Blundstone 550 vs. 585 Boots Comparison

Two of the most popular Blundstone boots from the Classics collection are the 550 and 585. So what is the difference between Blundstone 550 and 585?

While both Blundstone 550 and 585 have a similar look and fit, the difference lies in the type of material used in the upper. The Blundstone 550 is made of full-grain leather, whereas the Blundstone 585 is made of nubuck.

They do, however, require different care. In this post, let’s examine and compare the Blundstone 550 vs. 585, including how to properly care for each pair of boots.

Blundstone 550 vs. 585 Comparison

Blundstone 550 and 585 differences

To get a definitive answer to the difference between Blundstone 550 and 585, Tuck and Move reached out to Blundstone Australia for answers.

Despite the same fit and comfort, the only difference between Blundstone 550 and 585 is the type of leather used in the upper. Blundstone 550 is made of full-grain walnut leather, while Blundstone 585 is made of rustic brown nubuck.

Nubuck is a luxury leather known for its velvety texture. It is very similar to suede. Not only does it have a history of aristocracy, but it is often associated with high-quality footwear.

On the other hand, full-grain refers to the strongest part of the hide of an animal, which is just below the hair. It displays the more natural characteristics of leather because it has not been sanded, buffed, or snuffed (as opposed to corrected grain).

Since the Blundstone 550 and 585 are each made of different leather types, they do require different methods of care, which we will discuss below.

1. Full grain leather of Blundstone 550

Because of the full-grain leather, expect the Blundstone 550 to show all its natural markings and blemishes which, in our opinion, adds character to the material.

If you use a magnifying glass, you can even see the pores and small hair follicles on the smooth surface, which shows that the leather is of high quality.

As the full-grain leather of the Blundstone 550 ages, it develops a patina, which is the change in color over time. This change is considered to be a desirable characteristic of the boot.

Being made of the strongest, outermost layer of the hide, you should expect the Blundstone 550 upper material to last longer than the Blundstone 585, which is made of nubuck.

2. Nubuck of Blundstone 585

On the other hand, expect the Blundstone 585 to look soft and velvety.

Like suede, the nubuck surface of the Blundstone 585 has a fuzzy and velvety texture to it. It is smooth to the touch as well. This is referred to as the “nap” of the protein fibers.

Unlike suede and leather, however, the nubuck of the Blundstone 585 does not develop its patina well, so the boots will not change color over time.

As beautiful as nubuck is, it is a type of leather that needs a lot of attention from your end to look and feel good over time.

Cleaning the Blundstone 550 and 585

As mentioned above, both the Blundstone 550 and 585 are made of different leather types. Because of this, you need to care for each of them differently.

1. Cleaning the full-grain leather of Blundstone 550

• To clean the full-grain leather of Blundstone 550, first, remove any caked dirt on your boots with a soft bristled brush or a damp cloth. Once brushed, leave it to air dry while avoiding direct sunlight, which will dry out the leather.
• By using Blundstone’s renovating cream, apply a small amount to a polishing cloth or brush. Using circular motions, rub the cloth or brush against the boot.
• If you are using a product for the first time, try it on a hidden area of the boot to check whether it changes the boot’s color.
• Wipe away the residue and leave it to air dry, while avoiding direct sunlight.

2. Cleaning the nubuck of Blundstone 585

• To clean the nubuck of Blundstone 585, first, use a dry nubuck cloth to remove any surface dirt. Then brush gently with a nubuck brush. Be sure to use a circular motion, while not spending more than a few seconds on any area.
• If there are any scuffs, remove them with a gum eraser. Simply rub the scuff with the eraser and wipe away the rubber debris.
• Another method is to use a spray-on nubuck cleaning solution, which removes dust and dirt from suede and nubuck material. It is important to follow the instructions on the product and test it on a small area before wider application.
• Remove excess moisture using a clean towel and leave it to air dry.

Blundstone 550 and 585 similarities

Both the Blundstone 550 and 585 are part of the Blundstone Classics, which is an upgrade over the original series with the addition of more comfort features.

Unlike the original series, both the 550 and 585 Classics have about 0.9mm of interior leather lining which adds comfort and keeps you warm.

Without laces, both the Blundstone 550 and 585 rely on a strong and elastic Gore-tex material on both sides of the ankle to secure your foot in place.

While most boots have a sleek upper, both the Blundstone 550 and 585 have a wide, rounded toe, wide enough to get your foot in without using force or a shoehorn.

There are two pull tabs located on the front and back of the opening to help your foot get inside the boot easily. Once you slide your foot in, it should feel snug.

Additionally, both the Blundstone 550 and 585 have a steel shank between the forefoot and heel that helps you maintain the correct step flex point and assists with skeletal stability.

Whether you go for the rustic brown nubuck of the 585, or the full-grain walnut of the 550, both boots can go well with jeans and a nice sweater for a casual and comfortable look. However, you can still wear them with your warmest layers and wear them in the snow.

Not only are the upper of both the Blundstone 550 and 585 waterproof, but the outsoles have more than enough grip to help you to navigate wet or slushy surfaces in the winter.

You may also be interested in:

• How to Break in Blundstones Fast
• Blundstone 500 vs. 550
• Blundstone 500 vs. 585
• Blundstone Thermal vs. 550

Final verdict

WINNER: Blundstone 550

Both the Blundstone 550 and 585 are similar in terms of fit and comfort, but if we have to choose one, we would go for the Blundstone 550 because the full-grain leather lasts longer. It will also develop its patina (change in color) well, something that we admire.

However, if you are a nubuck enthusiast, then the unique, yet soft and velvety texture of the Blundstone 585 would suit you best.

Both are excellent pairs of Chelsea boots that are waterproof, so whichever you choose, you should not worry about wearing them anywhere you go.

And there you have it, the Blundstone 550 vs. 585 comparisons. We appreciate Blundstone’s customer service for replying to us so that we can give you a definitive answer.