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[QLD] RM Williams Comfort Craftsmen $409, Dynamic Flex $499 @ RM Williams, Harbour Town

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I finally went in and tried a pair for myself and found them super comfy to put on. Now i am normally a 10 but found I was a 9H in these. They were getting more stock in next week of that size in a really dark blue, which i thought looked nice. Other than that there was plenty of stock. I have bought a pair of Thomas Cook Chelsea boots, but that hurt my feet even after 6 months of trying to break them in.

Found some information from a previous post on RM's:

Q: What's the difference between the Dynamic Flex Craftsman vs the Classic and Comfort models?
A: The Dynamic flex has a combination leather/rubber sole and a very supportive removable insole. You can use orthotics in these boots if you have them. The Classic Craftsman has a leather outsole and insole. The Comfort Craftsman as a rubber outsole and fixed 'comfort' insole.

For me personally, the Dynamic Flex is the most supportive and comfortable Craftsman around.

Q: What colour should I get?
A: The Chestnut Yearling is the recommended colour for your first RM Williams Craftsman boot. It offers the best versatility in most people wardrobe; you can dress it up or down. Ultimately the choice will come down to your aesthetic.

Q: What size am I?
A: RM Williams is in AU sizes, similar to UK Sizing. Usually 1 full size down from US sizing/Brannock sizing. It's best to get fitted instore if you can, as a whole cut Chelsea boot will bit differently to normal shoes and boots. It takes into a lot of variables like your instep, shape & width of the foot, etc.

The F width is standard, similar to a D width US shoe. The H width is wider, similar to a US size E/EE width.

Q: OMG, why would I pay this much money for boots when I can get $50 ones from Rivers
A: It's all about the long term investment. RM William boots are Goodyear welt constructed, allowing you to resole and recrafts the boots when required. The Dynamic Flex soles should last a few years of decent year, mine is 3 years and still going strong, due for a resole next year ($160, cheaper if you use 3rd party cobblers). There are many examples of people wearing RM Williams even after 50 years.

RM William boots also hold their value, unlike other brands. Second-hand pairs can sell for $150-$400 depending on their condition.

Q: Are RM Williams boots truly Australian?
A: Yes, the Craftsmen line is made in South Australia. The RM Williams brand has recently transferred back to Australian ownership, under Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's investment company.

Related Stores

Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Gold Coast
Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Gold Coast

closed Comments

  • Nice, any idea if other stores have the same deal?

    • +1

      Any of the 'Clearance' branded stores (outlet stores) like the Harbour Town store have these kinds of prices on seconds every day. The sizes and colours in stock vary, but they regularly get new stock.

  • I was able to buy these in the last DJ deal and change size at RM store.

    • Any issues doing this? I’m about to attempt it with some I got from the iconic.

      • Doesn’t iconic have free returns both ways still?

        • RMs come in various widths, so it’s about getting a width iconic doesn’t sell.

      • I tried this about 6 months ago not for change of size but for a defective pair I bought from DJs. I tried to swap at RMs store because DJs had no stock left so just wanted to give me a refund (but it was $400 or so, so I didnt want to take the refund just wanted good boots.)

        RMs shop said they couldn't exchange from another retailer.

        • It depends on the store you go to. In August I swapped a pair I'd bought from another store for a different size. They said I couldn't swap styles or colours, but a size swap was okay.

        • Why should they?
          Theyd didnt profit from the sale
          Thats like buying a tv from jbhifi and taking it to harvey norman for a refund.

          • +4

            @Drakesy: That's not equivalent, since you're buying from a retailer and then taking it to the manufacturer, which technically did make a profit off the sale from a third party.

            More aptly, it's like buying an iPhone from JB and taking it to the Apple Store.

            They shouldn't have to give you a refund for a change of mind, but I'd like to think they would take responsibility for defects or issues and support.

            • @rysk: But apple similarly won't refund or exchange a phone that they didn't sell?

              • +1

                @Drakesy: As long as it is AU stock in warranty, yes, they will exchange stock with something wrong with it.

              • +1

                @Drakesy: They would exchange a phone in case of a defect, if it under their 2 year warranty under consumer law, but wouldn't provide a refund.

                • @rysk: exactly - I believe an exchange is what started this, Gonltruck wanted an exchange not a refund which DJs would have given… I agree with ryskel, if it is a corporate owned store, they should want people to be happy with the product / purchase / expensive brand - provided it is genuine they should not care where it was bought.
                  Shoes are a bit different to electronics, so long as they are new with tags, a change of size isn't usually considered change of mind. Especially as different manufacturers have variances on the sizing (see mister_snrub's comment - "I couldn't swap styles or colours, but a size swap was okay" (i.e. you usually know your own shoe size, its how they measure and label it that is a fitness for purpose issue and therefore worthy of exchange.)

          • @Drakesy: Not sure you understood the sentiment of my post. I was not implying that they should nor that I was annoyed that they didn't. I just thought it was worth a shot and tried to share my experience with someone asking for a similar experience

      • +1

        Copying my previous post on the DJs sale below. Side note, really happy with my dynamic flex. Took a few wears to wear them in cos my feet are stupid and hurt with lots of shoes. Love them now.

        If you are looking to buy these and don't know your size, I'd recommend going to an RM Williams store first to know your size.

        There have been some reports that RM Williams stores can exchange sizes, even if you purchase from another store. I can advise first hand this is hit and miss. One store I went to had no issue with the swap, another refused to do it. So I'd save yourself the hassle and get fitted before buying.

        If you really have to jump on a sale, I'd suggest a size down from what you normally wear.

        • Serious question: is there a way to go into the rm shop to be sized up with no intent to buy in store, and somehow not come off as a giant a-hole?

          I’m a bit in two minds about it, 9 times out of 10, the two attendants at my local Westfield rm shop are standing there chatting anyway…

          • +1

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: Just go in and try them on. Staff I dealt with were friendly and helpful. You can always just say you're going to think about it - I'm sure it's not common for someone to just buy a $650 pair of shoes straight away…

          • +1

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: I did this exactly several months ago. Even took a photo of the box for style and size reference. Now that they are on sale, I'm going to find the photo and pull the trigger :)

      • No issues at all. Size 8 wasn't in stock everywhere and was hard to find. Went to 3 stores, they were all ready to swap these.

  • OMG~upvoted because of the Q&A!

    • I can't take the credit for that, i should update the post as i pulled it from another in 2020, but it still applies

  • Wow seems suspiciously cheap haha

    Advertised price or?

  • +5

    the RMs at Harbortown is an outlet, the shoes are seconds (failed QA for aesthetic reasons only, or returned custom order - guaranteed structurally sound tho).
    You can tell by a very small circular punch through the leather at the back of the boot near the ankle.
    (I bought some RMs from there a few years ago, still going strong, and honestly couldn't tell the difference between these and new boots. Most of the boots looked perfect. A few pairs were slightly uneven in the leather colour perhaps, either between boots or within the boot. Or v. minor scuffs)

    • +1

      Yep, still good boots. But you can't swap sizes on seconds stock at another RM Williams store, as they check for the punched hole. So you need to know the size is good before you buy.

  • +1

    Please don't subscribe someone else's commentary on how the sizing works - go try a pair on in-store in the various styles and actually find what is appropriate for you.

    A leather boot that is slightly too big, small, narrow, or wide, and/or a boot with an arch support that is too high or low for your particular foot will be mighty uncomfortable.

    Take the time to go try them on in-store, then take a photo of your boot sizing and style, so you can buy them online at a later date. Shouldn't be too hard to do this time of year without being hassled by the staff - just tell them you're coming in to try some sizes on so your partner knows what colour and size to buy you for your Christmas present

    • -1

      Weird reason to down vote. Is a deal vs. Rrp…

      • -1

        no way, all 8 pairs under 400? wtf dude

        • What are you talking about? I paid $260 for mine 10 years ago but times have changed…

        • all 8 purchased in the last 2 years. so yeah. times aren't that far away. worked at a country school RM's, a requirement to put into perspective :P

  • -2

    Thanks for crediting the Q & A correctly

    /s

    • Who gives a shiet?

  • +1

    Disagree with chestnut. Think Dark tan is an edge over chestnut for a versatile shoe colour.
    Also if you are flat footed please don't order a dynamic flex. It will be agony

    • +1

      I have quite flat feet and have actually found them quite comfortable - the dynamic flex you can take the in soles out and put orthos in, pretty sure you can't with the comfort craftsman but I don't have them…

    • +1

      Disagree with Dark Tan. Chestnut is the most versatile colour. Ask any RM aficionado.

      • Hmm i thought of myself as one. Ive got 3 and planning on buying black as my 4th. I tend to wear dark tan the most. Kangaroo tanbark mainly works with jeans. But chestnut feels more like a trousers boot where as dark tan is nicer with jeans but also works well with trousers

  • +1

    Isn't G standard width, not F…

    • You are correct f is narrow

  • +14

    Have a few things to say about RM’s, being one of only a handful of authorized repairers in the country.

    Firstly, G is their standard fit, F is narrow, H is wide. They do make an X fit(widest) but only in the Tambo boot. Dynamic Flex boots don’t come
    In F fit.
    Secondly, don’t expect any RM to last 20+ years these days, the last of the good ones were made around 2000. When they used Australian leather uppers and soles, when it actually killed your feet to break them in, none of that happens anymore.

    Buy the ‘Classic’ leather soled boots if you want the most out of your investment, wear them for a little amount of time, then put a Topy sole on them from a good cobbler, no mister minute shit here.

    Use a good quality polish on them, no Kiwi, nugget, dubbin or even RM’s own polish. I’d recommend Angelus, proper US made wax polish. Natural ingredients. No need for extra conditioners. Best on the market.

    • +1

      What colour Angelus polish would you recommend for chestnut boots?

      • +2

        Dark brown will hide scuffs and scratches the best

    • Bookmarked for future ref

    • Appreciate the gems.

      Curious, you suggested to get the Classic to get the most out of your investment.
      Is that based on it being cheaper than the Dyno?
      I'd assume the Dyno having replaceable inserts would be a better investment?
      Also thought the soles on the Dyno would last longer?

      • +1

        They should be all the same price, but you can sometimes get the comforts and dynamic flex on sales.
        If you need to wear orthotics, go the dynamics. The latest sole on the dynamics are PVC, so they last longer than the older rubber version. As PVC wears, it can become slippery, so just keep that in mind.
        Both the comforts and dynamics are built around a texon board insole, whereas the classics are leather. This is where the comforts and dynamics fall short, the texon slowly breaks down with sweat and moisture. You might squeeze a few full sole replacements out of them, the classics with the leather insoles last much longer hence the better investment imho.

        • So I took your advice and picked up a pair of Classics/Leather sole in Chestnut, scored them for $150 from marketplace. Fantastic condition.

          As they're pre worn they're ready for some topy or equivalent sole protectors.
          Any idea on ballpark price I should be expecting for these to be done by a proper cobbler?

          Appreciate all the info thus far mate.

          • +1

            @illz: Bargain! I'd expect to pay around the $50 mark these days. Topy in the thin non-slip material seems to wear the best compared to other brands

    • Which colour polish would you recommend for for burnished mahogany boots? This colour:
      https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/burnished-balmoral-boot-mahoga…

      Also do you have any shoe tree recommendations?

      • +1

        Really depends on your boot, the burnished boots really differentiate between pairs, no 2 are the same. Some have a dark brown burnished toe, others are black. This can change the tone throughout the whole boot. With the mahogany I'd either go light brown or brown.
        Shoe trees, go cedar, something US made.

    • I recently purchased a black yearling pair, found out from looking beneath the insole production date was 5/14. This has the yellow font pull tabs. Initially I thought they were the comforts because of the full composite rubber sole but it turned out to be a dynamic flex with a full composite/rubber sole. Does this check out in your professional opinion? I also have a newer H pair with production date of 2017 - it has the leather/rubber soles hybrid per the RMW website.

    • How long do you expect them to last?

      Would you say they're still good quality? But not as good as they used to be?

      Is there a good quality alternative that is more like the 2000s RM Williams?

  • Ordered a pair of Dynamic Flex from the DJ sale a few weeks ago which I'm going to return tomorrow. Really wanted to like it but I find the insole to be too uncomfortable.

    Tried on the Comfort craftsmen and they felt good so in going to wait for a deal on those.

  • +2

    I rang yesterday and this is their regular pricing. And they don't always have stock of everything, as it's 'seconds', (which I knew) . Where's the bargain? Am I missing something?

    • Thought i would share, there was a lot of stock and they look brand new. I thought $409 was a good price, you don't think so? Have you been to the store before as it was my first time

      • +2

        Bought my first pair from there 15~20 years ago. It is better pricing, as they are seconds. And as this is their regular pricing, it's not really a bargain.

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