Hello fellow bargain hunters,
I'm curious to get your take on RM Williams boots. I've been a longtime Aquila boots wearer, with my most expensive pair clocking in under $400. Considering RM Williams starting well over $700, is the price tag justified, or is it just hype?
For those who own a pair, what are your thoughts? Is the quality, durability, and comfort worth the significant jump in cost?
I'd love to hear your honest opinions and insights before I consider making the leap!
Pretty much everywhere. I got a couple of different colours and I mix them up a bit.
Which model if you don’t mind
I still wear my first pair bought in 1995 and have 3 other different pairs
If you're in finance, definitely yes. If you are in IT, probably yes. Otherwise, no.
I think they're definitely worth buying, but the price is getting a bit silly so I'd probably only recommend them when theyre on sale somwhere. Im a boot person, I wear chelsea style boots every day. My daily wear are Blundstones, which are great boots. But my weekend boots are RM Williams and they are just more comfortable and just higher quality than any others I've worn, probably because of the cork sole. Though I'd wait for a sale rather than paying $600 for boots. I have tried many cheaper brands in that style, and none that I would rate as highly as the RM's.
Thought I'd chuck my two cents in, 'cause I used to be in the same boat as a lot of you.
For ages, I was a total any-formal-shoes-on-a-deal guy. My logic was pretty simple: why drop a fortune on one pair of RMs when I can just grab a new pair for under a hundred bucks each year?
The game changer for me was deciding to do it properly. I walked into an RM store, got my feet measured, and was totally straight up with them. I told them I loved the boots but they were a bit steep for me and I'd probably be scouting for a deal online. They were awesome about it, no dramas at all, and still helped me nail my perfect size.
After that, it was just a waiting game. Kept my eyes peeled and eventually a decent deal popped up on The Iconic. I stacked some vouchers on top and managed to snag a pair for under $400. That was six years ago now.
I've worn them solid, at least three days a week, ever since, and I still swap 'em out with my cheaper pairs to let them breathe. A couple of years back, I grabbed some leather conditioner, gave them a bit of love, and honestly, they came up looking brand new. They're still my go-to boots today, though I reckon a resole might be on the cards in the next year or two.
The comfort and fit are just on another level compared to the stuff I used to wear (Julius Marlow, Clarks, Bata, you name it). You've just gotta be willing to look after them. Yeah, a few people have asked about them or given a compliment, but that's not really the point.
The only kicker is the price these days. I've been eyeing off a second pair in another colour, but the prices are just insane now, even when there's a sale on.
So yeah, my take is if you can find them for a decent price, they're 100% worth it. It’s a hefty upfront cost, for sure, but the quality is legit.
I was super disappointed in the lack of durability for the price. Will never buy again.
Shoes from Australian brands are terrible in general. Most look nice but the actual construction is rubbish glue sticking the leather upper to a flimsy sole.
For $700 you would be much better served getting a quality British brand with proper Goodyear welted construction.
Loake for example have now started selling in AU, would highly recommend them.
RM Williams is goodyear-welted.
For similar price you may as well get RMs over Loake as you don't have to deal with importing, and would be an easier process if you ever do resole.
As others have mentioned, something like Thursday boots at half the price makes sense.
I bought two pairs (chestnut and black) over 8 years ago and wear them regularly for work. My comfort craftsman is super comfortable and has amazing arch support, they have been good all day wears for me. I won’t need to resole them for another few years. IMO they are worth the money but don’t pay the full price. In shop service is great they will do the fit and even make custom order if needed. After sales service is also very good.
Better to go with Doc Martens , 1460 s go well with jeans , better than RMs IMO
https://www.hypedc.com/au/products/dr-martens-1460-8-eye-gau…
I wear these to work in the office, but they wouldn't suit all offices, quite a different look to RMs.
???
You're paying for the labour and the "Made in Australia" price tag. It's not a Holden
I'm always amazed that a product which was originally marketed to farm workers and designed to cope with dirt and animal dung has become the "must have" office attire. More money than sense.
Younger daughter had spinal surgery about 9 years ago - we joked that the paeds residents were all wearing pointy shoes/boots.
Older daughter since studied nursing and says all of the residents now wear RMs.
As someone mentioned above, they USED to be worth it. I bought a pair of Craftsman Kangaroo with rubber sole in 2009 in for $400.
Same boots now are $750. I've had mine re-soled 3 times and the last time I was talking to the cobbler as I was looking to get a new pair and he said that the new ones that he sees coming into the shop are just terrible. Leather is half as thick as it was and not nearly as high quality, with lots of artifacts in the grain that have been "repaired". Which is fine on a pair of $100 trainers, not so much on "premium" boots.
So I looked around and found Harold Boots Avon. RRP is $620 but I got a pair ordered in for me for $500 inc GST at Joe's Boots in Canberra.
Going to be honest, they seem better made then my original RMs, and were comfy as soon as I put them on. The only downside to them is that they are now made offshore in Vietnam. Which sucks because I would have preferred to support local manufacturing (I exclusively purchase Mongrel workboots for that reason) but the value proposition and quality of the Harold boots ultimately won out. I've had them now for just over a year, they get worn very sparingly these days as I'm WFH but every time I pull them out I turn them over first to look at all the shiny nails in the sole because they are very pretty.
RMW won't just be 'hype', they're ingrained in Aussie culture. It's mainly a status thing nowadays for the fresh grads that buy it on their first paycheck, it's success signalling for that crowd at best.
For the mid 30 yrs olds or older 'finance/property bros' like myself, i make enough that i can buy a few pairs to rotate without overthinking my purchase. they're overpriced, sure, but they're still quality boots nonetheless. i bought them when they cost like $5xx or something pre-2021, but inflation, so time value of money would dictate they were still overpriced back then lol.
A RMW purchase (like a BMW purchase) is not for the overly practical. Like all semi-luxury/luxury goods out there, it's always going to be an emotional purchase.
Bought a pair in 2013, Still wear them to work everyday now. For 2013 price, worth it.
For today price, no.
An investment is the commitment of capital, such as money, time, or effort, into an asset or project with the expectation of generating income or appreciation in value over time.
So, no, its not worth investing in shoes which will lose their value over time.
Thank you, everyone. I've learned about so many new brands and different perspectives on boots. I will definitely check out all the brands mentioned and will also keep an eye out for any discounts on RM in the coming months.
Set an alert on Ozbargain for RM Williams and Iconic, as that's where I've seen sales come up.
I bought a pair in January this year after 2 decades of buying cheaper dress shoes. I tried on a pair purely as I was buying some chinos and had only casual shoes with me.
Damn, they felt so good I had to buy them the next day. I love them, comfy as hell and look great. Wish I'd bought them years earlier.
That said, if you want them to stay nice you need to look after them, so allow some spare cash for shoe trees, polish, and conditioner.
Yeah nah. I don't think they are worth it. I'm an Ozbargaineer, and it goes against my religion race bank balance and more.
What's your race?
Ozbargaineer
The rm Williams with the crazy horse leather is good I think. They go by the Goodwood newer models. Durable as ever and don't have to worry about accidently scratching it
Surprised nobody else has commented this yet.
If you're anywhere near a RM Williams outlet store (usually near DFOs), they sell the boots much cheaper there (a couple hundred bucks off at least). I picked up a pair for $450 a couple years back, allegedly they're factory seconds but they look identical to a pair I own from a regular retail store. You'll also get to try the boot on there, and confirm the fit is okay - ordering RMs online can be a bit hit-or-miss with sizing.
Thank you
If you can get them for a good price, then yes. Not at RRP which is something ridiculous $699.
I love mine though. I've worn mine since 2016 and i purchased it for around $350 so its easily been worth it in my case having previously spending $100 each year for new boots. I haven't had to get them resoled though.
Currently i have 3 pairs, but they were all purchased at a massive discount. If anyone remembers the 2000 qantas points + $280 a few years back, and a pair for $150 at one of those yearly sales in Adelaide.
If you do decide on getting a pair though, i highly recommend getting the Chestnut colour in Comfort Craftsman. most versatile pair imo.
Thank you, will look out for a bargain in coming black Friday or Christmas sale…
first thing you should do is get sized up in a store.
the sizing can be a little weird - for reference, i generally wear 10US in everything, but with RMs i wear 8H.
I'm in IT, so I got a pair. I like them. I went for the signature craftsmen in black, on sale obviously, $650.
Thank you
I have three pairs, one new and two through second hand markets. As others have said, if you're going new then waiting for sales or going to the outlet stores then you can get them for around $450. In my opinion they $400 feels about right for the value you get. Even at a discount, my new pair felt a bit too high. Full price is just ridiculous.
The second hand market is a great option if you want something cheaper. A well maintained pair will probably set you back roughly $250 (or less if you're patient). The boots last for ages, so it doesn't really matter if you're buying a 5-10 year old pair - they feel basically the same as new.
Also, don't bother with a boot tree. You get the same result by stuffing scrunched up paper in the shoes.
Thank you for your detailed reply
Do you wear them in business casual situations?