Customer Reviews Blundstone BL500 Original 500 Chelsea Boot

There seems to be some confusion here about the sizing/fit of these. From the Blundstone site: "Blundstone 1/2 sizes refer to width only so for example an Australian 9½ is a US 10W not a US 10½." Do not let the way Zappos has them listed confuse you, there is no 1/2 size in the US sense. And furthermore, if you are wide, the actual width of the shoe will not be different, there will just be a higher round of leather for altogether space in the boot. All of the reviews saying to wear thick socks are likely due to this confusion. The clashing reviews saying to stay true to size or step down 1/2 are probably due to whether the people originally are US 1/2 sizes or not (and not ordering according to this information). The safe bet is to round down to the whole number of your size. There should be a thumbs width of space between your big toe and the end of the boot when your heel is slid back. I am typically a US 10½, so I got AUS 9(US 10) - my second time around - and they fit perfectly.

I write this with a heavy heart, as someone who has worn Blunnies for twenty years and who has gone through five pairs of the originals. These boots cannot be resoled (at least without screwing up the last and the thin metal bar that runs along the last). Trust me, I've tried. So what that means for me is this: after a year or two of heavy city use on concrete, the soles wear down just as the leather is becoming so nicely broken-in. So instead of paying a good cobbler $50 to resole them with a good Vibram replacement, I have to replace the entire boot -- which is a shame since the leather still feels so good. The other issue is one of quality control. My present pair are the first production model made outside Tasmania. There is a marked decrease in quality control and fitment. For instance, the rear pull-up loop ripped in half the very first time I pulled them up. (Previous pairs' loops never ripped.) The soles also seem to wear down faster, and they just don't feel "right," or as "right" as my previous four pairs made in Tasmania. Like I said, I write this with a heavy heart, as these boots have been my year-round, go-to boots. I've worn them all over the world, on surfing trips, motorcycle riding, just kicking back, to and from school and work. They are stylish and go with everything. Shame about the soles and the craftsmanship.

Just got these and they look and feel great. I wanted to mention that some of the reviews say these boots run big, so order a smaller pair. I did not find that to be the case. Based on the reviews I ordered a 1/2 size smaller and they were a little tight. I ordered my normal size 12 which is the right fit 99% of the time and they fit great.

After over 12 years of faithful service I regretably had to 'cheat' on my Blunnies and buy a new pair as I had literally walked the original sole right off the boot! They were my barn boot(riding 4-5x a week w/ half chaps) my camp boot, my dog walk boot , I've even ridden my mountian bike in them in an emergency ( over clip in pedals). I took good care of the leather and if it were not for the soles, likely would have worn the first pair to eternity! The new pair is as sturdy, hale and hearty as the first. Sizing exactly the same. Do I love these boots, naw. Just bury me in 'em!

I had tried on a pair of Blundstones previously, and knew that although I'm a size US 7.5, Blundstone's Australian size conversion (4.5) was too small for me. So I ordered a Aus 5, (which they say correlates to a US size 8, but fits my 7.5 feet perfectly.) So I definitely recommend ordering up a half size.

As good as always - I'm not sure what people are complaining about when they say the quality isn't what it used to be. I ordered these in black to replace an ancient pair of the same boots, and decided to get the brown as well. I don't usually buy brown shoes but these are such a nice, versatile shade! They are well-made, comfortable, and look great. I do recommend sizing down a half-size though, as they run large.

Awesome boots! I've been wearing them for about a month now and they really loosened up. Definitely my go to everyday boot. I usually wear an 8.5-9 US size shoe. I first bought an 8 and they were too big and quite wide. I ended up buying a 7.5 and they fit awesome. Definitely worth the money. These Blundstones have a classic look and can be dressed up or down. Enjoy!

I have worn Blundstones for the last 12 years. I am a huge fan and I'm on my 4th pair. They are excellent work boots. If you wear them daily then you will likely need a new pair every 3 years. I looked into having them resoled because they are expensive to keep replacing. According to a local cobbler the footbeds/soles are molded in a way that makes them unable to be resoled. Bummer. The leather remains surprisingly waterproof with a minimal treatment of Nikwax for leather. I always have replaced the original insole with arch-supporting SuperFeet insoles which you can also order at Zappos.

These are great boots! Just got 'em and they're a dream! I listened to the other reviews and got a half-size smaller and they fit just fine.

Love these. They're the best kick-around shoe ever. Love them with skinny jeans. The only complaint I'd have is that they rubbed the back of my ankle about two inches up from the heel while I was breaking them in. It might just be the way I walk, but I'd recommend thick socks until they soften up. I'm usually a 7.5 or an 8, I opted for 7.5 here and they fit snugly with thick winter socks but still nicely with regular ones. Enjoy!

These are cute, a little hard to get on your foot. I got a 3.5 (American Women’s size 6.5). The width was perfect for my wider foot, but I felt my toes bump the front a bit as I walk. I feel that the 4 or 4.5 may be much too big. And they feel very flat, I would have to buy an arch support insole to wear them.

Just a note, I am writing this as a woman and these are not work boots for me. I do agree that the new Blundstones (mine say made in Vietnam) seem lower quality than supposedly identical ones I have had in the past. I don't think the difference is huge, they are still well made, but I remember my old ones being really amazing. I like these boots for casual, everyday wear; they are very comfortable and look better and less like shiny men's boots when broken in. They are definitely a bit clunky and heavier-looking than a lot of women's boots though, so whether or not they will work depends on your style. They are very classic and utilitarian. The toe is very roomy, and I have slightly wide feet. I wear them with thicker socks. I found the sizing conversion to be accurate, but be careful selecting the size. When I bought them, the 5 1/2 and 6 were reversed on the size menu, and I almost bought a 1/2 size too small by accident.

Love at first sight! Comfortable right out of the box, wonderfully roomy toe box, I can wear them all day. They are flattering and beautifully made. I’m a women’s 8.5 in US and the 5.5 AUS size was perfect for me. Worth it!!!!

Awesome boots. Super comfortable straight out of the box. The fit may be a little snug if you like thicker socks. I typically wear thinner socks and felt the US10 size was pretty true to size; maybe a bit on the small size. The stout brown color is darker than it appears in the Zappos photos and looks black in some conditions.

I bought them on a whim. They quickly became my everyday pair of shoes. I bought another pair in suede.They are just so comfortable, and lightweight.

Great, durable, comfortable pull-on. These are super comfortable, versatile, pull-on boots. Nice enough to wear with khakis, perfect with jeans, great all-around. I have a full size 14 foot and the AUS 13 (US 14) fits great with a little extra room like its maybe a 14.5.

These are the real deal. Every day comfort, weather proof, and styling to boot. What more could you want?

Nice boot, but mainly want to rave about service at Zappos. Outstanding. Will never go to a shopping mall ever again.

What an awesome pair of boots! They fit perfectly and, with my many hours walking in sand, the tootsies are not tired by the end of the day.

This is my first pair of Blundstone boots. Zappos, as usual, was extremely quick with delivery. I usually wear a US man's 13. I followed the guidance to go down one size and ordered AU size 12. I have a wider than normal foot and I am also flat footed so I don't like a high arch support in my shoes. I was worried about going down a size for the difference between US and Australian sizing but these boots fit perfectly and were extremely comfortable from the minute I put them on. I've been wearing them a lot since I got them and I really like the way they look and feel. I think my relationship with these boots, just as with Zappos, is going to last a long time!

Great Boots, well made, lightweight, will last forever! I already have two pairs! I wear a size 6, and I ordered a size 4. They fit a little large, very wide. I will need to wear thick socks with these boots.

BL500 was recommended to me by my son who wears them. I bought myself a pair for Christmas. I wear them all the time. Great look and feel. A young woman I work said, "Nice boots." They're worth the price.

Blundies are great. Good for work or stepping out for dinner. Great service from Zappos. They delivered the boots real fast!

These boots are really great. I ride horses so I can put these on from 6 am to eight pm and my feet don't hurt at all. My only complaint is that when you order, order a size down because they will stretch. Good for people with wide feet.

This is my second pair. Very durable, great for gardening.