Blundstone has long been synonymous with work, farming and safety boots, with further specializations in steel toed, heavy-tread and heat-resistant designs. But they're also an excellent lifestyle brand. When it transitioned away from stitchdown and cemented soles, the company turned to boots with soles made from vulcanized rubber.
In 1968, the iconic 500 arrived, the brand's best-known and -selling boot. It combined the comfortability of a Chelsea with the durability of an Australian bush boot, a laceless style that deters snags on spiky bushes (hence the name) and doesn't slip on rocky terrain. It's comfortable, casual and beloved by many.
Ever since, the design has gone largely unchanged — save for a vegan version introduced in 2021. Now, though, Blundstone sells an enhanced iteration with features borrowed from the work line: the Lug Boot.
"The new collection incorporates a fresh take on the brand's iconic Originals Chelsea boot, featuring premium leather uppers, complemented by a chunky rubber sole that has been tried and tested in our work range," Joe Carfora, Blundstone’s Global and Ancillaries Range Manager, said on release day.
Despite the additional height and heft, the Lug Boot only costs $25 more than the Originals Chelsea (#510) or the Originals Chelsea Vegan (#2115). So, which is worth your money? We found out.
Blundstone Originals Chelsea Vs. Blundstone Lug Boot: How to Choose Which Is Right for You
I own both boots and have tested each under similar conditions: walking around town, up hills and down them, over rocky terrain and to bars and restaurants. They're similar, to be fair, but there are stark differences — especially in aesthetics.
Test #1: Comfortability
From the first few steps, you'll realize the Lug Boot is far more comfortable than the standard Originals Chelsea. The Lug Boot comes with a steel shank, which helps support your body weight, lessening the load on load on your arches, calf muscles and knees.
Essentially, you're cradled as you come down. It's noticeable even when you're not in motion, though: you feel closer to the ground below you in the standard boot, and not just because there's less literal space between you and the asphalt.
There is also Blundstone's shock-absorbing XRD technology in the heel. It's embedded in the footbed and the arch, offering improved absorption for off-road adventures.
Test #2: Durability
The Originals Chelsea — especially the vegan version — pales in comparison to the Lug Boot. The Lug Boot borrows technology from Blundstone's work line, which has long been heralded for its durability. The Lug Sole in itself is a serious improvement upon the basic outsole on the Originals, but the rest of the boot feels better bolstered. When you step on uneven ground, you don't wobble, and the boot feels more tightly wrapped around your ankle. That might be because I've owned my Original Chelsea for longer, but the elastic gusset shouldn't be too broken in by now.
There's less of a difference in material between the standard Originals Chelsea and the Lug Boot than there is between the Lug Boot and the vegan version, but that's to be expected. Although we've been impressed with the vegan version — we've tested the two side by side before — the material isn't real leather. Sure, it works fine as a substitute, but there's a clear difference in hand-feel.
Test #3: Wearer Confidence
To be fair, I've never felt uncertain in my Original Chelseas. They've always been more than enough. No, they aren't heavy-duty like some of the other boots I own, but they're TPU-soled Chelseas, and I've grown accustomed to their light weight and flexible uppers. In the Lug Boots, though, I feel more supported. They're clearly an extension of Blundstone's legacy work line, albeit an adaptation of its most popular lifestyle design.
The lug sole makes a hell of a difference, especially when trudging through puddles — oh, Pittsburgh — walking through gravel lots or maneuvering my way up (or down) a muddy hill. With the extra height, I didn't have to worry about water splashing up over the gusset and into the boot. Plus, with the extended footprint, I felt better about walking on uneven rocks or jumping over downed logs. Plus, after a long day standing at my desk (on concrete floors, by the way), I didn't feel drained or stiff. The Originals always cushioned me, too, mind you, but I felt better balanced (and supported) in the Lug version.
Test #4: Price
As far as rubberized Chelseas go, the Lug Boot is Blundstone's most expensive design. It's $234.95 versus $209.95. Even the work boot it derives from is only $229.95. It's a slight difference, though, and the extra $25 is well worth it in my opinion.
Our Verdict
You surely won't be disappointed by Blundstone's Originals Chelsea (or the vegan version — just ask our Platforms Editor, Scott), but the Lug Boot is a serious step in the right direction for the brand (pun intended). It's heftier, taller and far more supportive. Plus, it taps into the trendiness of chunkier shoes without being too big. They'll look as normal three years from now as they do, well, now. And, for vegans, go with the vegan iteration. The Lug Boot, for now, is not vegan.
