Blundstone boots...

[susanaimee]

Greetings! I'm new and have been searching to see if anyone has walked wearing Blundstone boots? I haven't come across any opinions (I may not know how to do a proper search!) I ask, because for me, they have more support then runners and aren't as cumbersome as my Keen hiking boots. I know it's about personal preference, but I'd still like to hear what people have to say who have done a lot of walking/hiking wearing them.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Don't they make industrial safety boots ? http://www.blundstone.com/au/work-safety-boots

 

[dougfitz]

You don't say what style of Blundstones you are contemplating using. I have a pair of Blundstone work boots. I wouldn't contemplate walking in them, but there are others that might be suitable.

Regards,

 

[susanaimee]

You don't say what style of Blundstones you are contemplating using. I have a pair of Blundstone work boots. I wouldn't contemplate walking in them, but there are others that might be suitable.

Regards,

The original ones, not the steel toed work boots!!

 

[dougfitz]

These are very similar to my Blundstone work boots. I wouldn't choose to walk any great distance in mine.

 

[Alan Pearce]

I had a bad knee before I walked the del Norte some years ago, and wore Mongrel boots, very similar to the blundstones, as they were lighter and hopefully less painful for my knee than my usual hiking boots. It was a mistake, because they have no laces to secure the boot around the foot. Thus my feet slid around inside them, and I got the only blisters I have had on a camino. I might add that I trained for 1000km in the Mongrels before I left to do the walk, to avoid this very problem, but the del Norte was a lot steeper than the tracks I trained on!

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[AJ]

I have a pair and wouldn't dream of wearing them on the camino because I need lateral ankle support. There is also Alan's point of sliding around.

 

[susanawee]

The original ones, not the steel toed work boots!!

I love my Blundstones (blundies) and have walked many miles in them, but, I would not wear them to walk the Camino - I need better ankle support and I prefer boots which I can lace up rather than the elastic sided boots for such a long distance...

 

[lynnejohn]

I also say "no" to Blundstones on the camino. They haven't any support and I have found even with moderate distance around town my feet slide around too much.... it gives me a good idea how awful they would be on the camino. Boots or shoes with laces are best.

 

[Pei2spain]

Personally, I would recommend a good pair of hiking boots that fit well and have been well broken in before you begin. You will need the support of the laces and the ankle support. Also, I found I needed the solid soles between my foot the the often sharp rocks underfoot. Buen Camino!

Grace

 

[susanaimee]

Thanks... I will give it some serious thought and read other posts about foot wear!!

 

[homa_bird]

My 2cents worth:

Can't say enough about these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079KAVN0/?tag=casaivar02-20
Just an incredible shoe for the camino.

Great tread for traction, lightweight, laces you can tighten with your heel tamped down for walking down mountains. I love love love them.

I showed up like an idiot in my 10 year old Danner boots; the sharp rock roads of the Pyrenees took all the remaining tread off. Rather than sliding down hills and breaking my limbs the rest of the camino, I bought a pair of Merrells in Pamplona, (gave my old Danners a respectful, tearful burial in the bushes outside the city).

Contrary to what they say about not breaking in shoes on the camino, my story ended beautifully thanks to a well-built superb Merrell shoe, well fitted, (one size bigger), and two pair of socks (preferably thin silk next to the skin).

I had no, I repeat, no blisters. Not a one. Danced the light fandango the rest of the way.

Tread is a HUGE issue for safety on tricky terrain, uphill and down, and your Blundboots don't look like they have good waffle tread to me...

Whatever you choose, have an absolutely fabulous walk my friend!

 

[susanaimee]

I have these, but I just feel like I'm going to roll my ankle in them and they don't have a good grip! I was totally surprised as I have several pairs of shoes from them. I thought these were the ones... I will go and check out these Merrells! Thanks!!

 

[jl]

I had planned a 2000 km Camino in 2009, and in anticipation of the distance I opted for the Merrell Targhees. I was warned by the salesman, that because they were lighter I might feel stones and such like. He was right! What's more the tread wore out much more quickly, and even worse, the memory in the sole went so that by days end my feet were unbelievably tired. I bought some very expensive inserts to give me enough bounce to get me to a sports store to get new shoes. I really only got about 1,000 kms from them. By comparison, the Scarpas I am wearing on this Camino, had already done in excess of 1,000 kms and there will still be tread and comfort when I finish this camino. My experience tells me that scarpas are much longer wearing, partly because they have a tougher tread, and the way I wear shoes I could anticpate somewhere between 2 - 2,500 kms from them. They are not for everyone, but they suit my foot, which is the important thing! Janet

 

[Iamherdingcats]

I wore a pair last year, 550km. And I had dry feet! No blisters! BUT, I think the tread was a bit too thin. I did not realize that Spain and the Camino was to be as rocky as it is.
I have bought and tried a few boots yet am not feeling committed to any of them.
Now going to consider some hiking shoes. Not sure I need the ankle support of a boot.
Otherwise I might just be using my trusty Blundies again this year. I do need to repeat ... No blisters, dry feet in rain.
When are you to be doing your Camino?

 

[Alan Pearce]

I wore a pair last year, 550km. And I had dry feet! No blisters! BUT, I think the tread was a bit too thin. I did not realize that Spain and the Camino was to be as rocky as it is.
I have bought and tried a few boots yet am not feeling committed to any of them.
Now going to consider some hiking shoes. Not sure I need the ankle support of a boot.
Otherwise I might just be using my trusty Blundies again this year. I do need to repeat ... No blisters, dry feet in rain.
When are you to be doing your Camino?

Were they the elastic sided boots, such as horse riders wear?

Alan

Be Brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Iamherdingcats]

Yes they are the brown elastic sided boots Australian boot.
I have been wearing them for work purposes and everyday since the late '80's
Don't know how to post a photo here.

Ellie