TESTED: Blundstone #325 work boot

Here at AMB we don't test work wear that often. But with the rapid growth of mountain biking and the boom in trail building comes a need – trail maintenance. From professional trail crews through to volunteer groups backed by land managers, the need for upkeep on the trails we sometimes love to death is real.

I've done plenty of impromtu trail work to help clear wet sections or fallen trees mid-ride. And anyone who has done the same will agree that your typical riding shoes aren't really up to it. A trail care day takes things up a notch, with heavy loads carried and tools being used. Sure, it'd be great to ride your work afterwards – but you're there to do a job. And depending on the land manager, you just might need correct clothing and footwear to meet their site safety requirements.

Enter a pair of Blundstones. In this case, the new Blundstone #325. I've had a pair of long suffering #172 boots for a few years. They have been my go to for just about anything. But given their age, they really don't offer any support when shifting a heavy load or on a steep or loose slope.

The new #325 takes care of a lot of that, and with a stiff sole they suit digging a spade into the ground, and the lace up design offers a lot more support. The steel cap is a big bonus for safety, especially if you need to ram any rock work into place.

On the dirt

On my own mini trail build on our block, the Blundstone #325 really added some certainty to working with trail tools. The biggest benefit was stability, although I did find I needed to add some full-length inner soles to fill some of the volume. The fit is generous so bear that in mind.

The steel cap helps not just for wayward tools, but for kicking things out of the way, and ramming some edge work too. It's a useful element that just isn't part of the majority of trail shoes.

While the sole is antislip, that's best for hard surfaces. In general, the outer sole is lacking for those getting into loam and clay mud. But given these still aren't the most supportive boot, if you're serious about regular trail work then a pair of hiking boots may be your best bet, or something else in the safety boot range.

Verdict

While the Blundstone #325 is not the most supportive or grippy boot for steep dirt work, they still were the boot I reached for when I have the time to cut in my tiny piece of trail paradise. That's a work in progress and something that probably won't ever truly be completed. But I actually zipped on the boots just about every day for one reason or another, thanks to how easy it is, and their overall versatility.

If you are joining in for trail days at your local network, take some suitable footwear to make it easier and safer. If you're looking for something to add to your wardrobe, then I think the Blundstone #325 are a good choice, unless you're working on the steepest and loosest slopes.

RRP: $169

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