Rossi Boots: Best Australian Work Boot?

[@benjaminmcgraw8771]

The information you present is fantastic!! I appreciate the in-depth analysis and educational aspect of your video!

[@leroypoole1998]

My redbacks are great. I have steeltoe for work and I was actually surprised of the comfort from my other boots (Redwing, keen, etc.) The half sizing is actually nice so you know you're getting a wider toe area. I decided to get a regular size instead of a half size and they actually fit quite snug and comfortable. I don't have any issues myself with my toes being cramped or anything, but your foot could be different than mine. I suffer from foot issues and back pain. I haven't tried rossi but I'm happy with the boots I have. Plus I don't have to worry about laces anymore. I'm a fan of Chelsea boots now!!

[@noway234]

My Redbacks are super comfortable to me, I have had my boots about a year.

[@pineapplesideways3820]

Rossi is more legendary brand Google motorcycle boots

[@plinkbottle]

I have worn Rossi half boot for 20 years but noticed the ones I bought two years ago were weak in the sole... Right from bran new, my toes could feel the lattice work in the sole like cheap Chinese casuals. There was some glue impregnated fabric sitting on top of, what I would call, box lattice work. This was covered by a rubber inner soul but they were much harder and inconsistent to walk on than previous purchases.....All of the ones I bought, over 20 years the heel collapsed on the outer corner after about two years use, with the uppers well outlasting the soles.. The latest ones the sole at the front part of the foot collapsed from the inside, requiring lots of inner padding by the time two years rolled around

[@pwsod]

Best full review I have ever read. Thank you.

[@baronburgundy]

you're welcome.

[@efanshel]

I on own two pairs of rossi boots. The 303 fit perfectly. The 301 feel a 1/2 size too small. They are both size 8 1/2 Ozzie which is allegedly us 10. I dentical shoe except for color....

[@bpemsandgroper]

I purchased my first pair of Rossi 303 Enduro in 2008. It was worn almost every day at work, casual wear and eventually for home gardening. The leather uppers were regularly polished. Earlier of this year, the sole began to split and break up. I cut the thick leather from the sole, used the leather for a home project, and threw out the sole. I've now wear a 304 Enduro for work. Of all the Australian made boot manufacturers, Rossi is one of the best, producing a high quality product. Beware though. The Barossa is made in India. I also wear the 4040 Pondie desert boot. It's no longer produce by Rossi, as they are producing a new style of desert boot with different color options. The sole of the Redbacks are a bit too industrial for my liking. PS I would not buy a pair of RM Williams boots, as the brand is now owned by an multi national overseas company, even though some of their classic range is still produced in Australia.

[@baronburgundy]

I love the stories. Thank you. I like that Rossi still sticks with nitrile rubber and haven't just gone over to the foam fad footwear uses today. Many Reddit experts, or on forums just say to throw their shoes away after 400 miles because the foam cushion is gone. Do we have to lower our expectations?

[@aimeemarc]

Can I ask which Rossi boot model you’re reviewing? Was it one of the Asian-made models? Thank you for the great reviews on Rossi and Redback.

[@willbutcher9659]

More of Rossi boots are being made in India, :( Hard to find a Aussie made shoe now, It might get better if they can get the manufacturing plang going again in Adelaide. I loved my rossi's motorbike boots were also great, but are discontinued.

[@mehdi6797]

Sorry but my Rossi endura are made in Aus

[@willbutcher9659]

@@mehdi6797 No need to be sorry, I did not say that all are made overseas yet, I have 4 pairs of Rossi that are Australian made and they are saying that they will continue to make some in Australia. But not all are made in Aus, I went to Trims in Adelaide and did not find any Aus made Rossi's (about 5 different models). Most online stores I looked at Aus made were sold out/not available.

[@mehdi6797]

@@willbutcher9659 ,, little question pls 🙋‍♂️,, If you can advise me ,, between Rossi and redback ?? What would you take . Tank’s ;)

[@willbutcher9659]

@@mehdi6797 My Rossi has always fit fine right of the bat, My new Redbacks took a little longer to break in but are fine now. I also have tried Mongrel they are a larger boot for the size, and the arch support is very high (for me uncomfortably high, but I have flat feet). Until I can find Rossi made in Aus again, I will be with redback (I haven't had redbacks long enough to check durability.) Redbacks were also cheaper.

[@willbutcher9659]

@@mehdi6797 Hi just an update I contacted Mongrel and they sorted me out with a different footbed, now they are fantastic, no more pressure on my flatfeet.

[@mehdi6797]

I have Rossi endura 8,5 aus perfect feet , and my Blunies 9 aus with a thick socks perfect also. Rossi 303 are higher quality than blundstone (definitely) BUT I wear more often my blunies 587 , because that are more more confortable than Rossi

[@kyle_vr]

What is the difference between the Rossi 303s and 903s?

[@davedave2109]

@@kyle_vr the sole material

[@meRavUTH]

so which one is most waterproof?

[@plinkbottle]

I had rossi half boot 20 years ago and they were great, but the last two pairs were dreadful. Great uppers but the sole has collapsed from the inside in both cases, giving the inside a lumpy feel, as the inside lining collapsed on the sole lattice work.. Heels were weak with one pair sucking water in the heel due to outer rubber not thick enough.. The model I had was very similar the one in the video, but the two layers of rubber could not be seen on the sole. I am now searching for a different brand that produces half size gradients

[@muhammadaliclay8976]

save some more money and buy a goodyear welted chelsea ..like the one from redwing..it is uncomfortable for a couple of weeks and then it becomes one of the most comfortable boots ever and the best part is that it is resoleable..

[@functionaldoc5054]

Thanks. I bought a pair of 607 Booma Boot Claret boot directly from Australia and was amazed how comfortable they are straight out of the box. What do you recommend to treat your boots with ?

[@datfly3034]

@Functional Doc - Rossi actually makes a boot wax that is designed to protect your boots rossiboots.com.au/product/leather-boot-wax/ It’s a really good product but not sure how easy it is to get outside Australia

[@stevobadmoonster]

After 3 years of almost daily wear the soles of my Redbacks have started cracking. I've hd 2 previous pairs resoled. You reckon a Rossi Endura would last as long?

[@baronburgundy]

There is variance if the item has been subject to hydrolysis via sitting in a warehouse somewheres. Rossi makes polyurethane footwear and nitrile. I would expect their nitrile stuff to last longer. Endura series is nitrile. Parkes/Forbes is polyurethane. I'd still also make sure you wear it once a week. There's no magic number, but presuming there is a direct attach system with the nitrile which could be subject to the bond breaking down, etc; however, the nitrile itself is plastic rubber.

[@stevobadmoonster]

@@baronburgundy Thanks for the info. Just ordered myself a pair of Enduras.

[@ThePatriot6]

@@baronburgundy nitrile is the material of the outsole.. the midsole of the Endura is still polyurethane as advertised (air cushion)

[@baronburgundy]

@@ThePatriot6 Thanks for the correction. If OP is still here, looks like the Endura is no longer being produced (except the womens model) according to the Rossi website. In the last year, Rossi has had a majority stake bought out. www.farmonline.com.au/story/6648343/rb-sellars-kicks-bush-clothing-goal-with-rossi-boots-purchase/#:~:text=In%20a%20move%20likely%20to,venture%20with%20the%20original%20owners. Another comment stated some of the models are coming from overseas. This could spell for a better future as I feel Rossi's product direction has been lost; however I would be hesitant to purchase them for the time being. Added, a hefty amount of Australian brands have been acquired or otherwise in the last few years. www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/drizabone-joins-australian-icon-selloff-20180925-h15ufh I'd stick with the products continually made in Australia like Mongrel or Redback. The productreview.com.au page has fairly positive reviews for Mongrel. While I appreciate that Redback has as few models as possible, meaning less product variety sitting in a warehouse rotting to hydrolysis, there's many more complaints against Redback. (I will point out, you can read between the lines in a lot of the reviews where the user (making the same mistake I did above) thinking their sole constructions entirely rubber/nitrile, let their shoes sit around for years. Then only wearing them a dozen times or when the weather's wet, and they fall apart. In that case of a week a year, i'd either buy some welted surplus shit hits the fan boots and cover them in leather conditioner or some surplus wellingtons from a place like sportsmans guide.)

[@jonienglish3231]

is Rossi Boot Same as Blundstone ??? looks the Same

[@baronburgundy]

No Joni. Although a comment in my Redback video suggested Rossi is also now made overseas.

[@mehdi6797]

@@baronburgundy sorry but my Rossi Endura303 is ,,Made in AUS

[@mehdi6797]

If I would advice you ,,,Rossi is really made in Aus boots and much bettttter and high quality

[@jonienglish3231]

@@mehdi6797 Thanks for Tip

[@sueneilson896]

Been wearing Rossis for 50 years. They just fit my feet better than blunnies.

[@jorgesoto5182]

Greetings from San Jose CA. Very nice review about Australian work boots I'm new to your channel and because of your reviews/videos I ordered some Rossi boots Endura 303 I'm a 91/2 10 US Men 91/2 mainly in shoes My question to you is 9 AUS or the 91/2 AUS I order both.

[@baronburgundy]

AUS/UK sizing tends to be one while size down from US. So as someone usually is a 9 US, I order 8 usually in AUS/UK. I would try 8 1/2 and 9 if you are trying 2. I would only go up to 9 1/2 AUS if you are using thick insoles and socks maybe. If you can though, i'd take a pencil measurement of your foot size, where the pencil is held downward and not at an angle, then measure from the heel to toe to get an accurate measurement. A lot of shoes in US sizing is all over the place.

[@jorgesoto5182]

@@baronburgundy Thank you for taking the time to read this Sorry my mistake I ordered an Australian 8 and a 81/2 I think I will keep the 81/2 because the 8 fit me way too tight. Keep up with the videos.

[@mehdi6797]

@@jorgesoto5182 I am 27,5 cm , my endura size is 8,5 aus ,, perfect,

[@rezalgsalguod]

Curious if you have an opinion on R.M. Williams and whether they are worth the additional cost (even buying from Australia, which is a bit cheaper).

[@baronburgundy]

I do not have any recent experience with R.M Williams, at least since they were bought out (again) in 2014 by Louis Vuitton. In my opinion though, companies like Danner (US) saw a decline after LaCrosse/ABC-Mart bought the other out. It is not that the product is bad, but just that when a fashion oriented companies purchases a product, the market shifts from workers/comfort to fashion/appeal. In other words, overpriced. In the US, most boot companies have had to take this change of appeal in order to survive. Some can get away with a fashion line and a function line, such as Viberg or Nick's, but others cater toward the complaints of the new consumers (ie. break-in sucks, so make the leather thinner for instant break-in.) It would be akin to buying a Luxury car, since most comfort/workwear have gone away from welted to foam or glorified glued footwear, and in that segment of luxury, you have your overrated mercedes and your lexus. Both are expensive, but some may last a lot longer. At this point, I would probably put RM Williams in the Lexus category, since they were only semi-recently bought out by a fashion label, like White's Boots, but it is uncertain if that will last forever, since the fashion oriented Hipster audience may not last forever either. One counter too is if the customer service is still good in case of a lemon. I believe both White's and RM Williams is still good, afaik. Suffice, with my doomsday ramble on this longest day, there have been many in this transition to mediocrity brand buyouts, such as Doc Martens, Converse, Red Wing (with their work boots). If you are trying to go on the cheap as well, make sure you have a good cobbler that can resole them for whatever is economical to your budget.

[@baronburgundy]

Found a thread that may be worth sifting through on RM Williams: forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2749697 And the article on their buyout: www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/louis-vuitton-buys-up-rm-williams/news-story/888553e2a49b44499fe78cc3adce7d3e?nk=896d0c1817bce52fb097ec9faf56e9dc-1545414260

[@jamo747]

rezalgsalguod I have both a pair of Rossi work boots and the RM Williams comfort craftsman boots. The RM Williams are a dress boot whereas Rossi boots, Redbacks, and Mongrel boots are work boots. The quality of stitching and finish on RM Williams is higher, however the boot wouldn’t last a week doing rough work as the leather is thinner and much softer. That doesn’t mean they’re not a good pair of boots, if you take care of them they’ll last years, they’re just not for work. So if you’re considering wearing them as smart casual wear, yes they’re worth the extra cost, if you’re thinking of using them for work, just throw the money down the toilet as they won’t last.

[@junkwon8388]

Wonderful review mate. Just a quick question for you as you own both Redbacks and rossi. Do Rossi boots feel smaller in width and instep volume compare to Redbacks? I got Redback and it feels too roomy even though the size is right. Thanks

[@baronburgundy]

From what I recall, yes. But remember that half sizes for UK/AUS are their wide size as they typically only offer whole sizes for length increases.

[@junkwon8388]

@@baronburgundy thanks a lot mate. Thank you

[@pineapplesideways3820]

Rossi has more size choices

[@mehdi6797]

Wawe , very constructive video,, Pls question , I want to buy Rossi 303 but. I am wondering and hesitating between blundstone 566 thermal winter Many thanks 🙏🏽

[@noway234]

Get Redback boots.

[@baronburgundy]

I have read more negative comments of Rossi. There is an aussi review website called like productreviews.au.com or something, and a lot of hydrolosis claims on it if I remember correctly, or simply a lot of accounts. Blundstone, if you check the Amazon reviews, has this issue commonly as well. I can't recommend either as much anymore, especially since I moved away from them both, but i'd go with Rossi if you are okay with the narrower toebox and prefer nitrile plastic rubber they often use (and want to buy australian), and the Blundstone if you like the tpu, more foam/athletic sole that is usually lighter in weight.

[@baronburgundy]

@@noway234 What he said: Redback or Mongrels if you are willing to look outside your box.

[@mehdi6797]

@@baronburgundy merci 😊, thx for you answer, but when I read the feedback in amazon, very positive!!

[@cooncourt]

Which boot do you find more comfortable in the toe box?

[@baronburgundy]

Mongrel, then Redback, then Rossi

[@Torres77LFC1]

Great review

[@seff2318]

did you happen to get your rossi boots from amazon?

[@aestheticsoul692]

Hello, looking for new boots for walking around NYC. Between Rossi, Redback, and Blundstone- which brand has worn the best for you/would you recommend? (Today is my first time hearing of these brands)

[@baronburgundy]

Yes, it was my motivation to increase exposure to these Australian treasures, for however long that lasts (or has lasted). With the mongrel video, I gave my opinion in the end. If Mongrel could beef up their leather some, I would have given them the first spot, as it was the most comfortable and most ergonomic fit. However, I think Redback makes a more consistent product as of now. They make only a select amount of the pu footwear, probably to limit break-down. Redback feels more like a tennis shoe. I love that Rossi uses nitrile (plastic rubber), and I think most would agree their products look the best; however, their toebox contorts the big toe inwards, and feels a bit heavier like a boot. I believe nitrile has the capacity to be more durable than polyurethane, but if the execution is poor and/or the footwear falls apart, what's the point anyways. It seems like more peoples footwear falls apart before the sole wears through today anyways.

[@chrisblaney5195]

aestheticsoul692 rossi

[@aussie8114]

Rossi boots seem good for my flat feet, unlike Blundstone boots these days.

[@baronburgundy]

I had the best comfort with Mongrel boots, but i've found the wider surface area for the outsole the more weight distributes.

[@chrisblaney5195]

Buffalo leather I believe

[@TedKushner]

Thank you for this video. Could you tell, please, if I wear Blundstone of 9AU size, should I buy Rossi and Redback of the same size?

[@baronburgundy]

If your shoe size is the whole size, (IE 10 US in this case); then I would stick with the whole size for each shoe purchased. Redback/Blundstone both use whole sizing only (9 AU/10 AU), whereas Rossi gives you the half sizes. Confusingly, Redback/Blundstone also have half sizes, BUT they are the whole size made to a wider fit. IE 9 AU is roughly 10 US D Width, whereas 9.5 AU is roughly 10 US E/Wide width. Again, Rossi has half sizes like the US, giving more flexibility. I can go both ways with Rossi on sizing. Their main series that uses Nitrile bottoms are made slightly to a smaller foot for the respective size, whereas their newer Polyurethane (lighter) outsoles are more accommodating with a wider tie, like Redback/Blundstone's out there. Hope that helps.

[@TedKushner]

Ok, thank you. If I got that right, you wear both Redbacks and Rossis in 7 size and feel comfortable in both of them?

[@baronburgundy]

Size 8 1/2 US. 7 AUS feels good for both of these. The Rossi with the Nitrile I would have probably gone up to 7 1/2 AUS, since its toe shape is more unergonomic from my memory. Only problem I had with fit would be if I replaced the insole with something thicker and wore the thickest wool socks I own.

[@tottenhamteacher]

@@baronburgundy okay so I tried on my dad's Redback's in 9 US and I am normally 9 1/2; they felt like they have wiggle room too. If I wanted some Blundstones would I need to go for the 9 or 9.5

[@baronburgundy]

@@tottenhamteacher It's been too long with Blundstones for me to comment. Sometimes I will add a thicker insole to make a boot fit if I like the length but not the fit. There's a few wool felt ones on Amazon for example.