A Warning to buyers of Steel Blue Work Boots

[tims1959]

I purchased a pair of brand new SteelBlue works boots of a guy recently. They turned up in the original box and looked brand new.  About 4 months into there use, I noticed the moulded sole on one boot was starting to come adrift.  The other boot wasn't as bad but showing the same problem. I contacted the local distributor who sent a rep out to take the boots for closer inspection. After not hearing from them for a while I emailed to ask what was going on with the boots. This is his reply

After having a look at your boots, they have what we call Hydrolysis which is when the sole starts detieriarating when the chemicals break down. The chemicals break down in old boots that have been sitting on a shelf, under a bed or in a cupboard for a long period of time. Usually 3 – 4 years. We get this a bit with guys who worked on the mines 8 or so years ago and were issued 2 -3 pr a year and thought they would save the boots up. Now we are finding that they are selling them to mates etc. Your boots were made in August 2004 which makes them nearly 9 years old. There is nothing we can do with these boots as they sole will just keep crumbling away.

Amazed me.  So just let it be a warning to would be Steel Blue boot buyers . Buy these boots off major boot sellers by all means, they really are a comfortable boot, but anyone else who may have a pair for sale and can't give you a purchase date, I would steer clear.

[glass-in-motion]

I went on a work boot hunt a few weeks ago.  I needed a women's size 4 - yes, very small feet!

I ended up buying a pair of Mongrel Boots that are more comfortable than my slippers lol!  They're made in Australia by an Australian owned company and were about $20 cheaper than the ladies steel blue Argyle.

Clare

[5kazam]

The original Australian-made Blundstones were almost indestructable.  Once they 'outsourced' the manufacture O/S they weren't worth the money being charged.

My OH had two pair of originals (new in box) which I sold at a market (for a good price too!!), and both buyers were rapt they were able to buy originals - that was a few years ago now, but I bet they are still wearing them.

[wilk1149]

I bought a pair of brand new Oliver boots and they leaked water in through the sole immediately. I contacted Olivier about it and I had a reply that they would pass my complaint on to the relevant section and get back to me. Never did and I won't give them any more of my money and I tell everyone to avoid them

[gracethecat40]

yep same disintegrating boots, would encourage anyone to steer clear. certainly not worth the money, must have self destruct programmed in i guess they make more money that way but they will get no more of my money ever jon

[davewil1964]

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@gracethecat40wrote:

yep same disintegrating boots, would encourage anyone to steer clear. certainly not worth the money, must have self destruct programmed in i guess they make more money that way but they will get no more of my money ever jon

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Why not?

After all you got 4 and a half years out of them, didn't you? Pretty good for a pair of work boots.

That's how old this thread is.

[lyndal1838]

You will be hard pressed to find any work boots that do not have similar soles which have the potential to disintegrate or split in a short period of time.

In fact any shoes or boots that have a synthetic sole are prone to doing the same thing.  I have several pairs of a well known brand of walking shoes that are doing the same thing.

[jlees100]

I had  exactly the same experience.  My first first pair of Steel Blue boots were comfortable to wear and while the uppers were still in good condition, the soles developed multiple cracks and let in water when walking on wet grass.  I assumed this was a once off and bought a new pair and exactly the same thing happened!  The uppers are still in good condition, but the soles have cracked again in multiple places even though they are showing no significant signs of wear.  Even the laces are still in good condition!

This is clearly a product defect that has existed to many years and I won't be purchasing another pair!

[brickworksmarket]

Its common with many boots and why I avoid buying them in clearance auctions as many will try and clear out old stock knowing what will happen. 

[twyngwyn]

a mod will be along shortly to close this 12yo thread.......start a new thread if you want advice or use the MBG

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,



Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.



Thank you for understanding.