Price/Discount applied in the shopping bag.
Beautifully constructed and uniquely made from one piece of leather, our iconic Craftsman boots come in a range of colours, using the finest yearling leather. Made in our Adelaide factory, these boots feature a classic chisel-square toe and flat heel with sewn welt leather-sole construction, yearling leather uppers and leather lining.
Handcrafted in Australia while stocks last
I think it's just David Jones calling it Brown but it's same as RM William's Chestnut. RM colours are Black, Chestnut, Rum and Dark Tan and they don't have a "Brown" as such.
It's so weird then…cause chestnut in real life looks nothing like a brown shoe. More like a deep maroon colour.
I never recall my "chestnut" pair looking maroon .. they were this sort of odd dark brown colour though it might've been a red undertone. That said, brown leather conditioner has made them a much deeper, classic shade of brown.
@Assburg: Any recommendations for leather conditioners? I already have the chestnut colour from RM. But the red undertone is still there.
@kron: https://shoeproductsaustralia.com.au/products/trg-leather-ba…
I use the brown version of this.. wait one for leather photos of how my products turned out.
@Assburg: https://imgur.com/jarY0aI
The bag does seem to have a very subtle red hue about it but I don't think it came from the conditioner. Shoes probably got a few more layers of the conditioner from memory.
Shaver bag for black reference.
the polish is weirdly wine red when on a light coloured surface, but goes on shoe as a chestnut colour
Just as an FYI on David Jones stock, I purchased a pair of RMs online in 2022 for in-store pickup. I ordered a regular size 9.
Upon collection, the shoes were a) a size 9W, which isn't my size and, b) a returned shoe that had been fairly worn in, enough so that the leather had creased.
Your milage may vary, but I would recommend giving your store a call to verify all is as it should be prior to picking up in store. They really don't have the same service quality standards that you get direct from RM.
Most of their clearance items are displayed or returned stocks. Had same issues.
FYI these have leather soles - i.e. slippery
scuff them up
also this is not a bargain….cheaper at the factory outlets
No outlets in Sydney anymore I think
The one in Homebush DFO is gone?
which factory outlet from RM williams boots ?
cheaper at factory outlets
Yeah, where you'll only get clown feet sizes.
RM newbie here, so thanks for the heads up on that. I shattered my knee due to wearing slippery footwear before (definitely not RM), but it's made me ultra-cautious!
Found this thread after seeing your comment:
I’ve worked at RMW for a long time, so yes I want your money, but I’ve also been wearing them for even longer, and these are important reasons from both those experiences for why you should buy a pair of the Comfort Craftsman […] 1-2 years is a very long time to be walking in what is an extremely uncomfortable and slippery shoe. Save leather soles for when you’re a CEO and only ever walk in carpeted offices :)
I know its a slightly additional cost, but any shoe repair shop can slap on a thin rubber sole. I do that for all my leather work shoes. No point buying a completely different model of shoe just to get a rubber sole, save that for the album collection. And in the long run, once the thin rubber wears out you can replace it for not much, and the main sole bit (the leather one) will be mostly untouched and no expensive repair required.
Of course if you prefer the full rubber sole or the other model then go for it.
Ah that's an interesting idea. Would that void the warranty? The other consideration factor is comfort, I guess.
I usually wear Footlogics insoles in my shoes – wondering if I should get a pair of Dynamic Flex instead…
@itsfree: Nah they just glue on. If you had a warranty issue all traces of the rubber and glue can be washed away.
@itsfree: DFs are me everyday boot, so I've got pairs in both chestnut and black
plenty of room for arch support or comfort insoles, though those with hard bridge may squeak and need a felt pad
I can easily be on my feet all day and walk 10+ km without issue
EDIT: not hard to find around place for $500-$549, or close to $400 on sale - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/r-m-williams-dynamic-fl…
On my dynamic flex, the sole is past ready for replacement after 12 years of near daily use, the heel blocks OTOH have been replaced about three times.
So I have just bought a new pair, not quite as cheap as these though.
I would think offices floors are slippery too. To me the dynamic flex comfort craftsman is the pick for everyday, and particularly if you fly a lot as they have fibreglass shanks that don’t set off the detectors like a steel shank would.
OTOH you want the leather sole if you ride a lot, so if the horse throws you, your feet slide out of the stirrups. Rubber soles tend to be more likely to stay in the stirrup, for much unpleasantness.
good point! though DFs are relatively smooth rubber soles (compared to Ariats anyways)
itsfree - if getting back in the saddle, gaited horse and swivel stirrups
this is why their Dynamic Flex exists :)
https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/dynamic-flex-craftsman-boot-ch…
EDIT: as linked above - https://www.reddit.com/r/AustralianMFA/comments/o5c2mu/yet_a…
needem H fit
great deal, but i highly recommend the comfort craftsman. i own all 3, and use my comfort craftsman the most.
there seems to be F sizing in the dropdown too?
I hate getting scratches on these shoes and it’s had to maintain them as well.
You’ve obviously never worn a pair of RM boots, correct to size, and from new. Nor have you ever replaced the heels or sole on a pair of RMs. There’s a difference between genuine leather and full grain leather. I have, and I’m on the same pair for the past 6 years, with 2 sole replacements and yearly heel replacements.
I’ve owned a pair of Williams Chelsea boots and the “leather” peeled in the first week after the heater in my car dried them out while driving! Then I went to RMs and haven’t had to change boots.
You’ve obviously never worn a pair of RM boots, correct to size, and from new. Nor have you ever replaced the heels or sole on a pair of RMs.
Nope I haven't either.. I've only ever once paid 200 for a pair of shoes let alone 500+.
Then you aren't really qualified to have an opinion. It's cheaper in the long run to wear RMs and it's better than buying overseas fast fashion junk.
If you just wear runners to everything.. that's cool too but again, not qualified to comment.
@pharkurnell: Proud of not having anything smart to say, but proud of just having something to say?
Shoes wouldn't be able to make up for your inadequacies anyway, I guess. Though RMs might make you half an inch taller if you think about getting a pair.
@Assburg: Proud that I realise i dont need to spend 500 on shoes to fit in… happy not to be in the cool crowd.
if you go to horse land or those places they have rm williams and other brands in elastic sided boots, not many farmers wear $500 shoes while working …. everything australian also has rm and other elastic sided boots ….the rm are nice in town , but i find expensive for out in the bush.
They look trash
You get what you pay for:
R.M. Williams = genuine leather and goodyear welt construction. Crafted in Australia.
Williams = 'Man-Made' material (?) and not goodyear welt construction. Unknown craftsmanship.
Bruh you literally linked to the Williams boots with a ‘average customer rating quality of product’ of 1.5/5. With the two reviews being 1/5 and 2/5, with photos of the boots falling apart - and called it nearly as good quality ☠️ I hope you get well soon.
just bought a full priced pair in RM store yest as couldnt see any specials and need new pair urgently. Shame DJ doesnt have my size , would have bought this and returned ones I bought yesterday.
Buy the same pair at 30% off and return them using yesterday’s full price receipt
Going to be a bit difficult given he bought them at a RM store.
I think that was his plan.. but as mentioned, they don't have his exact size to make that feasible.
What benefit do these have over, say, Kmart boots, which I can also afford?
These are made from a single piece of leather and have goodyear welt and will last many years and can be repaired/ resoled etc.. Kmart leather is mostly like cardboard and can't be compared to these boots. RM Williams is a good quality shoes but whether the price is good or not is for you to decide depending upon how much you want to spend on a good quality shoes.
I personally prefer English/ Made in England shoes like Church's, Cheaney's etc. over RM Williams especially because I prefer the sleekness of oxford shoes over these pull-on boots but RM Williams can easily be pulled off with jeans and chinos too.
resoled
I remember reading an older comment somewhere that this can cost $100+ to do, how often would you need a resole?
Yes, it costs around that to resole. The leather sole will wear out faster than the rubber (comfort craftsman) sole. Leather sole can last from 1-2 years but will wear out faster if you wear them in wet weather. Rubber sole lasts a few years, 2-3 years or longer. You can always put topy soles on the leather soles and they will last a few years but it changes the feel of the leather sole.
I change mine every 2–3 years (oil-resistant soles, covering 8k-14k steps a day as a teacher)
$450 can buy many Kmart boots tho
Also can buy many peanuts
You're not wrong, but the quality is different.
Different leather, different sole, not made in a sweatshop, etc. At the end of the day, RM is not for everyone, some prefer cheap, others prefer quality. Some will even argue that RM is average and want to go even higher in terms of quality (and price).
While I agree that RMW is overpriced, the idea of “I can buy x cheap Chinese boots for the same price” is true, but it’s the problem with humanity right now with overconsumption and wastage. We really need to change that mentality and go back to the old ways of using, fixing, reusing, etc. It’s what enriches the Chinese government but pollutes our planet. It should be dealt with at higher levels but money is more important than future generations for most people, companies and governments.
@GeneralSkunk: If one is serious about their environmental footprint they should be making an attempt to buy things that last. Sure it is expensive, and options might be limited, but it is not sustainable (environmentally, and financially) to continually buy and use crap products that don't last.
You see the big 'RM Williams' tag that pokes out the front of the boot? Thats a sign that allows you to identify other people who are also wearing RMs and you can therefore join the secret networking club of other middle aged men who believe they are authentic and at one with the land, true rugged outdoor types - even though they spend their entire day inside in the middle of a city.
Kmart boots dont allow that.
Don’t forget to include chinos, striped Polo shirt and Audi S5 and you join the land surveyors club.
Better for your feet
Better for environment
Last much longer
I've had 2 pairs of RMs (black/brown) on rotation for pretty much everything besides super formal events (where laced shoes are more appropriate) for well I'm over 5 years and, sure, it's a grand, but I'm probably not going to buy another pair of leather shoes in the next decade either.
Annual resoling seems like overkill, maybe those who do have a very heavy stride. I've just worn the back edges of my soles down pretty far but never had to resole.
Back as a teenager working at mcds, I remember the kmart shoes lasted 6 months at best, and started to look like crap after a couple weeks.
My parents would scold me because the crease lines came up after one day of school on those cheap Kmart shoes. They never/refused to buy me good shoes citing that I abuse the (profanity) out of them.
HAIYA!
no 6.5 bleh
Thanks OP. Bought a pair. Been waiting for a sale for a while now.
Went in store and also tried to process online, neither providing 30% off. Might have been an online error that's been fixed
whats different between this and comfort
30% off doesnt reflect in the cart when paying. Anyone else got this issue
Anyone know if the Tambo ever goes on sale?
Does anyone know the Outlet at Harbourtown in Adelaide is any good? Plan to do a haul for next few days whilst I am down there.
Any tips for shopping at RM?
Too bad no wide fit for sale at David Jones when I checked earlier. Does anyone prefer these over the comfort craftsman?
I prefer leather sole for dress shoes but not sure about boots
I rarely point the soles of my boots at people, so would choose DF comfort over these any day
but if you are CEO reclining in your Eames while puffing a Behike, your opinion may differ
I do like the feeling of a leather sole but only when it's dry and not walking on any rough surfaces.
Their signature range comes with a leather sole so I wasn't sure if there's benefits to it.
Mine got cancelled…
When I talked to RM Williams store rep, I asked why are there sales relatively so often at david jones or iconic (stockists) as opposed to RM williams physical store itself. The rep told me that it was because the consideration that they send all the older boot pairs to the stockists because presumably when you get to this tier of quality, older boots are less attractive. That's why those are on sale because they also are incentivised to get rid of older stock.
I wouldn't guarantee it but the pair I got at Iconic was a year older than the RM Williams store pair.
The brown in the pics looks very much like chestnut. Are there any actual differences?