Australian work boot

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Blundstone elastic sided boots

An Australian work boot (or generically elastic-sided boot) is a style of work shoe, typically constructed with a

steel toe boots". The boots generally lack an inner lining. The sole is generally polyurethane
and the leather uppers are treated to be resistant to hot water, fats and mild alkaline and acid solutions.

The elasticated side design, originally invented in England by Joseph Sparkes Hall in 1837,

Chelsea Boot in the 1960s. In 1932 R. M. Williams adapted this design for stockmen's boots.[2] There are several Australian companies manufacturing boots in this classic style today. Some of the more popular brands are Blundstone,[a][b][3] Rossi Boots,[c] R. M. Williams, Baxter Boots,[d][4] Redback Boots, Mongrel Boots ,[e] and Steel Blue. In Australian English
, the manufacturer's brand name is often associated generically with this style of boot, leading to the names Blunnies, RMs or Rossis.

The shoes are typically worn as safety boots in occupationally hazardous environments, as ordinary work boots for people whose work is occasionally hazardous and who need to enter hazardous sites, as formal dress boots, as riding boots, or for particular aesthetic purposes. In the last category, the

Novocastrian dance ensemble Tap Dogs
uses modified work boots as tap shoes.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Perhaps the original dating back to 1870.
  2. ^ No longer made in Australia.
  3. ^ Established in 1910 and still manufactured in Australia.
  4. ^ Since 1850.
  5. ^ Victor Footwear, manufacturing in Australia since 1930.

References

  1. ^ Powerhouse Museum. "Elastic-sided boots worn by Queen Victoria". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  2. ^ "South Australian Inventions". National Archives Research Guides. National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. ISBN 978-0-86840-540-7
    . Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  4. ^ Caitlin Fitzsimmons (23 April 2015). "From Anzac army boots to planned Sydney CBD store, Baxter Boots keeps marching on to". BRW. Fairfax. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
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