Blundstone

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Australia (Tasmania), production of gumboots
• Vietnam
• Mexico
• It is possible that additional production locations are involved.

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Blundstone currently produces in Vietnam and Mexico and has its headquarters as well as a production base for gumboots in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia).

Blundstone is recognised as an ISO 9001 certified quality company. This means that Blundstone holds an ISO 9001 certificate, an internationally recognised standard for quality management. However, this certification does not make specific statements about environmental or labour conditions.

Blundstone communicates that it operates a global supply chain and emphasises that its own team members are present on site in Vietnam and Mexico to ensure production quality according to internal standards.

Concrete information on whether regular social audits take place, how grievance mechanisms are structured, or which measures are implemented to ensure fair working conditions is not provided.

It is unclear whether Blundstone owns its own production facilities. For Tasmania, a production base is mentioned, but it is not clearly stated whether this is company-owned. For Vietnam and Mexico, the wording on their website rather suggests partner manufacturing.

MATERIALS

• Smooth leather
• Nubuck leather
• Suede
• Waxed suede
• Linen
• Vegan upper material (onMicro microfibre material)
• Breathable microfibres (onSteam, vegan)
• Rubber
• Synthetic materials for midsoles (shock-absorbing)
• XRD® technology (shock-absorbing polymer, in heel/​footbed)

Would you like to learn more about the environmental impact of leather? Then read our article.

PACKAGING

• Regarding packaging, Blundstone states that its boxes are fully recyclable and made from 100% renewable sources. Which additional materials are used for shipping is not described.
• There is no information on packaging used within the supply chain.

WATER USE & CHEMICALS

The brand emphasises that it aims to reduce the use of raw materials, chemicals and fossil fuels in production ​“to a minimum” and increasingly works with recycled or recyclable materials. However, concrete targets or figures relating to water use, as well as details on wastewater treatment or water risks, are not disclosed.

For the vegan models, it is stated that all components have been tested and certified via Eurofins | Chem-MAP as part of a Vegan Verification Programme.

As an overarching certification, it is mentioned that Blundstone is recognised as a quality company under ISO 9001.

Blundstone does not provide any statements on microplastics. From a materials perspective, it is relevant that many models use synthetic fibres, which may potentially release microplastics.

The company also does not provide information on dyeing, printing or bleaching methods.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Depending on the model, material combinations are generally used. From a circular perspective, this can be a disadvantage, as mixed constructions are more difficult to recycle at end of life.

A take-back or collection programme for worn-out shoes is not described.

The boots are designed for durability, and shoes of this type can generally be repaired. However, Blundstone does not communicate a specific repair programme, modular construction or design features that systematically support particularly easy disassembly or repair.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

No in-house repair service from Blundstone is mentioned. Instead, the focus is on shoe care and care tips to extend the lifespan of the boots.

A take-back service in the sense of returning worn and used shoes for reuse, resale or recycling is also not described.

Other circular business models such as resale or rental are likewise not mentioned.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Australia (Tasmania)
• Vietnam
• Mexico
• Blundstone’s headquarters are located in Tasmania, Australia.

TRANSPORT

Blundstone does not specify concrete transport methods.

• Leather
• Suede
• Nubuck

The company states that the leather comes from ​“world-leading tanneries”. Specific countries/​regions or a traceable overview of animal material sourcing are not disclosed. 
There is also no publicly available code of conduct regarding animal materials.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Blundstone offers shoes for women, men and children. The range includes various models such as Chelsea boots, work and safety shoes, casual styles, thermal boots and specialised lines for different purposes. The collections are functional and timeless in design and not trend-driven.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Blundstone does not provide concrete information on how many collections are released per year. However, the website makes it clear that the brand has been working with established models for many years and continues to further develop them over time.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On the product pages, model name, category, material information, fit recommendations, size charts and care instructions are communicated.
Production countries or factories are not listed on the product pages, meaning that individual products cannot be traced.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

Blundstone mainly communicates general statements about origin, quality and technology, as well as practical details on the product pages.
The company mentions production in Vietnam and Mexico and that its own team members are present on site to ensure production quality. However, concrete information on factories, supplier lists, audit programmes or traceable process data is not provided.
An annual report on social or environmental aspects is not published.