When it comes to investing in quality footwear, discerning buyers often weigh durability, craftsmanship, and value for money. In this guide, we evaluate three popular options: Blundstone 585, Baxter's Goulburn Boots, and RM Williams Comfort Craftsman. Each boot offers unique strengths, from the rugged practicality of the Blundstone 585 to the superior craftsmanship of the RM Williams Comfort Craftsman. However, finding the best balance between quality and affordability can be challenging. This blog post will help you navigate these choices.
Construction
When it comes to Australian craftsmanship in footwear, Blundstone 585, Baxter's Goulburn Boots, and RM Williams Comfort Craftsman each present a unique take on durability and construction. The Blundstone 585 Chelsea Boots feature a glued and thermomoulded construction method, bonding the upper to the sole with adhesive and heat. While this technique offers a decent bond, it doesn’t allow for easy resoling, potentially reducing the boots' lifespan. Despite this, the Blundstone 585’s sturdy craftsmanship and double-stitched seams ensure they remain a reliable option for everyday wear.
In contrast, both Baxter's Goulburn Boots and the RM Williams Comfort Craftsman Chelsea Boots boast a rubber sole affixed to the leather upper via a 270-degree Goodyear welt. This method involves stitching a welt to both the upper and the insole before attaching it to the outsole, offering superior durability, water resistance, and ease of resoling. Both boots incorporate a synthetic "comfort" midsole over cork for immediate comfort, though it won't mold over time like cork. Despite some synthetic elements, the meticulous craftsmanship of the Comfort Craftsman and the Goulburn ensures they promise years of wear with proper care, making them a worthwhile investment for discerning buyers.
Leather Quality
All three boots share one important characteristic: chrome-tanned leather. This process involves treating leather with chromium salts, making it more supple, durable, and resistant to water and stains, enhancing its ability to withstand various environmental conditions.
Blundstone's Style No. 585 is made using 'high substance' leather, typically around 1.8-2.0 mm thick, similar to Red Wing 875 boots. Initially mistaken for nubuck, this leather features a light cloud print applied after the top layer is gently sanded, giving it a distinctive look. The chrome tanning process enhances this leather's flexibility, durability, and water resistance. Although the 'cloud print' top layer's durability might seem uncertain, extensive reviews indicate that it holds up well over time.
In contrast, Baxter's Goulburn Boots are crafted from full-grain, high-quality cowhide. This robust leather is thicker and less elastic than younger leathers like the yearling found on the Comfort Craftsman but excels in scratch resistance and durability. The chrome tanning process enhances the cowhide's elasticity, allowing it to conform to the foot as expected from a Chelsea boot without compromising its inherent strength. Baxters have masterfully balanced aesthetic appeal with practical utility, ensuring the Goulburn Boots look impressive and withstand the rigors of everyday wear with ease.
The RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boot features yearling leather, known for its attractive appearance and durability. Yearling leather strikes an excellent balance between suppleness and strength, available in three colors: Black, Chestnut, and Dark Tan. This high-quality leather enhances the Comfort Craftsman boot's aesthetic appeal and ensures a comfortable fit and robust performance, making it a preferred choice for those seeking both elegance and resilience.
Style
Blundstone's 585 boots feature a classic rounded toe, providing extra room at the front compared to the chiselled toes of the Goulburn and Craftsman boots. The chiselled toe of the Goulburn and Craftsman models offers greater versatility, seamlessly transitioning from yard work to boardroom meetings. The one-piece leather upper of the Goulburn and Craftsman boots highlights superior craftsmanship and justifies their higher price point. In contrast, the 585s embrace their rugged, casual style, firmly establishing their place in workwear and everyday attire.
Best Value For Money
When considering which boot offers the best value for money, I always fall back on the old maxim: “buy the best quality you can afford.” The Blundstone 585s, priced at $249, are casually stylish and equally hard-wearing boots, making them a good option for those with a budget under $250. However, their glued and thermomoulded construction will limit their lifespan compared to the two welted alternatives in this review.
The RM Williams Comfort Craftsman, priced at $649, stretches the budget for the average buyer. It is the only Australian-made boot in this review, which may be a significant consideration for those wanting to support local craftsmanship. The Comfort Craftsman excels in comfort, quality, and durability. However, constant price increases have made it inaccessible to some, raising questions about its cost-to-quality ratio.
Priced at $399, the Baxter Goulburn Boots offer exceptional craftsmanship with a 270-degree Goodyear welt construction, ensuring superior durability and easy resoling, much like the higher-priced Comfort Craftsman. The full-grain cowhide leather used in the Goulburn provides better scratch resistance than the Craftsman's yearling leather and will stand the test of time. The Goulburn strikes a perfect balance between quality and cost, offering high-end features and robust construction at a more accessible price point.
This author is not affiliated with any of the brands featured in this article. All opinions are mine.. at my wife's discretion.
