The Chelsea Work Boot Challenge - How Do The Chelsea Work Boots In My Collection Compare?

Here’s an international Chelsea workboot challenge! Which is the best overall Chelsea workboot? Using an actuarial spreadsheet giving marks out of 10, follow me through the ins and outs of Chelsea workboots!
Links
Blundstone Website www.blundstone.com.au/
Bordon Website bit.ly/3BLLtS1
Jim Green Website jimgreenfootwear.co.za/
R M Williams Website bit.ly/BLRMWilliams
R M Williams USA bit.ly/BLosophyRMWUS
R M Williams UK bit.ly/BLosophyRMWUK
Redback Website www.redbackboots.com.au/
Rivers Website www.rivers.com.au/
Other Reviews
Review of the Blundstone 650 • Review of the Blundsto...
Unboxing of the Bordon Isidro • Unboxing TWO Bordon Co...
Review of the Jim Green Stockman • Review of The Jim Gree...
Review of the R M Williams Gardener • Luxury Gardening? Revi...
Review of the Redback UBOK • Better Than Blunnies? ...
Review of the Rivers Chelsea Workboot • Australia's Budget Goo...
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:38 The Contenders
02:16 The Scoring System
04:05 Looks
06:06 Quality Control
07:40 Position After 2 Rounds
07:56 Durability
08:59 Break-In and Comfort
10:33 Position after 4 Rounds
10:58 Value
12:32 Results
Who Am I?
I am a Management Consultant in real life but in my Bootlosophy channel, I make videos about boots and all things boot related. This channel posts reviews of boots, unboxing of new boots, and follow-up reviews, and in doing so, may explore the philosophy of the brands from time to time!
I have owned boots for decades, but to be honest I have owned them as functional pieces of footwear. It wasn't until early 2020 when COVID struck that I started online shopping for boots to an obsessive degree. I love the aesthetic of boots and I love finding out more about how they are made. I now own an insane number of boots, and one day I may sell some of them (just not right now).
Full Disclosure
If any video is sponsored, I will declare it clearly in the video and in the description. Even if a video is sponsored, I will review the product openly and honestly giving you my personal opinion, warts and all, of the product.
The following links (and any links I place above) to products I regularly use may be affiliate links - buying from any affiliate links will not cost you any more, but I may receive a small payment from the platform.
Care Products - conditioners and polishes
Bick 4 amzn.to/36gBdnd
Ecco suede conditioner amzn.to/3rOU9BN
Fiebings Liquid Mink Oil amzn.to/34FigtO
Leather Honey amzn.to/3uWepDH
Red Wing Heritage Leather Cream amzn.to/3sK5dzi
R M Williams Leather Conditioner amzn.to/3JkgQno
Saphir Greasy Leather Cream Polish amzn.to/368FlW9
Saphir Renovateur Medaille d'Or amzn.to/36jNIP3
Saphir Renovateur leather balm amzn.to/3uS23wa
Smiths Leather Balm amzn.to/3oPcBbC
Tarrago shoe cream amzn.to/3sK2hCM
Tarrago Nubuck Suede Renovator Spray amzn.to/3oLLSgc
Venetian Shoe Cream 3oz amzn.to/3uS1oLc
Care Products - cleaners
Ecco foam cleaner amzn.to/3gM61hO
Ecco Nubuck and suede eraser kit amzn.to/3LCzf0L
Fiebings Saddle Soap amzn.to/3sFlNAo
Leather Honey Cleaner amzn.to/3HShN64
R M Williams suede cleaner amzn.to/3sIoIYZ
Timberland dry cleaning kit amzn.to/3GNXAwP
Timberland Renewbuck Foaming Cleaner amzn.to/3sJQAvN
Care Products - water repellents
Saphir Suede Protector Spray amzn.to/34FWAhi
Tarrago Nano Protector Spray amzn.to/3oLxPXF
Care Products - Brushes
Kiwi Horsehair Brush 3-pack for different colours amzn.to/3oPUvpL
Kiwi Horsehair Applicator Brush amzn.to/3uUZHwu
Welt Brush amzn.to/33kKMQP
Care Products - shoe trees
Florsheim Cedar Shoe Tree amzn.to/3sJXVf5
Stratton Cedar Shoe Tree amzn.to/3JqNVy3

[@1985zebulon]

Thank you for acknowledging the lands of the indigenous people where you are!

[@jj4483love]

RM Gardeners are easily the best chelsea boots I've ever had. It's a perfectly crafted, expertly honed last. I would put RM's in the same shoemaking league as Crockett and Jones honestly.

[@DwightJurling]

Bordon are making me a fan of Chelsea boots. Excellent last with great fit, finish and durability. Waxed suede goes very well in wetter conditions.

[@NickyB0718]

I like the Redbacks personally

[@ikemontel2465]

Probably my favorite style of boot. Don't forget Mongrel and rossi. They're both an Australian made boot! I have the Jim green and it photographs well. It's a savage on toughness. I've also had a set of redbacks survive a chemical environment, warehouse work, and arborcare. 2 years before a phosphorus spill finally killed them.

[@Kudusole]

Loving the table chart that you have made! Great comparisons of all the Work Chelsea boots.

[@Russellkhan]

New subscriber here. I've been really enjoying your videos. This one is especially useful as I am in the early stages of researching my first pair of Chelseas.

[@JaysonM-]

I absolutely love your channel, you are the best boot reviewer on the net! Please keep it up mate ❤

[@scotcherton]

Great reviews! I'm a fan of the commando sole on Chelsea's. I scored some Wolverine BLVD for a great discount, and they feel so solid with the commando soles.

[@DMorgan77]

Great video Teik. I like the format. The Bordon is my favorite looking of the bunch (I do not own any of these specific ones however).

[@dominiccampbell947]

Cheers for that. I've a dressy looking pair of Feild & Moor boots I love and I always lust after a pair of RM Gardeners but I find myself wearing the cheaper worky looking boots all the time. Seems to fit my lifestyle on the farm here a lot better. Interesting to see a shoot-out between options I might wear more often 👍

[@HeardBothWays]

I've been wearing m Jim Greens very regularly for a while now and I just love them. I am not a fan of standing on squishy foam even during hard work, so they seem the best for me. Thank you for introducing me to some new boots!

[@renangaidheal1320]

But but those RMW can be resoled easily...they deserve ONE more point at the conclusion---but when you started I'd already predicted the outcome (but giving RMW that smallest edge over the Isidro). Nicely done, very helpful, honest and informative.

[@starkeymorgan7481]

Well, I'm 10 months into my first pair of Chelseas, Blundstones, and I am really enjoying them. I have a decent amount of foot pain in one of my feet and the roominess and soft leather seem to work for me. I also like that I can teach in them at University and they can go with just about anything.

[@FORANEOS01]

I really enjoy your reviews, and you passion for boots. Best Regrds from Dominican Republic

[@jasonplum4150]

I am newcomer Tiek. I am also an admirer of you work. You have the passion spark, the integrity and efficacy that makes you not only appreciate Boots more, but want to be a better man (human). I personally call that genius.

[@Bootlosophy]

Welcome! Thanks Jason

[@jims1942]

Good comparison, well done video. Thank you for doing it. I do think your final chart at 13:00 is missing one thing... the PRICE. With the price also included it would help you determine the VALUE/PRICE/JUSTIFICATION to 'YOU' personally. Just because a boot has a higher SCORE does not mean you could, or would, justify spending 2 or 3 times as much money to buy it. ...Just my thoughts... :)

[@jeffislearning]

"in the long run What's it matter, we'll all be dead" - too true. wear the best boots because we can't bring them with us to our next life.

[@simonmajura]

Got add some Rossi Endura boots into the mix. Some are made overseas, but some are made with Australian leather and made in Australia to boot.

[@maxagent86]

What about the elastic bands. Do they all retain tension for about the same time, or are there differences there as well? Thank you for a great video.

[@curtshelp6170]

I've only owned 2 pair of Chelsea boots. First the Thorogood Chelsea which hasn't been offered for years and the Danner Bull run Chelsea. The Thorogoods run small, The Danners are very comfortable and run true.

[@remzi6061]

Love your videos, good work on breaking each boot down. I usually need wide toe box for my boots, out of these would RM and Isidro have wide toe boxes ?

[@Bootlosophy]

Isidro does, RMW not so much but they come in wide sizes

[@pwsod]

I find my RM Williams Gardeners far to narrow for my UK size 10H. Painful for my wide foot. They felt good in the shop in Newcastle NSW, but back in pommy land they are not comfortable. My Bunnies are my favourite for now. However I continue my search. Next pair of Chelsea boots ordered from William Lennon and they will be made of Horse leather and I will have to wait 20 weeks as they are very busy.

[@Bootlosophy]

I go ½ size up in RMW

[@pwsod]

@@Bootlosophygood idea, but RM Williams here are now more expensive than Church’s custom grade Oxfords at £1,200 a pair. Bunnies are easily available for £120 online.

[@jasonplum4150]

I have recently purchased the Iron Ranger. I graduated into bootdom. I would very much like to contact and support Fortis (Sunny) and that community as well. I sent a message in what’s App. The digits you gave in the Collaboration video 3 months ago. I wanted to send my high regards. Keep stepping in style my friend. Jason Plum from Southern New Jersey beach town.

[@JamesChastney]

Thank you for your extremely informative reviews. Is there any chance of perhaps you reviewing British made boots please? Like Lanx Shoes or Loake? Perhaps expensive stuff like Crockett and Jones might be out but the more affordable makers might be possible. Thanks

[@Bootlosophy]

I'm trying to save up to get some Northampton brands to do a UK boots series.

[@Bootlosophy]

Hey, listen, James, on that subject, can you recommend a few "mid-range" good and Goodyear Welted English bootmakers? That would be great to identify them.

[@JamesChastney]

@@BootlosophyProbably Loake is mid range Goodyear welt and most of there range is still made in UK. Lanx is the other but Loake more accessible at some of better department stores and independent clothes shops sale.

[@Bootlosophy]

@@JamesChastney cool, thanks

[@D_L_J_83]

I’d love to watch a review on Rossi and Mongrel K9 boots too please!

[@Bootlosophy]

Mongrel K9 in the works! I just bought a pair this week.

[@D_L_J_83]

@@Bootlosophy I just bought a pair of K9s today and I love them! They’re thinner leather but so soft and comfortable out of the box. I went in the shop to try the Redbacks but my feet have high insteps and were pinching quite a lot with them.

[@D_L_J_83]

@@Bootlosophy love to see what you think and comparison to the Blunnies!

[@solzaman11]

Gday Teik, I know you might think you’re already pretty well stocked for Chelsea’s, but given how RMs are becoming out of reach for many have you considered reviewing one of the ‘budget’ alternatives like Baxter/Rossi/ringers? What harm could one more pair do

[@Bootlosophy]

LOL, I recently talked myself out of Rossi’s and Mongrels but I might have to revisit!

[@JaysonM-]

And Oliver’s too!

[@dlangston2020]

Hello Tiek, I just recently found your awesome channel. I need a Chelsea work boot to work in and around my yard with the occasional walk in the bush with dog. I live in Arizona, USA. I can't decide on the Blundstone or the Redback. My normal US shoe size is 10.5 and I wear a 10 in the Redwing 875. So should I order a 9 in Australian size? thank you!

[@Bootlosophy]

I hate answering size Q's because each foot is different! But yes, on the whole I'd order an Aussie 9

[@dlangston2020]

@@Bootlosophy No worries. I went with the Redback's. They said I could exchange if I needed. thank you!

[@tianhangliu4517]

@@dlangston2020 Redbacks are nice, I acquired one recently as well. There're boot shops in AZ that you could go and try them on. JR's is a nice store.

[@hawkevick9184]

I've seen you got both the standard brown Jim green leather and a crazy horse pair. Which one should I got on my razorbacks.

[@Bootlosophy]

I like the crazy horse myself

[@ajmedeiros77]

Really enjoy your reviews. You should have 160,000 subscribers not 16,000.

[@Bootlosophy]

Haha! Thanks!

[@edbehan1306]

I love my RM gardeners. I wish I could sort out the Grant Stone sizing. Why on-line stores can’t tell you their last is 28.5 cm size AU10. But instead use an American exceptionalism size that is referenced to nothing else and varies between different manufacturers, is just to arrogant.

[@Bootlosophy]

Yeah sizing is a headache. For GS my suggestion is to take the US equivalent of your RMW size, so if you’re RMW 10, order a US9 in Grant Stone.

[@edbehan1306]

@@Bootlosophy Yes I’m RMW au10 should translate to US 11. I ordered US 10.5 half size down. But is to big. Rant over. I would like a pair of GS Chelsea’s though.

[@isthisdom]

What watch are you sporting??

[@Bootlosophy]

I think in this vid an Invicta Prodiver

[@suitrBJ]

Find it strange the Bordon rated so high doesn't have front pull tabs. Mark of a good 'chelsea' boot.

[@patentleatherkicks]

If you're wearing long pants rather than shorts, the front pull tabs are somewhat useful for ten seconds out of the day (when you are pulling the boots on) and are in the way for the rest of the day.

[@suitrBJ]

@@patentleatherkicks I've worn Redbacks and a pair of Rms and don't find this to be the case at all. But everyone different.

[@minnesota-hk1vp]

Recount! Lol!

[@Bootlosophy]

Lol! Nope! 😂😂😂

[@GoatzombieBubba]

Comparing a 600$ chelsea to the cheaper chelsea seems to be a bit unfair.

[@GoatzombieBubba]

Redback is better then Blunds plus unlike Blundies they are 100% made in Australia.