Most Stylish
Blundstone Original Chelsea
$180-$200The rain boot that doesn't look like a rain boot — a leather Chelsea that transitions from wet trails to coffee shops without missing a beat. Leather molds to your foot over time for a custom fit.
what experts say
- >“If you want your footwear selection to not only keep your feet dry, but also make people think, 'nice shoes,' the Blundstone Original Chelsea is a winning choice.”— OutdoorGearLab
- >“I'm not overly concerned with stylish footwear, but it felt good stepping out in a pair of rain boots that are functional and look pretty good too.”— OutdoorGearLab tester
- >“Our lead tester found them to be very versatile in what they could be worn with and in what situations. They easily went from walking along a trail to being worn indoors at a restaurant, coffee shop, or office without feeling out of place.”— OutdoorGearLab
pros & cons
[+] what's great
- +One-piece leather upper looks great in urban and casual settings
- +Lightweight at 2.13 lbs per pair — easy to wear all day
- +TPU sole provides excellent shock absorption on varied terrain
- +Leather molds to foot shape over time for a custom fit
- +Deep lug pattern grips wet rocks and soggy terrain surprisingly well
[-] what's not
- -Requires a break-in period — testers reported blisters on initial wears
- -Expensive at $200 list price
- -Low 6.25" flood height — not suitable for deep puddles or stream crossings
- -Leather requires periodic oil treatment to maintain waterproofness
- -Not insulated for cold weather use
