A Love Letter to My Blundstones – Thanks for Taking Me Everywhere

Neisha’s a Blundstones die-hard and has long trudged about in her slip ons. But with a new pair of lace-up #2429s, her love for Blunnies is renewed again.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said, ‘Lucky I had my boots on’. Whether it’s out on a vineyard shoot, climbing to a waterfall, or setting up camp, Blundstones have been my quiet lifesavers for years.

They’ve gone from being just ‘a good pair of boots’ to being stitched into my everyday life. Recently, I’ve been putting the lace-up #2429s through their paces in regional Victoria on a four-day photoshoot. Let’s just say they haven’t been given a gentle introduction.

A Long History in Slip-Ons

I’ve been a Blundstone slip-on girl for years. They were my first serious boots. Sturdy, practical, and stylish enough to wear to a café without feeling like I’d stomped straight out of a paddock. Over time, they became my default shoes. Dog walking, errands, school pick-up, food shopping… I’ve worn them so much they’ve basically become part of my uniform.

I’ve gone through three pairs now. The oldest are caked in paint and live in the back shed (perfect for digging in the veggie patch), and the newer ones still get their fair share of action on shoots and day-to-day life. The thing I’ve always loved is how quick they are, I’m constantly on the move and the fact I can just slide them on is magic.

But then, I met the lace-ups.

Why Lace-Ups Changed the Game

Slip-ons will always be my trusty everyday sidekick, but when I first tried the lace-up #2429s, I realised just how much more ground I could cover with them. They’ve got everything I love about Blundstones – comfort, durability, good looks – plus the higher ankle support and laces open up a whole new level of confidence.

As a photographer, I’m forever finding myself in ‘less than ideal’ terrain. Wineries with uneven vineyard rows, accommodation down dirt tracks, steep bush walks for sunrise shoots. And more often than not, it’s muddy, rocky, or just unpredictable underfoot. With the lace-ups I don’t have to worry. No slips or rolled ankles, no fear that my shoes won’t keep up.

On my recent shoot in Victoria’s Goulburn region, I threw them straight in the deep end and they handled it like champs!

On the Job: From Mountaintops to Waterfalls

Day one started brutally early, with sunrise at Murchison Gap in regional Victoria. We rolled up to the lookout, gear ready, waiting for that first glow to spill over the mountains.

After exhausting every angle at the lookout, we scrambled down for a fresh view. It was very steep in parts, but worth the scramble. The whole valley turned gold and stretched out forever. This is where the lace-ups proved their worth. My Blunnies kept me upright the whole way down, grippy as anything on loose dirt and rocks. No slips, no ankle rolls (thank you high-tops), just really solid footing so I could focus on the views. Plus they kept me looking good while doing it.

Coffee was very much needed, so we popped into Strath Creek General Store, six minutes down the road. It’s an old barn turned country café, shelves stacked with local goodies, and exactly what we needed after a crack-of-dawn start. Dusty Blunnies under the table, flat white in hand, no one batted an eyelid. That’s the thing about Blunnies, they’re stylish enough for the café but practical enough that you’re not swapping them out every five minutes.

Next up, we hit Gooram Falls and Polly McQuinns. Two stunners south of Euroa, all rock pools and cascades. The Blundstones proved themselves here: lightweight for the walk in, grippy on the slick rocks around the falls, and the leather kept the morning dew out. There were no dramas getting down to the lower falls, even when it got really slippery.

And then there was the camp setup, a sunset hike up a decent incline, plus a waterfall onsite to track down, all in an afternoon. This was no easy introduction. 

We channeled our inner mountain goats to reach the cascades, (Euroa is known for large boulders and rocky paths) before putting the boots through a dusty uphill hike to Mount Major over the surrounding canola fields. It’s about a two-hour hike, and the boots took us all the way to the top to take in the very rewarding views of Dookie and the surrounding farmland. 

Then it was back downhill to set up camp at one of the best spots I’ve pitched my tent in a while, right up on a hill, surrounded by valleys with Blue wrens and Willy Wagtails buzzing about. My Blunnies and I enjoyed the scenery as we collected kindling and climbed up the ladder of the rooftop tent for a more expansive view. 

I really threw a massive day at them, and all they needed was the dust wiped off before they were good to go again the next morning.

Rinse and repeat this rough and tumble routine for three more days of the shoot, and my new pair of lace-up #2429s and I were very well acquainted. They certainly earned their new top spot in my Blundstone rotation.

Part of the Uniform (& the Family)

I always joke that Blundstones are basically part of my uniform as a photographer. They’ve been on every type of shoot: dusty farm properties, heritage estates, boutique stays, restaurants where I need to look polished but still be practical. All it takes is a quick dust-off and polish, and they’re ready for whatever the day throws at me.

There’s a confidence that comes with knowing your gear is solid. Just like my camera bag or tripod, my Blunnies are non-negotiable. They’ve saved me too many times to leave them behind.

At the end of the day, Blundstones are more than just boots for me. I think they’re close enough to be part of the family. I’ve grown up with them, relied on them and worn them through every season of life.

The slip-ons will always have a place in my wardrobe (and in the garden), but the lace-ups have earned their spot as my adventure-proof, work-ready pair. They’re tough, versatile, and just make sense for the way I live and work.

So yes, I might wear them too much. But that’s the point. They’ve gone from being ‘just boots’ to being the shoes I never have to think about, the ones that keep up with me, wherever I end up.

That’s the thing about finding the right boots: they stop being gear and just become part of the adventure. Thanks Blunnies x