Color Cola Size RMW 7/US M 8, RMW 8/US M 9
Color: Tobacco Size RMW 6/US M 7, RMW 7/US M 8, RMW 8/US M 9, RMW 12/US M 13.
While stocks last
Details
The Sturt Desert lace up boot is a traditional lightweight chukka casual style, made from double faced suede, featuring a single unit natural rubber crepe sole and flat heel.
Round toe
Flat heel
Unlined stitch down construction
Natural rubber crepe sole
Tonal laces
Single branded tug
Imported
The dirty thing with these is they have the same pull tabs as the locally made boots with the factory address on them.
Same with some of their new or experimental lines, however the plus is that those models often see pretty substantial discounts at end of a fashion season.
Have heard that they will often manufacture a new style/material/colour overseas to save a bit of money, then see how popular it is before switching to local manufacture if chosen to go into their lineup long-term.
Scored a pair of their suede lace-up Rickaby boots on sale for a bargain price, that were "Made in Romania".
They still have the local Australian address on the boot tab and "RMW Est. 1932 Australia" stamped on the inner sole, which may be a bit misleading until you look deep into the mid-part of the inner sole to see the "Made in Romania" stamp.
More than happy with the quality though (as good as any of the locally produced RMW footwear I own).
Plus, in a colour and different rubber sole (dainite) that I prefer to the current locally produced offerings of the same model.
As long as you know what you're looking for, can sometimes score some of the very good overseas manufactured models for bargain basement prices.
Just think the model in this post is not a bargain at this price, given it's a crepe sole and not Goodyear welted.
Interesting analysis, thank you.
As for the crepe sole, that is the mark of a desert boot, no?
If it were dainite, it would be a mere chukka.
Not necessarily.
Desert boots are a subset of chukkas, but the distinction is usually in the desert boot being lighter and less sturdy, often with a crepe sole to achieve this. Some, use the terms interchangeably.
Therefore, I have often seen footwear listed as "desert boots" with leather and other soles as well as the sturdier Goodyear welting.
To my main point though, even on sale, looks like you're still paying an RMW price premium for these without the quality and durability advantages that much of RMW handmade footwear brings.
In this price range, why would you settle for a crepe-soled, stitchdown, "desert boot", when you can get all the advantages of a GYW, dainite (or even leather)-soled, suede chukka for not too much more? There are sales every so often, with better overseas manufactured RMW offerings and even more options by importing online from UK.
I'd probably seriously consider buying these if in the $50-80 range, but at 2-3x that - nah.
Been about this price before.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/585129
Still think the comments I made then are apt.