R.M. Williams — The Australian Heritage Chelsea Boot
Reginald Murray Williams founded the company in 1932 in the South Australian bush, designing boots for stockmen working on remote cattle stations. The Craftsman — built from a single piece of yearling leather with only one back seam — has remained the brand's signature for over 90 years. Beloved by Australian farmers, the British landed gentry, and a generation of city customers who appreciate restrained Chelsea boots, R.M. Williams sits in a small category of footwear that is genuinely classless. English Brands stocks the Comfort Craftsman in dark tan and other heritage finishes.
What we stock
The R.M. Williams range at English Brands centres on the Comfort Craftsman:
- Comfort Craftsman in Dark Tan — the flagship Chelsea boot in rich yearling leather
- Other Comfort Craftsman finishes as stocked
The Comfort Craftsman is distinguished from the standard Craftsman by an enhanced cushioned insole for all-day wear. All R.M. Williams Chelsea boots are Goodyear welted with a single-piece leather upper.
Why R.M. Williams
One-piece construction — the upper of every R.M. Williams Craftsman is cut from a single piece of yearling leather with only one back seam. This requires extraordinary skill from the shoemaker and produces a boot that is exceptionally strong, comfortable, and elegant.
Genuinely Australian heritage — founded 1932 in the South Australian bush. R.M. Williams Chelsea boots have outfitted Australian stockmen, agricultural workers, and farmers for nine decades, before becoming popular internationally as a refined town-and-country boot.
Goodyear welted with yearling leather — yearling leather (from young cattle) is softer, more pliable, and more forgiving than mature leather. Combined with Goodyear welted construction, it gives a boot that softens quickly and lasts decades.
Classless and timeless — R.M. Williams Chelsea boots work with denim, chinos, suits, riding kit, and country clothes equally well. Few boots cross categories this comfortably.
Caring for your R.M. Williams
Yearling leather is softer than calf and rewards consistent care:
- Use cedar shoe trees after every wear — preserves the iconic Chelsea boot shape
- Apply leather conditioner regularly — R.M. Williams Boot Care, Saphir Leather Conditioner, or any quality cream conditioner. Yearling responds to nourishment.
- Polish with matching wax — use Saphir Medaille d'Or or R.M. Williams' own wax polish in matching shade
- Avoid prolonged exposure to water — yearling is naturally water-resistant but not waterproof. Allow to dry naturally if wet.
- Resole when needed — Goodyear welted construction allows multiple resolings through R.M. Williams' own service or any skilled cobbler
Frequently Asked Questions
Are R.M. Williams boots made in Australia? Yes — R.M. Williams Craftsman boots continue to be made at the brand's factory in Salisbury, South Australia, where the company has produced footwear for over 90 years. The brand has resisted offshore production despite ownership changes.
What is yearling leather? Yearling leather comes from cattle aged between 12 and 24 months. The hide is thinner, softer, and more pliable than mature leather, with a fine grain that takes polish beautifully. It softens quickly to the foot and retains its character with age.
What is the difference between Craftsman and Comfort Craftsman? Both share the same one-piece leather upper and Goodyear welted construction. The Comfort Craftsman has an enhanced cushioned insole designed for all-day wear on hard surfaces. The standard Craftsman is firmer; the Comfort is significantly more cushioned out of the box.
How do R.M. Williams sizes run? R.M. Williams use their own sizing system, which roughly corresponds to UK sizing but tends to fit slightly snug initially. The yearling leather stretches and moulds significantly during break-in. If between sizes, many customers recommend sizing up.
Are R.M. Williams Chelsea boots waterproof? The yearling leather is naturally water-resistant but the boots are not fully waterproof. Light rain is absorbed by the leather and dries naturally without damage. For sustained wet conditions, treat with leather conditioner regularly. For genuinely wet country work, a dedicated rubber boot is more appropriate.
