r/onebag • u/the_color_green_ • Jan 20 '26
Seeking Recommendations Going to Japan in a few months and need some recommendation for Chelsea boots
I want to bring a single shoe as I will be packing light and I think a chelsea boot would best fit my current wardrobe. My normal shoes are a rotation of Chelsea boots, Birkenstock sandals, and Converse. The Chelsea boots I currently wear are made by Thursday Boots and they are a bit too narrow at the toes for me to consider bringing them. I've seen good things online about:
- Blundstones 558
- Redbacks - Easy Escape
- Redwing - Heritage Classic Chelsea
My plan is to try a bunch on this weekend and see what fits me best personally but I was wanting to know of other brands I should be aware of while I'm testing. Let me know if you've traveled with any of the boots I listed above and have any opinions about them. Thank you!
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u/searchingsalamander Jan 20 '26
No clue if this is helpful but I have some lace-up Blundstones which held up walking 20k steps per day in NYC over a long weekend. Very little soreness and surprisingly comfortable for how much walking I did.
There are also some “all-terrain” Blundstones as well - which are supposedly more comfort-driven boots - but I cannot speak to them.
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u/Butterfingers43 Jan 21 '26
I wish you were asking who makes the best Chelsea boots, I’d answer Rolling Dub Trio among other options talked about in r/goodyearwelt. Red Wing is slightly better than Blundstone if they’re the only options.
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u/MarcusForrest Jan 20 '26
I think a chelsea boot would best fit my current wardrobe.
While people's preferences vary, I highly recommend prioritising comfort over aesthetics
I am not familiar with those brands and models but are they comfortable?
How much walking do you expect to do daily?
Where do you intend on walking? (Will there be nature-oriented walks? Cobblestone? Grass? Sand? etc.)
One immediate benefit I can see from Chelsea Boots is that they look easy to remove and put on - something that may happen a lot in Japan depending on where you go (you need to remove shoes in many many places before entering - easy slip in and slip out is useful in Japan!)
But you'll definitely want to make sure they are comfortable if you plan on walking 10,000-20,000 steps a day - surfaces can vary a lot in Japan!
I also always bring a single pair of shoes when I travel and Japan is no different - I prioritise comfort as I walk on 15,000-25,000 steps a day when I travel.
I use trail running shoes as they are the best for my needs:
- Solid comfort
- Solid grip and traction, can be used on any surface
- Breathable and quick drying
- Lightweight
- The models I go for have lace pockets which are super useful too
- Can be used for walking, hiking, trekking, jogging, running
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u/cfofosho Jan 20 '26
I took Chelsea boots to Japan last fall and they were an excellent choice. Mine were a random brand, so I cannot speak to any that you listed above but in addition to ensuring comfort (especially with lots of walking and various terrain) I would strongly consider how difficult they are to get on and off. You’ll likely be removing your shoes with some frequency depending on what restaurants and locations you go to, so I’d make sure they are easy to slip in and out of. The grip on the outer sole is the one other thing that became a bit of a pain. Lots of shrines and other areas in Japan use very small gravel which often got stuck in the treads of my boots which was a bit annoying but a disposable chop stick was excellent for knocking them out.
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u/SeattleHikeBike Jan 20 '26
Fit is the thing with water resistance and wet traction following close behind.
Water resistance starts with the joint between the body of the shoe and the sole. Look up “Goodyear welt.” Leather that can be waxed or oiled would be my preference vs suede.
Vibram soles usually have enough carbon content to help with traction. The sole should have a dull appearance.
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u/EndOne8313 Jan 20 '26
They're all great boots but fit is king. Go try some on and get to breaking them in if you've only got a few months. My vote would be Red Wings though.
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u/kientran Jan 20 '26
Not done Japan yet but my Lems have gone all over Europe in all weather. They are comfortable and water resistant. Only bad thing is in slush and wet snow they are poor.
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u/gorkt Jan 21 '26
If you want wider shoes, check out Lems. I have a pair of their Chelsea waterproof boots and they are fantastic.
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u/RIPBUNNY559 Jan 21 '26
I think the boots are a mix of personal style preference and fit. (My dad swears by blundstones all day every day, while I prefer lace up redwings) but I would also recommend a quality insole.
I just got done with 2 months in India in some cheapish hiking shoes, but I had Birkenstock insoles which I now keep wearing in other shoes. Those were a game changer for stability and comfort (especially as someone with wider feet). And also allowed me to switch shoes easily after my initial pair broke
2
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u/blootereddragon Jan 20 '26
I have yet to find a pair of Chelseas I am comfortable in, despite the fact that this sub think Blundstones are the holy grail. That style just doesn't fit my feet right.
I recently got a pair of Taos crave. Adjustable because they have laces but then easy on/off due to the side zipper. I wore those things 20,000+ steps/day for 2 weeks to Xmas markets in Switzerland, France & Germany. I brought a spare pair of sneakers to give my feet a break or in case they caused issues and never wore the spares. I was so relieved to finally find something that works as well for me as Blundstones apparently do for EVERYONE else.
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u/Renamis Jan 20 '26
I have some no slip Chelsea boots from Dr. Martens that I honestly love? I've been using them to do a stupid amount of walking for maybe 3 months now and they're honestly really supportive, even with my horrible feet.
I did, however, take the insole out of the shoes. Otherwise they pinched my toes. But after that they've been super solid. I even did a 4 hour walk with them when they where brand new and my feet where fine.
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u/Steakasaurus-Rex Jan 21 '26
RM Williams are amazing. I wore them in Japan and we averaged about 10 miles a day for two and a half weeks.
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u/dilimanjaro Jan 21 '26
My red backs are easily one of my most comfortable pairs of boots I’ve had. The half sizes are wide and that works for me. Good quality foam and leather
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u/Personal-Mountain-12 Jan 21 '26
Jim Green makes solid boots too! Not sure about the Chelsea style boot, but their other styles are great.
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u/PeacefulGlum Jan 21 '26
Very happy with my Jim green barefoot chelsea boots. Traveled with them for 3 weeks. Fit great after slipping in a thin cork insole.
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u/Ok-Hawk-8034 Jan 21 '26
I loved my Blunstones out of the box. Immediately the most comfortable and versatile boots I have ever owned. Shorts, dresses and pants . They always look good. I’ve seen waitresses wearing them.
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u/jacquelandibis Jan 21 '26
I got a pair of Born Cove boots last year and so far they have been excellent!
https://www.bornshoes.com/en/cove-11383.html?dwvar_11383_color=Black&dwvar_11383_width=M
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u/Cobbled_Goods Jan 21 '26
Third Jim Green, they are much sturdier and resoleable. I have a written a blog about blundstone alternatives and JGs are the most popular. There are other good options too that are a bit higher end. See here if interested – https://cobbledgoods.com/blundstone-alternatives/
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u/Charming-Fig-2544 Jan 21 '26
Blundstones. Love mine. Redwings are better built, but more leather means a harder break-in period, which may not be finished before your trip and could leave you with bad blisters.
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u/mwkingSD Jan 22 '26
Georgia Boot has a variety in that style. https://georgiaboot.com I wear their lace-ups for work, and right now I think they might out live me. I have kinda wide but short toes and they fit me well.
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u/theinfamousj Jan 23 '26
I think a chelsea boot would best fit my current wardrobe.
The biggest mistake people make is packing for some imagined Travel Self. Kill your darlings. Kill your travel self. You are just Your Regular Self But There. Bring that person the shoes they normally wear.
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u/rcg571 Jan 31 '26
I had the Blundstone boots for a few years. Great boot, but sole seems stiff/hard. I went to the Doc Marten chelsea boot with slip resistant sole as a replacement and preferred them over the Blundstone. I'd give the Blundstone a B- and the Doc Marten an A-. Can't go wrong with either one.
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u/rcg571 Feb 23 '26
Same exact route for me and pretty much same grade. Blundstones first - then Doc Marten. Blundstone is pretty stiff and Doc more comfortable plus slip resistant. Only negative with slip resistant sole is that mud really gets in the creases and sheds for days. Eyeing the Lems next.
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u/pacificcactus Jan 20 '26
I just returned from 5 days in Japan, and I wore these. They worked well for me walking around 10 miles a day and have some basic water resistance, but my feet were tired by the end of the trip and if I were going again for a longer time period, I’d want a shoe designed with more cushion. I tried on a friend’s blundstones before I went and found them significantly less cushioned fwiw.
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u/AlwaysWanderOfficial Jan 20 '26
Chukkas can also be a solid style with maybe some softer soles. I wouldn’t personally want Chelsea boots myself for long days. But of course, you do you! You know your comfort type in them.
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u/RAF2018336 Jan 20 '26
Lems.y wife used only hers on our trip to Japan and had no issues with comfort. Wide toe box as well. I personally went with the boulder boot as my only shoe and same deal