RM Williams Boots - Everything You Wanted to Know

[InaYan]

Dear all, just following up from my previous posts. I've been looking to purchase my first pair of RMW boots, and wanted to share some of my woes with finding the correct sizing which may help others. My usual size is UK 6.5, regular F width, and this is what I have in most other high quality shoes, incl. various Loakes, Cheaneys, Grensons and Crockett and Jones.

First order: CC 6.5 G
So I went ahead and ordered a 6.5 G Comfort Craftsman (I believe G fit is RMW's regular fit). To my surprise the boots were much too large for me, with massive heel slips and feet swimming around and toes sliding forward - absolutely unwearable. The instep felt very high for me with a lot of step around this area, which probably contributed.

Second order: CC 6 G
I then ordered a size 6 G - much better fit in heels and instep, but toes were very cramped - I knew I could not wear this long term, as toe box areas generally do not stretch much.

Third order: CC 6 H and Comfort Turnout (CT) 6 G
Disappointed, I gave the CC one last try by ordering the wider 6 H. My reasoning for this was that the 6.5 G was probably very large as the instep was quite high, so did not provide enough pressure on my feet to keep it in place - the 6 G fixes this problem as it is shorter (and therefore more instep pressure), but the shorter length causes a cramped toebox. I thought going for a 6H would therefore solve this problem - maintain the snug instep but give myself more room in the toebox.

I also ordered the CT in 6 G to try - reasoning being that the CT has a rounder and more bulbous last, which I thought could provide a larger toebox than the CC 6 G while maintaining the snug fit everywhere else.

Observations:
1. I made a weird observation: the CC 6 H is much more comfortable in the toebox, it now feels snug but not cramped. But also, the 6 H has a significantly smaller and slimmer heel area than the CC 6 G, which provided an even more secure fit in this area with very little heel slip. See the attached photo for comparison - 6H heel much smaller than the 6G heel.

2. The CT 6 G was no good at all - good snug fit in the heels and instep but very cramped toe box, just like the CC 6 G.

Conclusions:
1. RMW's wider H fit provides a roomier toe box but narrower heel.
2. There is little difference in fit between the CC and CT lasts - the chisel toe vs round toe is entirely a stylistic choice, both seem to provide the same fit.

Therefore in the end I kept the CC 6 H - nice snug fit everywhere with a snug but finally comfortable toe box!

Thanks everyone for the earlier suggestions (esp. @JustinW and @midazsolam ) and hope my experience helps others too! Would love to know if anybody else has had similar experience to mine?

I ordered 6G CC
Heel slip and squished toes and my left toe was lightly scraping the toebox' roof. Now they advised to go for 5.5 H. Really hope that they won't be somehow too short. But I know ordering 6H probably wouldn't be the perfect fit either.

 

[InaYan]

This was my exact issue--Comfort Craftsman in 8G, perfect everywhere except my left foot's toebox. It was squeezed and uncomfortable, and while I could probably have ridden it out, all the sources I consulted said the toebox never stretches.

I tried on an 8H and it fit like a dream. I was stunned at how much of a difference it made. Still good fit everywhere, snug in the right places, but the extra toe space made a huge difference. They felt like basketball shoes they were so comfortable. I'd 100% recommend trying the wider size before sizing up.

So I assume you didn't have heel slip in 8G in first place? I got mines in 6G but my left toes were cramped and squished and the toe was scraping the toebox as well. So I decided to go for 5.5H

 

[InaYan]

Also,what was the reason you chose the CC over the Turnout

 

[bluemaxwell]

I sooo hope you see this!
My feet is 26.3 cm long and more than 10cm at the widest part.
They recommended 08H MENS size(I am a women) and that is 42EU which I have never had as a shoe size! I am usually 39-40EU! How is possible that 6G Comf. Craftsman had heel slip but 8H won't give me that problem? What kind of science is that haha

Sounds right based on the size chart: https://www.rmwilliams.com/womens-bespoke-boot-size-chart/Bespoke_Womens_sizechart.html?lang=en_US

Are you sure you measured correctly? Do you normally wear your shoes with no space at the toes? A 26.3cm foot with 1-1.5cm toe room would be a 41/42 typically.

 

[Liam0062]

Awesome, thank you both. I really appreciate it! Do you have any thoughts on the leather upkeep and durability in wet conditions (i.e. pacific northwest with lots of rain and snow for a few months every year)? My Comfort Turnouts are pretty slippery (I think they have the "Oil Resistant" sole), and I'm hoping these have a little more traction. I also already own RM's leather conditioner, and don't know if that would be necessary for these.

I have a new pair of Gardeners in Black and have worn them for the better part of the last 5 weeks (saving my Comfort Craftsman’s for better weather). They have handled snow, rain, slush and salt from the Western New York winter very well.

This past weekend I was at a friends cabin and had to make multiple trips through Ankle deep snow. Happy to report no problems.

Traction is fine and they are very comfortable.

 

[InaYan]

Sounds right based on the size chart: https://www.rmwilliams.com/womens-bespoke-boot-size-chart/Bespoke_Womens_sizechart.html?lang=en_US

Are you sure you measured correctly? Do you normally wear your shoes with no space at the toes? A 26.3cm foot with 1-1.5cm toe room would be a 41/42 typically.

I know it sounds crazy,but! I had ordered and tried on the boots in 8H (42EU)and they were HUGE!!! Sold them on Ebay yesterday. My first ordered pair 6G was almost right,that's why when I got the email saying their advise is that 8H will fit better,I've thought they meant actually the 06H(38.5).But of course, I ignored that and ordered them in mens size which was a wrong decision. Now I am struggling and can't decide which one to be my final order. I really think I measured my feet right but all that happens is stating the opposite.

 

[troika]

I know it sounds crazy,but! I had ordered and tried on the boots in 8H (42EU)and they were HUGE!!! Sold them on Ebay yesterday. My first ordered pair 6G was almost right,that's why when I got the email saying their advise is that 8H will fit better,I've thought they meant actually the 06H(38.5).But of course, I ignored that and ordered them in mens size which was a wrong decision. Now I am struggling and can't decide which one to be my final order. I really think I measured my feet right but all that happens is stating the opposite.

I would stick to women's sizes because of heel slip - women's shoes and boots have a narrower heel area designed to offer more grip for a better fit

 

[InaYan]

I would stick to women's sizes because of heel slip - women's shoes and boots have a narrower heel area designed to offer more grip for a better fit

Yep,ordered the 5.5 H.but there is no such a RMW womens boots that my feet can get in-even the E fitting is too narrow. Would like to try the Adelaide in a store but no chance now.

 

[troika]

Yep,ordered the 5.5 H.but therevis no such a RMW womens boots that my feet can get in-even the E fitting is too narrow. Would like to try the Adelaide in a store but no chance now.

Why not try 6.5H?

 

[InaYan]

Why not try 6.5H?

Because the 6G had already a heel slip which could get even worse with a longer boot.

 

[troika]

Because the 6G had already a heel slip which could get even worse with a longer boot.

Ah! Understood. I think you're not going to find a solution from an off the rack shoe. I would consider trying an insole and/or heel pads like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C3Q4R26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_H6SW7MDAHAGY44EGZWAP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[InaYan]

That would't help. Tried before with other brands of boots that were too big ,my heels is too slim and no insole could solve the problem. Waiting for my boots yo arrive in 6-8 weeks.

 

[snowbird25]

Well, I just received a pair of Gardener's and just like you all said, they're pretty awesome. I haven't had a chance to wear them just yet, but I like the more casual look and think they'll be quite versatile. Compared to Blundstone's, they're definitely a nicer looking and feeling boot (as I was expecting).

For those of you who have a pair would you suggest the saddle dressing RM makes? From what I've read this is the best product for this leather, and I definitely want to keep these boots in as good of shape as I can.

 

[Hurlazza4]

Hi folks, has anyone had any joy edge dressing the rubber soles of the Gardener boots?

I have a black pair of Gardener boots and the rubber sole is quite obviously brown which is fine on the sole itself but not that great on the edges. I would like the edges to be black like the boots. I tried Saphir edge dressing but it didn’t really stick. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Cowbear66]

Hi all, I have a question on leather's loosening up with time with consequences for sizing.

My first purchase scenario: I chose 2 variations of the comfort craftsman in 2 sizes that were available for quicker order
- 10 with oiled kip
- 10.5 with the usual CC veal

I'm kinda thinking that the 10.5 veal is my size, but wonder if the compression I feel on the oiled kip on my instep could ease up with time? The kip is snug as a glove with little give (I understand this leather style is naturally less supple than the typical CC veal).

Based on where I live and my lifestyle I am partial to the condition/quality of the oiled kip. If they don't loosen up though, I should just bite the bullet and order 10.5 kips with 6-8 wait-time : /

Thanks!!!!