Men’s Blundstone Thermal Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Blundstone Thermal is a dependable winter boot with an iconic style for both casual and recreational uses. We love using this boot around town with the occasional front country excursion. Its high-quality materials, sleek design, and top-notch construction make it a solid option for those looking for a stylish, slip-on boot.

This boot is most at home around town and for light hikes where a tall and highly weather-resistant boot is not needed. Although the leather on these boots keeps snow and water at bay, the low shaft height and elastic panel are not the most weatherproof. The Vibram sole provides good traction in wet conditions but lacks the deep lugs needed for grip in loose snow. The sheepskin insole provides extra warmth. Paired with a winter-weight sock, the Blundstone Thermals are great for cold outings.

If you’re looking for a durable boot that can take you from the house to the trails to the brewery in style, then the Blundstone Thermal is the perfect choice. If not, please browse our full guide to the best winter hiking boots for men.

We loved using these boots on a variety of winter trails, including steep and icy mountain hikes and strolls on neighborhood trails. Paired with winter socks, these boots are warm, comfortable, weather-resistant, and ready for the long haul.

Comfort

When first trying on the Blundstone Thermal, the boots felt stiff and clunky. The opening for the ankle was tight and pressed onto the Achilles Tendon awkwardly, causing an uncomfortable pressure point. It took multiple times wearing these – and multiple miles walked – for these boots to feel broken in and to alleviate some of those uncomfortable feelings out of the box.

We now love the feeling of the Thermals as the leather is broken in and supple, the ankle opening has widened comfortably, and the footbed has shaped to the contours of our feet. The sheepskin insole that started plush and loose now packs down comfortably while still providing support and warmth. The boots do have a slightly loose fit through the forefoot and the shaft due to the slip-on style, which lacks ample ankle support. These boots may not be the best choice for more technical adventures, but they are comfortable for light hiking and wearing in town.

Warmth

Immediately noticeable about the Blundstone Thermals are their sheepskin insoles. These plush insoles provide great insulation, and we never felt any cold seeping up through the soles of these boots. The leather upper combined with a layer of Thinsulate is the main source of insulation for the Blundstone Thermals. That being said, we found during our testing that wearing winter-weight socks was still necessary to keep our feet warm.

The ankle opening of the boots lets cold air in, so we needed a winter-weight crew or calf-height socks to alleviate some of that heat loss. Though the sheepskin sole did pack out as the boots broke in, we did not notice any loss in their heat-retaining integrity. For those spending extended periods of time out in the cold, the Blundstone Thermals may not be the best option out there. But for going in and out of the cold, working around the yard, and light hiking,  the Thermals will keep you warm and stylish.

Traction

With a Vibram sole, the Thermals provide excellent traction on wet surfaces and snow-covered sidewalks. For use on well-packed trails, their traction performance starts to decrease but still provides ample grip for short outings. With a lack of negative space and only shallow lugs, the Thermals do not provide good traction in deep and loose snow.

The shallow lugs quickly became packed with snow, causing us to slip and regularly requiring us to knock snow out of the soles. This was especially evident in wet and packable snow. When walking through town, extra attention had to be paid to snow-covered ice as the stiff rubber compound of the sole and lack of negative space did not provide the traction needed for highly slippery surfaces. When venturing out in the Blundstone Thermals, use caution when choosing when and where to use them. They excel in light snow, wet pavement, and packed trails but quickly lose their grip on ice and loose powder.

Weather Resistance

During our testing, we were impressed by the Blundstone Thermal’s high level of weather resistance. The leather on these boots is fully waterproof, and we never felt any moisture penetrate as we walked in and out of shallow puddles and through wet snow. A pleasant surprise to us is that the elastic panels on the shaft are waterproof as well. This further increases the weather resistance of the boots to the top of the shaft.

The biggest weakness of these boots’ weather resistance is their low shaft height. Walking through the snow above the lower shin immediately filled in the boots as the shaft height is lower than others we tested. The slip-on style, while convenient, means the ankle opening of the boot is wide. This allows more snow and water to enter the boot. Although we won’t be using these boots for more deep snow adventures, they are perfect for splashing through puddles, stepping through slush, and walking in wet environments.

Durability

A hallmark of these boots – and for Blundstone’s entire line of boots – is their impressive durability. Made with premium quality leather and excellent craftsmanship, the Thermals carry on Blundstone’s commitment to durability. 

We used these boots for yard work, and they withstood firewood being dropped on them, rocks being kicked, and scuffs in the brush. Though the leather does scratch easily, these are only cosmetic, and the outer leather withstood scratches and scrapes without any punctures. We will keep reaching for these boots for times when we need to protect our feet with durable construction. As in most leather boots, the only consideration is to keep up with leather care. The Blundstone Thermals need to be refreshed with a leather care product occasionally to keep them in top shape. This keeps them waterproof and scratch-resistant and keeps the leather from cracking. Aside from some minor creases and scratches from breaking in the boots, the Blundstone Thermals will remain intact for years to come.

Should You Buy the Blundstone Thermal Boot?

The Blundstone Thermal is as at home at a coffee shop, in front of a wood pile, or on the trail. We love the versatility of these boots as well as their iconic style. Even though these may not be the best boots for technical hikes or off-trail adventures, they are great for casual and front-country use. These are not the most weather-resistant boots we tested because of their low shaft height and slip-on opening that lets snow in. If your primary use for boots is chores, city outings, and the occasional front-country stroll, then the Blundstone Thermal is the boot for you.

What Other Men’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?

Our Men’s Winter Hiking Boot Guide has several great options tested and reviewed by our Alaska-based gear analyst.

Kamik Atwater Review: With a taller shaft height and a stylish look, the Kamik Atwater is a more weather-resistant option for those looking for a warmer and more protective boot to wear out on the town.

Columbia Fairbanks Review: Named for one of the coldest cities in the country, the Columbia Fairbanks is among the warmest of casual-wear boots we tested. If you’re heading out for a chilly evening in town, then choose the Fairbanks for your next winter outing.

KEEN Revel IV Polar Review: If you’re after a more rugged and cold weather-ready leather boot, then the KEEN Revel IV Polar is a logical choice. With a taller shaft height, thicker insulation, and full weatherproofing, the Revel IV Polar is a sturdy boot with the style of leather.