R.M.Williams Craftsman boots are a footwear staple for any well-dressed Australian. In this round of Menswear Icons You Should Own—Man of Many’s new series exploring wardrobe essentials—we’ll explore how this inherently Australian boot has become our nation’s defining piece of footwear.
Welcome back to Menswear Icons You Should Own. This is the second instalment in Man of Many’s new series celebrating rare pieces of menswear that have proved timeless, shaping the way we dress over the course of decades. Each instalment dives into the story behind a sartorial staple before exploring the details that make it special and discussing those who’ve worn it best, from actors and musicians to athletes and public figures.
Nothing fits this bill with more precision than the Craftsman boot from R.M.Williams. In a world full of Chelsea boots—essentially what the Craftsman is—R.M.Williams’ take on this style stands entirely apart. It does so in two key ways: through its signature aesthetic and the philosophy that underpins it.
Considering the former of these for a moment, there’s something about the Craftsman that makes it easy to spot in a way that applies to no other boot. If I’m honest, it’s hard to put my finger on precisely what that might be, but this hard-to-define uniqueness means you just know a pair of RMs when you spot one. Perhaps it’s the unique curve of the single piece of leather, the particular dimensions of the chisel toe, those iconic branded tugs, or the singular look a well-loved pair develops over time thanks to the high quality of materials used.
As for the latter, this is something I witnessed firsthand on a recent visit to the R.M.Williams workshop located just outside of Adelaide. There, I had the chance to speak with some of the craftspeople who’ve devoted themselves to crafting Australia’s finest footwear. The pride they have in their work is palpable, with some clocking up more than a quarter of a century with the company. We’ll touch on these discussions shortly, but for now, it’s enough to say there’s a passion that goes into each pair of R.M.Williams boots that you won’t find anywhere else.
The result of all of this is that Craftsman boots are unmistakable, whether they’re being worn down in the back paddock, onstage at a music festival, within the halls of parliament, or just at an inner-city bar. With that, let’s take a closer look at these most Australian of boots and how they’ve shaped the way generations of Aussies (and international adopters) have dressed.
Boots For Life
The R.M.Williams story starts with a 1932 Flinders Ranges camping trip for founder RM and his young family, during which he first learned leather craft from a local man named Dollar Mick. Together, the pair made the first R.M.Williams boot, using a single piece of leather, although they were entirely unaware of the impact they would still have over 90 years later.
The boot would go on to become a favourite among stockmen of the region, enabling RM to establish a workshop on Adelaide’s Percy Street in 1940. From there, his production would only grow, ultimately including a wide range of leather goods and apparel.
Then, in 1966, the Craftsman made its debut, and Australian feet haven’t looked the same since. The modern incarnation remains relatively unchanged from this ‘66 original. Still starting with its signature construction around that single piece of leather, the contemporary Craftsman passes through scores of highly skilled hands over the course of its journey through the R.M.Williams workshop.
Speaking with Phil Fabian, Maintenance Manager, who’s been with the brand for over 25 years, he doesn’t hesitate when it comes to explaining what makes the Craftsman such a special piece of footwear.
“It’s the heart of R.M.Williams. The heart of Australia,” he says. “It represents everything, from the farmland right through to the city man who wants to dress up. It’s pride, craftsmanship, with over 80 pairs of hands touching each boot.”
Nothing is rushed throughout the process that brings these boots into being. There’s a deliberate sense of care and attention to detail as the single piece of leather is cut, blocked, and shaped, before being stitched with one reinforced seam at the heel.
Further down the line, another key element of the Craftsman is introduced: the Goodyear welt. Stitching a leather welt strip to the insole of the boot, this allows the boot to be resoled again and again, which is how one pair of R.W.Williams boots can serve a wearer for decades. It’s a far more involved and skill-heavy process than the more common methods in modern bootmaking that lean on the use of cement glue, but for R.M.Williams and its skilled craftspeople, there’s no doubt that this extra time is worth it.
Further, this approach also ensures the comfort of each pair of boots is second to none, as Clicking Operator Donna Gordon, who’s responsible for ensuring the leather for each pair of boots is cut just right, is quick to point out.
“From my point of view, it’s the comfort and the lack of rubbing seams,” she explains. “It adds to the longevity, too, with no tearing or anything like that. And it looks good!”
These good looks go right down to the sole, which is the next piece of the Craftsman puzzle. Depending on your needs, you can opt for either a leather, rubber, or dynamic flex sole, each of which serves a slightly different purpose. While the traditional leather, which R.M.Williams has used on its boots since ‘32, provides the classic look that’s perfect for everyday wear and formal occasions, the rubber sole delivers enhanced durability and comfort, and the dynamic flex sole—a combination of rubber and leather—offers increased flexibility and softness.
No matter which sole suits your needs, each pair of Craftsman boots is a timeless piece of menswear that’s foundational for any self-respecting Australian’s wardrobe. Unaffected by passing trends, the Craftsman is a boot that acutely demonstrates the stark difference between fashion and style.
Signature Features
In every edition of Menswear Icons You Should Own, we outline the signature features that have helped our subject reach its status as an icon. These might come down to fit, fabric, innovative design choices, or oddities and quirks that have become part of the charm. Regardless, this is the stuff legends are made of.
1. Single Piece of Leather
At the risk of labouring the point, so much of the Craftsman’s magic stems from the use of a single piece of leather to craft every boot. Cut and sculpted with enormous skill by the brand’s artisans, and meticulously reinforced via an elegant single seam at the heel, giving each boot a reliably durable backbone, this approach is what gives them their signature look and ensures they only become more beautiful as they age.
2. Branded Pull Tugs
More than just an easy way to pull your boots on as you dash out the door, R.M.Williams’ branded pull tugs help to show off their authenticity. With the brand’s iconic logo and a tonal colourway that matches your finish of choice, they serve to enhance both the form and function of every boot.
3. Goodyear Welt
The key to ensuring your boots go the distance, the Goodyear welt was developed by Charles Goodyear in 1869, and its use involves stitching a leather welt strip to the insole of the boot, creating a lip of leather that the sole can then be stitched to. While a labour-intensive approach to bootmaking, it ensures a longevity that more contemporary methods simply can’t match.
4. Materials and Finishes
The Craftsman comes in a wide range of materials and finishes, so odds are there’s one that suits your own particular style to a tee. From a number of suedes to leathers that include yearling, kangaroo, and even the uber-luxury of crocodile and ostrich, the variety of materials and colours used to bring that iconic Craftsman shape to life is impressive.
As Worn By…
As you might expect of a menswear icon, pairs of R.M.Williams Craftsman boots have been pulled on by a long line of A-list actors, athletes, musicians, and more. While this is far from an exhaustive list, here are a select few who’ve worn them particularly well.
Hugh Jackman
Having served as an ambassador for the brand, you know R.M.Williams is near and dear to the Wolverine actor’s heart. When speaking with the team at the R.M.Williams workshop, Jackman’s was a name that came up time and again. According to Vicki Misic, who holds the role of 2IC on Closing Line 1, the Hollywood heart-throb’s visit to the workshop was “amazing.” However, her personal highlight was the next person on this list…
Casey Stoner
“My favourite was Casey Stoner,” Vicki says. “I got a bit starstruck. My husband’s a big MotoGP fan, and Casey was so lovely.” You might not automatically associate R.M.Williams boots with the world of motorsport, but it just goes to show how widespread the appeal of this iconic Australian brand has become.
Kevin Bacon
The American star of Footloose was the first person to come to mind when I asked Donna if she had a favourite celebrity wearer of the boots she makes every day. However, when asked if she was a fan, she replies, laughing, “Not really. He just looked really good in them!” You can’t win ‘em all, Kevin.
Daniel Craig
Making his second appearance in Menswear Icons You Should Own, not only did Daniel Craig fill the shoes of the world’s most suave and well-dressed super spy for 15 years, but he’s since gone on to become something of a style icon in his own right. So it should come as little surprise to learn that he’s developed an appreciation for the kind of high-quality boots only R.W.Williams can deliver.
Gang of Youths
As contemporary Australian rock royalty, it’s only fitting that Gang of Youths should don the finest boots from an iconic home-grown brand. “We always have RMs on tour — it’s an open secret by now that we have a penchant for the boots,” said the band in a 2023 interview. “You could bet your house that, at any one time, at least one band member will be sporting a pair.”
Where Can I Buy R.M.Williams Craftsman Boots?
Do you want to look as effortlessly stylish as any of the incredibly well-dressed chaps above? If so, you’ll be wanting to secure a pair of Craftsman boots of your very own.
Fortunately, these outstanding boots are readily available from a wide range of retailers, as well as R.M.Williams’ own brick-and-mortar retail spaces. Having said that, I recommend you start by investigating the broad offering available from the R.M.Williams online boutique in order to discover the pair that’s just right for you. After all, these boots are made to last, so you’ll be wearing them for many years to come.
*Casey Stoner image sourced from Red Bull Content Pool
