A farmer’s best friend for generations

Blundstone launches new work boot next month

best friend for generations— durable, dependable and packed with all day comfort. Blundstone’s work boots have long been a popular choice for rural workers— offering robust comfort for long days on the job. Recent reports, however, highlight the increased need for safety in several rural environments, to ensure maximum foot health and protection.

Since 2012, the agricultural industry has been identified as a national priority group by the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy. Between 2019 and 2020 there were a total of 3,893 serious claims and 46 fatalities reported in the industry (Safe Work Australia, 2021). The rising work-related injuries attained in the agriculture, forestry and fishing category can be attributed to incidences with vehicles, falls from heights and handling of animals.

The unpredictability of animals can cause serious physical injury to workers. Whether it be breeding, herding, or transporting large animals, the tasks present a high degree of risks, from crushes and bites to trips and falls and equipment-based injuries. It’s important that these risks are considered and managed appropriately—using the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety footwear is key to staying protected on the job.

Blundstone is committed to supporting a safe and healthy working environment from the ground up, all-year around—so when it comes time to choose fit-for-purpose boots, the safety footwear specialists recommend considering the following:

Safety Toe Cap—does the work undertaken require steel or composite safety? Does it require impact resistance, or both cut and impact resistance?

Quality Uppers—are the boots designed using materials that are breathable, protective, and supportive to maintain excellent foot health?

Sole Design & Material—is the tread pattern and outsole material appropriate for the work conditions? Do they offer slipresistance and optimum grip?

Over-arching Design—do you require a personalised fit through a zip and laces function to provide increased ankle and calf protection? Is the convenience of a zip or elastic side a priority for easy on, easy off?

Launching into rural retailers in February is Blundstone’s new RotoFlex® range. Fit for a range of workers in the agricultural industry with water-resistant uppers and a slip-resistant sole, RotoFlex offers lightweight safety where stability meets the freedom to move. The world-leading, biomechanical design was born from years of customer driven research into the needs and expectations of workers.

RotoFlex offers the convenience of a zip side for easy on, easy off and laces for a personalised fit, providing safety and convenience to those in the agricultural industries.

Toe protection—the Fortalite® composite toe cap holds strong under immense pressure. It provides lightweight, compressionresistant protection tested to 200 joule impact—ideal for working with animals.

Slip resistance—biomechanically conforming sole design, GripTek® is designed with a unique TPU tread pattern and super cushioned midsole, offering optimum grip, all-day stability and maximum comfort. The innovative design reduces slip hazard risk, fatigue, and ankle injury—ideal for rural workers faced with mud and slippery surfaces.

Fit—the overarching comfort system, SoftCell® utilises a combination of specialist materials and a unique biomechanical foot-cradling design. This increases stability, balance, and manoeuvrability—providing allencompassing comfort from day one. SoftCell also incorporates Infinergy e_TPU, a super elastic foam from BASF that provides superior cushioning

Comfort—The AirCell® footbed has been uniquely constructed with specialised zoning designed to activate ventilation. This allows air to be pumped through channels to the heel, arch of the foot and between the toes, offering moisture control and cushioning comfort as the wearer walks and moves.

The RotoFlex range boasts six different styles, four unisex available in 5-inch and 6-inch and two women’s specific styles. With durable, heavy-duty zips and streamlined TPU toe guards, RotoFlex is the benchmark for the safety footwear market.

Put Blundstone’s innovation to work—available at participating rural retailers February 2023.