Menswear Icons You Should Own: R.M.Williams Craftsman Boot

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.