Sprache wechseln
We drove off the paved road and joined a barely discernible track near a bridge, spanning what should have been a torrent. Instead, we looked down into a bone dry, rocky riverbed. Glancing upward one last time before disappearing beneath the dense canopy of foliage, the sky was heavy with menacing clouds, but the onset of drizzle wasn’t yet enough to coax the windscreen wipers into action.
Ahead of us lay terrain that would change dramatically during the steep and laborious ascent into the mountains. The new Rugged-Terrain tyres were going to have their work cut out for them as they made their way across loose dirt and gravel before searching for grip on stages of sheer granite strewn with loose rocks and boulders. Then, the incessant downpour came over the top of the mountain, creating a wash of water mixed with surface soil and turning the already challenging surfaces into something more akin to a non-stick frying pan.
Blundstone Chelsea boots look good, feel good, and my trusty pair of #585 have continued to uphold their end of the bargain for the last four years. I don’t wear them every day, but, generally speaking, they are smart enough for formal occasions and robust enough to cope with the great outdoors, most of the time. Today wasn’t exactly ideal for repeatedly getting in and out of the car to clear a path and check the lay of the land.
For the decades prior to the first time I slipped into my Blundstones, or Blunnies as they are often referred to amongst the brand’s fans, I would always be found wearing boots and shoes with laces. I must admit, I have subsequently grown quite used to the ease of slipping in and out of my Chelsea boots, especially when retiring to the rooftop tent at the end of an adventurous day. (Mind you, I suppose Blundstone Clogs are probably the crowing solution when it comes to getting in and out of my sleeping bag.)
Now, as much as I appreciate #585’s merits for everyday, they do lack the ankle hugging stability of a lace-up. The oil resistent sole and shock absorbing heel mean they are just as much a great wear when driving classic Land Rovers as they are for prolonged walks in the countryside.
BLUNDSTONE ALL-TERRAIN
Blundstone’s All-Terrains, on the other hand, are a completely different kettle of fish and according to the spec sheet, far better equipped to cope with adverse conditions.
VIBRAM® SOLE
Well, you can’t get a more overlanding-appropriate sole than the All-Terrain. Developed by Vibram® exclusively for Blundstone, the characteristics of the Megagrip compound are promising:
- 100% rubber
- High traction tread
- Adapts to different surfaces
- Provides a sure footing in wet and dry
- Profile design efficiently expels stones, mud and snow
- Oil and acid resistent (including pet urine)
- Withstanding temperatures up to 300°C
The XRD® technology designed into the heel has excellent shock absorbing properties for day-long comfort, all the way up your spine.
UPPERS
Made from selected bovine hides, the 1.8 mm thick uppers are graded weather resistent. I mean, let’s be fair, this is still a Chelsea boot with elastic panels on each side.
Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea boots are available in four colours: Rustic Black #2055, Rustic Brown #2056, Cocoa Brown #2057, and Black #2058.
INSIDE
The interior is lined with a layer of 0.8 mm bovine leather with a breathable synthetic material at the front.
The Comfort Lite inner sole can be taken out and washed if necessary.
IN AND OUT ELASTICITY
The ease of putting on and taking off, which I have already mentioned, is further facilitated by the front and rear pull tabs. Again, when sat on the edge of the rooftop tent without a floor to push against, slipping into these boots first thing in the morning is so simple because the opening stretches in both directions.
OPINION
Is the Blundstone All-Terrain the ideal overlanding shoe? For some yes, for others maybe not. But what I do like is that the design team have taken an excellent everyday boot that can be worn to a business meeting, a fancy restaurant or in the remotest spaces on the planet, and made it even tougher, grippier, and more weather resilient. And you can still wear them to every occasion.
The All-Terrains are available for men and women in sizes 3 to 13 (UK standard), cost €220 (in Germany), and are an investment that will last for years to come. I wonder if they will ever come with laces…
