Was browsing through for some Chelsea boots to kickstart the new year with new RM boots and came across this amazing deal from Allingtons Outpost with heaps of discounts on almost all kinds of RM Boots compared to $595+ RRP.
Use code CUAGAIN for an extra 5% off + Free Shipping off listed price.
The Iconic deal is quite rare though. Last time I saw similar pricing to $336 was 5 years ago.
They have been sub-$400 quite a lot this year. I think this is a deal if you are a non-standard width (Iconic don't sell wide in womens for example).
what size US are you and what did you buy?
11.5 US, ordered 10.5 AU but exchanged it for a 10. 10 fits perfectly imo but would have loved to try 9.5 just to see how it feels
That’s my forever struggle with footwear 😭
Q: Can I trust Allingtons
A: Yes, they've been an official RM William stockist for decades. Their service and shipping are head and shoulders above Nungar (another popular retailer who sells RM Williams cheap year-round).
Q: What's the difference between the Dynamic Flex Craftsman vs the Classic and Comfort models?
A: The Dynamic flex has a combination leather/rubber sole and a very supportive removable insole. You can use orthotics in these boots if you have them. The Classic Craftsman has a leather outsole and insole. The Comfort Craftsman as a rubber outsole and fixed 'comfort' insole.
For me personally, the Dynamic Flex is the most supportive and comfortable Craftsman around.
Q: What colour should I get?
A: The Chestnut Yearling is the recommended colour for your first RM Williams Craftsman boot. It offers the best versatility in most people wardrobe; you can dress it up or down. Ultimately the choice will come down to your aesthetic.
Q: What size am I?
A: RM Williams is in AU sizes, similar to UK Sizing. Usually 1 full size down from US sizing/Brannock sizing. It's best to get fitted instore if you can, as a whole cut Chelsea boot will bit differently to normal shoes and boots. It takes into a lot of variables like your instep, shape & width of the foot, etc.
The F width is standard, similar to a D width US shoe. The H width is wider, similar to a US size E/EE width.
Q: OMG, why would I pay this much money for boots when I can get $50 ones from Rivers
A: It's all about the long term investment. RM William boots are Goodyear welt constructed, allowing you to resole and recrafts the boots when required. The Dynamic Flex soles should last a few years of decent year, mine is 3 years and still going strong, due for a resole next year ($160, cheaper if you use 3rd party cobblers). There are many examples of people wearing RM Williams even after 50 years.
RM William boots also hold their value, unlike other brands. Second-hand pairs can sell for $150-$400 depending on their condition.
Q: Are RM Williams boots truly Australian?
A: Yes, the Craftsmen line is made in South Australia. The RM Williams brand has recently transferred back to Australian ownership, under Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's investment company.
Q: Older RM Williams were built better back in the good ole days!
A: Perhaps, but the current Craftsman boots still represent excellent value, quality and materials, especially at this price.
Q: Where can I find out more about RM Williams and good quality boots/shoes?
A: The RM Williams Appreciation Group
Welted Shoes Australia Group on Facebook
Reddit /goodyearwelt for those going down the rabbit hole of quality footyear.
I don't disagree with you but:
Q: OMG, why would I pay this much money for boots when I can get $50 ones from Rivers
A: It's all about the long term investment. RM William boots are Goodyear welt constructed
Rivers are too although the cost to resole you are better off just throwing away and buying a new pair
Q: What makes this such a good deal?
A: Yes. Whilst sub $400 RM deals are possible, they don't come around all too often. This sale includes different widths and half sizes too.
RM William's have also started pulling 3rd party retailers from selling RM Williams only, including BootsOnline, Nungar and The Stable Door. More will follow so deals like this will get less and less.
There is also talk of another price increase in the RRP of RM Williams.
No point to compare with Nungar anymore given they are no longer selling RM Williams.
No one will be selling RM Williams anymore soon.
"Due to strict regulations set by R.M. Williams, as of January 1st 2022, we are unable to sell items directly through the website." - you weren't wrong
I have 3 pairs and a very annoyed wife, BUT she didn't say I can't buy for her.
Wow why do you need 3 pairs. Are they all different colours or styles
What other pairs did you get? I have the chestnut one, thinking about a black pair too. But what else is there to get beyond that?
There are some different leathers, but they’re generally limited ranges so will not always be on sale (unless it’s clearance of old stock). Chestnut and black are the most common colours (they’re what I have) but, IMHO, that’s all you’d really need if you’re just looking for good boots to be in your wardrobe. Get the other colours if you want, but they’ll be less versatile.
Yep I figured as much, thanks for the confirmation!
@Smol Cat: Don’t get me wrong, I drooled over a pair of burnished brown boots for the longest time, and missed out on getting them as a result. $695, but they looked so nice!
I'm after a size 9.5 F (which is either sold out or not an option). Anyone know if Allington's will get this in stock for me (for the discount price) if I email them?
Unlikely. Most (if not all) 3rd party retailers like Allingtons Outpost are clearing out stock, as they won't be allowed to sell from January 1st, 2022.
whys that? the jan 1st 2022 part
So, there could be even more sales around Chrissy?
F is not available for most sizes except from RM. I went with G which seems to have adapted to my feet. There is a sign up bonus of $10 but I don't know if you can stack it.
Has any one tried?
I was in RM Williams today trying in a pair!!
Yes with the code for them down to $423.94
In my half side and wide woo.
Thank you / Merry Christmas to me 🎄
FYI the free shipping code allow you to choose express shipping for free as well.
Now how to hide the boot from my wife…
Or feel hers inside you
I've been thinking about bying a pair. I was originally going to get a pair depending on the prices during the boxing day sales although I'm considering of just purchasing through Allingtons.
can anyone recommend a boot tree to use with this?
I just bought these: https://trimly.com.au/products/premium-boot-trees-new. Arrived this morning. I have nothing to compare them to to know if they're good or not… but they smell great!
They do 12% off if you sign up to their mailing list (you'll get a pop-up on the website).
You can always tell a quality shoe by taste and smell..you're halfway there friend
Ooo the inside wood looks very fancy!
Ohhh haha I'm silly I thought it's trees that come.with the boots like in the photo haha
thanks, how much is shipping on trimly or the overall cost posted?
edit: nvm - I see you meant the shoe tree not the boots.
original: the 12% off - I got free delivery instead. Do you keep re-rolling with new email addresses? Would you DM me the code? (I have tried on 2 accounts, both got free delivery, same code, so it may be generic?)
I’ve been using the Trimly premium boot trees for about 6 months. The first few tries took me a while to get the hang of it but they are amazing to use now.
So a mens 9-G RM Williams size (which is 9AU) would be Trimly size 43-44?
What does the tree do? Do you really want to stretch your boots?
Do regular Craftsman boots (not the Comfort Craftsman) ever go on sale?
How are the fit on these? Do they fit true to size, or should I consider a size up/down?
mate, you are buying $400 shoe, I'd suggest you to go in store for a proper fit.
Yeah you can even go in store then buy online.
They are pretty good customer service . I tried in store once..
I assume at the very least some kind of shoe wax and weekly minimum clean is suggested to keep it looking showroom fresh, but are there anything else to consider? Eg I believe I read somewhere shoe trees are strongly suggested even for overnight.
For me, it's just a quick clean with a rag, and condition with the leather cleaner. Takes me 2 minutes. I polish about twice a year only.
Trimly boot trees or any basic shoe tree will suffice.
Would someone know what a US 12.5 W is in Australia?
Google says US size 12 is UK 11.5 - but the RM site says UK/AU sizes are one full size down from US.
NVM its 11.5 F
Definitely get fitted in store, they have super weird sizing. I'm normally a size 10, but in RMs I'm a 8.5 in an X width (which is apparently unique to the Tambo boot, another thing that's not obvious).
I've got a tambo too! I have wide feet so X fit me perfectly. And I'm usually a size 12 in Nike or sport sizes, I'm surprised I'm an 8.5 X in RM boots. The tambo doesn't look as sleek and sexy as the craftsman, but my feet are happy so that's all that matters
Are RM Williams and Redback the last Australian-made boot manufacturers?
Probably of the big names, some others include - Mongrel Boots and handful of styles from Baxter, Blundstone, SteelBlue and quite a few in the niche custom space like Wootten and others who are in the realm of RM's prices or beyond!
Baxter and Blundstone aren’t Australian made.
Like I said, a couple of their styles are, mostly they are not.
Uggs are Australian made.
Sheapskin breathes, so you can wear them all-year-round. I wouldn't be seen dead in crocs, but I'm sure a Sheapskin lined coffin is the way to go. Haha
Taipans were Australian made, not if still are. Also Rossi boots are as well
RMs are missing a huge market not making a safety toe and barely offer a rugged sole so no good for anyone who needs boots for more than a snob fashion trend.
Harsh - a lot of the RM wearers I know are farmers and people of the land who need to 'dress up' for a wedding/ meeting/ bank manager suck up etc, hardly snobs and hardly a fashion 'trend', I'm half a century old and people have been wearing them as long as I remember, some even get buried with their RM boots!
Issue with the safety/ tradie market is its cut-throat and driven by price - Aussie labour and manufacturing can't compete on a pair of $150 boots for all kinds of reasons.
Harsh
but fair. Farmers are modern royalty and heavily industrialised, there are far more rigorous jobs and lifestyles that require more from their footwear than the same as a white collar worker. If its required for work its supposed to be supplied or reimbursed or claimable at minimum and as a long term tradie price is a small factor, comfort and longterm durability is. RMs are akin to the kathmandu jacket IMO and easily the most worn by well to do office workers fitting an ideal. Something that was the only option a century ago is not the best option now and historical narrative can quickly be wrong when profits are king but RM have done well to stay mostly locally owned and manufactured hence wishing they'd branch out to the many missing uses their boots could have than casual fridays.
RM made a smart, calculated decision not to get into the safety toe market. Look at Blundstone, had to shift production offshore just to compete.
Snob fashion? Nah.
I see that the Gardner, Comfort Turnout and the Dynamic Flex Craftmans are also the same price and discount.
Is the the Comfort Craftsman better than these? What's the difference between Dynamic Flex and Comfort Craftsman?
Read the FAQ posted in one of the top comments.
Hi everyone, give them a call if your size out of stock. They will help you with a discounted prize and send you the boot once is available. Very good customer services.
why this isnt on the site kills me:
E - Extra Narrow F - Narrow G - Regular H - Wide
they only mention two (down the bottom) FFS
Chisel square toe
Flat heel
Yearling leather
Sewn welt non-slip sole
Comfort insole
Padded heel lining
Double Branded tugs
Elastic sided boots
Crafted from one piece of leather
Made in Australia
Sizing for this boot is AU/UK Mens
G is a Regular Fit
H is a Wide Fit
Few 28yearoldmales rocking around
how do i get fitted in store
ask them?… walk in to an RM williams and ask then say youll think about it or you may buy online.
Go in and say I’m trying on a size as someone is purchasing for me as a gift
This daunting process is deceptively simple. Here's how to get fitted in 9 easy steps:
hahahah.
Please follow the instructions to the letter, if you get even one word wrong, all doors will suddenly shut.
"Recite these words "Greetings sales assistant, I am an online dweller unfamiliar with the processes relating to in-person apparel and/or footwear purchases. May I partake in the test fitting of the footwear?" If recited correctly, the sales assistant will be receptive to your request."
Lol this cracked me up hard
Lol
8. Retrieve your existing footwear (if applicable) and re-apply to your foot or feet >> Heyy that should be added as an upcoming bug-fix release after some folks leave the store and get arrested for stealing the shoes :D
I went in, had them fitted, then showed them the OzBargain post and said sorry, buying online instead and they were very understanding.
Man that's harsh haha but that's great customer service right there
Funny that people who wear $500 shoes are in OZB community. Am feeling like a part of super rich cohort!
haha id buy one if i get a good discount lol
Me too if it’s like 90% + discount
haha boom.
Maybe you can share a pair with someone or a family member lol
Thurs and fri is your day! lol
@AussieMark: Yeah and important to wear it in day than night so that peeps can see it’s worthiness 🤪
@BartholemewH: i couldn't afford real ones so I just got some cheapies and wrote WILLIAM on them.
All I can say is I was the talk of the town for sure! ….I assume they were impressed
They are $400 now. So bargain!
Huh where? It says 446 for me before 5% code
Haha i'm only in this discussion becuase I scored an excellent condition pair of RMs for $150 on marketplace
I'm sorry to hear that some ozbargainers cannot afford a pair.
I couldn't resist the bargain price - bought 10!
Same here. I am really worried if my old public school friends are gonna stop talking to me !!
I have been hunting for these for a while.. thanks op
Cant wait to get these
So is it $400 or what. Now I'm confused
$423 with 5% discount - $20 express shipping
so $403
The express shipping is $20 so it's 423+20 then -20.
At least what's how it is working for me. I can't get a price of $403.
How did you manage to do that?
@stratacus117: I don't think it works anymore. I tried it just now in some wallets and it wouldn't work
I just got my first pair of RMs and I'm already itching for the second one! Got them for $336 on the last Iconic deal so I'm struggling to consider this a deal