Team: I’m pretty much in on a pair of RM Williams boots. I love the look, and the variety of color and leather options. I know there are a few different styles and cuts, and I’ve read that the sizing can be weird. I’m looking for any RM Williams wearers…what style do you recommend? How’s the sizing? For reference, I wear a 9D in Alden…
East Dane seems to have a good collection. I’m really drawn to the darker brown (Chestnut) and the dark brown suede…
Let me know!
I’ve been wearing my RM Williams brown Gardener boots for years without a problem. The rubber sole makes since for me since these are year ’round wet weather boots. Size like you would for any pull-on boot. For me, that’s a half size down in my normal width.
I wear a 9.5D in Alden tassle loafers and slot in at the 8.5 for RM Williams. I find it a tad narrow depending on your foot width, plan accordingly. I have the Chestnut Comfort RM with the chiseled toe, and frankly I wish I would have gotten the Gardner. The toe is a nice middle ground. Also, to me, the suede in the RM is a better overall quality than the company’s leather options. Mine have worn well, but no comparison in leather quality, with the RM leather being inferior to Sid’s, Crocket and Jones, and some others English bench made chelseas. Price may be a hundred or 2 more here or there, which is steep, but the RM’s are already in that $500 range. The leather quality to me feels closer to a $300 boot.
The RM Gardeners in a suede are a great fall/winter casual boot for sure. I wish I went that direction with my RM’s.. For a dressier or more versatile Chelsea, Sid’s win for me at a similar price point..
I have a few RMW boots.and love wearing them, they are some of my favorites along with Alden Indy and Wingtip boots. In terms of sizing, take a full size down from your normal size. So when you say 9d in alden – I’ll assume that is on their most popular lasts Barrie – which means you’re really a 8.5D. So I would take a 7.5G. G being their equivalent to D. However if you are slighly btw sizes or want to be safe just notch it up a 1/2. For me this is particularly true with the Craftsmen (the chisel toe), I found the the chisel makes this a little more snug in the toe box and I go up 1/2 size. But that’s just me.
In terms of style there’s a lot but really there are three main styles. 1. the craftsmen – this is the classic chisel toe and by far their most popular boot. I’m not a huge fan of this b/c I find a chisel in my large size looks a bit clownish (I wear a 13US). 2. the turnout – this is a round toe 3 gardener also a round toe but also meant to be more of a work boot (hence the name).
Sole – leather vs comfort. Personal preference but I vastly prefer the comfort. the best combo for me is comfort sole with leather insole – you can find the occasional make up from RMW with this.
Leather – I like the rum and chestnut yearling, the choco suede is nice but I prefer the havana/tobacco (similiar to snuff). If you really wear a “D” or their “G” I would personally grab the off the rack havana/tobacco. If you want a dressier boot the choco or chestnut works quite well.
hope this helps
I would echo many of the above thoughts. I am a 10.5 D in Alden 986s and the 9.5 G is a great fit in RM Williams. I opted for the round rather than chisel toe out of personal preference. However, I went with the Classic rather than Comfort bottom – I decision I regret somewhat.
The leather bottom of the classic feel significantly harder than most of my leather-bottomed dress shoes and boots. The soles do break in eventually and form nicely to one’s foot, but this provides only slight relief. So, if you find yourself standing for extended periods of time, your feet will feel it. Given this, I’ll likely go with the comfort next time.
Last point – I feel the traditional leather is on par with or better than many competing higher-end boots from a durability standpoint. My RM Williams have held up nicely over 6 years or so with regular conditioning and boot trees (this also helps a great deal with the creasing you see in a lot of RM Williams boots). The leather is tough and does not scratch or nick easily.
Additionally, they are highly water resistant, given the single seam construction. I don’t think this is a feature you could capitalize on if you buy suede.
Man you’re gonna love them! I wear a 10D in Alden (Aberdeen Last) and took a 9.5UK/10.5US in G width comfort craftsman. Also for reference (as I’m sure you have pair) I’m a 10.5 in the Martin Dingman Bill Loafer. At first I was beyond lost trying to make a decision between the many variations regarding toe shape, upper material and sole. Thanks to a Bloomingdales sale I was motivated to pull the trigger on the brown comfort craftsman in suede. I absolutely loved them and they’re killer with dark jeans, but I opted to send them back in exchange for the chestnut leather as I felt they would be more versatile and could knock around a little easier than suede. Fast forward a year later and I love them. They’re super comfortable, durable and classic. Now that I’ve had a chance to try them out for a while I can definitely see myself buying another pair in the future, likely brown suede. One thing I’ve noticed in wearing mine over the last year is they do look better if your jeans are slightly tapered and have little to no break. I hope this helps!