Blundstones: Can they HIKE?

Fellas! Last weekend, on my buddy's Bachelor Party, we went for a spontaneous 8 mile hike and all we had were Blundstones! So we decided to put them to the test and see how these would hold up against the mud and rocks of the Catskill Mountains in Upstate NY.
Blundstones have become an icon because of their versatility to be worn both on the mountains and in the bars. I've been wearing mine around NYC but this was the perfect time to test them out in harsher conditions.
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[@TheMensch]

Anyone catch my hiking pants? They were all I had don’t kill me in the comments 😂 Follow me on the gram: instagram.com/the.mensch

[@Off-Brand_Devin]

How dare you hike in pants that are comfortable and functional?!?

[@jonas6948]

I ran almost 10km in a pair of blundstones once while chasing escaped calves. My feet were a bit sore afterwards, but it worked! 😄

[@axeraider21]

The crumbling happens to pairs that have been stored unworn for long periods of time. It happens to most sneakers because moisture seeps into the pores in the foam. As long as you wear the boots/shoes regularly it doesn’t take place because the pressure forces moisture out of the pores.

[@The_Kavalier]

Sport meets rugged. Congratulations David!!

[@TheMensch]

Were currently deciding where to get him a Tux - cutting it pretty close!

[@JaronW]

Bought mine for light hiking and walking around Iceland a few Autumns ago... good to know they will hold up for a few km of rockier terrain.

[@TheMensch]

Sweet! They won’t disappoint dude!

[@extremelyrightwingcaliforn4500]

Blundstones and Darn Tough. You know It's going to be alright.

[@TheMensch]

Haha amen to that Brian! What more could you ask for? 🍻

[@jgvazquez14]

I’m actually about to buy a pair of blundstones as a travel shoe but when it comes to hiking boots I’m personally s big fan of the Danner mountain 600 boots I think that bang for buck quality and looks they’re the best in the market

[@TheMensch]

Danner makes some awesome boots! Yeah I don't think I would ever choose to hike in Blundstones given better options but I think if you were stuck with Bundstones and wanted to do a decent hike, they would be reliable enough

[@rhyshermus5963]

I did the Kepler track in New Zealand's South island (60km) and they were fine, very good boot

[@jrfisherco]

Loved this video. Do more like it, how well it can take abuse, then how to bring them back to looking good. As for hiking boot recommendation, I love my Zamberlan 996 Voiz GTX boots. Have the old school mountaineering look, but are the most 'out-of-the-box' comfortable boot I've ever had.

[@TheMensch]

Thanks so much! Would love to do more of these with both heritage boots and hiking boots! I think putting them to the test is fun and you can usually get a good idea of how a boot will wear within a few hikes. Those zamberlan’s look really phenomenal and love that they’re made in Italy! They ain’t cheap tho! Would love to get my hands on a pair. I like these from Alico too I saw on Sierra would love to try these www.sierra.com/alico-made-in-italy-summit-hiking-boots-leather-for-men~p~61270/?filterString=alico~b~1143%2F&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod61270

[@progressivelibertarianview8832]

I bought a pair of these specifically for hiking through the mud and jumping in large puddles on rainy days (hehehe). So far I'm satisfied with my purchase.

[@TheMensch]

Haha good to hear! They really are the epitome of versatile and are both functional and good looking! Have yours been getting better with age?

[@progressivelibertarianview8832]

I've only had them since late March in preparation for the rainy season. So far they seem to be holding up. I paid a little more for the leather lined series and hope to get at least 4-6 years of moderate use out of them. Great content btw. Would love to see you review a pair of Doc Marten 1460's.

[@dainforsythe7129]

That was fun. Cheers!

[@TheMensch]

glad you liked it! I'd love to do more of these types of videos since it blends two of my passions - menswear and the outdoors! Which boots would you want to see tested next?

[@ljchavz86]

Great video kid! Awesome hike!

[@TheMensch]

Thanks! It was definitely challenging and David and I were the only ones that made it to the top - everyone else turned back! Ill do some more of these videos since this one was so fun to record!

[@barryquinnell3108]

Blundstones are brilliant! However over about five miles I would prefer Keen walking boots

[@TheMensch]

Haha glad you’re a fan of Blundstones- and yeah keen and Merrell seem to be the go to option for hikers

[@davidguten]

Amazing weekend and hike! Didn’t like my blunnies on the hike as much as you did but they got the job done

[@TheMensch]

what?! you said they were great?!

[@davidguten]

The Mensch on Menswear 😆I might just need a smaller size

[@TheMensch]

@@davidguten As the ladies say, its not the size that matters, its how u use them!

[@megalicious7757]

The crumbling of the soles is due to not wearing the boots enough. If you leave them in the closet for a year without touching them, their soles will crumble. Only way to prevent that is to wear the sh*t outta them. Cheers.

[@xxxxxx5868]

Humans have been travelling barefoot or on primitive leather footwear for centuries, Blundstones seem like just like a modern evolution of those types of shoes (no laces, very little seams). As a sidenote, soldiers in WW1 would wear ankle boots with puttees for support and protection against brush and water, so you could probably do these with the Blundstones if you're keen on just owning one pair of footwear (they look nice in the city and when you wanna go innawoods just wear the puttees over your boots)

[@yblignomis]

The soles crumble if you don’t wear them often enough. Water accumulates in the air bubbles of the soles if it’s not walked out, this is called hydrolysis. Simple solution, wear your Blundstones!

[@guerreiroitaliano6952]

Tome like !

[@Eidenbites]

You gave me an idea on the lace up .. so the “ Chelsea boot” is actually evolved from the charro boot.. a boot in Mexico / Spain Anyway .. so a lot of charros wrap the boot with leather laces from the outside for that ankle support.. so what if you laced with that

[@yoursongyourlyrics1635]

What is your shoe size? and what size do your wear on blundstone? And do you used the insole that comes with it? Thanks

[@TheMensch]

glad you asked! i'm a size 9 in Red Wings, 9.5 Clarks boots, and 10 in sneakers - and I needed a size 8AU/9US in Blundstones. I wish they came in half sizes. I think for sure better to be on the more snug side then to loose. I also use the insoles it came with. its fine, but I like having the option to switch it out for a more supportive one if or when I need

[@collectivismkills]

World’s most perfect shoe.

[@TheMensch]

That’s high praise! What’s your favorite part about them?

[@collectivismkills]

Much of what you said in your vids. Overall the versatility. Plus they clean up nicely and are quick and easy to throw on and off. Plus, I can wear them all year round here in PA

[@jameshealy5567]

How do your blundstones fit? I bought those same ones but I’m torn between 8 and 8.5. Have yours stretched out much?

[@CS-wz9ul]

you get an extra pair of insoles in your box so when they do stretch out a bit

[@taryncouturier5676]

Where did you hike? What a beautiful view and would love to check it out!

[@TheMensch]

This was in Catskills park NY!

[@adamaud4899]

What colorway blundstones is your friend wearing in this video?

[@TheMensch]

He’s wearing the rustic brown colorway!

[@adamaud4899]

@@TheMensch Thanks!

[@OnlyGleeLover]

They’re the 585’s if I remember correctly

[@linusd3551]

Should they get wrinkles in the leather like that?

[@TheMensch]

Yeah creasing in the leather is only natural - you want to avoid “loose grain” which can be unsightly. That’s when they use part of the leather where there was a lot of movement in the cow and it doesn’t look as firm. But the way these wrinkles is minimal and looks normal to me 👌

[@linusd3551]

@@TheMensch Thanks!

[@nsatoday]

Looks like a bit of a grade. On a 3% or less grade the standard is 4MPH with a 35 pound pack+body armor.

[@1979augistine]

Teen wolf the auctioneer

[@mrrrl795]

Danner Mountain Lite

[@TheMensch]

Danners look amazing- I don’t have a pair yet but would love to try them out soon. They can be pretty pricey too! Do you have a pair?

[@mrrrl795]

@@TheMensch yes, they are great for hiking and for the snowy weather. Mountain Lite IIs

[@blueband8114]

I was seriously considering getting a pair, but i have seen to many bad comments and vids on here regarding soles not lasting.

[@TheMensch]

Yeah I hear that. I think if you love the look you won’t be too disappointed but I wouldn’t expect them to be lifelong boots ✌️

[@dogwalk3]

let me assuage your fears a bit - i've had two pairs (bought used on ebay). the first pair lasted for over 3 years with everyday wear at an airport on 140+ temps that tore through a pair of running shoes in 6 months. as for crumbling, the midsole is ptfe, which will disintegrate of they're just sitting in the closet and not worn from moisture getting in the "pores." i've seen this happen a lot in high end hiking boots & unfortunately that's just the reality of the material. neither of my pair have crumbled. the first pair i just threw away we're still so comfortable and wearable, the tread was just gone and became dangerous in wet conditions, lol.

[@OnlyGleeLover]

Honestly they’re some of my favourite boots ive never had any issues with the sole and ive had mine for maybe 3/4 years and after the first season with them i made them my permanent winter boots in the harsh canadian winters (aka like -35/40) 😂 and they’re still doing great i think ive only oil treated them once and the soles are completely fine :)

[@irvingrios2571]

Red backs are still better

[@andywt8460]

There’s lot of YT’s about Blundstone, Why? they are cheap OZy work boots that seem to have become fashionable ie the price is rising, just throwing out my 6yr old 550’s that are end of life soles are split, steel shank showing but these are the first ones out of 5prs the mid sole has not disintegrated, quality was crap when made in Thailand, got a bit better when moved to Vietnam, so 4 pairs lasted 2yr that’s 5 pairs in 12yrs. But come on these are not quality boots, leather scuffs easily, it was which is gonna go first on my 550s soles or the leather, wearing everyday working the sides are nearly through the toes too. Mid sole disintegration is nothing to do with use, it’s hydrolysis, water vapor, don’t store them anywhere humid better to wearing them everyday. And guys, nobody cleans their Bluny’s, once a year before winter to waterproff

[@TheMensch]

Damn that sucks that you’ve been burned a bunch of times with Blundstones - I agree with you for the most part. Blundstones are getting more popular these days but it’s def not because of the quality, and more so because they are “what’s in” right now. There are other options out there for boots that are less expensive and but higher quality and made in Australia. Rossi is one brand that comes to mind. I don’t think they’re bad boots though - they can easily last a few years and they’re not so expensive that the average guy or girl is gonna be disappointed. It’s a shame for us that care about quality and integrity but I think that’s how business works these days. Same thing with doc marten

[@andywt8460]

Just ordered a pair of Redback’s, here in Europe Bluny’s 500 & 550 are 180+ Euro unless you can find online cheaper WTF, I’ll try the Redbacks I’m retired now but still hard on my boots, apart from working in shit and under stuff they have been everywhere, all over Southeast Asia shipyards, Europe, soaked in water, saltwater, diesel, if not on my feet being kicked around in the bottom of my van, can’t complain about the last pair, but the other 4 pairs Hell Yes, maybe I sat in my nice office too much them years.

[@TheMensch]

Would love to try redbacks- so I take it that you like the overall look and style of the blundstones but the quality is what made you switch to something else. I think Blundstone should at least manufacture some Australian made versions of the 500 for their for hard fans or for people who want something with real quality. I’m sure they would be able to get people to buy em

[@mehdi6797]

Rossi boots my friend Rossi boots

[@TheMensch]

Would love to try them out as they seem to be the made in AU version of blunnies. Do they get slammed for basically knocking off blundstone? I mean if still go for the quality of Rossi but just curious what the public perception is

[@mehdi6797]

The Mensch on Menswear I tried them both same time ,, and the comparison is totally incomparable I mean When you take them in you hand you will notice immediately the different between them , The leather , sole , and they mould you foot and especially Rossi have more choices for the size 42,4-43-43,5-44-44,5

[@blacksunapocalypse]

@@TheMensch I'd think they would be held in higher regard since they're made in Australia as opposed to Asia. Giving more Australians jobs for Australian products!