Topic: Shoes for travel- Need advise from Blundstone wearers

[benjamin550]

So, Im headed to Haiti for a while to begin doing some work for an NGO down there. Im looking for a couple of good shoes/boots to take with me. I'll be there for 2 years and will be doing probably a lot of walking/ motorcycle riding and a bit of back country light hiking. I will probably take some hiking shoes, my chaco sandles and I was considering a pair of Blundstones for general wear because I could kick them around, but also wear them to the office where I'll be working in Port au Prince. SO, my question is, to those who wear Blundstones, will I be absolutley miserable in them in the heat? Or do they breath enough to be bearable. I know there are a few Aussies on this site! And if anyone had additional suggestions on favorite shoes for this, lemme know!

Thanks!

[trueblue]

I live in Queensland (gets quite hot here in summer), I had a pair of blundstones once and would not recomend them, they were s#!t, but not because of the heat, they were uncomfortable and didn't last.  I now have Rossi boots I wear to work, and I can't speak highly enough about them, I have had them for about 9 months now, I spent 3 months working on Lady Elliot Island, which is a proving ground for anything, nothing lasts out there, most peoples boots were dead in 2 months at the most, mine are still as good as when I bought them, if I had to recomend an Aussie made boot, it would be Rossi's, but I don't know if you have them over there.

[benjamin550]

TB- Thanks for the advise. I have seen Rossi's before and looked into them. I might be able to get them here, but certainly not as easily as Blundstones. Its weird, some people claim blundstones last a lifetime and are the most comfy thing ever and other say they are uncomfortable and tear up easily. Makes you think there are some inconsistencies in their product perhaps. I'll look into Rossi's further, but I might not have time before I leave. Thanks!

[trueblue]

Also the best piece of advise I was given years ago is to keep the leather oiled, I personally use lanolin, it keeps the leather soft and water proof 

[dave500]

blundstones are rubbish,,just get any high quality comfy work boot/hike boot,two years?take two pairs and stock up on laces,i seem to snap three pairs over the life of any boots!i wear boots day in day out,i go through two pairs a year of any brand,im even wearing boots in my avatar,ive had boots supplied by companies and also had the choice to add some money and upgrade,if your walking a lot dont get blundstones,i dont know how they market them over where you are?i guess anything aussie is exotic?like that fosters lager rubbish,holden cars are good though,the ones with chrome bumpers that is.

[BobbyR]

If it is possible a pair of Army jungle boots may work out well. The US Army started using them in Vietnam and I am sure the Aussie Amy uses them also. Rot resistant and ventilated. Check with Terry in Australia he may be able to find a source.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Red Wings have worked as work boots for me for a good while, you will want two pairs so you can dry one out for a day while you wear the other. You should never wear the same pair of leather shoes two days in a row if you can prevent it- that goes for dress shoes or work boots or any kind of leather shoe.