The right R.M.Williams boot care kit depends on your leather. Smooth leather boots need the leather kit, with Leather Conditioner, Stockman's Boot Polish in your colour and a double-sided brush. Suede boots need the suede kit, with Suede Cleaner, Suede Protector and a suede brush. Both are $99.95 and come in a reusable zip-up bag.
It's one of the most common questions we get asked at the counter, usually just after someone's been fitted for a new pair: "What do I actually need to look after these?" For years the honest answer was a handful of separate tins, sprays and brushes. So we've put together two R.M.Williams boot care kits of our own, one for leather and one for suede, so you can walk out (or check out) with everything in one bag.
Quick answer: which boot care kit do I need?
- Check your boots: smooth, shiny leather such as yearling calls for the leather boot care kit.
- Soft, brushed-feel suede or nubuck calls for the suede boot care kit.
- For the leather kit, pick a Stockman's Boot Polish colour: Black, Chestnut, Dark Tan or Natural.
- Never use polish or conditioner on suede; it flattens the nap and can stain.
- Own both? Grab one of each, as both kits are $99.95 and each comes in its own zip-up bag.
Do I need the leather or the suede boot care kit?
It comes down to the surface of your boots. Smooth leather needs feeding and polishing; suede needs brushing, cleaning and protecting, and the two routines don't mix. Quick breakdown:
- Smooth, full grain leather (most yearling and calf boots, like the classic Comfort Craftsman in Chestnut) takes the leather kit.
- Suede and nubuck have a soft, raised nap and take the suede kit.
- Burnished and other aniline leathers are smooth but more delicate. R.M.Williams advises their Leather Conditioner isn't suitable for aniline finishes such as burnished, Warwick and rum, so check our boot care by leather type guide first.
- Not sure? Look inside the boot or on the box, or bring them into one of our stores and we'll tell you in seconds.
| Leather Boot Care Kit | Suede Boot Care Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Smooth leather boots | Suede and nubuck boots |
| Clean | Brush and microfibre cloth | R.M.Williams Suede Cleaner and cloth |
| Nourish | R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner | Not needed on suede |
| Colour and shine | Stockman's Boot Polish in your choice of four colours | Not used on suede |
| Protect | Conditioner helps repel water | R.M.Williams Suede Protector |
| Brush | Double-sided horsehair boot brush | R.M.Williams suede brush |
| Also included | Zip-up bag, cloth, Blowes care card | Zip-up bag, cloth, Blowes care card |
| Price | $99.95 | $99.95 |
Still weighing up which boots to buy in the first place? Our guide to how to wear R.M.Williams boots covers which leathers suit which occasions.
Which R.M.Williams boots go with each kit?
Here's how some of our most popular R.M.Williams boots line up with the two kits. Quick breakdown:
- Leather kit: yearling leather boots like the Comfort Craftsman and Comfort Lady Yearling. Choose Chestnut polish for chestnut boots and Black for black.
- Suede kit: suede boots like the Comfort Craftsman in Wood Ash suede and the Comfort Lady Yearling in Cedar, which is made from Italian waterproof suede.
- Buying a new pair? Add the matching kit at the same time so you're ready to look after them from the first wear.
Pair with the leather kit
Pair with the suede kit
Not sure of your size? Check our R.M.Williams boot size guides, or browse all R.M.Williams men's boots and women's boots.
What's in the R.M.Williams leather boot care kit?
Everything you need for the clean, condition and polish routine that keeps smooth leather supple and looking sharp. Key facts:
- R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner: a beeswax and lanolin blend that softens the leather and helps it shed water. It's the same conditioner we sell on its own in the R.M.Williams leather care range.
- Stockman's Boot Polish: restores colour and covers light scuffs. You choose the colour when you order.
- Double-sided boot brush: the small side works polish in, the large horsehair side buffs it off to a shine.
- Microfibre cloth, zip-up bag and our care card: so the whole routine lives in one place, ready for next time.
The routine itself is simple: knock off dirt, condition, polish, buff. If you want the full step-by-step, including how long to leave conditioner before buffing and how to dry wet boots, it's all in our complete guide to caring for R.M.Williams boots.
Which Stockman's Boot Polish colour should I choose?
Match the polish to the boot, and when in doubt, go lighter. Quick breakdown:
- Black: for black boots only. It'll darken anything else.
- Chestnut: the go-to for mid-brown boots, including the classic chestnut yearling.
- Dark Tan: for deeper browns and boots you'd like to keep rich and dark.
- Natural: a neutral polish that adds shine without changing colour. Ideal for lighter tan boots, burnished leathers, or if you're not sure.
Got two pairs in different colours? Order the kit in your main colour and add a second tin of Stockman's Boot Polish for the other pair. The same polish works on belts too, which we cover in how to care for your R.M.Williams leather belt.
What's in the R.M.Williams suede boot care kit?
Suede is the leather customers worry about most, and fair enough: one wrong product can flatten or stain it. The suede kit keeps it simple with three steps, brush, clean and protect. Key facts:
- R.M.Williams Suede Cleaner: a non-abrasive spray that lifts dirt, food and grease marks from suede and nubuck.
- R.M.Williams Suede Protector: sprayed onto clean, dry suede to help guard against everyday dirt and moisture. R.M.Williams recommends three light coats from different angles.
- Suede brush: lifts the nap before and after cleaning so the suede keeps its soft, even texture.
- Microfibre cloth, zip-up bag and our care card: with step-by-step instructions written by our team.
$25.00 | Suede Brush
Brushing is the step most people skip, and the one that makes the biggest difference to suede.
Brand-new suede boots? Give them a coat of protector before the first wear. It's much easier to keep suede clean than to clean it after the fact. You'll find our full suede method on the R.M.Williams everyday boot care page.
Is a boot care kit a good gift for an R.M.Williams owner?
It's one of the most useful presents you can give someone who already loves their RMs, and it takes the guesswork out of shopping for them. Why it works:
- Easy to choose: you only need to know whether their boots are leather or suede, and for leather, roughly what colour.
- Ready to give: everything comes packed in a reusable zip-up bag, no wrapping of loose tins required.
- Comes with instructions: our care card means they'll actually use it, not leave it in a drawer.
- A smart add-on: buying someone a new pair of R.M.Williams men's boots or women's boots? Add the matching kit so they're set from day one.
With Christmas not far off, a kit makes an easy stocking filler for the boot lover in the family. Not sure of their leather type? Give us a call and we'll help you work it out.
How do I top up my kit when products run out?
Every product in both kits is also sold on its own, so you can refill the bag rather than buy a whole new kit. The usual top-ups:
Polish and protector tend to run out first. Browse the full R.M.Williams leather care products for the other colours and sizes, or the boot accessories range for extras.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in the R.M.Williams leather boot care kit?
The Blowes leather boot care kit includes R.M.Williams Leather Conditioner, a tin of R.M.Williams Stockman's Boot Polish in your choice of Black, Chestnut, Dark Tan or Natural, a double-sided R.M.Williams boot brush, a black microfibre cloth and our Caring for Your RMs instruction card, all packed in a reusable zip-up bag.
What comes in the R.M.Williams suede boot care kit?
The suede kit includes R.M.Williams Suede Cleaner, R.M.Williams Suede Protector, an R.M.Williams suede brush, a black microfibre cloth and a Blowes care instruction card, all in a reusable zip-up bag. It covers the brush, clean and protect routine suede needs, without any polish or conditioner that could flatten the nap.
Can I use the leather boot care kit on suede boots?
No. Stockman's Boot Polish and Leather Conditioner are made for smooth leather and can darken or flatten suede. Suede and nubuck need a suede-specific cleaner, protector and brush, which is exactly what the suede kit contains. If you own both types of boots, it's worth having one of each kit.
How often should I use my boot care kit?
As a general guide, we suggest a full clean, condition and polish every 6 to 8 weeks for dress boots and about every 4 weeks for boots that work hard. Suede boots benefit from a quick brush after most wears and a fresh coat of protector every few months, or after a thorough clean.
Which Stockman's polish colour should I choose for my R.M.Williams boots?
Match the polish to your boot colour: Black for black boots, Chestnut for mid-brown, Dark Tan for deeper browns and Natural for lighter tones or when you're unsure. Natural adds shine and nourishment without changing the colour. Burnished leathers are best kept with Natural polish, so check your leather type first.
Is a boot care kit a good gift for someone with R.M.Williams boots?
Yes. It's one of the most practical gifts for anyone who already owns RMs, and a smart add-on when someone buys a new pair. Both kits are $99.95, come in a reusable zip-up bag and include an instruction card, so the person receiving it knows exactly what to do.
Can R.M.Williams boots get wet?
They can handle the odd shower, but don't make a habit of it. If your boots get soaked, wipe off the surface water and let them dry naturally away from heaters, fires and hairdryers, as forced heat can crack the leather. Once dry, condition leather boots, or brush and re-protect suede.
Shop the R.M.Williams boot care edit
Both new Blowes kits, a pair of leather and suede boots to match each, plus the individual R.M.Williams products for topping up.
Not sure which kit is right for your boots? Browse all our boot care kits, or drop into one of our stores for hands-on, in-store expertise.
Not sure what leather your boots are?
As a third-generation, family-owned business fitting Australian men and women since 1936, we've looked after a lot of R.M.Williams boots, and we put these kits together from the questions you ask us every day. Bring your boots into Bathurst, Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange or Wagga Wagga, or give us a call, and we'll point you to the right kit.