When it comes to exploring the world, having the right gear is essential, and for your feet, nothing beats the Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea Boots. Emily Pennington from CNN Underscored shares her love for these boots, which have accompanied her across seven continents, proving their durability and versatility.
Tasmania's rugged terrain—muddy, rainy, rooty, and rocky—was the perfect testing ground for these Tasmanian boots. Pennington's adventures in Tasmania highlighted just how well these boots handle tough conditions. They’re designed to tackle the most challenging landscapes, and they do it with ease.
As a seasoned travel writer, Pennington needs footwear that offers both protection and comfort for long days of walking and hiking. Whether she’s on a safari in Kenya, wandering through snowy streets, or exploring the bustling alleys of Hobart, these boots are always her first choice.
Over the past two years, these boots have been with her on road trips across California, an Antarctic cruise, backcountry adventures in Alaska, and countless dog walks in Boulder. Each adventure has reinforced the boots' reliability and versatility.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
Superior Comfort: Unlike typical Blundstone city boots, the All-Terrain designs feature Vibram outsoles, offering exceptional comfort for both short hikes and long city walks. Pennington notes that despite extensive use, her arches never ached, thanks to the boots' excellent support.
Self-Cleaning Tread: A standout feature is the self-cleaning tread. Pennington never had to clean the soles despite two years of heavy use, which she notes is pretty impressive.
Grippy Soles: Designed with a high ratio of tread surface contact, these boots offer excellent grip, making them perfect for wet slippery conditions. They are also resistant to acid, oil, and heat, adding to their durability.
The iconic Chelsea boot elastic makes these boots easy to pull on and off, a feature Pennington finds particularly useful for quick outings. This convenience, combined with their comfort and support, makes them her daily favorite.
While the boots excel in many areas, they do require some break-in time. Pennington experienced discomfort initially, with the ankle cuffs when wearing short socks causing minor discomfort. However, this issue resolved by wearing tall socks and after about a month of wear she could wear ankle socks with them as the leather had softened. Once the leather is broken in, these boots are made to last, providing long-term comfort and durability.
Blundstone All-Terrain Chelsea Boots offer a perfect blend of comfort and durability, making them a worthy investment for both city dwellers and adventure travelers. Their superior construction ensures they can handle a variety of conditions, providing reliable performance for years to come.
For those seeking a versatile and long-lasting pair of boots, Blundstone's All-Terrain Series are an excellent Chelsea boot choice. Whether navigating urban landscapes or exploring the great outdoors, these boots will keep you comfortable and supported on your journey.
For more detailed insights, check out Emily Pennington's full review on [CNN Underscored] (https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/blundstone-chelsea-boots).