground. Blundstone also uses leather inside the boot to keep warmth in, but wick moisture out.
If you like the look of the Blundstone Thermal but don't need as much insulation due to warmer climate or just having warmer feet on your body, the same look is available in the Blundstone Classic 585 (men’s and women’s), our winner for Best Men's Winter Boots for Around Town.
COMFORT AND FIT
It took a while for the author to get used to the tighter ankles (it can be an enlightening experience trying to pull the tall version of the boots on for the first few times), but the original lower-ankle-profile boot is significantly easier to put on and take off. (Just watch your ankle socks when you remove them, they tend to come off along with the boot. However, one tester called out “The more I wear my Blundstones, the easier it gets to pull on.”) We also love that Blundstones, unlike other Chelsea boot designs, have two pull tabs for easier maneuvering, rather than one simple one at the end.
Once they’re on they’re a delight to wear around, as long as you’re okay with tighter ankles. The steel shank adds support while you walk, while the elastic helps conform to your feet while giving you the flexibility you look for in lace-up boots.
DURABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION
One tester has worn their Blundstones more than 150 days a year for the last 3 years, and won’t be stopping anytime soon. The boots show no sign of wear and if anything, have just become more comfortable as they have molded to his foot. Another tester has worn hers for three years around Denver and the Mountain West as her go-to boot as soon as the temps drop, and the only thing she regrets? “Not getting them earlier.”
FUNCTIONALITY AND VERSATILITY
What we really appreciate about the Blundstones are their ability to go from town to trail. If you decide to take a detour out into the snowy trees, or want to wander across an icy stream, but still have dinner plans on Main Street later, you can rest assured that Blundie’s functionality will hold up to both tasks. Between the traction and the insulation, you can encounter any wintry weather without hesitation; with the Blundstone’s classic Chelsea boot design, you can rest assured you’re looking good wherever you wander.
PRICE AND VALUE
$280 is on the steeper side for boots, but Blundstones’ thermal boots are worth every cent. Their durability across multiple years, their warmth, and their waterproofness give them a value that far outweighs any cheaper competitor. If you’re in a spot to invest in a great pair of boots, you’ve found them.
If you don't need the extra insulation, the All-Terrain Chelsea (men's and women's) is everything we like without quite as much warmth.
DESIGN AND AESTHETIC
Blundstones’ Chelsea-style boots have become a statement piece from farms to fashion week, but the design stayed centered around one key factor: keeping feet dry and comfy. The design changed over the 150 years that Blundstones have been around—from lace-ups to rubber, rather than wooden, soles—but the aesthetic keeps up with the times, despite the same basic outline. This design was made popular in the 1960s and has stayed strong in the 60 years since.
HOW WE TESTED
We tested:
- this year's model of women’s All-Terrain Thermal Blundstones
- a several years-old pair of women's Thermal Blundstones
- a 3-years-old pair of men's uninsulated Blundstones
- a 3-years-old pair of women’s uninsulated Blundstones
We wore the new insulated women’s boots exploring the streets of Boston, through the muddy rail trails around the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and around the Vermont countryside. They withstood puppy teething, breaking through river ice, slip-sliding through rain-soaked trails, and building patios in drizzly mist.
We wore the men's and women's uninsulated boots on slushy streets in Denver and rain-clogged streets in Portland, Oregon as well as our daily walking commute in warmer climates in Southern California. We've worn them over 150 days per year for 3 years. We wear them for a mile-long walking commute each day and pair them with office work wear. It's versatile enough to wear in more formal settings, like business casual dinners. They tend to draw compliments from random people. The tab in the back makes putting them on relatively easy.
As we researched, we narrowed our criteria to meet five main themes: warmth, tread, waterproofness, fit, and comfort. The Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea boots excelled in every category, and our own experience wearing them through wet, icy, bone-chilling, and snow-filled winters solidified our research.
MORE FROM THE BLUNDSTONE COLLECTION
blundstone ALL-TERRAIN CHELSEA
Material: 1.8 mm Leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: 0.8 mm leather lining
Shaft Height: 6”
Sizes: W 6.5-10.5, M 8-14
Color options: Rustic Brown, Rustic Black, Black, Cocoa Brown
If you don't need the extra insulation, the All-Terrain Chelsea is everything we like without quite as much warmth. It still has the same Vibram Megagrip outsole and design. It has only the 0.8 mm leather lining for insulation instead of the Thinsulate and removable sheepskin footbed.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
blundstone HIGH TOP THERMAL
Material: 1.8 mm Leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: 0.8 mm leather lining
Shaft Height: 10.5”
Sizes: W 6-11
Color options: Rustic Brown, Rustic Black, Black, Cocoa Brown
These boots feature all the same great aspects of the traditional-height Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea boot—thermal lining, sheepswool, EVA-molded footbed, waterproof leather and elastic—but rise even higher above the ankle. They are 10.5” instead of the 6” of the traditional boot.
The Blundstone High Top Thermal are aesthetically gorgeous and even better for keeping deep snow out of your socks, although they can be more difficult to pull on at first. The High Top is only available in the women's version, but the Thermal (not All-Terrain) is available in both men's and women's.
classic CHELSEA BOOTS (BLUNDSTONE 585)
Material: 1.8 mm Leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: 0.8 mm leather lining
Shaft Height: 6.75”
Sizes: W 6-16, M 4-14
Color options: Black, Stout Brown, Olive, BRown, Sierra Brown, Steel Grey
Same great look, same great quality, just without the extra insulation. If you tend to run warm (or want to wear thick socks without making a super-sauna for your toes), you can extend your seasonal use even further into the warm shoulder seasons with an uninsulated version of this great boot.
These boots feature a comfortable, uninsulated footbed, which gives you a little more room for your toes. It also utilizes a design with elastic side panels to increase breathability for a cool to warm weather. It doesn't features the Vibram® Megagrip outsoles, but the soles on this are fat, oil, and acid resistant and in our experience, are plenty for almost all terrain.
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
WHO ELSE LIKES THE BLUNDSTONE BOOTS
The Blundstone boots earned these ratings: REI (4/5), Amazon (4.4/5), Outdoor Gear Lab (71/100), Men's Health (Best Winter Boots for Men), Wirecutter (Great Urban Option, Men's Winter Boots), Mountain Culture Group (9/10), Esquire (The Ridiculously Comfortable Boots You Can Wear In Any Weather), GearJunkie (Runner-Up Best Overall Stylish Winter Boot), Strategist (Best office-appropriate men’s winter boots), Mountain Culture Group (9/10).
Amazon reviewers were ecstatic, for the most part — but also warned about lower quality or fake pairs. In general, most were happy with their sizing but admitted that you needed to do your homework before buying online — some recommended going down a full size (if you wear a 10, order a 9, etc.), while others mentioned buying a half size up for wider feet.
REI consumers were mixed in their opinions — most praised the boots as an all-around perfect boot for slush, rain, hiking, travel, or a work boot. Others, however, lamented the quality and that most Blundstones these days are manufactured in China instead of Tasmania. A few said the leather just never quite broke in for them, causing significant discomfort.
Mountain Culture Group put the Blundstones through a helluva test: 4 sports in a day wearing the same pair of boots. The Canadian reviewer hiked, biked, bouldered, and trail ran in his pair of Blundstones and declared them “The boot for everything from mountain biking to nights out on the town.” He praised the one-boot-for-everything abilities, the cushion, the grippy tread, and the ankle support.
GQ’s fashion writer all but rolled his eyes as he begrudgingly admitted, “I’m not sure I’ve ever willingly worn something quite so proudly functional.” He praised them for their functionality and comfort, despite their lack of “style” (we’d argue against that Manhattan-esque mentality), and said with reluctance, “[I]t’s starting to feel like Blundstones are forever.” We’d also argue that, after 150 years of making boots hardy enough for Tasmanian ranchers, Blundstones have already established their place in footwear history.
Gear Patrol said it all: “The look of Blundstones might be an acquired taste but I quickly realized that, with a little cleanup, they can go from yard work to cocktail party with equal aplomb.” They also advised going down a size, as the Blundstones come in Australian sizes and can be a bit roomy in the ankles.
Forbes sat down with the CEO of Blundstone to ask what he wished people knew about these boots. His answer? “How comfortable the boots are.” He went on to say, “The other aspect is how varied they are. You can wear them all year in any weather condition, in varied terrain. It doesn't really matter what you’re doing with your time or what you need to look like -- these boots hit the mark for so many people.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
Cold is no stranger to me. I grew up in Colorado with New York-expat parents and spent winters in Alaska before settling in Maine. I’m no stranger to cold feet. I wouldn’t give up the cold for a sunny beach day, ever—but I do prefer to keep my toes warm.
I’ve skied for most of my life, from New England hills to hometown Colorado resorts, and backcountry adventures in Japan, Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Additionally, I’ve been a backpacking, rock climbing, hiking, and rafting guide in Alaska and Colorado; many of my “summer” seasons up north began when there was snow on the ground and ice blocking my boats from going downriver. Spending years on volunteer fire departments in Alaska and Maine have sent me out on Search and Rescue calls on frigid winter nights, ambulance calls in 4’ snowdrifts, and fire calls where water would freeze as soon as it left the hose.
My gear expertise stems from gear reviews for outlets like Backpacker Magazine and REI Co-op, 6 years of guiding, 3 decades of cold-weather adventures, and a plethora of gear-head friends. In addition, I’ve written outdoor lifestyle pieces for REI’s Uncommon Path Magazine and Powder 7 Ski Shop’s Lift Line Blog. (For additional publications and upcoming articles, check out my website.)
You can see all my Treeline Review articles on my author page.
