Blundstone Thermal Chelsea - Women's Review

The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea are the waterproof version of the Classic Blundstone boots that are already extremely popular. Many on our team of testers already own a pair (or two) of the Classic Blundstones, and we ended up loving the Blundstone Thermal Chelsea just as much as the Classic. The main difference (and what makes them appropriate for a rainboot review) is that the Thermals are completely waterproof, and have a sherpa insole that makes them a bit warmer. You can wear these boots on a muddy hike, or to work meetings, or out on a date, or while puddle stomping with your kids. They also look good with shorts, skirts, pants, and dresses, making them by far the most versatile boot we have ever tested.

Weather Protection

With a flood height of only 6.5 inches, the Blundstones just can't stand up to knee high rubber boots, so adjust your expectations. That being said, up to 6.5 inches, your feet and ankles will be perfectly dry. We slipped on these boots and immediately submerged them in water for two full minutes to stress test the waterproofing. We weren't shocked that the leather was completely waterproof, but we were pleasantly surprised that the elastic portion of the boot is also 100% waterproof. Throughout the entire two minutes submerged under water, the elastic kept all water out, and our socks remained bone dry.

We wore these boots on a daily basis, walking through puddles in rainstorms and tromping around cold rivers. Throughout each test, our feet remained dry and warm, even through the winter. We had to watch out for the depth of the puddles we were walking through, but if we remained in shallow areas, we were good to go.

Comfort

If you have ever owned a pair of leather boots, you know how comfortable they can be — once you break them in. We won't lie and say this is a fun process, but it is a necessary step in getting a glove-like fit from your boots. Our first few days in the boots, we covered a lot of miles, which left our lead tester with a hot spot on the outside of her ankle because the upper portion of the boot isn't very forgiving. However, leather has the glorious property of conforming to your foot over time, it just takes some time, and we recommend wearing the boots in small doses for the first few weeks. Following that advice, the waterproof leather gets more supple with time and forms to your feet in a way that a rubber boot simply can't. Once ours were broken in, they fit like they were tailor-made to our feet. Additionally, these were the only rain boots we tested where our heels didn't slide up with every step, which keeps blisters at bay and avoids the dreaded disappearing sock.

The fact that these boots are made out of leather rather than rubber also contributes to the comfort because they are more breathable. Many rubber rain boots create an instantly clammy environment for your feet. Leather is naturally breathable; rubber isn't. This breathability further prevents hot spots by keeping your feet dry from the outside and the inside of the boot.

The sheepskin footbed is quite plush when you first get the boots, but it does pack down over time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as it forms to the bottoms of your feet and acts like a natural footbed.

Traction

These boots give off a city slicker vibe, but you'd be surprised by how well they perform outside. They have a bomber tread that kept us on our feet in slick, muddy conditions, and we felt confident while hiking on loose gravel and rock hopping in the river. As a rain boot, the traction of the Blundstone Thermals is hard to beat.

As the name implies, the Blundstone Thermals are made for colder weather, but unfortunately, we weren't as happy with their grip in snow and ice as we were in rain and mud. We found ourselves slip-sliding around on the ice a bit more than we would prefer, and thus, the traction has room for improvement in icy conditions.

Wearability

We wanted to discuss this metric first because it is truly the reason most people will want to buy this boot. The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea is by far the most multipurpose boot we have ever tested. It has a timeless look that works with any outfit. You can wear these boots with slacks and a button-down shirt to a casual work meeting, or with shorts on a hike, or with a sundress out to dinner, or with jeans and a t-shirt to a concert. We've done all of the above. They look good with everything while keeping your feet warm and dry. Should you happen to run into muddy trails on your hike or need to commute to work through a rainstorm, your feet will be happy in these boots.

After owning these boots for well over a year now, we actually can't imagine going back to not owning these boots. Our lead tester told us, “If I were to pick one single pair of shoes to wear for the rest of my life - indoors and out, for athletic endeavors as well as fancy occasions, for work and for play - it would be the Blundstone Thermal Chelsea.” They truly are a one-stop-shop for everything you could want in a waterproof boot.

These boots have the comfortable fit of everyday leather boots, while having the waterproofness of rubber boots. Our testers wore them on multi-mile walks straight out of the box. As with most leather boots, we got mild hot spots on our heels after the first few wears, but once the boots were broken in, everyone loved them and found them extremely comfortable.

Durability

These boots are incredibly durable. They are also incredibly expensive. We think they are worth the steep price tag. Every pair of Blundstone we have owned has withstood years of hard use. Our lead tester has had her pair of Blundstone Classics for eight years, and they are still going strong. We've been testing the Thermal Chelsea boots for just over a year, but in that year, we have truly put them to the test. It's hard not to wear these boots all the time. We wore them hiking, walking through rivers, to work, for long urban walks, long trail walks, to dance parties, to job interviews, while barbecuing, in the garden, making snowmen, shoveling the sidewalk, and on dates. Our lead tester sums it up perfectly, “If I am going to spend $200+ on one pair of boots, I want to be able to wear them anywhere and everywhere.” And the Blundstone Thermal Chelsea boots rise to the challenge.

Should You Buy the Blundstone Thermal Chelsea?

The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea is a great option if you want one pair of do-it-all boots. They are great for someone who wants to bike or walk to work in drizzly weather, but doesn't want to have to bring a second pair of shoes to change into. Plus, they are super durable. If you read online reviews of Blundstones or know a friend who has a pair, you will find that the majority of Blundstone wearers are happy with how long they have lasted, us included. Our lead tester has had her pair of Blundstone Classics (the non-waterproof version) for over eight years, and she says they are still in great condition, despite near daily use.

The Blundstone Thermals won't be as protective of a rain boot as some of the other, taller models. So if you are working outside in rugged environments, or you are going to be spending lots of time wading through rivers or walking through mucky fields, these might not be the right boots for you.

What Other Rain Boots Should You Consider?

If you like the shorter height of the Blundstone Thermals, but want to add a splash of color, you might like the Merry People Bobbi, which has a more classic rainboot styling with a rubber upper and sole. The XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boots are another shortie option that we love. They don't look as put together as the Blundstones, but the slipper-like comfort kept us reaching for these whenever we didn't feel like wearing “real” shoes.