Boots for City & Trail
Call them walking shoes, travel shoes, light hiking boots, or simply your own most comfortable shoes, the search for that pair just right for you demands commitment first and foremost to your personal comfort. Keep in mind that the boots and shoes you loved last year may not feel the same this year. Our feet change and your next trip may require a fresh pair of travel shoes.
Blundstone boots
Our boots are hands down a solid choice for fit, quality and style, and we’ve done our research to offer some insight into summer boots and shoes from competitors. Whether you’re sightseeing in Chelsea boot around the city center or hiking on trails through the woods and hills in summer climates, the best walking shoes and boots are, at last, the most comfy.
If your summer travel plans include exploring a single European city or five, prepare for lots of walking on cobblestone streets. Forget the flats, but for city walks you won’t need hiking boots, either. Picturesque streets in Europe are notoriously demanding on feet (Yes, Paris, Barcelona, and all of Italy, we’re thinking about you.) and we offer here some points to keep in mind as you evaluate your footwear choices.
Summer leather boots
Great for fall and winter travel, leather boots also work well in summer, particularly when your day of city walking ends at a restaurant or bistro dinner with friends. Leather boots can be dressed up easily for nearly every occasion. Dust them off, put on a skirt and a pair of leggings or press your jeans and grab a jacket and you’re ready for a dinner out on the town.
Blundstone also has a range of lightweight boots to keep your feet cool, with a fit that cushions and supports your every step. They’re a durable, weatherproof, and versatile boot crafted of water-resistant leather to keep your feet dry in rain or on damp terrain.
Ankle boots
For summer walking comfort, ankle boots have arch support designed to reduce fatigue by maintaining the natural alignment of your feet, legs and spine. Add interchangeable insoles or custom inserts and your boots are ready to absorb the impact of every step.
Ankle boots should provide adequate support for your ankles without restricting your natural walking movement. Waterproof* leather will make sure your feet stay dry — no matter what. A steel shank for support will also help with continual comfort if you’re planning on some long walks or light hiking.
Lace-up or slip-on
The choice of lace-up or slip-on walking shoes relies one hundred percent on your personal comfort and your city-walking and trail hiking experience.
To help you find the most comfortable walking shoe, we offer a checklist of things we’ve found most important for you to consider:
Proper Fit
Boots or a pair of shoes should feel snug, but not tight. Your toes need wiggle room, and you should feel no pinching or rubbing on any part of your foot. The best walking shoes and boots shouldn’t threaten (or promise) to cause blisters. Also noting that long days spent on your feet will cause them to swell. This is something to consider while getting fit for your boots or shoes.
Note: When trying on a pair of walking shoes or hiker boots be sure to bring along any orthotics you normally use.
Shock Absorption
Boots with shock-absorbing technology in the sole or heel, like Blundstone’s SPS Max Comfort system, will reduce the impact of each step on feet, knees, and hips.
Weight of the boot
Lightweight boots are ideal for city walking. A light boot lessens the work of every step required to lift each foot.
Steel Shank for Stability
A steel shank allows for more stability which is important if you are traveling with a backpack or going over any uneven terrain such as European cobblestones or light hiking trails.
Breathability
Leather or mesh panels allow air to circulate throughout the shoe, keeping your feet cool, dry and comfortable.
Traction
The outsole of any pair of boots or walking shoes you choose must be made of good traction material to prevent slipping on wet or uneven surfaces.
Leather boots and walking shoes for Summer or Winter.
Blundstone Chelsea boots
Original 500 Chelsea boot in stout brown - The Original #500 boasts legendary Blundstone comfort and durability. This lightweight leather boot is weatherproof, with an elastic sides, TPU outsole, SPS Max Comfort system for outstanding shock absorption, and a steel shank for best stability on both the cobblestones of Europe and nature trails.
Brown All Terrain boot for women - Ultra comfortable and ever stylish, this lightweight all-terrain boot has a self-cleaning Vibram® rubber sole that's practical for both city walking and dinner out. Crafted of waterproof* leather, #2055 has a Comfort Lite footbed, flexible sole, and XRD® Technology for superior shock absorption.
Brown All Terrain Boot for men - Here’s a versatile all-terrain boot with a grippy, self-cleaning Vibram® rubber sole, self-cleaning tread and removable and washable Comfort Lite footbed. Crafted of waterproof* leather, the #2056 has XRD® Technology in the heel for best shock absorption and is acid, oil and heat resistant to 572° F.
Black All Terrain Boot - Comfortable and ready for every vacation adventure, the all-terrain #2058 combines good looks with a self-cleaning Vibram® outsole with self-cleaning tread, Comfort Lite footbed and premium waterproof* leather. XRD® Technology in the heel ensures excellent shock absorption and the boot is acid, oil and heat resistant to 572° F.
Blundstone walking shoes
All Terrain Shoe - This new all-terrain shoe is a game-changer for summer travelers. A waterproof* leather upper joins a high-traction Vibram® sole for reliable slip-resistance and grip. It has a polyurethane mid sole, steel shank and XRD® enhanced heel for dependable shock absorption.
Breaking in your new Blundstones
The first time you try on your new Blundstones, you’ll be looking for the hallmarks of a proper fit, as we discussed.
Now that you’ve checked the basics and taken your new Blundstones home, you’re ready for the break-in period needed to properly acquaint your feet with your new Chelsea boots or walking shoes. It should take about three days.
A great start to break in Blundstones is to wear them around the house for short periods of time. This will help them stretch a bit and mold to your feet as you get a feel for their fit. Walking on carpet or other soft surfaces when you first start wearing your boots, or adding a pair of merino wool socks will help to reduce any initial friction between your feet and the boots.
Wear your boots a little longer each day to establish your personal pattern of wear. Meanwhile, trust that your Blundstones are getting to know the shape and width of your feet, and whether or not you have a high instep.
You’ve chosen your boots and broken them in
Now, It’s time to check your packing list, search for any travel tips, open up your carry-on and prep your Blundstones for an excellent vacation.
View our range of Blundstone Boots for men and women on the Blundstone site and join our mailing list to find out when new boots are added.
* Leathers referred to as waterproof are routinely tested for resistance to water penetration up to 12,000 / 15,000 flexes using one of the following SATRA test methods: TM171 using SATRA STM703 Bally penetrometer (or equivalent) or TM34 using SATRA STM606D Maeser type WR tester (or equivalent).