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The one you bought before was the Yearling Leather version, RMW has some lower quality stuff like the one in the video, but they still make great leather products if you know what to look for. Their Kangaroo Leather range for example are really great.
35 years ago, i was mustering cattle out Mt Isa way... i was caught in a fire and badly burnt my legs, my jeans and boots burnt away except that the leather soles didnt. This protected the bottoms of my feet (only bit of my legs that didnt end up bbq'd). This meant i could learn to walk again properly... so a big thumbs up to old school RMs.
the new ones have the leather sole aswell the youtuber just didnt get the one with a leather sole even though theyre the same price he bought the comfort one, where they still sell the regular craftsman on the rm williams site
Like most quality goods, and brand names from the past, when they are purchased by a group, solely motivated by profit, at the expense of quality, you are bound to buy expensive crap. Remember, you can't make a silk purse, out of a sows ear. Australian translation: You can't make strawberry jam, out of pig shit!
Used to work as a cobbler repairing these, they've been in decline for 10 years getting worse and worse, the leather doesn't hold up doing any sort of work outside of needing to look nice (no matter the boot), I know people who bought a pair 30 years ago who've abused the crap out of them for that long and new ones maybe lasting a few months. Love from Australia and keep up the good work
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I have one pair (albeit in suede) that are near 40 years old and still going strong, but only worn occasionally. My dailys," Craftsmen" in black wear out in ever shortening periods. The leather cracks and splits in just a few years.....and I look after them
The Craftsmen is a dress boot, the Gardner is a work boot. I have a pair of Gardner’s that I got 3 years ago, given them a pretty rough go and they’re still holding up.
Just like Blundstone, I used to buy them up until the manufacturing left Tasmania, after that they just shite, the soles wear out a lot quicker, the sole separation on the sides, inersole material lasts only weeks, they are just a shit boot relying on past quality that dose not exist anymore, but the purchase price has continued to be in the premium range. I was that disappointed in my last pair, I emailed the company voicing my disappointment in a gentlemanly way, but was sent a reply basically telling me to tell someone who cares! Not even a acknowledgment that they would look into it. I switched to Rossi Endura, vastly superior boot 3 years of hard abuse and they still look like lasting for a while longer yet at least. I take care of my boots with regular cleaning and application of conditioner and dubbin, Not sure where the Rossi’s were made, but I’ll never buy another pair of Blundstone imposters again, I used to really like like them once, an Australian icon that’s become a shadow of its former reputation. Rossi make a boot similar to the RM Williams, off memory they are called the Kidman, if I want a flash pair of riding boots, that’s where my cash will be going.
Paid $600 thinking they would last 10+ years because I'm a heavy user, walking at least 10k steps everyday. My RMs starting cracking and holes appeared in the toe box. These were unfixable and after a total lifetime of only 18 months, I had to throw them out! Granted, I did do the Spit to Manly walk in them which in hindsight was not a good idea. But still, I was expecting the utmost quality for $600. Waste of money. I will never buy RM Williams ever again. I liked the design and leather feel, quick to put on and works with any clothes. After recovering my losses, I will invest in a much better boot. Just haven't found one yet.
I bought my first pair of RM's in 1979 to actually use on a cattle station. Great boots. Comfortable but tough as nails. Fast forward to 2012 and I bought another two pairs. I could tell even then they weren't the same boots. Nothing like the original quality. I wouldn't waste my money on them today.
As an older Aussie (70) and an owner of RM’s since I was a kid (still own 3 pairs between 25-15 yrs old, all in good condition) I’m glad you’re calling this out because it’s a grab for cash based on a superb brand reputation, rather than living up to or enhancing the brand by sticking with quality. I hope Hugh Jackman and other brand management pick up on this quickly, as nothing tanks a brand more than false value.
He is just comparing two different type of soles and leathers. Not fair comparisons,I have mine for 3 years now worn almost every day,took them to Europe last year also waking up to 20 km a day,this sole that he cut off has sneaker like comfort
As an Australian, no hurt feelings here! I’ve always thought that RM Williams boots are for politicians and business wankers who want to cosplay as people who work with their hands.
I agree with the comments from my fellow Australians However, I am also guilty as charged 😳- been wearing RMs since I was 21 (sadly 42 years ago), especially during my younger, inner city more misspent days. I have 4 pairs ATM, thou only two are on active duty.
They cut corners because their owner demand ever-growing profit margins and when the CEO says it’s not possible without sacrificing quality, they replace him with someone who thinks he can.
RM Williams WAS an Aussie Icon. One of those companies that rose on the support of working class Australia over a century and turned around and effed them over. I and many like me would not purchase RM Williams products through principle and perhaps even spite, alone.
Thanks for the honest review. My Uncle was best mates with RM himself. They would both turn in their graves at seeing this. I have two pairs of craftsman. One would be 40yrs old and the other maybe 20yrs. I have worn out the original ones (but still have them beause they are iconic) and keep them cleaned & polished. The newer ones are still good. They are both the most comfortable boot to wear IMHO. Based on your review, I would not buy another pair - such a shame for a lifelong supporter of RM Williams :(
Never met the man, but I've read RM didn't have the sweetest disposition. I'd still have my dad's RMW's, 30 years old now, but I have broad foot and their style is for a narrow one. Like Italian shoes.
R.M. Williams: _The essential wear for when a PM visits a country town, indigenous outpost or wants to put out the feels that he is an "everyday blue collar bloke"_
were as if they really wanted to look like the average real rural worker they would be wearing Mongrel boots, Bisley Industrial fluro shirt and pants and some corporate branded boonie hat with a neck flap... working main roads in IT they used to kit us up with this sort of stuff for regional visits ... farkinhell did we get sh*t for coming in off the plane in all fresh and clean out of the bag kit while their kit was so red dirt and battered like they had just come off set from Mad Max Fury Road
My dad owned a pair of this he bought in early 2000-ish and now after he passed away, I wear them after a resole and goring repair. The past version is very comfortable and built like a tank.
Was saving up to spend as a self gift for my 40th with what would have been my first ever pair of RM. Devastated! Thanks again for sharing and enlightening me. I get all the rarara on labour costs, etc. in aus but being australian myself as a customer I feel very cheated and also heartbroken as I root for local brand to wear.. Going to save my $$ for something better
Aussie here. I started wearing RMs when I was at an agricultural high school in the 1960s. They were a great boot in those days. By the early 2000s I actually noticed that the leather was getting thinner and it would craze and crack in the toe flex area. I persisted for a bit but I and my family stopped buying about 20 years ago. We haven't gone back - I think the rot set in long before the private equity cockroaches got involved. It became a vanity product with a gouge price.
I only started wearing them 20 years ago, buying several pairs along the way and they've been amazing. Bought a new colour just a couple of months ago actually. Couldn't say enough great things about them and the quality.
@@ThePoliceDonut or just buy the Craftsman line, which he gave a good review years ago. Mind you, this line of boots uses solid leather throughout and can be slippery. The Comfort Craftsman line was created to address the weather and wearability, but you can't make everyone happy.
@@Hitman-ds1ei If you watched at least 2 minutes of this video before jumping to the comments section, you'd have learned and confirmed that it was the case, after being owned by LV, which set their first nail for their decline.
Not really Louis Vuitton fault, they have spent like 1/2 a million after the old owners refused to address health and safety issues at the salisbury factory and a few people got injuried and one nearly died. most people interstate are out of the loop about the shit that went down at the factory.
@@Hitman-ds1ei Tattarang took ownership in 2020 I never liked their boots and were over priced the factory was always going broke always in the news here in Adelaide
As an Australian boot aficionado, of course this means war No I've been thinking for YEARS that Australia needs more options for welted footwear. But 'boots' and 'RM Williams' are interchangeable terms in Australia, the task would first be to convince people that non-RM Williams boots exist and to teach them why Goodyear welts are cool. It's on my list for world domination, convincing my homeland to buy other boot brands!
Goodyear welts are like alien technology here. I bought a pair of cheap Thorogood work boots and people compliment me on them like they're luxury. Good quality lace ups just don't exist locally.
Perhaps to boot aficionados, RM and boots are interchangeable. But the only people I've seen wearing them are doctors and politicians. I live in the outback. No one wears them. Even for dress events. They're essentially dress shoes for wealthy city people.
Yeah agree with all the above comments. It's just such a shame for those who want to get into the shoe / boot world in Aus. I have mates that would ask me for recommendations, I used to say RM is good for Aussie made product, but now I probably need to direct them to the likes of Bridlen, CNES for the cost concious, or TLB for the mid level spenders, or the indos/Chinese for the handwelting nerds. Sigh. Doesn't affect me knowing that RM is shit now because I don't buy them, but it is a blow.
As an Aussie, used to have two pairs of RM. Now just one. Felt the quality going down, their repair quality also poor; damaged my boots. So, I Got two pairs of Grant Stone and a Red Wing Iron ranger - quality is way better than RM.
I was at the RW Williams website tonight and even created an account, ready to try a pair when I decided to RUclips the brand. I'm glad I found your video cause there's no way I'm spending $600 of MY hard earned dollars on cheap quality boots. I have a pair of Whites Stockman boots and a pair of Nicks Outlanders. I know what goes into a quality boot and the RM Williams boot shown here is worth about $200 dollars max. Thanks for saving me a lot of aggravation.
There is a family owned company in Victoria called Wootten boots. Absolutely unreal boots and lovely people who run it! Their Jack Gusset boot is stunning
I bought the comfort craftsman yearling leather in 2017, (can only imagine it's worse now), the boots are great and comfortable, however, I needed the rubber heels replaced as they had worn out. Took it to their flagship store, 'we send it to our Adelaide factory' blah blah blah. A few weeks later I pick them up and they have dripped boot glue on the elastic. I told them they need to replace the elastic, they said it won't match as the elastics on the opposite side and pair are faded. I said, 'so you will need to replace all of them, it's not my fault there is glue on it'. Long story short another two weeks later, i get the boots back. Wear them for a day, i feel pain in my heel, like i've stepped on glass. Not sure what it was, once I got home, i took my boots off and i see blood inside the shoe, cut open sock and cut in my foot. I check the inside of the boot, theres no glass, I run my along the sole, and the nails from the new heel block had come through the sole!!! Needless to say I wasn't happy. I sent them an email, spoke to their production manager, who, to his credit said it wasn't acceptable and told me to pick a replacement pair from a store at no cost and to take that current paid to a cobbler to get fixed.
My experience recently has been that the staff who have been in the factory for a very long time are deeply embarrassed by what is happening. Many are just bidding their time to retirement is my understanding. These days it appears they are DEI hiring!
@@kurjan1 I had a trial run working in the distribution and online despatch out at Salisbury; I didn't see diversity hires but I did see disability hires (was nearly one myself due to dialysis at the time, but die to dialysis the hours didn't work). Not many oldies though, so maybe they got let go for cheaper labour.
@@ShoeysAdventures our cars are some of the best in the market even today? why do you think you still see 1990 falcons and commodores on the road everyday 35 years after coming off the production line?!?! Because they were built to last.
Back in the day Aboriginals were the back bone of beef industry.. the Aboriginal stockman would have been the biggest part of RMs business. Hawker vans would do runs out the the cattle stations and sell all RMs products to all the stockman. I often poke my nose in Rm stores and walk strait out.. prices are rediculous and the staff look down there noses at you as though you shouldnt be there.. its disgusting to think they built an empire from the old stockman but if a stockman was to walk into there shop today they would want security to search them
as a country boy who now works city office I find the city RM stores all a bit cringe but at least my local one no longer has all the fake stone walls and shop prop cooper barrels for display stands
@@Jonathan-d8d7i I left school at year 7 started working on cattle stations and droving cattle accross Australia.. adjectives and nouns were not considered
100% agree. They have terrible in store service, not just for “stockman” but also city mice like me… they simply direct you to buy online so they can stand about doing stuff-all.
I’m Aussie it’s all good 👍 appreciate the honesty in your review! Very sad to see a much loved icon disappearing for the sake of corporate greed n profits! Thanks mate take care god bless!
I have bought three pairs of RMs from charity stores over the years for a combined price of $18 (AU). I guess i managed to pay a lot less and get the better quality (older) ones at the same time! All three are still amazing.
I’ve worn RMs nearly every day for 20 years. The last pair I bought was about 2016 and they’ve held up remarkably well. Which I’d expect for the $600 price tag. Mine have the “oil proof sole” which is synthetic and amazingly it has stayed intact despite being in rain, hot concrete, dust, sand, mud etc. The elastic is still tight and stitching is excellent. Having watched this review, I think I might’ve got a pre-2014 model. I think I’ll try Rossi boots next and see if Gina has instilled god craftsmanship and quality materials to that company.
I’ve been wearing RMs for 40 years. So I’m more than qualified to comment. I’m sorry to say the quality has fallen off. The stitching used to be sublime. My last pair (and probably my ‘last pair’) have really average stitching and looks like a first week apprenticeship job. The quality of workmanship is just not there with imperfect joins that suggest a cobbler at work that just did not give a crap that day. Finally, the leather suede is so thin and I know it won’t last the distance. Certainly NOT a boot that should cost the $700 I paid for it. I do regret dropping the price in the shop that day of purchase - should have walked out to look elsewhere as the lack of quality bugs me every day I wear them. I now use them to ride my motorbike as I just don’t care for them anymore. Sad, another iconic Australian brand going down the toilet for the sake of short term profits and thinking.
I’m now 70 and bought RMW boots from when I was 16, the last I bought was about 15yrs ago, when I changed to Ariat due to price and have found Ariat a far better boot at a cheaper price. RMW is nothing like it use to be and never will be again
100% agree - Rossi boots in the 1990’s were stuck in a timewarp from decades earlier, and though they weren’t the trendiest looking, they were by far the most comfortable and durable.
Just to clarify that the price of RM William boots here in Australia is $649 AUD which equates to about $425 USD. - not sure if they’re jacking up the price for US hence why you’re referencing $589 in the video? 7:31
@@jannis8133 He's not disputing that. He is rightly pointing out that, in Australia the boots don't cost nearly so much. Check out the pricing on their website - AUD$649 for the Comfort Craftsman. The American pricing is quite out of whack. But still an interesting video. And i'd agree the boots are surely still overpriced in Oz.
I bought a pair of their 'Gardener' boots from their Bond Street store in London UK about a year ago, I had only worn them once, and the second time of wearing them the heel fell off of one of the boots! on closer inspection I found the heels were only glued on, no nails at all, I took them back to the store for a refund and was told they must have missed out on the nails in the construction process and they had never seen this before.
My RM Williams Craftsman boots are 25 years old, my daughter’s black craftsman boots are 18 years old. We have show horses & our riding boots are regularly worn as riding boots & as dress boots, they are beautifully made boots.
RM Williams black elastic sided boots have been the standard issue parade ground boot in the Aussie Army for several years. Aussie retail price for RM boots is now $700 pair.
For those who aren't in Aus, I can't overstate how ubiquitous these are. I work in the Melbourne CBD and basically every single person you see in office outfits on a week day is wearing RM boots. It's such a shame the quality has dropped off, the original boots were considered incredible value and they were cheaper back then as well as being better. I never got around to buying a pair and I guess I won't now. I'm hoping this gradually opens the door to smaller local brands taking more of the market. Last year I got a pair of custom ordered Gordon Classic Boots from Wootten for $820 AUD and they are spectacular, would be great if they got a video on this channel. They recently closed their Melbourne outlet though which is super unfortunate.
I got fitted at the Melbourne storefront right before they closed. It was a great experience, but Ballarat's not that big a trip. Totally agree that Wes should get a pair.
Bought my rms in 2016 and wore them nearly every day for the first three years. I wear them often still and the leather is perfect and the sole is still going. Strong. Couldn't say the same for my Thursdays boots and shoes I own. I think the black leather version is better quality
I would also like a see a pair of Baxter's cut in half. Got an old Made in Australia pair which I love. I don't think they're made here anymore, but still Aussie owned and offers a much cheaper alternative to RMs ($350 aud instead of $699 lol), also looks very comparably built.
Have had my eye on a pair of Wootens for a while now but was struggling to justify the price however after seeing this might need to think again, would be happy to pay a bit extra for a longer lasting product.
This is the video alot of Aussies and cobblers here have been waiting for. We hoped after 'Twiggy' brought it back into Australian hands the quality would have come back. A lot of posts on Reddit over the years from fans, disappointed customers and cobblers have all pointed to this decline in quality. But nothing comprehensively embarrassing like this. Hopefully this video goes viral & gets Tattarang's attention. I only say this as a disappointed Aussie and a fan of RM Williams, whilst I slide on my Chocolate Suede Craftsman 🇦🇺
I don't think this video is remotely comprehensive though? Comparing a Classic to a Comfort and being surprised by the amount of leather used? Comparing aniline thickness to full grain yearling? It's apples and oranges despite a likely decline. Needs to compare a 2024 classic yearling boot with the 2020 pair he has. Comforts have padded insoles for a reason and the rubber soles are far better than leather in my experience.
@@japesssit doesn't matter what boots he compares. These are $600USD/$650 AUD boots. The comfort craftsmen and classic are the same price. And for that money, 1.3mm uppers is not acceptable. Not even Thursdays uppers are that thin. I have had both rubber and leather soles. I prefer the leather soles. More breathable and supportive, they just not that durable. I would also like to add this video has gotten a lot of attention, with heaps of references on social media, and the odd media outlet article on it.
When I was a kid (long time ago), RM Williams were made to last forever. They actually offered a lifetime warranty on everything but the sole. I remember in the 80's my dad took back a 30 year old pair he had issues with and RM Williams replaced them for nothing.
This is a very interesting take. I have whites, nicks, Aldens, Crockett & Jones, Vibergs. I love them all very dearly and some of these, for sure are considered tanks/well made. However, absolutely none of them can compete with my RM Williams Comfort Craftman boots when it comes to comfort/easy to wear. I can wear them all day at a time without feet soreness. I do want to see how long it actually lasts, along with re-sole-ability.
@@JH-wn1ko you can get them relasted at the factory, which was a relief considering I don’t expect the foam insole to last as long as leather. They’re overpriced (so are the leather ones), but they last a long time still.
@@childofthe60s100 not sure why my response to you got deleted. However - just to reiterate. It’s not about bragging about who got more expensive shoes. Bc I could care less about that. We all know that this community thrives on wanting the best made shoes/boots and it comes with a price tag. I’ve worked on this collection over a decade and I admit that it has become an addiction/obsession. I was just making a point that these boots are just very easy to wear and the comfort has been amazing even though when comparing materials used, they are absolutely lacking and yes, it is overpriced. If anything, let me make an assumption as well - it seems to me that it’s you that’s overloaded with time, like to attack everyone’s comments due to your own insecurities and have nothing better to do with it? Lastly - Rose Anvil’s content is great at sharing knowledge and I appreciate what he does. But here you are, having a problem with everyone’s comments. Here’s a lesson for you…If you have a problem with everyone…maybe it’s you that’s the problem 😉 perspectives…
There have been three occasions when I went in to an RM Williams shop to buy a pair of boots. One the service was so bad I went down the road and bought a pair of Italian boots, which I still have after 20 years. The second they were so obviously ignorant about the product and range and living on the reputation. I showed a bootmaker in Hoi An in Vietnam a picture of the pair I was after and they made them for me. The third time I was just blown away by the outragious cost of the boots that are simply not worth it anymore. As an Aussie, I am very sad about that. Great video by the way.
I have watched the video and have been a subscriber of Rose Anvil for a few years now. I appreciate the value of natural products in footware, and robust construction. I feel the assessment should be qualified. The comfort soled boots in the RM range has a foam inner synthetics in its sole construction, and always have I believe. Comfort soled boots are a hybrid boot designed for wearing all day. The comfort craftsman is an “office” or casual boot. It would be interesting, and a fairer assessment, to directly compare the leather soled traditional models from pre 2000s to today. FYI: I have the same style and colour (Caramel Pull Up) as is cut up. Plus also other variations of comfort soles. I also own many leather soled other models including pre. 2010 RM boots when they were locally owned.
RM.Williams is now owned by one of Australia's mining billionaires. He sprouts all sorts of patriotic garbage but (1) rips off Aboriginal land holders, (2) doesn't employ Australian seafarers on his ships, and (3) is now running down an iconic Australian brand.... Thanks for the enlightening video.
Don't forget would rather spend money in court fighting to pay little or no tax.. Some patriot to leave nurses, cleaners, carers and teachers to pick up the tax burden because he couldn't rather mooch resources without paying fair price and leech profits without paying a fair share. Like most billionaires: defined by greed so great that everyone else has to pay to give then a free ride.
I’m 52 and I am on my third pair. Only one pair had to be thrown away. Current pair I have owned since around 2012 and I have replaced the soles once. I suspected the quality was sliding, and you have confirmed that. Excellent video, thanks for posting.
Agreed with your review for comfort line, but I think the Craftsman line is still leather insole and I don’t think it changed much from your previous review 4 years ago.. Curious to see what other lines are like, would you consider cutting more boots from different lines of R.M. Williams ?
Can you compare the same boot model as previously in a video? You've compared a different/new comfort version which has a rubber sole to the previous craftsman leather version which is still available.. I'd be interested to know if the same leather sole model has changed construction?
Thanks for ur effort! Being a long time RM wearer, i was just about to renew 3 pairs due to wear after 30 years of constant use. Seeing that interior i wont!!! Thanx again!!
Old Pommie bloke here. I am a lifelong fan of properly built shoes, got some nice Northampton made ones. So anyway, I drank the CoolAid and stumped up about £400, 5or6 years ago for a pair of black RMW’s. Disappointing to learn they are not all that… To be fair, they are comfortable and still look great, but I’ve only been wearing them for “best”. At my age that’s mostly funerals! Lol! Not ready to see how they stand up to yard work etc. just yet, so far I’ve managed not to scuff ‘em , or worse still overstretch the elastic sides. Maybe they’ll hold up long enough for my own funeral! 👍
It wouldn’t be, as Australians have been saying for years. That’s the whole reason this video exists in the first place, because people keep saying the boots have seriously dropped in quality
@@G__U__T__Sthe problem with this video tho is that he didn't compare the same boots, therefore it's difficult to compare the quality of the construction. If he was comparing value based on the quality of construction then this video would make more sense.
I own a pair of Santa Fe boots bought them in the 70s and apart from replacing the elastic sides they are still good and I still wear them ( they have been in the snow, mud, slush, horse manure plus lots of other things ) Unfortunately I have been in the RM William shops and the current boots have been citified and would not wear them.
Yep… used to be a work boot, now a dress boot only. For riding/working if you want elastic sides I’d use mongrel or red back. For dressing up maybe RMs but yeah, the price! The mongrel riding boot looks ok.
You shouldn't be comparing the Comfort Craftsman to the regular Craftsman, that's why there is less leather and more foam. But you are right that the Comfort Craftsman is not worth the price, but I have a pair of full leather Craftmans from 2021 that still have the 1.8mm thick leather and they are worth the ~$500, nothing in the $200 price range remotely compares to the quality of them.
"You shouldn't be comparing the Comfort Craftsman to the regular Craftsman, " And why the fuk not ? they are the exact same price and are sold as being of equal quality. Guess this is why you don't have a popular youtube channel
I was thinking the same thing. Not sure what the prices are for each, but when doing a comparison test it’s pretty reasonable to expect the same boots to be compared. The “comfort” is made to be comfortable immediately so that might be why it has thinner leather. It we’ll never know for sure until a like for like test is actually performed. And for anyone wants to dismiss my comment as a fan boy - I have only owned one pair of RMs and I really dislike them. Borderline hate them. So they are so stiff, so uncomfortable. But I can’t bring myself to get rid of them because of how much they cost. The irony is I’d probably pay the same price for thinner leather based on my experience with the super thick and stiff leather.
@@alex98b627 Push through the initial discomfort and they become quite a comfortable boot. I had a similar thing happen. Now I wear them everyday with no issue
@@Cab895 it’s obviously better to compare like for like. The “Comfort Craftsman” automatically means less leather, and more rubber and more foam. So it’s not surprising to cut open a Comfort Craftsman to see that there’s less leather than the original version… it’s basically a given. I still believe the boots are good, however, they’re overpriced and should be selling for 50-60% of what they’re currently going for.
I bought a pair of Craftsman boots three years ago. Throughout I used the recommended leather conditioner. One boot developed cracks on the side of the toe a few inches back from the tip on the inside. A flex point. When I had them re-soled, they were nearly written off. The retailer said that it probably got wet and subsequent heating caused the cracking. They were bought as a long-term purchase and I'm very disappointed. I thought they were designed for riding horses, mine have barely been outdoors and still failed.
They are now the dress uniform boot for the Australian Defence Force. Considering the soles used to fall off the old shoe when you pulled them on once a year and just walked down the road, these are an improvement. The volume to meet that order would probably see some corners cut.
Really enjoyed the review. Got my first and only pair of R.M Williams in 1996. A few running repairs over the years, but the old boots are still in reasonable condition. I paid around the $200 mark. I wonder how much of that extremely high cost comes from the extremely high manufacturing costs here in Australia for the new boots.
I'm an Aussie - And Thank you so much for clarifying my suspicions. My old RMs were 10yrs old and had to get a new pair about 2yrs ago (due to some drunken escapades) and they definitely did not feel right! - I thought, "Maybe I just needed to break them in" but they still did not feel the same under-foot. Mate - You're Gold! Cheers!
They're different boots, he bought the Rubber soled "comfort" boots and compared them to the same leather soled boots that they still sell. It's a misleading video. He also paid way too much for them, both styles still sell for $600 dollerydoos, can look it up right now on their website. He's buying them in the US for $300 more and complaining about the price.
Been wearing these since 1973. The first pair i ever bought was from Vic Market in Melbourne, they had an outlet there, and they cost me $45, which believe it or not was expensive back then, but still fairly close to todays price adjusted for the yearly wage. But they were cheap and great value long term because they lasted. I have been a wearer of RM's ever since, and long term they work out cheap and good value because they last. i have 2 pairs at the moment, one pair i have had for 20 years and they are still going strong and they have seen really hard use. The last pair, and i will not need to purchase another pair, i purchased 8 years ago in 2016, and they were custom made for me and are of the old breed. Fully lined leather, and thick leather insole with fully stitched welted seams. There was always going to be an issue when they became a corporatized entity and a company that investor groups wanted to invest in. Any family business taken over by corporates have a restructure and the bottom line now reigns supreme. Twiggy taking over has changed everything, for all his social agendas and being a good corporate citizen he only cares about one thing the bottom line. When he came out and publicly stated that the manufacturing of R M Williams boots would remain in Australia that was the start of their death knell. They are still being made here but only for the time being, the quality has diminished significantly and they will be made off shore in the future. It is like the board of a football club coming out and saying the Coach has our full support and backing. You know he's dead in the water.
Thank you for confirming for me my Confort's are the worst boot I have bought at any price over the last 50 years. I had to get them stretched so I could have any hope of getting them on and off. Even after adopting this strategy, I still put a pair of shoes down the neck when I am not wearing them. I should have stuck with Aqulia.
Oh I could name like 15 amazing Nicolas Cage movies. Hell, he can get an outright terrible script and improve the movie immensely by giving it a memorable performance. People calling him a bad actor are deluded and haven't seen enough Nicolas Cage movies. (I've seen all of them, he's my favourite actor)
I honestly really appreciate your introduction. your introduction and history of the brand. It's good to pay some attention to details before critiquing. it. Know the history. Well done.
Thanks for the honest breakdown. I've been considering a pair for a little while (they're very popular at the office) but have demurred due to the price tag; I don't mind paying a lot for a quality product that will last me years but I've no interest paying for a name.
Not surprised! Purchased the Gardener in 2021. Sole cracked in less than a year, along the upper chevron shapes (under the ball of the foot) from gentle, daily urban use. Replacement soles cracked again within 10 months, in the same spot. After a second replacement, they went into storage and I’m now on team Blundstone-a far better boot than I’d been led to believe.
@VillagePotemkin still going strong! Wear them nearly every day (avg 12k steps/day) and they rank amongst the most durable/comfy shoes I’ve owned. Took ‘em to a rave last week, didn’t even hesitate.
@@RonnieStanley-tc6vi The non-Comfort craftsman seemed to be better constructed, at least the one from a few years back, for the same price as the Comfort Craftsman. It'd be interesting to see if the extra money just buys the "Signature" tag or if there are actually differences.
The sad thing is this is the way of all brands now, someone builds up a value proposition business and it grows organically through being a superb quality and very good value product....Venture capitalists see an opportunity to milk the brand by slashing quality to bottom out costs while keeping the price high or even increasing it, they offer the owners a huge price to exit ....The brand then slowly declines as the reputation is ruined, but by this time the vultures have picked the business clean of assets and cash and move on to the next.
Yea mate you’re spot on , Williams sold it way back in 1988 , when it stopped being stock-mans work clobber & then went back and forwards in ownership since to end up a fashion item for people driving Toorak Tractors around Double Bay in Sydney.
I bought a pair of Comfort Craftsmen in 2018, I don’t wear then a lot, mostly because my Blundstones are far more comfortable and durable, so I wear those everyday instead. The RM’s need some work already though, even with the little wear they’ve had, I’ve worn through the stitching on both the toes and the sole has delaminated.
Australians are not accustomed to complaining, and big companies know that. When companies (and the government) start to hear a bit of complaining, they shut it down, claiming it is 'un-Australian.' This is why iconic brands like R.M. Williams can lower their quality without fearing backlash. They will do this for a couple of years to increase profits and then possibly return to more durable products. It's a shame.
Thing is we're also not stupid. So when something drops in perception and quality we walk away. Though the sheeple effect of your corporate RM wearer will run on for a while before people get stung by lesser quality faults.
Just to be fair, comparing the Craftsman to the Comfort Craftsman is a bit apples and oranges. I could be wrong, but I think the Comfort Craftsman, the new one you just cut apart is supposed to have more synthetic, comfortable components inside. If you want something more traditional, you go with the regular Craftsman, which I believe is the one you cut up a while ago.
Used to buy "Blunnies" for a while but that was when they were a work boot and not a fashion accessory. It was about 40 or 50 bucks per pair. I never really liked Blunstones or the R M Williams boots as they're mass produced and uncomfortable. These boots will last if worn on city streets but are pretty well useless on a farm. They call Twiggy a philanthropist (well documented persona) but when it comes to boots, philanthropy gives way to price gouging. Many thanks Andrew and Nicola for your contribution of helping to make the world a better place.
Nice to see an honest review. I was disappointed by the origin review because you defended some of these features when you were sponsored by origin. I love origin but I was greatly disappointed by their boots
I have one pair that are more than 70 years old I bought them second hand and my two new pair that are about 50 years old. Gorgeous boots. Getting harder to find a quality cobbler. They have taken such a hiding in all weather, all of them and they still tart up well. Not sure about the newer ones.
I’ve been wanted to buy a pair of R.M for at least 5 years now. My plan was to buy them straight from the store when I’m visiting Australia, and making the whole thing a special memory. Welp fuck me and my dream I guess, I’ve never been this sad to see the quality drop of a brand
@@liamkelly5850 Yeah but do I really want to risk 600 bucks for a brand that has been confirmed to be cutting corners on one of their boots? I’m not sure yet, I might need some time to think about it, maybe look for a similar boots that are actually good quality at the same time
I think this review was a little unreasonable. And I bet every upmarket shoe & boot made in the last 40 years has had a huge mark-up. Why be disappointed? At least head into a RMW store and have a look. Years ago I would have suggested Blundstones, which at the time were half the price of Doc Martens and just as hard-wearing. Now they're no longer made in Australia.
Don’t apologise to us Aussies, we’re really glad you took a good look at RMs and let us know what’s really going on. They have taken a treasured emblem of outback Australia and sold it up the river. Seems to be happening to a lot of the excellent old brands we used to love and trust. Akubra hats have also been sold to a big corporate company, just waiting for their quality to drop through the floor too now.
I bought a pair of comfort craftsmans last year (2023). It is my second pair. I wear my RM’s every day to work. Looking inside, the inner is red leather. The heel piece is a thick, profiled and textured material and fully glued in. Feels soft but durable and is a rubber like material. I wonder if you have a pair that was made before the new owners made changes? I purchased from Percy St in person. If what you show is true then it is a disgrace, but seems inconsistent with what I have.
I prefer my Rossi boots. 100% Aussie made with similar heritage and don’t cost half of the RM’s. My Endura boots lasted 7 years with heavy use. My black dress boots are the cheaper ones without the leather sole and are still going strong after wearing to work for 8 years. Both are the same (did you say single cut?). Good vid.
I hope this review kicks their butt back into the quality. We have bugger all manufacturing and legitimately Australian made products worthy to be proud of these days. "They've" sold our Cars, Vegemite, world class shock absorbers, quality fruit, quality building construction etc etc. So damn sad! Still love you Australia!
There's not a lot of options when other countries can made decent products much cheaper. I for one am happy with the comparatively high wages Aussies get, especially these days. The loss of manufacturing here actually was related to the surplus of cheap overseas-made stuff. The balance-of-payments stopped being an issue decades ago. International trade and the global economy means we can buy TVs, phones, stereos, dress shirts, etc., much cheaper than if we made them. For widespread Aussie boot-making to continue, we'd have had to resort to the textiles trade of old, underpaid workers driven to exhaustion & paid a pittance, while their employers suck from the government teat of tariffs. Near the end, textile makers were notorious for exploiting migrant women, given unfairly large amounts of piecework in sweatshops, being stood over by thugs. If that's what it took to produce affordable footwear, I'm happy to see the end of manufacturing here. I'm sad to see iconic brands die or head overseas, but I feel we have it pretty good, consumer-wise.
I’ve bought several pairs online and one pair at the shop in Aus. There is inconsistency in fit after buying the same size… one pair was actually too tight. Also the leather has a tendency of cracking very quickly in some of the boots at the front/instep part. Finally one boot quickly had a hole in the sole. A point to note is I don’t walk much and these boots quickly show a high level of wear.
Great video, I was about to buy some R.M.W. a few years ago to have a good dressing boot, but after some research got to the same conclusion than this video... I ended importing an American brand which you've actually reviewed in the past. I mean for the $400+ price range you've got way more options for quality
I mean they literally advertise this as having a foam insole. You can also get the boot rebuilt by them when the insole goes bad. You could also just buy the equally overpriced version with the leather insole.
Though they look mostly identical there’s a big difference between the two ranges of boot when it comes to the sole The craftsman have a traditional full leather sole The comfort craftsman has a hybrid leather & rubber sole with foam insert. To make it a more comfortable boot. I enjoy both boots. Both wear really well & are durable. When worn all day I lean more towards the comfort craftsman. The sole is less slippery and the insole more comfortable I agree at this price point the insole should be leather but if that’s what you want then I guess buy the full leather sole version The real crime here is that you pay $589 USD for them here in Australia they run $650 AUD which is around $430 USD Still not cheap/amazing value for money but they are a good looking dress boot with heritage Excellent video! Loved the intro and history you really did your homework thank you 🙏
I've been asking him to have a look at any of the Northamptonshire brands for a while, would love to see Tricker's or C&J or Edward Green or any of the others. @Trickers-Shoes especiialy has a YT presence, I hope we get to see one here one day.
Wrong I'm in the Northamptonshire borders, 20 miles from Loake Crockett and Jones and it's Trickers the royals buy, Trickers have the royal warrant. RM Williams are in the same price range as C and J and Trickers both are incredible quality, Loake 1880 made in England range are still decent but watch the others now outsourced to India and not particularly impressive.
@@rarekid740I own both C and J and Trickers quite simply the best a man can get in this price range and the video is correct, RM Williams are overpriced garbage nowadays
@@richyclubsport5155 that's awesome, Tricker's are definitely aspirational for me. I watched the Stridewise factory tour and it made me appreciate them so much
I'm also Australian. 66 years old with two pairs of the round toe high stacked leather heels. Basically the Santa Fé with round toe. A brown pair I've had since the mid 70s and black since early-mid 80s. Had them re heeled and gussets replaced several times. They're the most comfortable boots (footwear) I've ever worn and they still look amazing. Haven't worn them for years but I reckon I'll get them out after watching this. It's a bloody screaming shame where RMs are at now🤦♂️😔
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Hey man, they’re only $600 Aud. That’s like $350 ish US isn’t it?
Just looked into it. It’s tariffs you guys put on our companies.
If they bought your harness they didn't steal it. Do they give credit to Nike or Adidas for the shoes they are wearing?
The one you bought before was the Yearling Leather version, RMW has some lower quality stuff like the one in the video, but they still make great leather products if you know what to look for. Their Kangaroo Leather range for example are really great.
Could you do JM WESTON. a legendary French shoe company
35 years ago, i was mustering cattle out Mt Isa way... i was caught in a fire and badly burnt my legs, my jeans and boots burnt away except that the leather soles didnt. This protected the bottoms of my feet (only bit of my legs that didnt end up bbq'd). This meant i could learn to walk again properly... so a big thumbs up to old school RMs.
Gees mate. I hope your ok now. That's a horrendous thing to go through
@matthewcullen1298 cheers mate, yeah, was a tough go for a bit... but tried never to let it stop me.
Have a good one bud 👍
the new ones have the leather sole aswell the youtuber just didnt get the one with a leather sole even though theyre the same price
he bought the comfort one, where they still sell the regular craftsman on the rm williams site
Like most quality goods, and brand names from the past, when they are purchased by a group, solely motivated by profit, at the expense of quality, you are bound to buy expensive crap.
Remember, you can't make a silk purse, out of a sows ear.
Australian translation: You can't make strawberry jam, out of pig shit!
Ouch
R.M Williams now solely exists to market and sell fully leather like boots to finance and realestate bros.
Don't forget National Party politicians, so they can pretend they've done a day of work in their life out in the bush.
@@SarmonOflynnThey blend in nicely with the brand new suede hat and alcoholism.
@@rocnoir4233 and 4th marriages. Good, Christian, 4th marriages.
@@rocnoir4233the beetrooter 😅
i bought a pair a while ago to fit into uni
Used to work as a cobbler repairing these, they've been in decline for 10 years getting worse and worse, the leather doesn't hold up doing any sort of work outside of needing to look nice (no matter the boot), I know people who bought a pair 30 years ago who've abused the crap out of them for that long and new ones maybe lasting a few months. Love from Australia and keep up the good work
Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I have one pair (albeit in suede) that are near 40 years old and still going strong, but only worn occasionally. My dailys," Craftsmen" in black wear out in ever shortening periods. The leather cracks and splits in just a few years.....and I look after them
Agreed my uncles 25 year old pair, he’s been working in them for years, still held up perfect. Mine have busted in 3 years.
The Craftsmen is a dress boot, the Gardner is a work boot. I have a pair of Gardner’s that I got 3 years ago, given them a pretty rough go and they’re still holding up.
@wilfredwoodhouse8505
Thanks mate, really usefull information! Hhhm, interesting, that's something to ponder about.
Greetings from Nordic countries 👍
Just like Blundstone, I used to buy them up until the manufacturing left Tasmania, after that they just shite, the soles wear out a lot quicker, the sole separation on the sides, inersole material lasts only weeks, they are just a shit boot relying on past quality that dose not exist anymore, but the purchase price has continued to be in the premium range. I was that disappointed in my last pair, I emailed the company voicing my disappointment in a gentlemanly way, but was sent a reply basically telling me to tell someone who cares! Not even a acknowledgment that they would look into it.
I switched to Rossi Endura, vastly superior boot 3 years of hard abuse and they still look like lasting for a while longer yet at least. I take care of my boots with regular cleaning and application of conditioner and dubbin, Not sure where the Rossi’s were made, but I’ll never buy another pair of Blundstone imposters again, I used to really like like them once, an Australian icon that’s become a shadow of its former reputation.
Rossi make a boot similar to the RM Williams, off memory they are called the Kidman, if I want a flash pair of riding boots, that’s where my cash will be going.
I'm Australian, I own a pair or RM Williams, I'm not the slightest bit offended your've called them out. The quality needs to be maintained!
Paid $600 thinking they would last 10+ years because I'm a heavy user, walking at least 10k steps everyday. My RMs starting cracking and holes appeared in the toe box. These were unfixable and after a total lifetime of only 18 months, I had to throw them out! Granted, I did do the Spit to Manly walk in them which in hindsight was not a good idea. But still, I was expecting the utmost quality for $600. Waste of money. I will never buy RM Williams ever again. I liked the design and leather feel, quick to put on and works with any clothes. After recovering my losses, I will invest in a much better boot. Just haven't found one yet.
35 dollars kmart boots😅
Never buying RM williams again after seeing this… total rip off
@@AmazingFeynmanwhen did you buy them?
@@AmazingFeynman did you use conditioner of the leather. ?
I bought my first pair of RM's in 1979 to actually use on a cattle station. Great boots. Comfortable but tough as nails.
Fast forward to 2012 and I bought another two pairs.
I could tell even then they weren't the same boots. Nothing like the original quality. I wouldn't waste my money on them today.
As an older Aussie (70) and an owner of RM’s since I was a kid (still own 3 pairs between 25-15 yrs old, all in good condition) I’m glad you’re calling this out because it’s a grab for cash based on a superb brand reputation, rather than living up to or enhancing the brand by sticking with quality.
I hope Hugh Jackman and other brand management pick up on this quickly, as nothing tanks a brand more than false value.
He is just comparing two different type of soles and leathers.
Not fair comparisons,I have mine for 3 years now worn almost every day,took them to Europe last year also waking up to 20 km a day,this sole that he cut off has sneaker like comfort
I don’t think Jackman is involved any more.
Brand was sold a few times over the last few years, after the worker nearly died. Its a shame
We will still buy them regardless. Rather that than anything from America.
The bigger their profit the more taxes they pay!
And that pays for your pension
So enjoy your great Aussie lifestyle and move on pal
As an Australian, no hurt feelings here! I’ve always thought that RM Williams boots are for politicians and business wankers who want to cosplay as people who work with their hands.
As a fellow Australian, I can only agree.
ADF uses them now.
Boomers and country cosplayers THE AUSSIE BATTLER (who drives a jeep)
You NEVER see them condition the boots either. No clue. RMWs and North Face vest, wanker uniform.
I agree with the comments from my fellow Australians
However, I am also guilty as charged 😳- been wearing RMs since I was 21 (sadly 42 years ago), especially during my younger, inner city more misspent days. I have 4 pairs ATM, thou only two are on active duty.
This is the content I come here for, companies like this need to be called out on cutting corners.
They cut corners because their owner demand ever-growing profit margins and when the CEO says it’s not possible without sacrificing quality, they replace him with someone who thinks he can.
RM Williams WAS an Aussie Icon. One of those companies that rose on the support of working class Australia over a century and turned around and effed them over. I and many like me would not purchase RM Williams products through principle and perhaps even spite, alone.
Me too
The wonders of private equity
@@newj-ib1bn Not wrong.
Blundstone are worse, they have a used by date on them now because the Poly soles fall apart. What can you buy these days.
Thanks for the honest review. My Uncle was best mates with RM himself. They would both turn in their graves at seeing this.
I have two pairs of craftsman. One would be 40yrs old and the other maybe 20yrs. I have worn out the original ones (but still have them beause they are iconic) and keep them cleaned & polished.
The newer ones are still good. They are both the most comfortable boot to wear IMHO.
Based on your review, I would not buy another pair - such a shame for a lifelong supporter of RM Williams :(
Never met the man, but I've read RM didn't have the sweetest disposition.
I'd still have my dad's RMW's, 30 years old now, but I have broad foot and their style is for a narrow one. Like Italian shoes.
R.M. Williams: _The essential wear for when a PM visits a country town, indigenous outpost or wants to put out the feels that he is an "everyday blue collar bloke"_
Don't forget the akubra to go with the look.
Or really, any member of the National Party. 😆
were as if they really wanted to look like the average real rural worker they would be wearing Mongrel boots, Bisley Industrial fluro shirt and pants and some corporate branded boonie hat with a neck flap... working main roads in IT they used to kit us up with this sort of stuff for regional visits ... farkinhell did we get sh*t for coming in off the plane in all fresh and clean out of the bag kit while their kit was so red dirt and battered like they had just come off set from Mad Max Fury Road
@@q9920867 Or the hi-vis vest, hard hat and safety glasses if it happens to be a factory.
lolol true story , nice one
My dad owned a pair of this he bought in early 2000-ish and now after he passed away, I wear them after a resole and goring repair. The past version is very comfortable and built like a tank.
That old saying ' Spoiling a ship for a Ha'porth of Tar' comes to mind. As an Aussie I thank you for an honest review.
Was saving up to spend as a self gift for my 40th with what would have been my first ever pair of RM. Devastated! Thanks again for sharing and enlightening me. I get all the rarara on labour costs, etc. in aus but being australian myself as a customer I feel very cheated and also heartbroken as I root for local brand to wear.. Going to save my $$ for something better
Aussie here. I started wearing RMs when I was at an agricultural high school in the 1960s. They were a great boot in those days. By the early 2000s I actually noticed that the leather was getting thinner and it would craze and crack in the toe flex area. I persisted for a bit but I and my family stopped buying about 20 years ago. We haven't gone back - I think the rot set in long before the private equity cockroaches got involved. It became a vanity product with a gouge price.
I only started wearing them 20 years ago, buying several pairs along the way and they've been amazing. Bought a new colour just a couple of months ago actually. Couldn't say enough great things about them and the quality.
I almost bought a pair last night as an impulse buy. Thank you for saving me almost $550!
I'd like to know if any of the changes are from it being a comfort craftsman rather then a traditional one
Impulse buy? Lmao what are you like 5 years old?
@@ThePoliceDonut or just buy the Craftsman line, which he gave a good review years ago. Mind you, this line of boots uses solid leather throughout and can be slippery. The Comfort Craftsman line was created to address the weather and wearability, but you can't make everyone happy.
@@Totemparadox Are you?
@@ShrewdPlacebo98 Clearly not since I don't do impulse purchases like a toddler.
They used to be ~350 AUD (~250 USD) before they got bought out by Louis Vuitton. Big corporations ruin everything.
Pretty sure it's owned by Tattarang a company belonging to Australian mining magnate Andrew 'twiggy' Forrest
@@Hitman-ds1ei it is now and that is likely to be why quality is in decline.
@@Hitman-ds1ei If you watched at least 2 minutes of this video before jumping to the comments section, you'd have learned and confirmed that it was the case, after being owned by LV, which set their first nail for their decline.
Not really Louis Vuitton fault, they have spent like 1/2 a million after the old owners refused to address health and safety issues at the salisbury factory and a few people got injuried and one nearly died. most people interstate are out of the loop about the shit that went down at the factory.
@@Hitman-ds1ei Tattarang took ownership in 2020 I never liked their boots and were over priced the factory was always going broke always in the news here in Adelaide
As an Australian boot aficionado, of course this means war
No I've been thinking for YEARS that Australia needs more options for welted footwear. But 'boots' and 'RM Williams' are interchangeable terms in Australia, the task would first be to convince people that non-RM Williams boots exist and to teach them why Goodyear welts are cool. It's on my list for world domination, convincing my homeland to buy other boot brands!
Goodyear welts are like alien technology here. I bought a pair of cheap Thorogood work boots and people compliment me on them like they're luxury. Good quality lace ups just don't exist locally.
I wish we had more affordable GYW boots available in Aus. It's a shame there isn't a convenient way to get Thursdays here
Perhaps to boot aficionados, RM and boots are interchangeable. But the only people I've seen wearing them are doctors and politicians. I live in the outback. No one wears them. Even for dress events.
They're essentially dress shoes for wealthy city people.
Yeah agree with all the above comments. It's just such a shame for those who want to get into the shoe / boot world in Aus. I have mates that would ask me for recommendations, I used to say RM is good for Aussie made product, but now I probably need to direct them to the likes of Bridlen, CNES for the cost concious, or TLB for the mid level spenders, or the indos/Chinese for the handwelting nerds. Sigh. Doesn't affect me knowing that RM is shit now because I don't buy them, but it is a blow.
As an Aussie, used to have two pairs of RM. Now just one. Felt the quality going down, their repair quality also poor; damaged my boots. So, I Got two pairs of Grant Stone and a Red Wing Iron ranger - quality is way better than RM.
I was at the RW Williams website tonight and even created an account, ready to try a pair when I decided to RUclips the brand. I'm glad I found your video cause there's no way I'm spending $600 of MY hard earned dollars on cheap quality boots. I have a pair of Whites Stockman boots and a pair of Nicks Outlanders. I know what goes into a quality boot and the RM Williams boot shown here is worth about $200 dollars max. Thanks for saving me a lot of aggravation.
There is a family owned company in Victoria called Wootten boots. Absolutely unreal boots and lovely people who run it! Their Jack Gusset boot is stunning
Hmm interesting, thank you- just looked them up. Touch more expensive but look great. May be worth a try for my next pair.
Thanks for sharing this - they look great
Maybe he can review these!
I bought the comfort craftsman yearling leather in 2017, (can only imagine it's worse now), the boots are great and comfortable, however, I needed the rubber heels replaced as they had worn out. Took it to their flagship store, 'we send it to our Adelaide factory' blah blah blah. A few weeks later I pick them up and they have dripped boot glue on the elastic. I told them they need to replace the elastic, they said it won't match as the elastics on the opposite side and pair are faded. I said, 'so you will need to replace all of them, it's not my fault there is glue on it'. Long story short another two weeks later, i get the boots back. Wear them for a day, i feel pain in my heel, like i've stepped on glass. Not sure what it was, once I got home, i took my boots off and i see blood inside the shoe, cut open sock and cut in my foot. I check the inside of the boot, theres no glass, I run my along the sole, and the nails from the new heel block had come through the sole!!! Needless to say I wasn't happy. I sent them an email, spoke to their production manager, who, to his credit said it wasn't acceptable and told me to pick a replacement pair from a store at no cost and to take that current paid to a cobbler to get fixed.
So you end up with brand new spanking pair as it should.
At least the customer service wasn't that bad
Ouch, literally.
My experience recently has been that the staff who have been in the factory for a very long time are deeply embarrassed by what is happening. Many are just bidding their time to retirement is my understanding. These days it appears they are DEI hiring!
@@kurjan1 I had a trial run working in the distribution and online despatch out at Salisbury; I didn't see diversity hires but I did see disability hires (was nearly one myself due to dialysis at the time, but die to dialysis the hours didn't work). Not many oldies though, so maybe they got let go for cheaper labour.
You think our boots are bad, you should see our building quality 😂
Those boots are non-compliant
our cars were way worse
or our bloody roads here in country victoria.
😆👍
@@ShoeysAdventures our cars are some of the best in the market even today? why do you think you still see 1990 falcons and commodores on the road everyday 35 years after coming off the production line?!?! Because they were built to last.
Back in the day Aboriginals were the back bone of beef industry.. the Aboriginal stockman would have been the biggest part of RMs business. Hawker vans would do runs out the the cattle stations and sell all RMs products to all the stockman. I often poke my nose in Rm stores and walk strait out.. prices are rediculous and the staff look down there noses at you as though you shouldnt be there.. its disgusting to think they built an empire from the old stockman but if a stockman was to walk into there shop today they would want security to search them
as a country boy who now works city office I find the city RM stores all a bit cringe but at least my local one no longer has all the fake stone walls and shop prop cooper barrels for display stands
Aborigine = Noun. Aboriginal= Adjective.
@@Jonathan-d8d7i I left school at year 7 started working on cattle stations and droving cattle accross Australia.. adjectives and nouns were not considered
100% agree. They have terrible in store service, not just for “stockman” but also city mice like me… they simply direct you to buy online so they can stand about doing stuff-all.
Yuppies.
I’m Aussie it’s all good 👍 appreciate the honesty in your review! Very sad to see a much loved icon disappearing for the sake of corporate greed n profits! Thanks mate take care god bless!
I have bought three pairs of RMs from charity stores over the years for a combined price of $18 (AU). I guess i managed to pay a lot less and get the better quality (older) ones at the same time! All three are still amazing.
I’ve worn RMs nearly every day for 20 years. The last pair I bought was about 2016 and they’ve held up remarkably well. Which I’d expect for the $600 price tag. Mine have the “oil proof sole” which is synthetic and amazingly it has stayed intact despite being in rain, hot concrete, dust, sand, mud etc. The elastic is still tight and stitching is excellent. Having watched this review, I think I might’ve got a pre-2014 model. I think I’ll try Rossi boots next and see if Gina has instilled god craftsmanship and quality materials to that company.
Cut open the 'regular' Craftsman boot from 2024 and compare to the previous version?
I’ve been wearing RMs for 40 years. So I’m more than qualified to comment. I’m sorry to say the quality has fallen off. The stitching used to be sublime. My last pair (and probably my ‘last pair’) have really average stitching and looks like a first week apprenticeship job. The quality of workmanship is just not there with imperfect joins that suggest a cobbler at work that just did not give a crap that day. Finally, the leather suede is so thin and I know it won’t last the distance. Certainly NOT a boot that should cost the $700 I paid for it. I do regret dropping the price in the shop that day of purchase - should have walked out to look elsewhere as the lack of quality bugs me every day I wear them. I now use them to ride my motorbike as I just don’t care for them anymore. Sad, another iconic Australian brand going down the toilet for the sake of short term profits and thinking.
Totally agree, wouldn’t buy another pair, my originals are so much better than the stuff they’re producing now and my wife totally agrees
Only yuppies buy them now in Australia and every city doctor that comes to the country has to wear them its a bit of a weird one
ALso not good bike boots no mallelous protection and will slide off in a crash swap to a decent bike boot mate
I’m now 70 and bought RMW boots from when I was 16, the last I bought was about 15yrs ago, when I changed to Ariat due to price and have found Ariat a far better boot at a cheaper price. RMW is nothing like it use to be and never will be again
@@davidmcnamara8759 I have decent bike boots.
Have had 3 pairs of Craftsman Comforts for 20 odd years. Wouldn’t buy a new pair and your review emphasises why. Good work.
I’m 49…. Have had a hard working life and tried many Australian boots…. My Rossi boots from the 90s are by far the best I ever owned.
Oh man yes loved my Rossi boots from the 90's
100% agree - Rossi boots in the 1990’s were stuck in a timewarp from decades earlier, and though they weren’t the trendiest looking, they were by far the most comfortable and durable.
Just to clarify that the price of RM William boots here in Australia is $649 AUD which equates to about $425 USD. - not sure if they’re jacking up the price for US hence why you’re referencing $589 in the video? 7:31
Shipping cost
At 11:50 it does cost $589
Irrelevant - VASTLY overpriced wherever you are!
Shipping and handling plus covering the free returns
@@jannis8133 He's not disputing that. He is rightly pointing out that, in Australia the boots don't cost nearly so much. Check out the pricing on their website - AUD$649 for the Comfort Craftsman. The American pricing is quite out of whack.
But still an interesting video. And i'd agree the boots are surely still overpriced in Oz.
I bought a pair of their 'Gardener' boots from their Bond Street store in London UK about a year ago, I had only worn them once, and the second time of wearing them the heel fell off of one of the boots! on closer inspection I found the heels were only glued on, no nails at all, I took them back to the store for a refund and was told they must have missed out on the nails in the construction process and they had never seen this before.
The comfort insole is poron and lasts. Very comfortable boots and you can always buy the regular leather soul if you like.
Leather Soul - sounds like a Beatles follow up album?
My RM Williams Craftsman boots are 25 years old, my daughter’s black craftsman boots are 18 years old. We have show horses & our riding boots are regularly worn as riding boots & as dress boots, they are beautifully made boots.
RM Williams black elastic sided boots have been the standard issue parade ground boot in the Aussie Army for several years. Aussie retail price for RM boots is now $700 pair.
For those who aren't in Aus, I can't overstate how ubiquitous these are. I work in the Melbourne CBD and basically every single person you see in office outfits on a week day is wearing RM boots. It's such a shame the quality has dropped off, the original boots were considered incredible value and they were cheaper back then as well as being better. I never got around to buying a pair and I guess I won't now.
I'm hoping this gradually opens the door to smaller local brands taking more of the market. Last year I got a pair of custom ordered Gordon Classic Boots from Wootten for $820 AUD and they are spectacular, would be great if they got a video on this channel. They recently closed their Melbourne outlet though which is super unfortunate.
I got fitted at the Melbourne storefront right before they closed. It was a great experience, but Ballarat's not that big a trip. Totally agree that Wes should get a pair.
Stoked you're loving your boots, James. Thank you. And yours are coming soon, Randall!
Same in Sydney. Some of us used to joke that buying a first pair of RMs was a right of passage for the young profession types
Bought my rms in 2016 and wore them nearly every day for the first three years. I wear them often still and the leather is perfect and the sole is still going. Strong. Couldn't say the same for my Thursdays boots and shoes I own. I think the black leather version is better quality
Essential Collins St tradie wear
For all those looking for an actual Australian Made boot - give Wootten a go. Proper hand made by a small family crew.
I would also like a see a pair of Baxter's cut in half. Got an old Made in Australia pair which I love. I don't think they're made here anymore, but still Aussie owned and offers a much cheaper alternative to RMs ($350 aud instead of $699 lol), also looks very comparably built.
Have had my eye on a pair of Wootens for a while now but was struggling to justify the price however after seeing this might need to think again, would be happy to pay a bit extra for a longer lasting product.
@@rarekid740 if you're in syd check out zatz footwear in chatswood - 275$ ish for the baxter goulburn.
No, they'll say, "Well, any damage is done. What else can we cheapen in order to reduce our production costs?"
@@Colorado_Native I think the comfort version is different from regular craftsman.
This is the video alot of Aussies and cobblers here have been waiting for. We hoped after 'Twiggy' brought it back into Australian hands the quality would have come back. A lot of posts on Reddit over the years from fans, disappointed customers and cobblers have all pointed to this decline in quality. But nothing comprehensively embarrassing like this.
Hopefully this video goes viral & gets Tattarang's attention.
I only say this as a disappointed Aussie and a fan of RM Williams, whilst I slide on my Chocolate Suede Craftsman 🇦🇺
Twiggy is such a con artist. As an energy scientist, you only have to see the con job he is pulling with hydrogen to know that.
Everything Forrest touches turns to shit.
He got lucky once with iron ore. Everything else is an epic fail.
@@InfinitePlain Yep, no quality there.
I don't think this video is remotely comprehensive though?
Comparing a Classic to a Comfort and being surprised by the amount of leather used? Comparing aniline thickness to full grain yearling?
It's apples and oranges despite a likely decline. Needs to compare a 2024 classic yearling boot with the 2020 pair he has. Comforts have padded insoles for a reason and the rubber soles are far better than leather in my experience.
@@japesssit doesn't matter what boots he compares. These are $600USD/$650 AUD boots. The comfort craftsmen and classic are the same price. And for that money, 1.3mm uppers is not acceptable. Not even Thursdays uppers are that thin.
I have had both rubber and leather soles. I prefer the leather soles. More breathable and supportive, they just not that durable.
I would also like to add this video has gotten a lot of attention, with heaps of references on social media, and the odd media outlet article on it.
When I was a kid (long time ago), RM Williams were made to last forever. They actually offered a lifetime warranty on everything but the sole. I remember in the 80's my dad took back a 30 year old pair he had issues with and RM Williams replaced them for nothing.
I have 3 pairs and absolutely love them. The way they mold to your foot is like no other.
Agree with all points but still think it would have been worth the exercise to compare the same boot to the one you had from 4 years ago.
This is a very interesting take. I have whites, nicks, Aldens, Crockett & Jones, Vibergs. I love them all very dearly and some of these, for sure are considered tanks/well made. However, absolutely none of them can compete with my RM Williams Comfort Craftman boots when it comes to comfort/easy to wear. I can wear them all day at a time without feet soreness. I do want to see how long it actually lasts, along with re-sole-ability.
@@JH-wn1ko you can get them relasted at the factory, which was a relief considering I don’t expect the foam insole to last as long as leather. They’re overpriced (so are the leather ones), but they last a long time still.
You are obviously overloaded with money, like to brag about it and have nothing better to do with it?
@@daniellogansa8101 thank you for this input! Looking forward to it.
@@childofthe60s100 not sure why my response to you got deleted. However - just to reiterate. It’s not about bragging about who got more expensive shoes. Bc I could care less about that. We all know that this community thrives on wanting the best made shoes/boots and it comes with a price tag. I’ve worked on this collection over a decade and I admit that it has become an addiction/obsession. I was just making a point that these boots are just very easy to wear and the comfort has been amazing even though when comparing materials used, they are absolutely lacking and yes, it is overpriced.
If anything, let me make an assumption as well - it seems to me that it’s you that’s overloaded with time, like to attack everyone’s comments due to your own insecurities and have nothing better to do with it?
Lastly - Rose Anvil’s content is great at sharing knowledge and I appreciate what he does. But here you are, having a problem with everyone’s comments. Here’s a lesson for you…If you have a problem with everyone…maybe it’s you that’s the problem 😉 perspectives…
Were the RMs bought in the last few years? That's where it's much more noticeable in the difference in quality.
Get the same boot you cut the 1st time. It's simple to compare apples to apples. But yes, $600 is 3 times what those particular boots are.
There have been three occasions when I went in to an RM Williams shop to buy a pair of boots. One the service was so bad I went down the road and bought a pair of Italian boots, which I still have after 20 years. The second they were so obviously ignorant about the product and range and living on the reputation. I showed a bootmaker in Hoi An in Vietnam a picture of the pair I was after and they made them for me.
The third time I was just blown away by the outragious cost of the boots that are simply not worth it anymore.
As an Aussie, I am very sad about that.
Great video by the way.
I have watched the video and have been a subscriber of Rose Anvil for a few years now. I appreciate the value of natural products in footware, and robust construction.
I feel the assessment should be qualified.
The comfort soled boots in the RM range has a foam inner synthetics in its sole construction, and always have I believe. Comfort soled boots are a hybrid boot designed for wearing all day. The comfort craftsman is an “office” or casual boot.
It would be interesting, and a fairer assessment, to directly compare the leather soled traditional models from pre 2000s to today.
FYI: I have the same style and colour (Caramel Pull Up) as is cut up. Plus also other variations of comfort soles. I also own many leather soled other models including pre. 2010 RM boots when they were locally owned.
RM.Williams is now owned by one of Australia's mining billionaires. He sprouts all sorts of patriotic garbage but (1) rips off Aboriginal land holders, (2) doesn't employ Australian seafarers on his ships, and (3) is now running down an iconic Australian brand.... Thanks for the enlightening video.
That's your number 1? Noongars won't even wear RM Williams, let alone to their regular "always was, always will be", "change the date" protests.
He rips off all Aussies by only paying royalties to a handful of elitist aboriginals that form native title land councils.
@@Arnz01 I was referring to a recent court case involving mining royalties. Any order you like...
@@Pat.Mustard Australians get taken advantage of by all of the mining/oil/gas companies.
Don't forget would rather spend money in court fighting to pay little or no tax.. Some patriot to leave nurses, cleaners, carers and teachers to pick up the tax burden because he couldn't rather mooch resources without paying fair price and leech profits without paying a fair share. Like most billionaires: defined by greed so great that everyone else has to pay to give then a free ride.
I’m 52 and I am on my third pair. Only one pair had to be thrown away. Current pair I have owned since around 2012 and I have replaced the soles once. I suspected the quality was sliding, and you have confirmed that. Excellent video, thanks for posting.
Agreed with your review for comfort line, but I think the Craftsman line is still leather insole and I don’t think it changed much from your previous review 4 years ago..
Curious to see what other lines are like, would you consider cutting more boots from different lines of R.M. Williams ?
Can you compare the same boot model as previously in a video? You've compared a different/new comfort version which has a rubber sole to the previous craftsman leather version which is still available.. I'd be interested to know if the same leather sole model has changed construction?
Thanks for ur effort! Being a long time RM wearer, i was just about to renew 3 pairs due to wear after 30 years of constant use. Seeing that interior i wont!!! Thanx again!!
Old Pommie bloke here. I am a lifelong fan of properly built shoes, got some nice Northampton made ones.
So anyway, I drank the CoolAid and stumped up about £400, 5or6 years ago for a pair of black RMW’s. Disappointing to learn they are not all that…
To be fair, they are comfortable and still look great, but I’ve only been wearing them for “best”. At my age that’s mostly funerals! Lol!
Not ready to see how they stand up to yard work etc. just yet, so far I’ve managed not to scuff ‘em , or worse still overstretch the elastic sides.
Maybe they’ll hold up long enough for my own funeral! 👍
Thank you for your service. To the boot manufacturers, no more fucking around. You will be exposed.
I wonder if you bought the same boot if it would be the same as the old ones.
It wouldn’t be, as Australians have been saying for years. That’s the whole reason this video exists in the first place, because people keep saying the boots have seriously dropped in quality
@@G__U__T__Sthe problem with this video tho is that he didn't compare the same boots, therefore it's difficult to compare the quality of the construction. If he was comparing value based on the quality of construction then this video would make more sense.
I own a pair of Santa Fe boots bought them in the 70s and apart from replacing the elastic sides they are still good and I still wear them ( they have been in the snow, mud, slush, horse manure plus lots of other things ) Unfortunately I have been in the RM William shops and the current boots have been citified and would not wear them.
Yep… used to be a work boot, now a dress boot only. For riding/working if you want elastic sides I’d use mongrel or red back. For dressing up maybe RMs but yeah, the price! The mongrel riding boot looks ok.
You shouldn't be comparing the Comfort Craftsman to the regular Craftsman, that's why there is less leather and more foam. But you are right that the Comfort Craftsman is not worth the price, but I have a pair of full leather Craftmans from 2021 that still have the 1.8mm thick leather and they are worth the ~$500, nothing in the $200 price range remotely compares to the quality of them.
He was successfully demonstrating the poor build quality - the RM apologists, obviously don't like that!
"You shouldn't be comparing the Comfort Craftsman to the regular Craftsman, " And why the fuk not ? they are the exact same price and are sold as being of equal quality. Guess this is why you don't have a popular youtube channel
I was thinking the same thing. Not sure what the prices are for each, but when doing a comparison test it’s pretty reasonable to expect the same boots to be compared.
The “comfort” is made to be comfortable immediately so that might be why it has thinner leather. It we’ll never know for sure until a like for like test is actually performed.
And for anyone wants to dismiss my comment as a fan boy - I have only owned one pair of RMs and I really dislike them. Borderline hate them. So they are so stiff, so uncomfortable. But I can’t bring myself to get rid of them because of how much they cost. The irony is I’d probably pay the same price for thinner leather based on my experience with the super thick and stiff leather.
@@alex98b627 Push through the initial discomfort and they become quite a comfortable boot. I had a similar thing happen. Now I wear them everyday with no issue
@@Cab895 it’s obviously better to compare like for like.
The “Comfort Craftsman” automatically means less leather, and more rubber and more foam. So it’s not surprising to cut open a Comfort Craftsman to see that there’s less leather than the original version… it’s basically a given.
I still believe the boots are good, however, they’re overpriced and should be selling for 50-60% of what they’re currently going for.
The older ones are bombproof.
You can say that about Doc Martins too. And just about Anything made back then when they were legit worried about a bomb dropping on them!
1.7 mm leather isn't stopping squat lol
It's like the normal way of making things back in the old days represents the highest peak of craft and durability nowadays.
bought mine 40 years ago and the soles wore out in just over 6 months...hard lesson to learn, and RMW didnt want to know about it.
I bought a pair of Craftsman boots three years ago. Throughout I used the recommended leather conditioner. One boot developed cracks on the side of the toe a few inches back from the tip on the inside. A flex point. When I had them re-soled, they were nearly written off. The retailer said that it probably got wet and subsequent heating caused the cracking. They were bought as a long-term purchase and I'm very disappointed. I thought they were designed for riding horses, mine have barely been outdoors and still failed.
They are now the dress uniform boot for the Australian Defence Force. Considering the soles used to fall off the old shoe when you pulled them on once a year and just walked down the road, these are an improvement.
The volume to meet that order would probably see some corners cut.
Really enjoyed the review. Got my first and only pair of R.M Williams in 1996. A few running repairs over the years, but the old boots are still in reasonable condition. I paid around the $200 mark. I wonder how much of that extremely high cost comes from the extremely high manufacturing costs here in Australia for the new boots.
I'm an Aussie - And Thank you so much for clarifying my suspicions. My old RMs were 10yrs old and had to get a new pair about 2yrs ago (due to some drunken escapades) and they definitely did not feel right! - I thought, "Maybe I just needed to break them in" but they still did not feel the same under-foot. Mate - You're Gold! Cheers!
They're different boots, he bought the Rubber soled "comfort" boots and compared them to the same leather soled boots that they still sell. It's a misleading video. He also paid way too much for them, both styles still sell for $600 dollerydoos, can look it up right now on their website. He's buying them in the US for $300 more and complaining about the price.
I can imagine the RM Williams board room is going to get rowdy soon.
Nah, they'll just carry on milking the mugs for years to come
Huge congratulations on the cut-centering. That was an awesome job!
Been wearing these since 1973. The first pair i ever bought was from Vic Market in Melbourne, they had an outlet there, and they cost me $45, which believe it or not was expensive back then, but still fairly close to todays price adjusted for the yearly wage. But they were cheap and great value long term because they lasted. I have been a wearer of RM's ever since, and long term they work out cheap and good value because they last. i have 2 pairs at the moment, one pair i have had for 20 years and they are still going strong and they have seen really hard use. The last pair, and i will not need to purchase another pair, i purchased 8 years ago in 2016, and they were custom made for me and are of the old breed. Fully lined leather, and thick leather insole with fully stitched welted seams. There was always going to be an issue when they became a corporatized entity and a company that investor groups wanted to invest in. Any family business taken over by corporates have a restructure and the bottom line now reigns supreme. Twiggy taking over has changed everything, for all his social agendas and being a good corporate citizen he only cares about one thing the bottom line. When he came out and publicly stated that the manufacturing of R M Williams boots would remain in Australia that was the start of their death knell. They are still being made here but only for the time being, the quality has diminished significantly and they will be made off shore in the future. It is like the board of a football club coming out and saying the Coach has our full support and backing. You know he's dead in the water.
Thank you for confirming for me my Confort's are the worst boot I have bought at any price over the last 50 years. I had to get them stretched so I could have any hope of getting them on and off. Even after adopting this strategy, I still put a pair of shoes down the neck when I am not wearing them. I should have stuck with Aqulia.
Mr.Rose Anvil! Can the double harness be used as suspenders?!? If not you should totally make some!!!!
The corporate greed by this company is astounding! And I thought Carhart was bad! Thanks for shining a spotlight on it.
I suspect Twiggy Forrest is to blame...
At least RMW didn’t demand AFAIK all employees topake vax like carhart. I will never buy them.
@@crazyg74he has lost the plot too!
I miss when Carhart was cheap and only sold at stores that sold at trades stores.
A bit harsh on Nick Cage... Man won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas.
Nicky enjoying some down time at home watching RUclips, "what the fuck did I do"
Oh I could name like 15 amazing Nicolas Cage movies. Hell, he can get an outright terrible script and improve the movie immensely by giving it a memorable performance. People calling him a bad actor are deluded and haven't seen enough Nicolas Cage movies.
(I've seen all of them, he's my favourite actor)
What Cage should be doing is Leaving Acting.
@@jrvasquez4353 People who say stuff like this don't actually like movies and are just repeating memes.
@@andrewnicon Hilarious.
I honestly really appreciate your introduction. your introduction and history of the brand. It's good to pay some attention to details before critiquing. it. Know the history. Well done.
Thanks for the honest breakdown. I've been considering a pair for a little while (they're very popular at the office) but have demurred due to the price tag; I don't mind paying a lot for a quality product that will last me years but I've no interest paying for a name.
Not surprised! Purchased the Gardener in 2021. Sole cracked in less than a year, along the upper chevron shapes (under the ball of the foot) from gentle, daily urban use. Replacement soles cracked again within 10 months, in the same spot. After a second replacement, they went into storage and I’m now on team Blundstone-a far better boot than I’d been led to believe.
How are the blunnies working out for you ?
I’ve read that they’re cheap as well, been thinking about buying a pair
@VillagePotemkin still going strong! Wear them nearly every day (avg 12k steps/day) and they rank amongst the most durable/comfy shoes I’ve owned. Took ‘em to a rave last week, didn’t even hesitate.
Blundstones use to be mad i had them for all the time was working a trade, good 15 years plus i'd get a new pair of boots every 5 years.
Blundstones are RUBBISH now , I wrote to them and they actually wrote back and said " it's pretty common knowledge our boots,are made in china now"
Cut open the signature series RM Williams 🫢
Why? If their 600 bone boots can't cut it, what will "signature" boots do besides cost more.
@@RonnieStanley-tc6vi The non-Comfort craftsman seemed to be better constructed, at least the one from a few years back, for the same price as the Comfort Craftsman. It'd be interesting to see if the extra money just buys the "Signature" tag or if there are actually differences.
Like so many brands they have been ruined and no longer any interest
@@Love2Cruise Even if they're better constructed, they shouldn't be charging $600 for this crap
@@RonnieStanley-tc6viit's 600 AUD in Australia, which is 400 USD. People are being misled here.
The sad thing is this is the way of all brands now, someone builds up a value proposition business and it grows organically through being a superb quality and very good value product....Venture capitalists see an opportunity to milk the brand by slashing quality to bottom out costs while keeping the price high or even increasing it, they offer the owners a huge price to exit ....The brand then slowly declines as the reputation is ruined, but by this time the vultures have picked the business clean of assets and cash and move on to the next.
It’s more something private equity companies do, but your point is well made. VC’s are a different type of evil.
Yea mate you’re spot on , Williams sold it way back in 1988 ,
when it stopped being stock-mans work clobber & then went back and forwards in ownership since
to end up a fashion item for people driving Toorak Tractors around Double Bay in Sydney.
I bought a pair of Comfort Craftsmen in 2018, I don’t wear then a lot, mostly because my Blundstones are far more comfortable and durable, so I wear those everyday instead. The RM’s need some work already though, even with the little wear they’ve had, I’ve worn through the stitching on both the toes and the sole has delaminated.
Australians are not accustomed to complaining, and big companies know that. When companies (and the government) start to hear a bit of complaining, they shut it down, claiming it is 'un-Australian.' This is why iconic brands like R.M. Williams can lower their quality without fearing backlash. They will do this for a couple of years to increase profits and then possibly return to more durable products. It's a shame.
Thing is we're also not stupid. So when something drops in perception and quality we walk away.
Though the sheeple effect of your corporate RM wearer will run on for a while before people get stung by lesser quality faults.
DONT YOU DARE TRASH NICHOLAS CAGE!! you take that back!
It's Nicolas cage but you're right he needs to learn some respect!
I agree. Nicholas cage has a much broader set of Acting skills that ANY OTHER ACTOR alive at the moment
Tru dat! Nicholas Cage is a real one!
my middle name is Nicholas, because he was in a nic cage phase when he had me.
Has anyone seen him in The vampires kiss ?.... well worth watching , what a nutcase 🤣. !
Just to be fair, comparing the Craftsman to the Comfort Craftsman is a bit apples and oranges. I could be wrong, but I think the Comfort Craftsman, the new one you just cut apart is supposed to have more synthetic, comfortable components inside. If you want something more traditional, you go with the regular Craftsman, which I believe is the one you cut up a while ago.
Spot on, old mate needs to be comparing apples to apples.
@@digrar Also they are $650 in AUD, which in USD is $430, so they are not truly a '$600 boot'
Boots BS galore.
@@michaeldaly7884 They are $539 in the USA, plus NY state sales tax of 8.875 % brings the price to $586.83.
for near $600 ???? mate you are defending a shit product
Used to buy "Blunnies" for a while but that was when they were a work boot and not a fashion accessory. It was about 40 or 50 bucks per pair. I never really liked Blunstones or the R M Williams boots as they're mass produced and uncomfortable. These boots will last if worn on city streets but are pretty well useless on a farm. They call Twiggy a philanthropist (well documented persona) but when it comes to boots, philanthropy gives way to price gouging. Many thanks Andrew and Nicola for your contribution of helping to make the world a better place.
The sponsor ads are so much better when they are owned by the company of the video you are watching. Well done.
As someone that grew up with everyone around me owning rmwilliams I myself own 3 pars. I am genuinely ashamed that this is what they have done.
Nice to see an honest review. I was disappointed by the origin review because you defended some of these features when you were sponsored by origin. I love origin but I was greatly disappointed by their boots
His push for origin was due to their nearly all American true leather components, unlike many today.
The only thing I like about RM Williams is that all the tossers in the office I work at wear them. Making them easier to identify.
🤣
Thank you for raising this issue. I can only hope that RM Williams responds and promises to do better.
I have one pair that are more than 70 years old I bought them second hand and my two new pair that are about 50 years old. Gorgeous boots. Getting harder to find a quality cobbler. They have taken such a hiding in all weather, all of them and they still tart up well. Not sure about the newer ones.
Hey! National Treasure is actually a pretty good movie. It's a lot of fun and it holds up surprisingly well.
I’ve been wanted to buy a pair of R.M for at least 5 years now.
My plan was to buy them straight from the store when I’m visiting Australia, and making the whole thing a special memory.
Welp fuck me and my dream I guess, I’ve never been this sad to see the quality drop of a brand
Don’t buy the comfort craftsman and buy a different upper leather. Don’t let your dreams be dreams.
@@liamkelly5850 Yeah but do I really want to risk 600 bucks for a brand that has been confirmed to be cutting corners on one of their boots? I’m not sure yet, I might need some time to think about it, maybe look for a similar boots that are actually good quality at the same time
There's outlet stores here and with the US to Australia exchange rate you could probably pick up a pair of Craftsman's for 300ish.
I wanted to do the same
I think this review was a little unreasonable. And I bet every upmarket shoe & boot made in the last 40 years has had a huge mark-up.
Why be disappointed? At least head into a RMW store and have a look.
Years ago I would have suggested Blundstones, which at the time were half the price of Doc Martens and just as hard-wearing. Now they're no longer made in Australia.
Don’t apologise to us Aussies, we’re really glad you took a good look at RMs and let us know what’s really going on. They have taken a treasured emblem of outback Australia and sold it up the river. Seems to be happening to a lot of the excellent old brands we used to love and trust. Akubra hats have also been sold to a big corporate company, just waiting for their quality to drop through the floor too now.
I bought a pair of comfort craftsmans last year (2023). It is my second pair. I wear my RM’s every day to work. Looking inside, the inner is red leather. The heel piece is a thick, profiled and textured material and fully glued in. Feels soft but durable and is a rubber like material. I wonder if you have a pair that was made before the new owners made changes? I purchased from Percy St in person.
If what you show is true then it is a disgrace, but seems inconsistent with what I have.
I prefer my Rossi boots. 100% Aussie made with similar heritage and don’t cost half of the RM’s. My Endura boots lasted 7 years with heavy use. My black dress boots are the cheaper ones without the leather sole and are still going strong after wearing to work for 8 years. Both are the same (did you say single cut?). Good vid.
I hope this review kicks their butt back into the quality. We have bugger all manufacturing and legitimately Australian made products worthy to be proud of these days. "They've" sold our Cars, Vegemite, world class shock absorbers, quality fruit, quality building construction etc etc.
So damn sad! Still love you Australia!
There's not a lot of options when other countries can made decent products much cheaper. I for one am happy with the comparatively high wages Aussies get, especially these days.
The loss of manufacturing here actually was related to the surplus of cheap overseas-made stuff. The balance-of-payments stopped being an issue decades ago. International trade and the global economy means we can buy TVs, phones, stereos, dress shirts, etc., much cheaper than if we made them.
For widespread Aussie boot-making to continue, we'd have had to resort to the textiles trade of old, underpaid workers driven to exhaustion & paid a pittance, while their employers suck from the government teat of tariffs.
Near the end, textile makers were notorious for exploiting migrant women, given unfairly large amounts of piecework in sweatshops, being stood over by thugs.
If that's what it took to produce affordable footwear, I'm happy to see the end of manufacturing here. I'm sad to see iconic brands die or head overseas, but I feel we have it pretty good, consumer-wise.
I think the Comfort Craftsman have always had a lot of synthetics compared to the Craftsman for people who don't like breaking in leather.
It's clearly listed on the RM Williams website as being a Comfort Insole.
I've got comfort and regular craftsman and I find regular more comfortable for wearing all day. Comfort gets too hot. Weird.
@@kingofthenoobs The original Comfort Craftsman were built identical to the traditional craftsman with just a rubber sole.
@@ZulualfadeltaThat the Blaxland. Leather insole, rubber outsole. The comfort craftsman were introduced in the early 2000s with the comfort insole.
Quality still going great, I got a pair of RMs Dynamic Flex Comfort Craftsman a year ago and superb comfort and durability.
lol can’t judge durability after a year for these types of boots
I’ve bought several pairs online and one pair at the shop in Aus. There is inconsistency in fit after buying the same size… one pair was actually too tight.
Also the leather has a tendency of cracking very quickly in some of the boots at the front/instep part. Finally one boot quickly had a hole in the sole. A point to note is I don’t walk much and these boots quickly show a high level of wear.
Great video, I was about to buy some R.M.W. a few years ago to have a good dressing boot, but after some research got to the same conclusion than this video... I ended importing an American brand which you've actually reviewed in the past. I mean for the $400+ price range you've got way more options for quality
I mean they literally advertise this as having a foam insole. You can also get the boot rebuilt by them when the insole goes bad. You could also just buy the equally overpriced version with the leather insole.
Still doesn't change the fact that it isn't worth $600. If you believe that they're worth that much, then you suffer from Brand Loyalty
@@IsthisMike if you read my comment I distinctly say that they’re overpriced…
Though they look mostly identical there’s a big difference between the two ranges of boot when it comes to the sole
The craftsman have a traditional full leather sole
The comfort craftsman has a hybrid leather & rubber sole with foam insert. To make it a more comfortable boot.
I enjoy both boots. Both wear really well & are durable. When worn all day I lean more towards the comfort craftsman. The sole is less slippery and the insole more comfortable
I agree at this price point the insole should be leather but if that’s what you want then I guess buy the full leather sole version
The real crime here is that you pay $589 USD for them here in Australia they run $650 AUD which is around $430 USD
Still not cheap/amazing value for money but they are a good looking dress boot with heritage
Excellent video! Loved the intro and history you really did your homework thank you 🙏
Hello Rose Anvil, would you consider reviewing Loakes? They are basically a UK version of RM Williams and the royals wear them
I've been asking him to have a look at any of the Northamptonshire brands for a while, would love to see Tricker's or C&J or Edward Green or any of the others. @Trickers-Shoes especiialy has a YT presence, I hope we get to see one here one day.
Wrong I'm in the Northamptonshire borders, 20 miles from Loake Crockett and Jones and it's Trickers the royals buy, Trickers have the royal warrant. RM Williams are in the same price range as C and J and Trickers both are incredible quality, Loake 1880 made in England range are still decent but watch the others now outsourced to India and not particularly impressive.
@@rarekid740I own both C and J and Trickers quite simply the best a man can get in this price range and the video is correct, RM Williams are overpriced garbage nowadays
@@richyclubsport5155 that's awesome, Tricker's are definitely aspirational for me. I watched the Stridewise factory tour and it made me appreciate them so much
I'm also Australian. 66 years old with two pairs of the round toe high stacked leather heels. Basically the Santa Fé with round toe. A brown pair I've had since the mid 70s and black since early-mid 80s. Had them re heeled and gussets replaced several times. They're the most comfortable boots (footwear) I've ever worn and they still look amazing. Haven't worn them for years but I reckon I'll get them out after watching this. It's a bloody screaming shame where RMs are at now🤦♂️😔