R.M. Williams Boots

[Luke Maddux]

I want a pair of elastic-sided boots, and I'm seriously considering a pair of R.M. Williams Gardeners. These seem rugged enough to wear as my wood shop shoe and for working outside, but casual enough to wear to the office or to all but the nicest public places. Basically I'd like it to be my go to closed-toe shoe for pretty much everything. I'm not talking job interviews or weddings... Unless it was my wedding of course.

Anyway, model aside, I just thought I would ask the forumites what their take was on R.M. Williams elastic-sided boots in general. If you have first hand experience with the Gardeners, all the better.

On the same note... There seems to be a bit of "rah rah" about these versus Blundstones (sp?). To me, it seems like the argument against RMWs seems like a textbook case of "Those guys are wankers cause they paid $[insert numer] for [insert item]!" and not really founded in any kind of practical, observable reasoning, but by all means give me some input on that as well.

Thanks in advance,
Luke

[issatree]

Hi Luke,
When at work I could never wear Blundestones or Jenkins, but I found that
" Oliver " had 3 sizes of the Steel Toe Cap, but nobody believed that, but it was true.
They were very comfortable.
Unfortunately that was over 25 years ago, but they still make them, as I have seem them at our local Sun. Market.

[BobL]

I have had several pairs of RMW boots over the years ago and agree they are comfy but I prefer to wear steel caps around the workplace. I've lost count how many time I reckon they have saved my feet. Last year a jockey wheel on a horse float I was fitting to a vehicle collapsed and the hitch landed on my right foot. Then at the mens shed the blokes were pushing around a 1.3 ton electric pallet lifter with flat batteries and they ran it up onto my boots. Even then my feet turned purple/green/yellow after a few days indicating significant internal things happening. Even last week a HD 12" welding clamp rattle off a bench and landed on my left foot.

I have flat feet so have orthotics fitted to 3 pairs of footwear. A pair of joggers that I sometimes walk the dogs in, a pair of loafers that are supposed to be my good shoes but basically live in my boots and often go out with them after a bit of a clean and polish. Have to admit though I'm far from what one might call stylish :)

[China]

I have been buying RM's for twenty years and in my opinion they are the best well made boots on the market they are also the most expensive they are well worth the extra extra expense

[burraboy]

Don't like leather soles in the workshop and steel caps are a must!

[twosheds]

Hi Luke

Have you looked at Mongrel boots? To date they are the most comfortable elastic sided work boot I have worn, including RMW's and other well known brands. I don't wear the steel cap version though. I very rarely wear shoes anymore, it's either Mongrel boots or thongs. On the grain farm where I have been working everybody wears them, including some dyed in the wool RMW converts.

Don't get me wrong, RMW make a good boot but I think you are paying a lot extra for the RMW name whereas the Mongrels are very good value for money. And they are made in Australia to boot.

Regards
Twosheds

PS I slapped a bit of brown shoe polish on my Mongrels and wore them to my last job interview. Must have been OK cause I got the job.

[shedbound]

Have a look at the Tredlite range, best boots I have worn, and I reckon I have most brands.

[Luke Maddux]

Thanks for the info, folks. I will definitely look into the suggestions!

[Poppa]

I have a pair of RMs that are worn out. Would love to buy another pair but I just that I can't justify the expense when I would rarely wear them these days. For around the workshop I wear Blunnies mostly, but I also have a pair of redbacks that are good as well. I'd never wear RMs in the workshop because I'm pretty hard on boots and I would hate to ruin RMs with hard use at the price they are. I find Blunnies endlessly comfortable and I pretty much live in them on weekends.

[gordo 350]

I'll second the vote for mongrel boots. Had them for a couple of years now and can't say anything bad about them. Aussie made (unlike blundstones) and comfortable. Don't think I'd go dancing in them tho. That's what my RM's are for. :)

[elanjacobs]

Have a look at Steel Blue as well, not cheap but super comfortable.

[Chris Parks]

Have a look at Steel Blue as well, not cheap but super comfortable.

Yes, I second this. I used to walk about 10km a shift on concrete floors and the Steel Blues were the most comfortable I found. I worked in and around materials handling, fork lifts, pallet jacks etc for 25 years wearing steel caps and never used the protection once, not even close.

[Tonyz]

Best boot for me is South Australian company, south Australian made. Rossi Boots quality without RM price

[Redbog]

Vote #3 for Mongrel boots, super comfortable, generous steel toes, and have lace adjustment with side zip up, ( quite durable), so you get the support of laces, with the convenience of quick zip.

Not so flash for the RMW's for social wear though.

Cheers,
Harry

[bsrlee]

I find I can't wear R.M.. Williams boots due to the last being the wrong shape for my feet - or any other elastic sided boots that use the 'Light Horse' last - basically 19th Century riding boots - one giveaway on a lot of boots is if they have a triangular piece sewn in at the top/front of the opening - the 'Light Horse' style shoes have it & the more modern work boots don't. Takes 10-15 minutes and I am getting pins & needles in the toes due to no circulation.

[Poppa]

I have exactly that problem with every new pair of boots that I buy. Too tight at the top of my foot, gives me pins and needles and makes my foot go numb. But I find that if I wear them in they are then perfect for the life of the boot. My RMs had that problem but once worn in are supremely comfortable, and Blunnies are the same for me. Takes about a 7-10 days of solid wear to overcome the problem, and then I get years of comfortable wear from boots.

[hiroller]

You can take your RM Williams back to any store that sells them for repair.
They will replace any part except the leather uppers.
I've had a couple of pairs resoled.
Much cheaper than a new pair and while expensive initially, the price works out well for 15 years of daily wear.

[Bushmiller]

Luke

The first issue is to decide exactly what you want your boots for: Work or leisure?

I don't really think the two are compatible, at least not if you subject your work boots to a normal workload.

You are talking nearly $400 for the Gardeners. I think you could buy an excellent pair of work boots (with or without a steel toecap) for around $160 (Oliver for example, but by no means the only brand) and with the remaining money you can purchase a pair of dress style leather boots that will be similar, but not exactly the same, as the RM Williams boots. They will also be more like the RM dress boots and better suited to social occasions.

Now before I am accused of anti-RM prejudice, let me explain that I bought my first pair of RM dress boots about thirty years ago. They were the best boots I have ever owned, comfortable from the moment I slipped my feet into them and, in my opinion they looked good too. I got the flow on to make me look smart and I always reckoned I needed all the help I could get.

But I made the mistake of wearing them to the sale yards and they didn't like the mix of manure and ammonia. After about three years the uppers cracked and fell apart. I was already on the second sole: Not a fault of the RMs, but me.

I had been so pleased with those boots, I immediately went out and bought a new pair. Unfortunately they were not half the quality of the first pair. Something had happened in the interim.

I vowed I would never again pay that money for another pair and I am somebody who really likes the RM brand of clothing. Currently I have some dress stock boots made by a small independent manufacturer based in Tamworth and my work boots are Steel Blue (plastic toe cap that is stronger than steel and doesn't stay squashed in the event of a crushing impact), but I am going to go back to Olivers. I have had them in the past and their longevity factor seems superior to the Steel Blues (I am on my third pair).

I hope this helps you and doesn't confuse further.

Regards
Paul

[Luke Maddux]

Well thanks a lot to everyone. I certainly appreciate all of the feedback.

I use Olivers for work (Rigsite Geologist), so I basically get free dedicated work boots. They're great. I wear them 8 hours a day every day in the lab, and 12 hours daily when I'm in the field.

But I'm looking for something else. I want the RMs as a dress casual shoe that I can slap a bit of polish onto and wear out to dinner or just around town, but I'd also like to be able to wear them around a campfire, around the workshop, and maybe for a day of chopping wood.

To clarify, I do NOT have the intention of using them as a dedicated work boot, nor do I ever plan to use them as a "muck" boot or to deliberately wear them in a muddy setting. I guess I kind of want to treat them like I do a pair of trainers/tennis shoes (minus the athletic pursuits).

Does that help?

Again, thanks a lot, fellas.

Luke

[hiroller]

Hi Luke,

For smart casual, RMW is a good investment.
If you look after them they will last you years.
Bushmiller gives good advice. Leather and wet aren't a good combination.
He is also right about new ones not being as comfortable as old ones.
However, I believe that is because you want to buy them on the tight side, as they will stretch to you foot. After a while they are amazing. Trying on a new tight fitting shoe after wearing a worn in pair never feels as good. I have owned a few pairs and have been through this every time.
I think the the Craftsman is a better shoe than the Gardener for smart casual.
You can get one with a synthetic sole which avoids the wet issue.

[yvan]

Bushmiller

What is the name of your Tamworth bootmaker?

Yvan

[Bushmiller]

Bushmiller

What is the name of your Tamworth bootmaker?

Yvan

Yvan

The label on the boots says Booteroo, but I can't find a link on the web other than an ugg boot maker. The shop was a family owned business, RM Williams style, that had gone into having boots made for them.

As I don't get down to NSW very often I can't tell you much more than that at this moment.

Regards
Paul