Blundstone Thermal Chelsea - Women's Review

The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea is the waterproof version of the Classic Blundstone boots that are already extremely popular for everything from hiking to work meetings. Many on our team of testers already own a pair (or two) of the Classic Blundstones, and our testing proved that the waterproof Blundstone Thermal Chelsea is just as impressive as the Classic. The main difference (and what makes it appropriate for a rainboot review) is that it is completely waterproof, rather than just water-resistant. The price point is minimally higher, but we think the benefits of the waterproofing far outweigh the slight price difference. You can wear this boot on a muddy hike, or to work meetings, or out on a date, or while puddle stomping with your kids. Similarly, it looks good with shorts, skirts, pants, and dresses, making it by far the most versatile boot we have ever tested.

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.

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.

Weather Protection

With a flood height of only 6.5 inches, the Blundstones are far from being the most weatherproof boots we tested. 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 the inside of the boot 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. 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've ever worn Blundstones, you know how comfortable they are — once you break them in. The initial break-in period isn't terrible, but we will say that they definitely get better with time. Our first few days in the boots, we covered a lot of miles, which left us wishing the leather was a bit less stiff. Our lead tester got mild hot spots on her outer ankle bones because the upper portion of the boot isn't very forgiving. However, leather has the glorious property of conforming to your foot over time, and once the boots were broken in, her hot spots disappeared, and her feet were very happy. The waterproof leather gets more supple with time and forms to your feet in a way that a rubber boot simply can't. Additionally, these were the only rain boots we tested where our heels didn't slide up with every step. The fit is a bit more snug than most other rain boots, but that makes them much more conducive to walking long distances.

The fact that these boots are made out of leather rather than rubber also contributes to the comfort of your feet by preventing them from sweating. The 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

For how professional these boots look in work meetings, you will be surprised by how well they perform outside. They have a bomber tread that keeps you on your feet in slick, muddy conditions. They also perform well 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.

Warmth

There is no “right” level of warmth for a rain boot; it depends on your climate. That said, we feel it is important to comment on insulation and warmth levels so you can buy the appropriate footwear for your environment. Those who live and work in warmer climates will want an uninsulated rain boot that keeps their feet cool. However, people who live and work in colder climates might want something more insulated.

The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea falls in a happy middle-ground, working well in cold and warm climates. With the Thinsulate lining and the sheepskin footbed, it definitely lends itself to being more of a cold-weather boot, but our testers were out wearing these boots with shorts and dresses on warm, early-fall days, and none of them complained about their feet being too hot. The leather material is much more breathable than any of the rubber rain boots we tested, and thus allows for a greater breadth of climates the boots can be worn in.

We were most happy wearing these boots in spring and fall, when the weather is still mild. In temperatures below freezing, we wished for more insulation, and in hot July and August temperatures, we wanted sandals. In both of those climates, the boots worked, but weren't the exact right footwear for the job. The in-between weather in October and April is where these boots really belong.

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. Our lead tester has had her pair of Blundstone Classics (the non-waterproof version) for over three years, and she says they are in perfect condition, despite heavy use over the past three years.

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 something more fun, you might like the Bogs Holly Chelsea, which has a more classic rainboot styling with a rubber upper and sole. If you are going to be working outside on fishing boats or in wet environments, check out the XTRATUF Legacy, which has a 15" flood height and a flexible shaft that lends itself well to messy jobs in mild to warm weather. For more of a burly work boot that is suitable for winter use, the insulated Bogs Neo-Classic Tall is our favorite crossover option.