Which R.M.Williams Boot Is Right for You?
The right R.M.Williams boot comes down to three choices: the sole, the width fitting and the leather. For most people the Comfort Craftsman ($699) is the best first pair. The Dynamic Craftsman suits anyone who wears orthotics, and the Dynamic Flex Craftsman gives the most flex underfoot. Then choose a G or H width and a leather that suits how you'll wear them.
By the Blowes Clothing team, an official R.M.Williams stockist fitting Australian feet since 1936. Updated 23 October 2026, with every boot in this guide checked as in stock.
It's easily the most common question we get asked at the counter: "which R.M.Williams boot should I actually buy?" Nine times out of ten the customer already knows they want a pair. What they can't work out is why two boots that look almost identical on the shelf feel completely different once they're on, and why one is $699 and another $849. We've been fitting R.M.Williams boots across our five stores for decades, so here's how we talk it through in person.
Quick answer: how to choose an R.M.Williams boot
- Pick the sole. Comfort Craftsman for all-day comfort, Dynamic Craftsman if you wear orthotics, Dynamic Flex for the most flex when walking.
- Pick the width. G suits most feet, H is wider, and X (Comfort Tambo only) is wider again.
- Pick the leather. Yearling for smart, pull up or oiled for character, burnished for the dressiest finish.
- Size down from your sneakers. The boot should feel snug across the ball of the foot from day one.
- Need a lace-up or a work boot? Look at the Urban Turnout or the Gardener.
Prefer to watch? Bailey from our sales team walks through the Craftsman boots in under two minutes.
What's the difference between the Comfort Craftsman, Dynamic Craftsman and Dynamic Flex Craftsman?
They look almost the same from the outside. All three are handcrafted in Adelaide from a single piece of leather, with a chisel square toe, a flat heel and elastic sides. The difference is under your foot: the sole and the insole. Quick breakdown:
- Comfort Craftsman: a rubber comfort sole on a Goodyear welt, with a comfort insole and padded heel lining. It's the boot we fit most often, because it handles a full day on your feet with little breaking in.
- Dynamic Craftsman: a durable rubber sole with a removable, contoured insole for support and pressure relief. It's built on a deeper last, so you can swap in your own orthotics.
- Dynamic Flex Craftsman: a combined leather and rubber sole that adds flexibility and softness underfoot, plus a supportive Dynamic Flex insole that also lifts out.
| Boot | Sole and insole | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Craftsman | Rubber comfort sole, comfort insole | $699 | First pair, everyday wear, long days |
| Dynamic Craftsman | Rubber sole, removable insole | $699 | Orthotic wearers, extra support |
| Dynamic Flex Craftsman | Leather and rubber sole, removable insole | $699 | Walking, travel, a softer feel |
What about the original Craftsman? It's the same boot again with a traditional stitched leather sole, and it's the purist's pick for dress wear. Stock of it is very limited right now, so if you're set on a leather sole, call or visit one of our stores and we'll check what we can get for you. For everyone else, the Comfort Craftsman in chestnut yearling is the safest place to start, and it works with jeans, chinos and a suit.
Which R.M.Williams boot is the most comfortable?
The Comfort Craftsman is the most comfortable R.M.Williams boot for most people, thanks to its cushioned comfort insole, padded heel lining and rubber sole. If you need more support than that, the Dynamic Craftsman is the better choice. Key facts:
- Standing all day: the Comfort Craftsman needs the least breaking in.
- Orthotics or foot pain: the Dynamic Craftsman has a removable insole and room for your own inserts.
- Lots of walking: the Dynamic Flex Craftsman bends more easily through the ball of the foot.
- Wide feet: comfort starts with the right width, so see the G, H and X fittings below.
What do G, H and X mean in R.M.Williams boot sizes?
The number is the length and the letter is the width fitting. G is the standard men's width and suits most feet, H is wider, and X is wider again but only made in the Comfort Tambo. A 9G and a 9H are the same length. Quick breakdown:
| Fitting | Width | Who it suits | Available in |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Standard | Most feet | Almost every men's style |
| H | Wider | Wider or high-volume feet | Most Craftsman boots |
| X | Widest | Very wide feet or a high arch | Comfort Tambo only, made to order |
- The boot should feel snug across the ball of the foot from the first wear, with your heel held in place.
- Leather stretches across the width as it beds in, but it won't gain length.
- Most people take a smaller number in an R.M.Williams boot than in a sneaker.
- A removable Dynamic insole takes up more room than a plain one, which is why the Dynamic boots are built on a deeper last.
The Comfort Tambo in X is a made-to-order boot, so allow around four to six weeks. Start with our R.M.Williams boot sizing guide or the R.M.Williams boot size guides, then come into one of our stores if you can. Ten minutes with a fitter saves a return.
Which R.M.Williams leather should you choose?
Leather drives both the price and the character of the boot. The same Comfort Craftsman runs from $699 in yearling to $849 in hand burnished leather. Quick breakdown:
| Leather | Look and feel | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|
| Yearling | Smooth, even, polishes up cleanly | You want one boot for work, weddings and weekends |
| Pull up | Waxy, lightens where it bends, ages visibly | You like a boot that shows its wear |
| Oiled nubuck | Soft, lightly textured, water-resistant | You want a relaxed boot for changing weather |
| Oily fern and crazy horse | Distressed from day one, scuffs blend in | Your boots will work hard |
| Burnished | Hand finished, darker through toe and heel | You want the dressiest finish |
| Kangaroo | Light and strong for its weight | You want a lighter boot |
Also in stock: the Dynamic Flex Craftsman in tanbark kangaroo and in bark crazy horse. Raw edge versions have a natural, unfinished edge for a more casual look. Whichever you choose, match the care to the leather: our boot care by leather type guide covers each finish, and which boot care kit you need makes it simple.
Which R.M.Williams boot should you get if not a Craftsman?
The Craftsman family suits most people, but not everyone. If you want laces, or a boot built for mud and weather, there's a better style in the range. Key facts:
- A smart lace-up: the Urban Turnout is a Derby laced boot with a round toe, waxy pull up leather, a full storm welt and Goodyear welt construction. It comes with both leather and cotton laces.
- Weather and hard wear: the Gardener has oiled leather, a full storm welt and a treaded rubber sole for grip on wet or uneven ground.
- The widest fit: the Comfort Tambo in an X width, made to order.
Want to see how to wear them? Our guide to how to wear R.M.Williams boots has six outfits, from a wedding suit to a day on the tools.
Are R.M.Williams boots worth the money?
For most people, yes, because they're built to be repaired rather than replaced. The welted sole can be swapped out without touching the upper, so a well-kept pair lasts for years. Key facts:
- Price: the boots in this guide run from $699 to $849, depending on the style and leather.
- Cost per wear: a $699 pair worn three days a week for five years works out at under $1 a wear.
- Built in Australia: the Craftsman family is handcrafted in Adelaide from a single piece of leather.
- Care pays off: regular conditioning does more for longevity than anything else. Our everyday boot care guide takes five minutes to read.
Rotating between two pairs, and keeping the right products from our R.M.Williams leather care range on hand, will stretch that cost per wear further still.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Craftsman or the Comfort Craftsman?
For most people, the Comfort Craftsman. It has the same one-piece upper and chisel toe as the Craftsman, but swaps the leather sole for a rubber comfort sole, a comfort insole and a padded heel lining, so it grips better and needs less breaking in. The leather-sole Craftsman suits traditionalists who mainly wear their boots on dry ground.
Are R.M.Williams boots made in Australia?
Yes. The Craftsman family, including the Comfort Craftsman, Dynamic Craftsman and Dynamic Flex Craftsman, is handcrafted in Adelaide, South Australia, from a single piece of leather. That one-piece upper, with no side seams, is a big part of why the boots hold their shape for years and feel so comfortable once they've moulded to your foot.
Can R.M.Williams boots be resoled?
Yes. R.M.Williams boots are built with a welted sole, which means the sole can be replaced without touching the upper. Look after the leather with regular conditioning and a resole gives a good pair many more years of wear, which is why the cost per wear ends up so much lower than the price tag suggests.
Do R.M.Williams boots stretch?
They stretch slightly across the width as the leather moulds to your foot, but they won't get any longer. That's why a new pair should feel snug across the ball of the foot, with your heel held in place rather than lifting. Never size up hoping a loose boot will settle, because it won't shrink back.
What size R.M.Williams boot should I get?
Most people take a smaller number in an R.M.Williams boot than in a sneaker. Start with our R.M.Williams boot size guides to find your length, then choose the width fitting: G for most feet, H for wider feet. If you can, come into one of our stores, because ten minutes with a fitter usually saves a return.
How do I look after R.M.Williams boots?
Wipe them down after wear, condition the leather every few months, and let wet boots dry naturally away from direct heat. Match the product to the leather: yearling takes polish, while suede, nubuck and raw edge finishes need their own care. Our boot care by leather type guide covers what to use on each one.
Shop the R.M.Williams boot edit
Eight boots from this guide, all well stocked across sizes right now:
Or browse the full range:
- R.M.Williams men's boots, every Craftsman, Turnout, Gardener and Tambo style we stock.
- All R.M.Williams boots, if you're shopping across men's and women's.
- R.M.Williams leather care, the polishes, conditioners and protectors for each finish.
- The whole R.M.Williams collection, including belts, jeans, shirts and wallets.
Free standard shipping on Australian orders over $150, free Click & Collect from all five stores, and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Still not sure which R.M.Williams boot is right for you?
As a third-generation, family-owned business fitting Australian feet since 1936, we know the right pair starts with trying a few on. Come and see us in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Mudgee or Dubbo, or get in touch and we'll help you choose your boot, your width and your size.
