Redbacks

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Redbacks

32 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 31, 2025

  What Are the Best Travel Shoes That Are Actually Worth It?

  Try Redbacks. They're like Blundstone before they enshittified

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• #2Dec 4, 2025

  First of time blundstone buyer

  Blundstones have changed. Since they've been bought they're no longer as good. Check out Redbacks - I just replaced my 20 year old Blundstores with a pair. Stoked.

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• #3Dec 4, 2025

  First of time blundstone buyer

  I'd find a pair in better condition. I do prefer Redbacks which are still made in Australia, although both are not super high quality BIFL IMO, but give me several years of a hard, wet, dirty life in the garden.

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• #4Dec 4, 2025

  First of time blundstone buyer

  Redbacks are great, really I can't recommend them enough. The soles are so thick that they've really helped reduce the foot and knee pain I'd been experiencing. I bought a pair of steel toes about a year and a half ago for work and they're still going strong. My go to if I know I'm going to be on my feet a lot. The one thing I would say though is that I maybe should have bought them a half a size up; the Blundstones I had just purchased before these were chisel toes and the half size down was fine, but with the round toe Redbacks it was a tight enough fit that I got a few gnarly blisters that first week of heavy use. Very nice fit afterwards, but maybe a consideration

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• #5Dec 4, 2025

  First of time blundstone buyer

  Thanks for the rec: I was looking at Lem's, but my next pair will probably be Redbacks bc the heel on the Blundstones is messing with my posture/alignment.

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• #6Dec 4, 2025

  First of time blundstone buyer

  refund and get some Redbacks

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• #7Dec 3, 2025

  Nice looking men's boots that will work in an office, but stand up to Chicago winters

  I loved Blundstone until they stopped making boots in Australia. I've switched to Redbacks for the garden.

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• #8Nov 5, 2025

  Looking for Women's leather Chelsea boot

  I love my Blundstones and for the money I don’t think there are many alternatives that are roundly better, but you can of course do better if you’re willing to spend more and/or if you have specific priorities (e.g. if you needed a super practical work boot and didn’t care about aesthetics, Redbacks are probably better). And by their nature they’re not truly BIFL but you should be able to get a few years of heavy wear out of them

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• #9Sep 3, 2025

  Good leather boots reccomendations?

  If you want a pair of boots that are built for life, it’s tough to look much further that the Pacific Northwest boot-makers. Nick’s, White’s, Frank’s, and JK all make some seriously tough boots that will last for decades with proper care. But they are also not cheap. So you get what you pay for. If PNW boots are too pricey for you, consider Red Wing or Jim Green. Both are well made. I think of Jim Green as PNW light. The leathers aren’t the same but still well made for a fair price, and many are double lasted. And a lot of first responders seem to like Redbacks if you’re okay with a slip on Chelsea style. I didn’t think I would ever like a Chelsea boot. But I now own 3 pairs because they’re just so comfortable. Waterproof can be a quirky thing. Most waterproof boots have a waterproof liner. Those make your feet sweat and stink. And once you get a hole in them, and you eventually will, all waterproofing is out the window. In fact it’s worse because any water that gets in at that point is trapped and makes a nice swamp in your boot. I would rather have a double lasted boot, leather outside and leather lined. And treated with a good waterproof conditioner like Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP or Huberd’s Shoe Grease.

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• #10Aug 11, 2025

  Asolo is garbage and their customer service sucks donkey d!ck; what's my next boot brand?

  Team Redbacks here too! I'm a winemaker and I stand in water and sludge for 16+ hour days during harvest, they'll last 2 or three years of heavy wear with no problem. Much longer if you don't keep them wet all the time and treat the leather properly. The steel toes are under $200 and non steel toe even less

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• #11Aug 8, 2025

  Thank you blundstone for 8 great years

  My first pair of blunnies did 5+ years in a machine shop (cnc, so not exactly hard use) and I was very happy with that. Was ready to get another pair but found some Redbacks locally on clearance and decided to go for it. Australian but actually made in Australia. Have high hopes for these! Blundstone changed manufacturing sometime between when I bought mine and when I was ready for another. No comment on quality as I may never know. That being said when these Redbacks die I plan on buying Canada West as I daily wear pair of Canada West chelseas non workboots and the quality is second to none.

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• #12Aug 7, 2025

  Thank you blundstone for 8 great years

  I tried a couple of different pairs of blundstone safety boots and nothing really went well for me. With that being said I also think trying to fit them yourself and order online is not the way to go. I was in australia a couple of years ago and picked up some redbacks, took them time to try and different sizes and I love them. I have been wearing them for a couple of years now.

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• #13Aug 6, 2025

  Men's Ankle Boots for PNW Wet Months

  Love my Redbacks.

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• #14Jun 12, 2025

  Thoughts on blundstones boots ?

  I own Redbacks and have tried on blundstones in store. I found the fit very different. Blundstones had more volume and quite a bit wider as well. Both were size 8.5. I wouldn’t feel good telling you that you’d be happy with the fit if you haven’t tried them on.

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• #15Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Was gonna say, Redbacks are insane. I work wine harvests and they'll last two harvests before needing to be replaced. Gold standard in the wine industry.

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• #16Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Redbacks are best

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• #17Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Seconding Redbacks. I’ve been daily wearing a pair for 2 years and the tread is still practically new.

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• #18Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Blunts are now made in roc. Redbacks are better and still made in aussie

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• #19Jun 12, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Had my redbacks for 4 years now, and I wear them daily. Fantastic boot.

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• #20Jun 11, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  And Redbacks are made in Aussie still, for those that are interested in that kinda thing

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• #21Jun 11, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Redbacks and mongrel boots are still great quality. And still made in Australia

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• #22Jun 11, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Redbacks are still made in Australia.

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• #23Jun 11, 2025

  Very sad to say Blundstones are no longer BIFL. I had a pair in my youth that lasted me a decade. Now after a few short months the soles of this pair has literally turned to dust!

  Can't speak to the quality personally but if you want a similar boot that's more durable check out Redbacks and Ariat. They've offer a 6 month [warranty](https://support.blundstone.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/4402159940505-What-is-Blundstone-s-6-Month-Warranty), even if it's past that it might be worth seeing if you can get a replacement pair.

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• #24May 8, 2025

  Blundstones and Redbacks (women’s boots)

  I have both. I wear my redbacks on the farm and blunnies as a casual boot. My redbacks feel like a work boot but my blunnies feel like a fashion boot. Redbacks are heavier and definitely take a beating. My husband wears his every day as a work boot and he gets maybe 2 years out of them before he gets a hole somewhere. His are steel caps though so not what you’d be buying. For travel I prefer the lighter blundstones. I did have to play around with the inner sole though to get the right fit.

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• #25May 8, 2025

  Blundstones and Redbacks (women’s boots)

  I (M) wear redbacks, and my wife wears blundstones. She has said when they wear out that she will replace them with redbacks, they just have better leather, better soles, and are more comfortable. This is just a comparison against what she bought vs what I bought, so this may vary with model - but my redbacks were cheaper too. Redbacks are also made in Australia, whereas blundstones are made overseas.

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• #26May 1, 2025

  BIFL cowboy boots for concrete floors.

  Yea Redbacks makes a point of stating that on their site, as they use some kinda special rubber/foam combo that can collect and hold water if it’s not worked-out of the sole by walking. The boots are waterproof, just don’t go splash in a puddle then leave them in the dark, letting the water remain and break them down over time. It sounds bad but Iv been alternating 2 pairs every work day and haven’t had any issues

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• #27Apr 10, 2025

  Boots of this style that aren’t made in China ?

  Head over to r/PNWbootmakers or r/goodyearwelt. Short answer, off the top of my head — U.S. -> Wesco, White’s, Drew’s, JK’s, Truman’s, Nick’s, Carter’s Boots, Oak Street, etc. (Wolverine and Red Wing are the lowest tier I’d go, personally, if they’re made in the U.S.) Canada -> Dayton, Canada West, Viberg Japan -> rolling dub trio, wheel robe, countless options UK / EU -> Tricker’s, Grenson, Cheaney, Crockett and Jones, Vass, Solovair, Iron Boots Australia -> R.M Williams, Redbacks

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• #28Apr 9, 2025

  [Request] Shoes that last longer than 5 months for people who actually work physical jobs?

  Get a pair of Redbacks. (no, not Redwings, REDBACKS). They are Australian, and will run you about $270-$325 US, but they are hands down some of the best work boots I’ve ever worn. They will likely last the conditions you describe about two years. If you get two pair and alternate each day, that will likely last you about 5 years.

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• #29Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  I’d say Redbacks now that blundstone moved there manufacturing out of AUS. I know people who have 5+ years of daily use on their redbacks.

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• #30Mar 11, 2025

  Shoes for standing and walking at work

  Redbacks, Mongrels, Blue Steel, Rossi, or any of the numerous Australian pull on work boot manufactures (not blundstone though, they aren't worth the money). Supportive soft insole, bouncy outsoles, easy on off. All day comfort but can take a beating if need be.

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• #31Jan 10, 2025

  Comfortable boots that'll last?

  Your budget is gonna make it tough. I’m a boot nerd and I swear by the redwing super soles. They are true bifl but are a bit outside your budget. I like redbacks as they are comfortable and good for walking, but not really bifl. The above mentioned Jim greens are ok. I find them a bit clown show looking and their sole is a bit thin but for the money they are a good choice.

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• #32Jan 8, 2025

  Seeking recs for high-quality Chelsea boots or other style- type women's boots

  Love my Redbacks

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