Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots Review
Water and snow-resistant winter boots with style and longevity
Updated December 10th, 2024
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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.
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.
We love the quality, durability, and downright comfiness of Blundstones. 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: $265
Waterproof: Yes
Material: 1.8 mm leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: Thinsulate and removable sheepswool footbeds
Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz (pair)
Shaft Height: 6”
Sizes: W 6-11, M 4-14
Color options: Rustic brown, antique brown and black
SIMILAR BOOTS COMPARED
MEN’S
| BOOTS | MSRP* | INSULATION | SHAFT HEIGHT | OUTSOLE | WATERPROOF? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots | $265 | Thinsulate + sheepswool footbeds | 6.5" | Vibram® rubber | Y |
| Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea Boots | $225 | Uninsulated | 6" | Vibram® Megagrip rubber | Water-resistant |
| Blundstone Classic Chelsea Boots | $200 | Uninsulated | 6" | TPU | Water-resistant |
| L.L.Bean Boots 8" Flannel-Lined Insulated Boots | $199 | Cotton flannel | 8" | Chain-tread rubber | Y |
| Oboz Bridger Insulated Waterproof Boots | $210-220 | 200g or 400g Thinsulate | 8 or 10" | Winterized rubber | Y |
WOMEN’S
| BOOTS | MSRP* | INSULATION | SHAFT HEIGHT | OUTSOLE | WATERPROOF? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal Chelsea Boots | $265 | Thinsulate + sheepswool footbeds | 6.5" | Vibram® rubber | Y |
| Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea Boots | $225 | Uninsulated | 6" | Vibram® Megagrip rubber | Water-resistant |
| Blundstone Thermal High Top Boots | $225 | Thinsulate + sheepswool footbeds | 10.5" | TPU | Y |
| Blundstone Classic Chelsea Boots | $200 | Uninsulated | 6" | TPU | Water-resistant |
| L.L.Bean Boots 8" Flannel-Lined Insulated Boots | $199 | Cotton flannel | 8" | Chain-tread rubber | Y |
| Oboz Bridger Insulated Waterproof Boots | $210-220 | 200g or 400g Thinsulate | 7 or 9" | Winterized rubber | Y |
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 Chelsea Boots, our winner for around town in our Best Men's Winter Boots story.
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
Although Blundstone lowered the MSRP from $270 to $265 last season, is on the steeper side for boots. However, we think 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 BOOTS
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 (and $40 cheaper). 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 THERMAL HIGH TOP BOOTS
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, shiraz
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 Thermal High Top Boots 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.
BLUNDSTONE classic CHELSEA BOOTS
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. Our reviewers chose the Blundstone Classic boot as Best for City Walking in our Best Men’s Winter Boots story.
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.
UNISEX
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.
