If people are curious. What makes R.M. Williams so special? Besides being made in Australia, it is the craftsmanship. Unlike the vast majority of Chelsea boots, R.M. Williams is made from one single piece of leather, stitched at the back. This gives them a very clean look but the process is not easy to perfect and it is reflected in the price. Not only that, but the leather is made with Australian yearling, which is a wonderfully tough leather. R.M. Williams, not being cheap, only has a handful of factory second stores across Australia. Mostly at Direct Factory Outlets. The sizes, makes, and models are very random and you never know what will be there and you cannot do anything online. Jon was lucky because they had a Kangaroo model in his size which was a custom order that the custom never collected. With the strength of the US dollar compared to the Australian dollar, and being factor seconds, I was able to get Jon a great price on this otherwise very expensive boots. If people are interested in R.M. Williams from the USA, I would highly recommend working with www.nungar.com.au. Very good prices and decent shipping costs compared to other stores online. If you are in Australia, do not forget you can claim the GST at the airport, so even cheaper.
Oh man... I have 12 pair of RM Williams boots. Bought my first pair when I left school. They were my first purchase from my first months pay. Those boots sadly had a fault in the stitching. I am extremely fortunate to live in Toowoomba. I took them back to the shop at Carington Road (which is now an outlet store) and RM himself did the repair. I sat with him whilst he did it. Anyone seeing this from Toowoomba will know RM had a leather / saddlery workshop in the mezzanine of the shop. I got to know him over time and saw him regularly, particularly at the Hodgsonvale Polo Grounds during tournaments. You know, he used to go around on his quad bike and made sure he said hello and had a chat to every single person. He was a great man, lovely person, very sad the day he died. BTW RM Williams has a wonderful boot repair service as well. Cannot speak highly enough of the company... Currently I'm diving into their leather jackets.
KurJan&Urbano, I’m definitely a fan: I must have at least 10 pairs of RM Williams boots of various models at the moment. I’ve been wearing RM Williams boots for 20 years at least, probably much longer. Hard wearing, incredibly comfortable: expensive but definitely worth it. I also have RM Williams clothing and their excellent braided kangaroo leather belts. Like you I think very highly of the company and their products. Fortunately you can still buy it in the UK. And there are a few specialists out there in the UK who can repair the boots properly (a pair of mine have just been sent off to replace the elastic sides).
Kangaroo is an amazing leather! As you said it is able to be thin and very supple but rugged as hell. Had soccer cleats made of kangaroo back maybe 20 years ago and the uppers were still going as the entire bottoms disintegrated.
RM Williams and now Koio are both my favourite brands of shoes, had my RMs 7 years now and as long as you put conditioner on it its still looking brand new. The Koio's on the other are my daily wear, after one year of daily use im quite happy.
Probably the coolest boot you own honestly. For a really clean look you could wear just an unpatterned trouser in a length slightly shorter than you would normally wear, so it cuts off right above the ankle.
I got my signature craftsman half a year ago in a trip to Australia and boy they are wonderful. Beautiful red sole, the impeccable softness of the calf leather and the way it wrinkles is just top notch. Hopefully with growing awareness the quality doesn't slip as I hope to buy a few more in the near future.
I can assure you quality is still a high priority in the factory, especially is you're getting signatures. Each signature boot gets checked and signed off by each department team leader to make sure they're perfect.
I've been wearing RMs for thirty-five years and nothing else fits like them. You can wear them for hours and your feet don't feel tired. Its mostly because the upper is made out of one piece of leather; which means there's no rubbing of seems or irregular squeezing of the foot and they breathe and flex more evenly. And lastly; you'll get a lifetime garruntee, that they will resole, and repair them as long the uppers last. 👍👍👍👍
Probably the most popular all round RMW boot over hear in Australia is the craftsman. Got my first pair at age18 and now 60. All up about 10 pairs in that time and being a farmer I had 1 pair for dress and when they got a bit older they became a work boot. Always custom fit and made. Enjoy.
I have a pair, my wife has a pair, everyone in my family has a pair.... It’s basically a National right in Australia to have a pair of these. Even the military get issued a pair for their parade dress. They last very well and look fantastic. A word to potential purchasers though, the different sizing is well worth trying on, as they can be very different fitting to other shoes. Thanks for the video!
RM William are the signature boots for Australia. When you get to an age that you need a pair of leather shoes that can be worn every day with any outfit here in Australia we go for RMs. Hand crafted from the highest quality leather in the outbacks of Adelaide South Australia. They are so clean and comfortable to wear for any occasion. Considering it with a suit they will look perfect!!!! with a pair of jeans no problem, and off course some casual Chinos will do too. They also come in a flat heel as our friend Kavalier showed the high heel model I personally think if you want the most versatile model you have to go for the flat heel. Let me tell you the most amazing feature about these boots is having such a high quality leather that the entire sole can be replaced even the tugs and the elastic so lets say if you take good care of them with their own conditioner and polish they will easily last you 10 years. If you don't live in Australia I understand sometimes getting the right model and right fit can be difficult but we all know this company is not rushing their production or moving their manufacturing in china just to sell boots or repair your boots quicker. They take pride in their quality so with quality you need patience.
I've been wearing RM boots for twenty five years. I have a pair of brown Kangaroo boots. They are the best of the four pairs owned. It is the strongest and lightest leather available. There's a vast difference between Chelsea boots and RM's. RMs are made with one piece of leather, Chelsea two or more.
RM Williams are manufactured in my home city, Adelaide, where Mr. Williams founded the brand. A few days ago I ordered my fifth or sixth pair - been wearing them for nearly twenty years now. Here in Australia and especially in Adelaide, a large portion (if not most) men over 18 own a pair.
That’s absolute bullshit, hardly any men over 18 own a pair of these boots, I’d say at a guess, less than 5% of Australian men own a pair of these, what drugs are you on Having said that, I’ve had one pair & they’ve lasted 33 years but don’t say stupid things like that
You won’t be disappointed, it’s an Aussie icon, every Aussie man owns one pair, or has one pair passed on from his dad or grandpa. They are not cheap, but worth every dollar of it. As an Aussie, I am wearing them proudly. Most comfortable and durable boots in the world. Oz Oz Oz!
Made to order RM's are 10-12 week wait in Australia. So add shipping overseas and customs that would be quite a wait overseas. Kangaroo is a multi directional grain unlike cowhide which is one direction. Out of curiosity was that a trimly Chelsea boot tree your mate shipped with your boots? Surprised that as a tall guy you went with a Cuban heel rather than the flatter heel of a craftsman. You can get a round toe Macquarie if you have narrower feet. Which is sleek and long
It’s funny here in aus. There’s 2 different demographics these appeal to. Either the city guys who wear them business casual or out to the bar. Or the guys blokes out west who wear them for work. Personally I’m a country kid. We wore them for work on farms and out hush. They’re the best of two worlds that I haven’t seen anything other than basically combat boots mixing with streetwear do. RM is a must in anyones closet. It’s also great having Twiggy buy the brand back recently and have it 100% back in Australia
Maybe I was just lucky, but I received my Craftsman boots, in dark tan yearling leather, 13 days after ordering them online. They arrived beautifully presented in a premium box, and the boots are everything I hoped for and then some.
They look like Trimly Chelsea Boot Trees, they have a pdf on their website (Trimly) with a guide on how to remove them properly to avoid damaging the boots
Best shoes I ever owned were kangaroo lesther. Not rm Williams but another Australian brand, in kangaroo leather. It's s incredibly strong but also super supple and soft. Makes for an extremely long wearing and comfortable shoe.
I'm in Melbourne, Australia. Finally took the plunge on a pair of Kangaroo RMs in Tanbark a couple of years ago and I absolutely love them! My friend has a wedding coming up in April, so I took it as a good excuse to buy some Yearling leather black ones :D The Yearling is definitely stiffer at first, the kangaroo had zero break in for me, but they are starting to be super comfy after just a week. Great and versatile boots.
A friend has had a pair for years and they look like new. probably the best proportioned classic Chelsea boot on the market, these won't ever go out of style, no matter how fashions change. That's important when you're putting down 500 bucks for a boot. I'm getting a pair soon for myself !
I have two pairs (like every Australian)!! Love the single piece of leather where the upper moulds around your foot as you wear them. They do loosen up a bit as you use them. Would recommend a craftsman over the other more newer models
I love RM Williams. 3 pairs. My favorite is the comfort turnout. Least Favorite the comfort Adelaide and I want to sell it. I will stick with Men's boots in this company for me. Very sturdy and I have worn it every day in 2019 and just started rewearing it again last week.
My first pair of craftsman's lasted around 25 years, now one of my son's is a boot maker at RM's. Aussie mining magnate Twiggy Forest has bought RM Williams and is committed to keeping the legend going strong
Good review. I lived in Australia for 4 years in the mid 90's and recall chelsea boots being worn by lots of people. Also, Driza-bone was popular as well.
Interesting choice of the Cuban heel especially given your height. I have two pairs of this model but with the flat heel. Dynamic Flex Craftsman models in chestnut and black with the yearling leather. Wonderful boots, very comfortable and very stylish. Hope you enjoy these boots, but I do think they’re easier to get than you think. Other Australian brands with a similar boot model are Baxter’s of Goulburn, New South Wales and Wootten of Melbourne and Ballarat in Victoria. All independent boot makers making nice boots here in Australia. Best wishes.
James Albright it’s called a Cuban heel. Not very popular here in Australia since the 80’s, bit of an odd choice. Most people in Australia get the regular heel.
I live 20 minutes from a factory seconds store! Love living in south Australia! Also kangaroos are not an exotic animal haha...... Well I guess they're exotic to anyone outside of Australia. They're everywhere here!
500$ is nothing front of the R M Williams quality .. congratulations bro .. such a beautiful boots .. but it just need a slim trousers to complete the perfect look !..
Have you worn the Thursday cavalier for size comparison? I ended up going a half size down with the cavalier and I'm wondering if I should do the same with the R.M. Williams
Yes, that's exactly what I did, and it worked out great. The rep at R.M. told me to go with a half-size down and that the boot should fit me snugly because the leather will loosen with wear.
SO..they have plenty of stores around the world now....and actually their boot that is most famous is the Stockman not the Chelsea. I have a set and it’s amazing...worrth then money...They should last 30 years and when you get them resoled they go back to Australia to be done!!! Amazing shoes!!!
As someone who owns dozens of cow leather shoes, I'm a big hypocrite here... but I can't bring myself to buy shoes made from "exotic" animals. Those look good on you, although I'm not a fan of larger heels. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and your family! 💕
It’s more of a round toe box that comes together square at the tip, instead of a full square toe box. 6:30 shows this. The bump you mention gives you more comfort.
Eye Heart Sushi crockett and jones have similar models and they call it square on their webpage. Ive tried on a pair of RM Williams and yes, they were comfortable. But I’ve had some comfortable shoes without a bump too. My toe doesn’t go up there. I guess the look could grow on me, but id think youtubers would point out the obvious, but they never do. So I’m looking for alternatives. Yanko also has a bump. Apparently Paul Evans are all flash and junk so still looking. Didnt know it would be so hard.
Eye Heart Sushi as explained by the guy in the shop, RM Williams has a certain leather cut for square toe. When they round it, it gets a bump. So you have to like their style and thats it.
You can now buy RM Williams via bloomingdales.com. They only carry a few styles but as far as I know they're the only major department store in the U.S. that carries. On top of that, bloomingdales.com occasionally will have a 25% off promo
Hey bud love this channel. New subscriber here. Could you review the Grand Voyage Avedon white sneakers? Can't find any content about this shoe anywhere. Not sure if I should go with those, Koio, or Greats... Help please
Happy Holidays, Jon. Recently wandered into an RM Williams shop and was quite impressed. Would have purchased a pair except that as you know I just purchased two pair from Thursday Boots.
Hi, just a couple of points of clarity. The Chinchilla referenced isn’t the leather but the model range, they are made from cow leather so not an exotic (like the Roo). Secondly I’d point out that this is one if the least known models with the Cuban heal, so your viewers are aware, the classic and comfort craftsman with the chiselled toes are far more popular. The roo leather is amazing, I’ve three pairs and they’re like slippers!
Personally I like the side zip style Chelsea boots. You don't have to worry about the elastic side panels and I think they look cleaner. Just got a part of Herring Jude Chelsea's in (made by Cheaney) in. Great value at $300. O'Keeffe makes a side zip around the same price point.
I’m wearing rms my late father bought before I was born. They’re a Cuban heel but I couldn’t careless what people think. They are like walking wearing clouds on my feet. I don’t like the direction RM Williams has taken. They used to be known as the “bush outfitter”. Being a country man myself, I always liked their moleskin trousers and tough riding boot. Now they are going so far away from their roots that millions of Aussies like me are going else where because they have even started manufacturing overseas. It breaks my heart.
I’ve got a pair of those RM Williams boots with the cuban heel - really like them. Just sent them off to get the elastic sides replaced. I’ve got several pairs of their boots, and I’ve never found any others as comfortable or hardwearing. But I don’t think the comfort craftsman version was as good as the more traditional models. Maybe I was unlucky with that pair, idk.
Width sizing done incorrectly. The creases on side should not occur during first wear... a good way to check if you've selected the width correctly is to grip the middle of your foot and pinch in. If you're able to pinch or grab the leather in a fold then the boot is too wide. Similar to the check done with western boots.
Looks like honestly almost a full size in width too big. They should be quite snug with whatever socks you're going to wear with them, after 2-5 wears fit like a leather sock. Another indicator is less diagonal (or large zig zag) creasing on the top of the foot towards the tugs, and more horizontal creasing, that's when you know the boot fits perfectly.
Come on now. Be honest. You aren’t really wanting a heal that big. I’ve seen some of these RM Williams boots online and I haven’t seen the such an exaggerated heal on the yearling calf skin models.
