RM Williams Boots Review: An Honest Take On Australia‘s Most Iconic Boots
G‘day mate! If you‘re a boot fiend like me, I reckon there‘s a good chance you‘ve heard of RM Williams. This true-blue Aussie brand has been crafting some of the world‘s finest leather boots by hand since way back in 1932. Think classic Chelsea and riding boots with a rugged outback soul and refined gentleman‘s flair.
I‘ve had a few pairs of RMs in my collection for years now and I bloody love them. So I figured it was high time I sat down to share my honest thoughts on whether these pricey, hyped-up boots are worth your hard-earned dollarydoos in this in-depth RM Williams review.
We‘ll go walkabout through the brand‘s history, best-selling boot styles, quality, materials, fit and comfort. By the end, you‘ll have a true blue idea of whether a pair (or three) of RM Williams deserves a place in your wardrobe. Let‘s get cracking!
What Are RM Williams Boots?
In a nutshell, RM Williams is an Australian heritage footwear brand famous for their rugged-meets-refined leather boots. The company was founded in 1932 by bushman and saddlemaker Reginald Murray Williams, who started out crafting leather goods in the Aussie outback.
RM‘s most iconic creation is a Chelsea-style boot made from a single piece of premium yearling leather. It‘s a simple, pull-on design with elastic side gores and a tough-as-nails construction made for the demands of life in the bush.
Over the decades, RM Williams has grown into an international luxury brand loved for their dedication to old-school craftsmanship. To this day, every single pair of their boots is still made by hand in their Adelaide workshop using traditional techniques and top-shelf materials.
Some key features that set RM Williams boots apart:
- Handcrafted in Australia from a single piece of leather for fewer seams and durability
- Yearling leather tanned in-house for a superior look and feel
- Goodyear welted soles that can be replaced for extended life
- Signature chisel-toe shapes and chunky soles
- Instantly recognizable branded elastic gores and heel pulls
While the classic Craftsman and Turnout styles remain the brand‘s bread and butter, RM now makes a whole range of boot styles for men and women, from dressier chelseas to chunkier work boots.
The prices definitely ain‘t cheap, starting around $400 AUD and going up to $600+. But loyal fans swear by the impeccable quality, saying RMs are a true investment piece that only get better with age. More on that to come!
RM Williams Chelsea Boot Showdown
Righto, let‘s take a squiz at some of RM Williams‘ most popular Chelsea boots and how they stack up.
| Boot | Price (AUD) | Height | Sole | Leather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Craftsman | $495 | Ankle | Rubber | Yearling |
| Comfort Turnout | $495 | Tall | Rubber | Yearling |
| Dynamic Flex Craftsman | $495 | Ankle | Rubber | Yearling |
| Adelaide | $495 | Ankle | Leather | Yearling |
| Gardener | $445 | Ankle | Rubber | Suede |
| Rickaby | $545 | Ankle | Vibram | Suede |
The Comfort Craftsman is RM‘s OG bestseller. It‘s got all the hallmarks of their signature style in spades – single-piece leather construction, chisel square toe, branded elastic gores and pull tabs. Looks schmick with a suit or beat up jeans.
For a taller take that‘s grouse for bushwhacking or working, go the Comfort Turnout. Basically the same as the Craftsman but with an 11" shaft height for extra coverage and support.
If you want something a little fancier for the office or a night out, the Adelaide boot swaps the rubber sole for a dressier stacked leather sole while keeping the polished yearling leather upper.
More of an outdoorsy type? The Gardener and Rickaby both feature rugged suede uppers and chunky rubber outsoles in a comfy, casual package. Pair ‘em with jeans, chinos, whatever.
Point is, there‘s an RM Chelsea to suit just about any bloke in any scenario. And as you can see in the table above, prices are pretty consistent across the range, so it really comes down to your needs and personal style.
Comfort and Fit Tips
Alright, let‘s have a yarn about how RM Williams boots actually feel on your feet. Because let‘s face it, no one wants to drop half a week‘s pay on a pair of boots that pinch and squeeze.
The good news is, RM Williams boots have a reputation for being super comfortable…once they‘re broken in. See, these puppies are built like a brick dunny, with thick, sturdy leather uppers and soles. So straight out of the box, yeah, they can feel pretty stiff and unforgiving.
My first couple wears in a new pair are always a bit ouchy, not gonna lie. Especially around the ankle and heel, where the leather is thickest. But trust me, cobber, it‘s worth powering through. Because once that tough hide starts to soften and mold to your foot, it‘s like slipping your tootsies into a custom-made glove.
A few tips I‘ve picked up over the years for making the break-in period more bearable:
- Opt for a rubber sole style like the Comfort Craftsman or Turnout instead of the leather-soled Adelaide. The rubber is a bit more flexible.
- Go for a slightly looser fit (you can always add an insole later). I find most RMs loosen up about a half size with wear.
- Slip on some thick socks (or even two pairs) to pad your foot while the leather softens.
- Take it slow at first – wear them for short stretches around the house at first before attempting a full day.
- If you‘ve got especially wide or high-volume feet, maybe try the Gardener or Rickaby in a suede. They‘re a smidge roomier than the yearling leather styles.
Once they‘re good and broken in, I find I can wear most of my RMs all day without any dramas. The shaped footbeds provide decent arch support and the supple leather uppers don‘t rub or chafe. I especially like the Comfort models for long days on my feet – that cushy rubber sole is a godsend.
Sizing is always a bit of a gamble when you‘re buying boots online. RM uses UK/AUS sizing, which is about a half size smaller than US sizing. In general, most people find they need to size down from their sneaker size for the best fit, since RMs only come in whole sizes.
If you‘re worried, RM has killer customer service. You can literally trace your foot on a piece of paper, send it to them, and they‘ll give you personalized fit and sizing advice for each style. Seriously, don‘t be afraid to hit them up before dropping serious dollarydoos.
Killer Quality and Craftsmanship
I know I sound like a broken record, but I can‘t stress enough how impressed I‘ve been with the quality and craftsmanship of my RM Williams boots over the years. I mean, I own boots from other top-shelf brands like Viberg, Alden and Red Wing. And dollar for dollar, RMs can hang with the best of ‘em.
RM really walks the walk when it comes to their whole "handcrafted in Australia" schtick. It‘s not some weaselly marketing fluff. I‘ve toured their workshop in Adelaide and seen the bootmaking process firsthand. And holy dooley, it‘s the real deal.
You‘ve got master craftsmen (and women) cutting, stitching, lasting and finishing each pair by hand using the same time-honored techniques RM himself cooked up back in the bush. Most have been on the job for decades and their attention to detail is just insane.
The magic starts with the leather, which is really the heart and soul of a good boot. RM‘s yearling leather is the cream of the crop – thick, supple and unblemished. Fun fact: it actually comes from pampered British cows renowned for their dense, durable hides.
That primo leather gets tanned and finished in-house by RM to their exact specs for a beaut, slightly waxy feel that ages like a fine wine. Seriously, an old pair of RMs is a thing of rugged beauty. The leather develops this incredible lustre and patina that just can‘t be faked.
I‘m also a big fan of the old-school Goodyear welted construction RM uses on most models. In plain English, that means the boots can be resoled a bazillion times as the original soles wear down. My first pair of Craftsmans are going on 6 years strong and I‘ve had them resoled twice. Still fit like a glove.
All the other doodads – soles, hardware, elastic, laces – are similarly mongo quality. No chinesium crap or corner cutting here. Even the stitching is a work of art. Look inside any pair of RMs and marvel at the dense, perfectly uniform rows. It‘s nutso attention to detail.
Of course, that level of over-the-top build quality ain‘t cheap. With prices starting around $450 AUD (about $300 USD), RMs are definitely an investment. But I reckon they‘re absolutely worth it if you value finely crafted, ethically made, buy-it-for-life footwear. The cost per wear over a decade or more ends up being way better than some glued-together, imported clodhoppers.
According to RM Williams, their boots are "made to last, not to replace." And based on my own long-term experience, that definitely holds up. I‘ve put some hard yakka on my oldest RMs – we‘re talking days mustering cattle, fixing fences, slogging through mud – and they just keep on trucking. They‘re basically indestructible.
The Verdict: Are RM Williams Boots Worth It?
Alright cobber, let‘s get down to brass tacks. Are RM Williams boots really worth the outlay?
In my honest opinion, abso-bloody-lutely…with a few caveats.
If you‘re after a true heritage boot that‘s handcrafted to the highest standards using top-notch materials, it‘s hard to beat RM Williams. The quality and attention to detail are just miles above your average mall brand boot. You can actually feel the decades of Aussie bush soul in every pair.
Style-wise, RMs hit this sweet spot between rugged and refined that‘s just chef‘s kiss. They look equally at home in the red dirt of the outback, at the pub, or with a crisp suit. And thanks to the simple, timeless designs, you‘ll be wearing them for ages.
The longevity is also off the charts. With proper care (we‘re talking regular condtioning, keeping the leather dry, storing with shoe trees), a good pair of RMs can easily last 10-20+ years with the occasional resole. You‘re not just buying boots – you‘re buying a legacy.
That said, I totally get that $400+ is a lot to drop on a pair of boots, especially sight unseen. And the initial break-in period can be a bit of a slog. If you‘re after a buttery soft boot that feels amazing right out of the box, RM might not be it.
Another thing to keep in mind: while RM Williams does a bunch of boot styles, the bulk of their range is still built around that classic chisel-toe Chelsea aesthetic. If you‘re looking for a sleek dress boot, a chunky work boot, or anything too outré, you might have better luck elsewhere.
But if you‘re willing to invest the time and money into a finely crafted, Aussie-as pair of leather boots that tell a story and age beautifully, RM Williams is absolutely worth a go. The cost per wear is seriously great over time. And you‘ll have a bloody ripper pair of boots that only look better with age. They‘re dead-set the most comfortable, well-made, true-blue Aussie boots I‘ve ever owned.
For my money, the classic Comfort Craftsman or Turnout are the perfect all-rounder styles to start with. They‘ll see you through just about any occasion or pavo, and only get comfier and better looking the more you thrash ‘em. If you‘re keen on something a bit fancier, the Adelaide is a pearler with a suit.
So yeah, I reckon RM Williams boots are worth the coin for any bloke or lady who appreciates proper craftsmanship, A+ materials and a little taste of the Aussie outback. Start with one pair and I bet it won‘t be long before you‘re hooked. Lord knows I am. Just be prepared to get asked "where‘d you get those mad spiffy boots?" by every bugger from here to Wooloomooloo.
I hope this honest RM Williams review helped you suss out whether these true-blue Aussie boots deserve a spot in your collection. If you‘ve got any other questions, just give us a bell in the comments!
