Jeff Harmon, Author at Stridewise

Blundstone is a well-known Australian boot company that specializes in slip-on boots. Some might consider the $200+ price a bit expensive. However, once you look into them, you’ll find they are actually a decent value for what you’re getting. I’d previously written about the soft-toe Blundstone 490 work boot in another review. For this review, we’ll be taking a look at the more rugged Extreme Series work boot, the 990. Throughout the review, I rate the qualities with a 5-point rating system, checking the comfort, construction, sizing, fit, durability, and safety — all elements I actually had to test out while wearing them as a water plant operator. On paper, it's a great boot that covers you for almost any job. In practice? The sole started delaminating in less than a month. But Blundstone replaced it. You might take that as a good sign or a bad one. Key Takeaways Blundstone 990 Review: Pros: The Blundstone 990 is a comfortable, lightweight work boot with a wide range of ASTM ratings. Cons: The direct-attached sole started separating after a few weeks, though the brand did promptly exchange the boots. How I rate the Blundstone 990: Durability: 2/5 Comfort & Fit: 4/5 Weight: 5/5 Value: 2/5 Blundstone's History Founded in 1870 by John Blundstone and Sons in Australia, the Cuthbertson family purchased the business during the Great Depression of the 1930s and kept the existing name. The company is still privately owned by the same family to this day, privately. Search for celebrities wearing Blundstones on Google, and you will find them being worn by the likes of Emma Watson, David Beckham, Brad Pitt, and even Kate Middleton. Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame wore them for almost every episode of the show. I tested my Blundstone 990s at work (no pics allowed) and doing yard work How I Tested My Blundstone Boots Work boots are the most important piece of equipment I use for my job as a water plant operator. These boots have been worn for at least four weeks at both home and work. Honestly, they are overkill for my needs at work. This model is a unisex boot and is part of Blundstone’s Extreme Series. Between home and work, I can walk as much as twenty thousand steps in one day. It’s also worth mentioning I work around chemicals for water treatment. Some of these chemicals are acidic, while others are basic/alkaline. Further Reading 16 Best Boots For Men to Buy Tested By Experts (Spring 2024) We love boots, from work boots to dress boots and everything in between. Learn more → Blundstone 990 Specs Safety ToeYesSlip ResistantYesElectric Hazard RatedYesWaterproofNo, but resistantConstructionDirect attach midsoleMidsolePolyurethaneOutsoleNitrile RubberLeatherFull GrainHeight6 inchCountry of OriginVietnamOther OptionsAvailable in Wheat (989)SizingUS Men’s Full 5-15 Half 7.5-11.5US Women’s Full 6-17 Half 9.5-13.5 What I Liked About the Blundstone 990 Nice water-resistant (up to goring) leather Lightweight, with little to no break-in period Excellent shock absorption and comfort that's great for flat feet Easy to pull on and off, no laces to get wet in snow or rain Breathable in the heat Aggressive tread for sure footing and molded TPU Anti-scuff toe bumper Steel Toe, electric hazard Rated, and excellent heat resistance What I Disliked About the Blundstone 990 Not durable; can't be resoled and the sole isn't attached very strongly Must be worn on a regular basis to prevent the sole from crumbling No laces means less secure than laced boot Exposed heel counter (synthetic) Not waterproof (especially at elastic) Blundstone 990 Construction and Durability Rating: 2/5 I usually prefer a Goodyear welted boot. Not necessarily because I need a lot of resoles, but because the sole is less likely to delaminate than with cheaper builds. I also like to wear boots with a thick leather upper that is scratch-resistant if possible. This helps when it comes to being around chemicals I work with. A slip-resistant outsole is also essential — mandated by my job, in fact. Leather Thick, full-grain leather Oiled for extra water resistance Durable and scratch-resistant Unknown origin There are five panels of black oil-tanned leather in the Blundstone 990. I measured the leather at 2.5mm in thickness, which is solid for work boots. Despite the thick leather, the boots were surprisingly flexible. The leather has tight grain and is water-resistant and fairly scratch resistant, as well. It’s unclear where the leather for this boot is sourced. Blundstone's website says they get their leather from a variety of countries, including China, India, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. Construction Heat-bonded “direct attach” sole Heel-to-toe drop 0.50” Heel height 1.75” Toe box height 1.25” Most Blundstone boots have a direct attach construction. What does this mean? A molten liquid is applied under pressure in a mold to form and directly attach the midsole to the upper of the boot. This means there are no stitches or glue. Behold: the attachment to the sole isn't so strong. It's more durable than a casual sneaker, but not as durable as a Goodyear welt, or even competing non-Goodyear welted boots: I’ve noticed the separation of the upper from the midsole in my pair after less than a month of use, which is definitely a disappointment. But when I complained to Blundstone, they immediately replaced the boots, which was the opposite of a disappointment. Does that mean they'd never allow a boot with such a defect out in the world? Or does it mean this happens so often that they always make sure to replace it? This is up to you to interpret, but I will give them points for fixing the issue so fast. Direct attach construction is not meant to be resoled. These are considered a single-use boot, and as long as you take care of them, they should last a while. Once these boots are in poor condition, it’s time to retire them and buy a new pair. The Outsole Slip, oil, and acid-resistant Heat resistant to 572 F Rubber (unspecified compound) outsole The rubber outsole is resistant to slipping, oil, acid, and organic fats, in addition to heat resistance rated to at least 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The rubber resists bacteria, hydrolysis, and cutting. Just like the midsole, this outsole is also directly attached. The outsole of the 990 has a clearly defined line where the PU midsole ends and the rubber outsole begins. You can see where excess material has been cut away from the edges of the sole. This is different from my Blundstone 490s, which has a TPU outsole that is seamlessly blended in with the PU midsole. Further Reading Blundstone 490 Boot Review: Do Work Blunnies Hold Up? I had better luck with my Blundstone 490s, but no safety toe. Learn more → I’ve reached out to Blundstone with some questions about the chemical makeup of the outsole. Unfortunately, they weren't able to comment on that. But, they have confirmed the construction of the boot is all direct attached. This sole has an aggressive tread pattern. While the tread of the outsole provides great traction, the deep lugs can easily collect mud and stones. The grip of this outsole has been great for me in every situation. This includes walking through muddy areas at home and chemicals on the floor at work. The Midsole Good shock absorption from the low-density polyurethane midsole Direct-attach, heat-bonded construction It has a low-density polyurethane midsole, which helps with shock absorption. The midsole also has an antibacterial agent, as stated on the spec sheet. The midsole is attached to the upper with a “direct attach” connection. In this process, molten material is injected under pressure to create a bond with the upper without the use of stitching or glue. https://youtube.com/shorts/KageQ5ZT0Dw The Shank Steel shank There's a long, thin strip of steel (called a shank) located between the midsole and insole for extra support and stability. Not all boots have a shank. You can’t make a general statement and say something like, “All wedge boots don’t have a shank and boots with heels do.” Some wedge sole boots like the Thorogood 804-3600 have a shank, while the heeled Redback Easy Escape UBBK does not. A shank also adds structure to the boot and helps prevent the possibility of an arch collapse. Most importantly for work boots, a shank helps keep the boot stable and limit the risk of foot pain after a long day on your feet. The yellow EVA foam in the heel adds extra shock absorption The Insole Shock Protection System (SPS Max) for shock absorption These boots have Blundstone’s proprietary Shock Protection System Max (SPS Max) sole technology. Basically, it's a squishy poron foam at the strike zones of the heel and forepart of the foot for extra impact absorption. This material is similar to the foam found in hiking boots and running shoes. Elastic Goring These boots are fairly water resistant up to about 3.25”, which is where the bottom of the elastic goring is. Don’t plan on standing in water without getting wet past this point. Blundstone 990 Comfort, Sizing & Fit Rating: 4/5 Roomy and comfortable toe box Great arch support for my flat feet Removable footbed During testing, the Blundstone 990 boots were fairly comfortable, but I’ve had some issues with them. For the first two weeks of wear, I really loved these boots. But after a while, I found my feet sliding forward and backward slightly and rubbing at the forepart of my foot as I walked. Removable Footbed The 990s have a comfort arch insert, shock protection in the heel, and an airflow and moisture-wicking system throughout the arch. It is also antibacterial, breathable, and can be washed. These boots were breathable even on warm days with thicker socks — they didn't overheat my feet. There is a thin layer of Poron that runs throughout the whole length of the insert, and an added patch at the forepart for extra cushion. As great as this footbed is, it wasn’t right for me. As a possible solution for the sliding issue, I swapped the footbed insert provided with the 990 with my 490 model footbed. They are the same size, just a different design. I’ve found the design of the 490 insert works better for me in this boot. After I’d swapped inserts, my feet no longer slid. There's a good chance my sliding was more a result of my foot's anatomy than a universal problem. In any event, it's good that the 990's insole is easy to remove in case you have this problem. Note, this is my fit check for the 490. It's the same for the 990 Blundstone 990 Sizing/Fit Australian/UK sizing, true to size Half sizes are in widths, not length Unisex - sizes listed for both men and women Blundstone stamps AU/UK sizing on the bottom of the boot. However, they list their US sizes on their website when you are placing an order. Just make sure you're looking at the right numbers! Please note Blundstone sizing is different from what we’re used to in the US. Half sizes in Blundstone will increase in width but not the length of the boot. These boots were true to size. My 11 UK/ size 12 US boots fit just like any other size 12 US boots I own. Further Reading Blundstone Sizing Guide: How to Fit Blundstone Boots The team at Stridewise has owned and tested a few pairs of Blundstone over the years, here we tackle sizing. Learn more → They recommend checking fit by kicking your foot to the front of the boot. There should be a finger-sized gap between the end of the boot and your heel. Alternatively, you can remove the footbed insert and step on it as if you were in the boot. If you place your index finger at the front of your toes, there shouldn’t be a gap between your finger and the end of the insert. If your finger is hanging off the end in front of your toes, the boots are too small for you. I found both methods to work equally well for me. Blundstone 990 Weight Rating: 5/5 3 lbs 9 oz (size 11 UK/12 US) These boots came out at 3 lbs. 9 oz, which is fairly light in my estimation. Some laced boots I’ve worn weigh over 5 lbs. for a pair. My legs thank me at the end of the day for wearing boots this light. Blundstone 990 Safety Features Certified to ASTM F2413-18 M I C EH Outsoles meet OSHA requirements for oil and slip resistance Steel toe Molded TPU anti-scuff toe guard My job requires that I have footwear with a safety toe, and that is the only requirement. These boots are ASTM certified to F2413-18 M I C EH. Let’s go over what this means. Safety Toe This boot has a safety toe. If you don’t need a safety toe, I’d recommend the 490. The safety toe cap is a broad-fitting Type 1 steel toe cap tested to resist a 200-joule impact. The safety toe is wider than other boots I’ve worn, like the RockRooster VAP2301. ASTM Certified M I C EH According to the spec sheet on Blundstone’s website, these boots are certified to ASTM F2413-18 M I C EH. M men’s boots. I meets standards for impact safety-toe protection requirements. C compression safety-toe protection requirements. EH electric shock-resisting soles and heels capable of withstanding an application of 18,000 volts (root mean square (RMS) value) at 60 Hz for 1 minute, with no current flow or current leakage in excess of 1.0 milliamperes under dry conditions. Slip Resistance These boots have no slip resistance (SR) certification, but the soles are slip-resistant. I have found resistance to oil, acid, and slipping. These boots are good for mechanics for this reason. Slip resistance can most likely help avoid an accident. Further Reading Redback Easy Escape Review: A Field Test of Australian Work Boots I prefer my Redback Easy Escapes to the Blundstone 990s. Learn more → Are the Blundstone 990 Worth It? Rating: 2/5 $207 at govets.com $230 at Blundstone Blundstone and similar boots like Redback are comparably priced. You might be paying a little bit extra for the name, but the Redback Easy Escape HD is a very similar boot and costs only $15 less than the 990 at most places I’ve looked. I’ve only been able to find a few boots comparable to the 990 with the combination of the steel toe along with the steel toe anti-scuff cap. I believe the price is reasonable for this boot if there were no quality control issues. Who Should Buy the Blundstone 990? Anyone looking for a comfortable boot, but you may have to add extra volume with a new insert. Someone who needs ASTM ratings for resistance to electrical hazards, slips, organic fat/oil, oil/acid, heat up to 572 degrees, and compression in the toe. People who work in food service, mechanics, welders, carpenters, HVAC professionals, warehousemen, and factory workers. EMTs or others who need a boot that's easily taken off and put back on. Who Shouldn’t Buy the Blundstone 990? People who work at a job where slip-on boots aren’t allowed. Guys who need the ankle support a laced boot provides. How Blundstone Compares to Competitors I did a search on Google for Chelsea boots with anti-scuff toe caps, and I only found 3 options outside of the 990. RockRooster AK227 ($85) Steel Blue Hobart Scuff ($180) Redback Easy Escape HD ($215) RockRooster, Steel Blue, and Redback are Australian brands. RockRooster is a lesser known budget friendly brand, and all of their boots are made in China. This allows them to sell the AK227 for only $85 at the time of writing this. But they might be a viable option for someone who wants a similar boot at a lower cost. Steel Blue has some boots made in Australia, and others are made in Indonesia.Redback makes a quality product on level or maybe even slightly higher than Blundstone and is entirely made in Australia. The 990 is not made in Australia. Final Thoughts Overall, these boots are decent. Based on the troubles I’ve had, I can’t give them a ringing endorsement. If I were given the option to pick between the 990s and the Redback Easy Escape HD, I’d likely go with the Redbacks. Let’s go over my issues quickly: Thread coming loose at the top of backstay Separation of upper from midsole Sliding of the forepart of the foot on the insert With that being said, I’m finding the quality to be lacking and not quite meeting my expectations. The comfort level after the insert swap has been much better. If you decide to buy these boots, be sure to buy them somewhere you can return them if needed. I always recommend trying boots on in a store if possible. If you need a heavy-duty boot without waterproofing, these would probably work well for you. If you don’t need a safety toe, I can recommend the 490 model. I’d had better overall luck with that boot.

Jeff Harmon

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Jeff Harmon

Jeff Harmon

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