Blondo Suede Valli Boot - does it stretch and hold up?

karen13

I just picked up a pair Nord Rack on a great discount and am curious about whether they stretch in width and how they wear in both appearance and waterproofness.

I bought a 7M - the grey is not available in 7W, which would be my preference. It is the rare shoe I can wear in an M, but these seem to fit my problem right foot pretty well. I'm wearing them around the house and they are good so far, but my orthotic makes one boot a tiny bit snug on the little toe. Do they stretch?

And I am pretty hard on suede. But this gets pretty good reviews and it is waterproof!

Nordstrom

Blondo 'Valli' Waterproof Bootie (Women)

$149.94

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4 years ago

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7 replies

Latest reply was from karen13

Helena

Veteran

Hi Karen, I have Blondo booties (two pairs, one is a similar style but may not be the exact one as I can't remember the name).

I have been evil to these boots and they still look pristine! They are so good; I can't imagine actually buying any other brand. One light pair I actually got dye off my jeans on them, and I scrubbed them with Magic Eraser and they were fine. I've worn my black ones in snow, slush, water, for 8 hour days traipsing around London last spring - they were comfortable, warm and waterproof, and they still look reasonably new 2 years later.

As to the stretch, I'm not sure - I haven't noticed much stretch, but they may well has 'softened' a little in the width. Would a 1/2 size up work?

Overall, I can't recommend them enough!

4 years ago

Anonymous

I don't have them but they look nice! Ditto to try up a half size. Or talk to a cobbler. I wouldn't rely on them loosening up.

4 years ago

karen13

Veteran

TG - Thanks so much That is a great review. If they pass the Toronto test, Truckee is a breeze.

suntiger - I think the 7.5 would be way too long - these are plenty roomy in length.

Trying very hard not to be swayed by sale goggles, but with thin socks and no orthotics they are quite comfy so far. But I have been sorry in the past when I "thought" a regular width would work (except for my Born boots - total 5 mile comfort walkers). I'm wearing them around the house now. It might be worth the risk to try a new to me brand if they are durable and water proof.

I am applying the "would I pay full price" test and so far I would, but can't find a 7W in this color anywhere. They were marked down to $55 US, so I'm sorely tempted. Maybe I will just wear them in the house as bedroom slippers fo the full Rack return period!

4 years ago

notsaf

Veteran

FWIW, I am usually between an 8 and 8.5, and had a pair of Biondo Vallis in 8 (so on the snug side) and found that they did not stretch at all in the front, but remained slightly loose in the back, and in the end were terribly uncomfortable in the toe -- so much so that I parted ways with them. But, YMMV!

4 years ago

Gail

Veteran

I have a Blondo black pair very similar. I wore them all last winter in PA so we had snow and rain and they've held up well.

4 years ago

njw

Active Member

My Blondo black suede boots have been fabulous and this is from somebody with the worst feet in the world. I have the orig. Valli (not the newer ones with removable insoles) and just bought another pair in brown on sale at Nordstrom. Highly recommend.

4 years ago

karen13

Veteran

Thanks for the info, notsaf and Gail - I'm still test-wearing them in the house, which is a good sign as it means they are still working so far. I've mostly been standing at my sit/stand computer desk which is a little weird for my back (1.5 - 2" heel is not my norm there"). I had to put the orthotics back in and switch to a very thin sock because they don't have tons of arch support on their own, but it is working so far. They could be a great addition to the big city fall/winter carryon only travel capsule I'm trying to build. Of course that is playing havoc with my shopping limit.

njw - Have you found them comfortable for longer walks and what are your fussy feet issues? Did you take your regular size/width? Your mention of the removable sole got me thinking. I added a very slim pad to mine (the cheap cut to size ones they give away at shoes stores to take up volume) and it massively improved the comfort! If I find the 2.0 in a B&M store I will try it on to see if it is enough better

4 years ago

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