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Everything You Need To Know About R.M. Williams Boots

Everything You Need To Know About R.M. Williams Boots

The story of R.M. Williams begins in Adelaide, Australia, in 1932. Reginald Murray Williams originally handcrafted boots using a single strip of leather in his father’s shed. Today, the empire of R.M. Williams is grand and spans 65 stores in Australia and over 900 stockists worldwide. Famous for their boots, we will guide you through frequently asked questions about the footwear, from famous wearers to sizing and even how to style them.

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Spanning from rich chestnut colours to mocha shades, R.M. Williams boots have an extensive range of brown shoes. The beauty of R.M. Williams boots is the ease with which they can be paired with a selection of everyday looks, and the earthy tones of the brown boots collection help elevate every single outfit you wear.

How to style R.M. Williams boots

The way you style your R.M. Williams boots depends entirely on your individual style. With that being said, there are a few aesthetics you can pair your R.M. Williams boots with for maximum effect.

  1. Smart casual: Pair your boots with some smart trousers and a shirt to create a look that can be used for your finer weekend attire or as a wardrobe staple for work days.
  2. Casual: Even though R.M. Williams boots have a stylish and more formal look, they can still be dressed down for off-duty days. Why not pair them with jeans, a jumper or even a relaxed shirt and gilet combination?
  3. Play with colour: The warm and rich hues of R.M. Williams boots make them versatile shoes that can be paired with a wide variety of tones. Experiment with tonal variations with coloured chinos, jeans, or dark trousers – the options are endless.
A man in R M Williams boots jumping down into a grassy area by the sea

Are R.M. Williams boots worth it?

To understand whether R.M. Williams boots are the investment piece you need to add to your wardrobe, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the boots. Check out the list below to weigh up your options:

Pros of R.M. Williams boots Cons of R.M. Williams boots
Supreme craftsmanship: Handcrafted in Adelaide by a team of experienced craftspeople, each pair of boots is put together with exceptional attention to detail. Square-toed: The construction of R.M. Williams boots includes square-toed finishes. This gives a boxy feel to the shoe. If you prefer a more rounded silhouette, this should be a consideration point.
Durability: Known to last, R.M. Williams boots are designed to withstand multiple wears throughout the week, and the brand is known for staying in wardrobe rotations for a lifetime. Price point: R.M. Williams boots are a more considered purchase due to the high-quality materials used and the level of craftsmanship placed into the creation. If you are looking for a cheaper option, this may not be the brand for you.
Weatherproof: The construction process of a pair of R.M. Williams boots includes one single seam, making it difficult for water to break through. Featuring oiled and greasy kip uppers, the brand has gained a reputation as delivering some of the most water-resistant boots on the market. Dust: Some online reviews state that the boots collect dust and require cleaning. This is subject to environment, usage and quality of care.
Reliable sizing: In terms of sizing, R.M. Williams boots are true to size and easy to find a suitable fit.
Easy to wear: The versatile styling of the shoes makes them a wardrobe staple that can be paired with almost any aesthetic.

Why does everyone wear R.M. Williams boots?

There are many reasons as to why R.M. Williams has grown in popularity over the years. It was reported back in 2019 that the brand was planning to double its production to 500,000 pairs per year by 2023. The brand claimed this was due to a rise in popularity from a younger demographic and a cultural shift towards slow fashion designed to last. The durability of R.M. Williams and the reputation of the brand using high-quality materials has sparked an interest with wider audiences. The brand also has many famous advocates, which we will discuss further in our next section.

What famous people wear R.M. Williams boots?

There are many famous people who wear R.M. Williams boots, including:

  • Hugh Jackman (he was previously a part-owner of the brand)
  • Glenn McGrath
  • Niall Horan
  • Daniel Craig
  • Cillian Murphy
  • Joe Ottaway
  • Lady Gaga (the brand made a custom pair of pink boots for the singer)
  • Every US president (the brand creates a pair of boots titled ‘The President Boot’ for each new US president)
Below the knees shot of someone in green trousers and black R M Williams boots

R.M. Williams Boots Care Tips

Understanding your R.M. Williams boots and how to care for them is an important consideration to ensure they last, which is why we have collated some care tips for the shoes for you to consult.

How long do R.M. Williams boots last?

The longevity of R.M. Williams boots depends on a range of factors, including usage, the terrain you wear the boots on and how well you care for them. On average, the brand believes the rubber soles have a wear rate of 18-24 months based on three to four wears per week; for leather soles worn for the same period of time, the wear rate is around 9-12 months.

Generally, the shoes are built to last and the general lifespan of a pair of shoes from R.M. Williams sits between 5-15 years.

How to care for R.M. Williams boots

General tips on how to care for R.M. Williams boots are as follows:

  1. Remove with care:

Utilise the tugs on the boots to remove them from your feet; don’t use one foot to pull the boot off of the other foot, as this can damage the leather and structure.

  1. Let them breathe:

Allow your boots to air out for a few days after a few wears to ensure the fine leather has recovery time from the natural perspiration of your feet.

  1. Address any dirt stains whilst still wet:

Use a damp cloth to remove any mud or dirt from your shoes, and then wait until they are dry before cleaning or polishing them.

  1. Store with a shoe tree:

To ensure the structure of your boots stays strong, make sure to keep them in a dry place with a shoe tree inserted.

  1. Maintenance levels:

The level of care you need to take when cleaning your boots depends on how frequently you wear them. Cleaning and conditioning your boots using specific cleaning products should occur in the following time frames:

  • Casual or light wear: every three months
  • Office wear: every 2 months
  • Outdoor or heavy wear: once a month

Are R.M. Williams boots waterproof?

The level of water resistance depends on the specific style of shoe you have and the level of rainfall. Suede styles can withstand light rainfall, but we recommend using a suede protector to ensure the shoes stay in great condition.

The construction of R.M. Williams boots uses a single seam, meaning it is more difficult for water to enter the shoes.

Below the knees shot of someone in jeans and brown R M Williams boots standing on a pebble beach

R.M. Williams boots sizing

To get the most out of your R.M. Williams boots, it is important to understand what they feel like in terms of sizing. In this next section, we will give you all the information you need to know about R.M. Williams boots and if they are true to size, ways to loosen the fit and if they are comfortable.

R.M. Williams size chart

Below you will find an International size chart for R.M. Williams boots.

R.M. Williams Size Men’s USA Size UK Size European Size Ladies USA Size Ladies Australia Size
2 3 2 34.5 4 5
2.5 3.5 2.5 35 4.5 5.5
3 4 3 35.5 5 6
3.5 4.5 3.5 36 5.5 6.5
4 5 4 37 6 7
4.5 5.5 4.5 37.5 6.5 7.5
5 6 5 38 7 8
5.5 6.5 5.5 38.5 7.5 8.5
6 7 6 39.5 8 9
6.5 7.5 6.5 40 8.5 9.5
7 8 7 40.5 9 10
7.5 8.5 7.5 41.5 9.5 10.5
8 9 8 42 10 11
8.5 9.5 8.5 42.5 10.5 11.5
9 10 9 43 11 12
9.5 10.5 9.5 44 11.5 12.5
10 11 10 44.5 12 13
10.5 11.5 10.5 45 12.5 13.5
11 12 11 45.5 13 14
12 13 12 47 14 15
13 14 13 48.5 15 16

Are R.M. Williams boots true to size?

Yes, R.M. Williams boots are generally true to size, but some styles can run marginally large. It is worth checking your foot measurements against the size chart and the specific style of shoe you are looking to purchase. If you are sceptical about the size of your boots, we recommend opting for your usual size or a size below, as R.M. Williams boots can run slightly large.

Do R.M. Williams boots loosen up?

Yes, over time, your R.M. Williams boots will loosen and mould to the shape of your foot. Don’t worry; the leather of the uppers won’t stretch, but they will ease slightly and conform to the natural shape of your foot with more wear. Don’t purchase a tighter pair of boots with the expectation they will loosen; you should choose a pair that is a correct fit from the start.

Are R.M. Williams boots comfortable?

R.M. Williams boots are known for their comfort, with many reviews stating they can wear the shoes all day long without any signs of discomfort. If you are searching for a style of boot with comfort in mind, we recommend looking into the Comfort Craftsman Boot, which has a range of features designed to enhance comfort, including padded heel lining, comfort rubber sole and elastic sides.

Explore the full range of R.M. Williams boots at Brocklehursts today

At Brocklehursts, we have a wide range of R.M. Williams clothing and footwear available for you to add to your wardrobe. From classic boots that the Australian brand is known and loved for to wardrobe essentials built to last – you will find comfortable and stylish pieces you won’t be able to resist. Whether you are looking to build out a capsule wardrobe, or are longing for a slice of Australian apparel you’ll be proud to wear time and time again – we have it at Brocklehursts.

Shop R.M. Williams

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