GQ recently weighed in on one of footwear's most enduring rivalries between Blundstone vs R.M. Williams, and named Blundstone's newest release its boldest move yet into refined territory. In a feature published August 13, 2026, writer Reed Nelson positioned the new Heritage Boot as a serious challenger vs. R.M. Williams for the top of the Chelsea boot category, arguing that Blundstone has closed the gap in polish that long separated the two Australian originals.
The article homed in on what sets the Heritage line, and how each pair is built by hand and then finished with a premium leather upper that trades some of the catalog's signature ruggedness for a more elevated look. GQ singled out the Goodyear welt and rubber-wrapped leather outsole as a mark of lasting craftsmanship, construction that lets the boots be resoled again and again.
Even with those upgrades, GQ also pointed out, that the Heritage boots land roughly $100 below R.M. Williams' Comfort Craftsman while keeping the rounded, unmistakably Blundstone toe box. Its bottom line for anyone shopping elevated, hard-working boots this fall: the new boots will be hard to top.
As for Blundstone Heritage Boots, the Men's Chestnut and Chocolate Boots were featured in the article overall.
https://www.gq.com/story/blundstone-heritage-boots