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An Australian work boot (or generically elastic-sided boot) is a style of work shoe, typically constructed with a leather upper bound together with elastic sides and pull tabs on the front and back of the boot. The shoe lacks a tongue, and laces, and often contains a steel toe cap for occupational health and safety reasons. When the shoe contains a steel cap they are often known as "safety boots" or "steel toe boots". The boots generally lack an inner lining. The sole is generally polyurethane and the leather uppers are treated to be resistant to hot water, fats and mild alkaline and acid solutions.

The elasticated side design, originally invented in England by Joseph Sparkes Hall in 1837, allows the wearer to put on or remove their boots without the hassle of laces, while enjoying the firm fit of lace-up boots. In addition due to the boot not using laces, the fit is less tight, allowing the foot to breathe, which is beneficial in warm weather. Additionally, the lack of a shoe tongue makes waterproofing the boot easier. The original English design, for urban use, became known as the Chelsea Boot in the 1960s. In 1932 R. M. Williams adapted this design for stockmen's boots. There are several Australian companies manufacturing boots in this classic style today. Some of the more popular brands are Blundstone, Rossi Boots, R. M. Williams, Baxter Boots, Redback Boots, Mongrel Boots , and Steel Blue. In Australian English, the manufacturer's brand name is often associated generically with this style of boot, leading to the names Blunnies, RMs or Rossis.

The shoes are typically worn as safety boots in occupationally hazardous environments, as ordinary work boots for people whose work is occasionally hazardous and who need to enter hazardous sites, as formal dress boots, as riding boots, or for particular aesthetic purposes. In the last category, the Novocastrian dance ensemble Tap Dogs uses modified work boots as tap shoes.

See also

• Chelsea boots
• Riding boots

Notes

1. Perhaps the original dating back to 1870.
2. No longer made in Australia.
3. Established in 1910 and still manufactured in Australia.
4. Since 1850.
5. Victor Footwear, manufacturing in Australia since 1930.

References

1. Powerhouse Museum. "Elastic-sided boots worn by Queen Victoria". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
2. "South Australian Inventions". National Archives Research Guides. National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
3. Michael John Webber; Sally Weller (October 2001). Refashioning the rag trade: internationalising Australia's textiles, clothing and footwear industries. UNSW Press. pp. 127–. ISBN 978-0-86840-540-7. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
4. Caitlin Fitzsimmons (23 April 2015). "From Anzac army boots to planned Sydney CBD store, Baxter Boots keeps marching on to". BRW. Fairfax. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.

v t e Footwear
Abandoned footwear Shoe Shoemaking Shoe size
Dress shoes	Blucher Brogues Brothel creepers Derby Monks Oxfords Spectator shoes (Co-respondent shoes) Winklepickers Wholecuts Slip-on shoes Court shoes Prince Albert slippers Loafers Venetian-style shoes Women's Ballet flats High-heeled footwear Mary Janes Mojari Mules Peep-toe shoes Saddle shoes Slingbacks
Other shoes	Driving moccasins Flip-flops Galoshes Platform shoes Sandals Self-tying shoes Slides Slippers (Uwabaki) Tiger-head shoes Veldskoens Zōri
Wooden footwear	Bakya British clogs Cantabrian albarcas Clogs Geta Klompen Namaksin Okobo Padukas Pattens Sabot Träskor
Boots	Military Ammunition boots Bunny boots Combat boots Jackboots Jump boots Jungle boots Tanker boots Trench boots Munson Last Work Australian work boots Cowboy boots Engineer boots Hip boots Jika-tabi Rigger boots Steel-toe boots Waders Fashion boots Chelsea boots (Beatle boots) Chukka boots Go-go boots Knee-high boots Over-the-knee boots Platform boots Thigh-high boots Ugg boots Other Jodhpur boots Wellington boots Ballet boots
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Historical footwear	Areni-1 shoes Buskins Calcei Caligae Carbatina Cavalier boots Chinese styles Chopines Duckbill shoes Flowerpot shoes Hessians Lotus shoes Pampooties Pigaches Poulaines Socci Turnshoes
Shoe construction	Bespoke shoes Blake construction Goodyear welt Shoe buckle Shoelaces Toe box High heels Clear heels Kitten heels Spool heels Stiletto heels Wedges
Hosiery	Anklets Bobby socks Dress socks Footwraps Knee highs Pantyhose Sock Stocking Tights Toe socks Tabi
List of shoe styles

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