I've worn them every day for the past 20 years or more. They last- they polish up beautifully and they are supremely comfortable from day one. No breaking in - they just feel good from the offset. Keep a last in them at night and polish frequently and they will last for a long long time. Plus if you live in Australia- you can return them to the factory and they will resole them and do repairs.
I work in the factory here in Adelaide and wear either comfort craftsman or dynamic flex craftsman every day. Most days I'm in my boots for 16+ hrs and don't get anywhere near the foot fatigue I used to get wearing steel toe boots for half the time. Definitely comfortable no matter the situation and they looks great as a casual, work or dress boot.
Question, I feel like I have a high arch (even though no one's ever told me I've had one). Should I just opt straight away for the dynamic flex? Edit. Nvm. Just googled it and I don't have high arches. Apparently a high arch literally means that when your foot's on the ground, there's a gap between your heel and your toes where the middle of your foot doesn't touch the ground at all.
@@yacobz I've bought a dynamic flex pair and they're the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn (for about 3 weeks). The dynamic flex insert is extremely aggressive so yes unless you have very high arches, don't get a dynamic flex. I've replaced the dynamic flex insole but I am still getting pain in my heels and arches and my foot is sliding forward due to how high the heels are and crushing my toes. It feels like what I imagine wearing high heels are like (and I'm a guy), and due to that reason I am getting pain in my calves too. I'm going to try and return to get resized, but I have a feeling the aggressive nature of the heel on this boot is what is causing the issues. Definitely don't feel comfortable or like sneakers in the traditional sense. I think as a 'sometimes' or special occasion boot it would be fine but as a daily, hell no.
I am an Australian and own six pairs of the RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boots. At nearly $600 a pair, most Australians can not afford them. But to put this in context I purchased these boots over 10 years ago, when I visited the RM Williams factory in South Australia ( a State in the bottom part of the country), so I received a discount at the time. It seems like a lot of money upfront, but it works out at an investment of $60 a year for the most comfortable durable boots I have ever had. I can wear them with a suit, a pair of jeans and they look great at any occasion. They handle wet weather and compared to other dress shoes they are no brainer. You pay for what you get, and you get a lot with RM Williams. A true Aussie Icon!
@@robblankenstein6825his review was a bit misleading though. He cut the comfort craftsman open (the boot from this video), but he was comparing it to the craftsman from long ago and saying their quality has dropped. He should’ve bought a new craftsman (which they still sell for the same price as the comfort craftsman) and cut that open if he was wanting to see if their quality has dropped. It’s still interesting to see, but it doesn’t tell me if the craftsman is built any differently now to how it was in the past.
Had My first pair for 30 years, only reason I had to retire them was I didn’t condition them, moved to Melbourne and the leather cracked…was gutted when RMW informed me they couldn’t repair them, they were like slippers and had so much character. Just got my 2nd pair and reckon they will see me out, love them
I have the black and chestnut. I live in them. They are very much used as business wear. With jeans, there is no other footwear that is better. The fit is like a glove. A bit of polish or leather conditioner once a week. They will be an heirloom you can hand down to your grand kids.
I'm a female and have a pair of these in malachite green leather, they are stunning and so comfortable. I got the men's in a 5.5 G as I needed the width.
I got one of the last pairs in matte black around 5 years ago. You're right about the durability of the sole. I've worn mine regularly the whole time and the sole still has life left in it. Fantastic boots
Got mine for $350ish in the mid 00’s and they were kangaroo leather. Wear them at least twice a week. Condition a few times a year. Look better than new and a great investment considering their longevity
$500 dollars plus two resoles for 20years of wear is about $40 a year. Cheap motoring really. I’ve got three pairs, one of them is their signature craftsman in calf and two of them have the leather soles, which I prefer. The comfort sole are my work boots.
They’re now $595. But you’re right they’ll last forever. I bought my black ones 13 years ago and resoled twice. Just took them into the shop to send back to Adelaide for third resole and new elastic. Have to wear something while they’re away, so bought a new pair in chestnut colour.
The comments saying these boots are overpriced I personally think are wrong. I’ve got multiple pairs across the Craftsman Range - Classic Craftsman, Comfort, and Signature in different colours. Yes it’s a large upfront cost but they last. RM also offers repairs on the shoes for the soles, heals and leather which is rather inexpensive and keeps them going forever. It is quite easy to have a pair for 15-20+ years so overtime the cost becomes understandable. Also, for those saying the quality has decreased. The boots have been made in Australia the whole time and have now been repurchased by Australians to keep the company here as well. No loss to quality.
I think your wife needs to rank your boot collection (at least top 3 bottom 3). A female perspective might be enlightening to some of us. My wife loves my Hawthorne Muleskinner IRs and HATES anything that looks like a cowboy boot.
All aussies do own a pair of RMW boots. It’s not an exaggeration. Whenever I’m in the city, I always count how many pairs of RMW boots I see. I’ll easily count ten pairs in a matter of minutes.
if ive spent my entire life wearing sneakers will these boots feel "comfortable" out of the gate or will it take time to break in and get used to the boot version of comfort?
Good way to get a discount is to go to Adelaide for a holiday when they are having sales at the Showgrounds. Got mine for $200 AUD. Also in Australia many women wear RMs as well
How long ago was this? Because RM williams doesn’t do sales on their boots ever. They only reduce their prices at DFO stores because they are seconds aka boots with minor cosmetic flaws, which are still $499.
Not cheap, but excellent value! As others have said, they’ll last decades. I have a couple of pairs that were purchased over 25 years ago. My first pair were $120 which seemed outrageous at the time 😂
I looked at the RM Williams boots but was put off by the $600 price tag , brought a $150 pair of boots wore them a few times and went out and got the RM’s, so comfortable should have got them the 1st time and saved the $150. As they say a poor man always pays twice.😤
You’re right, they are not cheap. I have several pairs, some of which I bought in 2006 and are still going strong. Take care of the uppers, get them resoled as necessary and you’ve got a boot for life. That purchase price doesn’t seem so bad after all.
I am from way up north of Australia, from Papua New Guinea. The RM William boots to us ribs off from the colonial era under Aussie regime. To us these are boots of prestige and status. If you see a Papua New Guinean wearing one, concludes that he is a businessman or a politician or a person with social standing in our society. We love this brand. I got two pers one last me 10 year and my second per last me 5 yrs. They are still in good condition
I have two pairs of Craftsman boots. The first is over 30 years old, made of Kangaroo leather and with leather sole. These have been re-soled maybe three or four times, and the elastics have been replaced once. The other pair is about 15 years old, yearling leather with comfort sole, and has been re-soled just once, if memory serves. They are my standard work week footwear.
By God's blessings, I have two pairs. One Craftsman and one Maquarie both in comfort black. I must say they are very comfortable and good-looking boots. Craftsmen is for office/formal wear and Maquarie is for Jeans/chinos 👖👢
I wear the RM craftsman and they are the best.. these boots if looked after will last a lifetime.. out of the box the most comfortable boot I’ve ever owned.. period.
The fact is, REAL - as in country and Australian city people who go to the "BUSH" and those who know. Own a pair of these boots. That's true. Cool City urban youth or any one with no class or just poor individuals and immigrants who haven't bene in Australia didn't work in the country areas. Don't know and don't own them.
Problem with the synthetic insoles is that they don’t breathe. This can lead to squeaking. I’m now getting the classic leather sole version. Unfortunately they don’t make the rubber sole/leather insole version yet.
Seems like a great boot. Have you considered revewing Trickers’ Stow boot? I just got a Stow in kudu leather (caramel color) and it is fantastic. The build quality is top notch.
I have two sets of Craftsman boots. A black pair of Comfort Craftsmans and a tan pair of Craftsmans with dynamic flex sole. I live in QLD and wear shorts for most of the year, but for the 2 days of winter we get where its cold enough to wear long pants/jeans, the RMs are my go to. Just a heads up. You mention the square toe being an RM trademark, but you can buy different models of RMs with a round toe too. The Craftsman is the big seller with the square toe, or for a slightly more casual look, buy a pair of Turnouts, which look just like Craftsman, with a round toe.
I have a dynamic flex in black. Thinking of trying a second boot in comfort craftsman with the rubber sole. Do you find them much different? In store, I found the dynamic flex felt a little more comfy but interested to get your opinion after a longer period of ownership of both soles.
@@tonytan5945 I find the dynamic flex runs a little smaller than the comfort craftsman, so just a head up there. Both my boots are the same size and width, but the comfort sole boots are a looser fit. The comfort sole seems to offer less support to the arch. While it feels comfy underfoot, I personally miss the stability in the arch support that the dynamic flex provides.
They do strength a little over time but not much . It should be comfortable straight away. Guys with wide feet will still struggle even in the widest sizes.
Great video. Really considering getting a pair of RM’s for my 21st birthday. Just can’t decide what colour/soul material. Was wondering where you would put these boots in your boot collection ranking.
Right now they're my favorite dressy casual boot. I'm in NYC for a business type trip right now and could only take one pair. I needed something slick and classy to make a good impression but also comfortable because I'm riding a bike like 8 miles around the city and walking several miles in between. The RMs were my choice for this tall task haha. I love them
Hello, I am also turning 21 this Friday (26th jan) I am also considering a pair of these boots for work and casual, the price is a little steep but I get the feeling they might be worth it.
Unpopular opinion, they are overpriced. I really like my CC, no doubt. But I have several other pairs from English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian makers and I believe the leather is not as good as many claim to be. They crease a lot...like a ton. And I've seen how they crack and open up (on friends boots not mine yet). The soles also go quite quickly but it really depends on your rotation. So, a very comfortable pair indeed but the materials and some aspects of construction are below other brands at this price points so you're definitely paying for the name. My experience at least, have no regrets having mine, however.
@@Minidisc_cc oof, really? So did their quality dropped as well? I really don't know them that much, R.M. Williams and it's rather difficult to find reviews on them on RU-vid. I really love their design and gonna save for a pair.
You need to condition them every now and then, just polish isn’t enough. If you do that the leather want crack. They are now back in Australian ownership . You see them online in Australian afew times a year for 25-30% off .
@@diegoguzman8843 they are nice boots, certainly much better than anything you'll find in a dept store. Their look is also quite unique and they are indeed very comfortable. So I have a lot of good things to say about them (if you like the style). But it's the price point I have a problem with as the quality of the materials is not thaaat great. These are above the likes of C&J or Carmina and I would imagine a few other emerging Asian brands.... But if you like them go ahead. O own one and probably won't get a second, but I'm enjoying them.
Definitely. It is a very popular choice for business people to wear RM Williams in Australia. It is more common to see Boots then it is to see normal Oxford Business Shoes. Even in the Australian Parliament, majority of the male members wear RM’s. Have a look at the website, they have a whole range but the craftsman is the most popular.
I bought a pair and took them back and bought a European shoe. The leather just isn't great in comparison to the old r.ms my uncle still wears (they are 20 years old and he has multiple pairs) and fromy experience with r.m they are cheapening all their products. My favourite pair of r.m trousers had the zipper break after 1 year. It's a shame such a brilliant Aussie brand is going this was and it will only get worse
They have been working very hard on getting higher quality leather and rectifying those issues, sometimes the leather can be contaminated or is simply just a bad batch, if the leather has any issues you can take them back to your local store. They are also in the process of bringing more of the clothing back to Australia. I work for RM williams and they really do value their customers.
Intereesting you say that, Rm williams was purchased by private equity so the leather they use now is different to what they used previously or back in the day. So the private equity firm as always, is cutting on quality to try and increase profits. A cobbler I go to who is a authorised repairer said, they are still good but not what they were
@@shankarpillai they were bought out by Tattarang, yes. The owner of Tattarang, Andrew Forrest grew up wearing Rm williams and is passionate about the brand hence he is trying to bring it back to it’s roots. I work for RM williams and they are and have improved the leather. If the leather has a manufacturing defect they replace the boots for a new pair for the customer.
@@Charelhuisman that is refreshing to hear, I knew that Andrew was behind the acquisition but was also concerned if he was stripping the product of its originality. Good to hear that someone that works for the company is passionate about it, do you know what leather type and leather grades they use?
@@shankarpillai yes they mostly use yearling leather aka cow hide but it comes in different grains and depends on what boot you get. We have greasy Kip which is more like a work boot, extremely durable and a very thick hide that is infused with oils to make it water resistant. We have burnished leathers, burnishing is an intricate process in which coloured dye is applied to crust leather by hand. The result is a natural patina that develops over time, with each boot having a unique colouring. Oily ferns which are prone to stains and scratches and is meant to age naturally overtime to give it that vintage feel and add character to the boots overtime. We also use calf leather which is softer grain but much more expensive and comes with a red leather sole. We have kangaroo which is the strongest leather in the world for its weight, it’s tends to come with some markings here and there due to a kangaroos natural habitat. And then we have ostrich and crocodile which fall under our exotic leathers. We offer boot repairs services, if you look after the leather of the boots they can be repaired over and over until the leather wears out completely. That is why we recommended the customer to look after the leather of the boots because that is the only thing that cannot be changed, everything else can be repaired. These boots are not invisible, they are still leather boots and people tend to forget this sometimes but with a lot of love, they will last you a long time. I highly recommended at least having two pairs on rotation for the longevity of the boots and incase you need to get one pair repaired. They source their leather from all around the world and try to find the highest quality available. Our warehouse in Adelaide can’t seem to keep up with demand and is desperate for new boot makers to take over for all the guys that are retiring soon.
Lots of give and take , yes they gave us U2 but then they gave us Shinead O’Connor They gave us Dolores Oriordan but then cancel it out with Bob Geldof so ya all they got is a boxer that beats up old men and a colour.
Most uncomfortable shoe I’ve ever worn. Was told they need to be snug as they “mould” to your feet but can’t wear them long enough! As a Aussie, I’m really disappointed as these are seen as iconic. Don’t waste your money!
If you haven't seen my review on that boot, it's the last one I posted, so it's worth checking. The Grant stone is definitely sturdier and more rugged. Also the leather is much more rough looking. Rm Williams is more comfortable, but I think less durable because the Grant stone is basically pure leather through the insole. They're both fantastic, but totally different. I wear them about the same amount
