As Australian as Vegemite - Blundstone boots

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One of Australia’s iconic brands is Blundstone. Blundstone leather work boots, along with gum boots, have been manufactured since 1870 and now produces 3 million a year. The firm began in Hobart, Tasmania and their gumboots are still made there. Some other lines are now made overseas. British migrants, John and Eliza Blundstone, began by making tough boots for people like farmers and surveyors. During the 1930s depression, the company was sold to the current owners, the Cuthbertson family. During the war years, Blundstones were supplied to servicemen. Half a million pairs of boots were used on the Kokoda trail in New Guinea. So coveted were the boots that the right and left were shipped separately to stop theft by handlers on the wharf. During the 60s, 90% of Australian men’s footwear came from the Blundstone factory. Over the last few decades, backpackers have helped spread the brand known globally with Blundstones now sold in over 70 countries. Like the Hills Hoist and Vegemite, the name Blundstone, aka Blundies, is instantly recognisable, at least in Australia. The photo shows Vince’s Blundstones.