RM Williams Boots - Everything You Wanted to Know

[Hamish G]

Hi all,
I think I’ve scrolled through all 397 pages and I haven’t seen anybody else with a pair of 75th Anniversary engraved kangaroo Craftsman. Does anyone have info on these?
For 12 year old boots, they’re holding up exceptionally well!

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Hi all,
I think I’ve scrolled through all 397 pages and I haven’t seen anybody else with a pair of 75th Anniversary engraved kangaroo Craftsman. Does anyone have info on these?
For 12 year old boots, they’re holding up exceptionally well!

View attachment 1165932

Nice boots sir! I have them in black and tanbark kangaroo and they are the business. I did fancy the chestnut with the leather midsole which I believe is now an option with the comfort craftsmen. Having said that I do have plenty!

 

[Hamish G]

Nice boots sir! I have them in black and tanbark kangaroo and they are the business. I did fancy the chestnut with the leather midsole which I believe is now an option with the comfort craftsmen. Having said that I do have plenty!

I had the kangaroos resoled with the comfort sole last year, best move ever. I've also got a pair of kangaroo comfort turnouts in tanbark, such a great colour!
I wish kangaroo leather was added back into the core collection, I'm not patience enough for MTO boots!

 

[troika]

One of the local stores here just started selling RMW! Kind of a big deal for my town.

 

[emptym]

For @JohnAAG, @Crafty Cumbrian or anyone else interested in braided kangaroo belts, I ended up getting a Badgery Queenslander and thought I'd do a quick comparison with the RMW version. I've had the RMW one for a few months and the Badgery for just a few days, but I couldn't find anything online comparing the two, so I thought I'd post something.

The first thing I noticed when I got the Badgery belt is how thin it is. It seems to be about half as thick as the RMW version. The edges are thin to the point of almost being sharp, while the RMW edges are stout and rounded. You can see the difference when they're rolled (Badgery in brown on the left and RMW in black on the right):

The comparison is a tad unfair, since the RMW one has a bit more space in the center at the bottom. This is caused by how tightly woven the lacing is around the rings. It's so snug, that you can't move the rings much, whereas the Badgery version has enough space to slip a finger between the lacing there. You can see in this pic how the two layers on the Badgery version don't join till outside of the frame, while the RMW version joins right after the rings:

That pic also shows the relative thinness of the Badgery laces. And this thinness seems intentional since the leather strips that make up the edges seem to have been beveled. They've definitely been run through something that compressed them, as seen most clearly in the line across the top edge in this pic:

Personally, I prefer the thickness of the RMW version, which really is not very thick -- in fact, I'd say it's slightly thinner than a regular dress belt. The Badgery version seems flimsy, but kangaroo is thought to be very strong, and I'm sure some would prefer its thinness. I got this to make a travel belt, and thinness is an advantage for that. It has one strong disadvantage though: The belt can collapse/fold on itself lengthwise, particularly in the back where it may strain against a belt loop or two.

Part of that folding may be due to how loosely the belt is woven. The RMW belt is so tightly woven that pretty much no light shines through it, and you can't pull apart the weave at all. The Badgery, on the other hand, shows tiny points of light at each intersection and can easily be pulled from its regular width of 1.25" to about 1.75". It does return right back to its regular shape once released, and I don't know if/how the looseness would be a disadvantage, other than possibly contributing to the aforementioned folding.

It could be that I just got a particularly thin and loosely woven one though, and maybe @JohnAAG could comment on his.

All of that said, I do like the the Badgery belt. And, other than price, it has one clear advantage for me: the o-rings. First, they're seamless, unlike the RMW version. And they're silver, which I prefer. RMW offers the brown version with brass rings only, and Collier Bristow never got back to me about special ordering a silver version from RMW. If I can get one in the future, I probably will. For now, though, I will definitely get some good use of this Badgery belt.

 

[JohnAAG]

For @JohnAAG, @Crafty Cumbrian or anyone else interested in braided kangaroo belts, I ended up getting a Badgery Queenslander and thought I'd do a quick comparison with the RMW version. I've had the RMW one for a few months and the Badgery for just a few days, but I couldn't find anything online comparing the two, so I thought I'd post something.

The first thing I noticed when I got the Badgery belt is how thin it is. It seems to be about half as thick as the RMW version. The edges are thin to the point of almost being sharp, while the RMW edges are stout and rounded. You can see the difference when they're rolled (Badgery in brown on the left and RMW in black on the right):
View attachment 1167572

The comparison is a tad unfair, since the RMW one has a bit more space in the center at the bottom. This is caused by how tightly woven the lacing is around the rings. It's so snug, that you can't move the rings much, whereas the Badgery version has enough space to slip a finger between the lacing there. You can see in this pic how the two layers on the Badgery version don't join till outside of the frame, while the RMW version joins right after the rings:
View attachment 1167575

That pic also shows the relative thinness of the Badgery laces. And this thinness seems intentional since the leather strips that make up the edges seem to have been beveled. They've definitely been run through something that compressed them, as seen most clearly in the line across the top edge in this pic:
View attachment 1167573
Personally, I prefer the thickness of the RMW version, which really is not very thick -- in fact, I'd say it's slightly thinner than a regular dress belt. The Badgery version seems flimsy, but kangaroo is thought to be very strong, and I'm sure some would prefer its thinness. I got this to make a travel belt, and thinness is an advantage for that. It has one strong disadvantage though: The belt can collapse/fold on itself lengthwise, particularly in the back where it may strain against a belt loop or two.

Part of that folding may be due to how loosely the belt is woven. The RMW belt is so tightly woven that pretty much no light shines through it, and you can't pull apart the weave at all. The Badgery, on the other hand, shows tiny points of light at each intersection and can easily be pulled from its regular width of 1.25" to about 1.75". It does return right back to its regular shape once released, and I don't know if/how the looseness would be a disadvantage, other than possibly contributing to the aforementioned folding.

It could be that I just got a particularly thin and loosely woven one though, and maybe @JohnAAG could comment on his.

All of that said, I do like the the Badgery belt. And, other than price, it has one clear advantage for me: the o-rings. First, they're seamless, unlike the RMW version. And they're silver, which I prefer. RMW offers the brown version with brass rings only, and Collier Bristow never got back to me about special ordering a silver version from RMW. If I can get one in the future, I probably will. For now, though, I will definitely get some good use of this Badgery belt.

Great comparison! Honestly, I'm not surprised the RMW belt is thicker. The Badgery is pretty thin; in fact when I first got it I honestly wondered how long it would last before the strands started to snap or break. But after 2.5 yrs of pretty regular use (3 or 4 times a week), mine is still going strong. I haven't had any issues with it folding, deforming or stretching. The weave is still tight (although I can see what you mean about it being a looser weave than the RMW, comparitively speaking). The glaze or coating on the front side has definitely dulled, but it hasn't worn off. The untreated back side of the belt also had me scratching my head a bit at the start. But I quickly realized that it provides more friction through the rings so the belt barely slips at all during the day. I choose to think of it as feature rather than a cost cutting decision (which, lets face it, it probably was).

I guess the best compliment I can give is that I was so happy with the brown Badgery that I bought a black one. Been super happy with it as well for the year or so I've had it.

Hope that helps a little!
John

 

[emptym]

Thanks, John! That makes perfect sense. I think this will last along time too. I have a bookmark made of kangaroo that an aunt gave me like 35 yrs ago. It's super thin but very durable. I don't think this will break either.

The two belts are both good for their respective prices, imo. The Badgery belt was definitely well made by great craftspeople. The weave is perfectly even. I'd been thinking that the RMW might not be worth its price since RMW had been purchased by LVMH, but I would say that it is.

I'll post more in a year or so how each has aged, but imo the real test will be 10, 20, 30 yrs from now.

 

[EdoubleD]

Quick questions:

Is it best to wear boots for a few wears and then add a topy/cover sole? Or add one straight away (without any wears)

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Quick questions:

Is it best to wear boots for a few wears and then add a topy/cover sole? Or add one straight away (without any wears)

They will scuff the sole up regardless to get a proper key on the adhesive so either way I don’t think it matters too much.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

For @JohnAAG, @Crafty Cumbrian or anyone else interested in braided kangaroo belts, I ended up getting a Badgery Queenslander and thought I'd do a quick comparison with the RMW version. I've had the RMW one for a few months and the Badgery for just a few days, but I couldn't find anything online comparing the two, so I thought I'd post something.

The first thing I noticed when I got the Badgery belt is how thin it is. It seems to be about half as thick as the RMW version. The edges are thin to the point of almost being sharp, while the RMW edges are stout and rounded. You can see the difference when they're rolled (Badgery in brown on the left and RMW in black on the right):
View attachment 1167572

The comparison is a tad unfair, since the RMW one has a bit more space in the center at the bottom. This is caused by how tightly woven the lacing is around the rings. It's so snug, that you can't move the rings much, whereas the Badgery version has enough space to slip a finger between the lacing there. You can see in this pic how the two layers on the Badgery version don't join till outside of the frame, while the RMW version joins right after the rings:
View attachment 1167575

That pic also shows the relative thinness of the Badgery laces. And this thinness seems intentional since the leather strips that make up the edges seem to have been beveled. They've definitely been run through something that compressed them, as seen most clearly in the line across the top edge in this pic:
View attachment 1167573
Personally, I prefer the thickness of the RMW version, which really is not very thick -- in fact, I'd say it's slightly thinner than a regular dress belt. The Badgery version seems flimsy, but kangaroo is thought to be very strong, and I'm sure some would prefer its thinness. I got this to make a travel belt, and thinness is an advantage for that. It has one strong disadvantage though: The belt can collapse/fold on itself lengthwise, particularly in the back where it may strain against a belt loop or two.

Part of that folding may be due to how loosely the belt is woven. The RMW belt is so tightly woven that pretty much no light shines through it, and you can't pull apart the weave at all. The Badgery, on the other hand, shows tiny points of light at each intersection and can easily be pulled from its regular width of 1.25" to about 1.75". It does return right back to its regular shape once released, and I don't know if/how the looseness would be a disadvantage, other than possibly contributing to the aforementioned folding.

It could be that I just got a particularly thin and loosely woven one though, and maybe @JohnAAG could comment on his.

All of that said, I do like the the Badgery belt. And, other than price, it has one clear advantage for me: the o-rings. First, they're seamless, unlike the RMW version. And they're silver, which I prefer. RMW offers the brown version with brass rings only, and Collier Bristow never got back to me about special ordering a silver version from RMW. If I can get one in the future, I probably will. For now, though, I will definitely get some good use of this Badgery belt.

Thanks for the review and comparison. I’d never seen the RM belt. I nearly bought off CB bit had bought a few of the Badgery ones prior. The Roo tail belts they sell are a lot thicker and appear more in line with RM that way. I got a black one and like that too.

 

[EdoubleD]

They will scuff the sole up regardless to get a proper key on the adhesive so either way I don’t think it matters too much.

Thanks that’s what I thought they would do. Some advice I was given is to wear them to break them in a bit first

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Thanks that’s what I thought they would do. Some advice I was given is to wear them to break them in a bit first

Don’t think their is a wrong or right way. Only thing to avoid is wearing the sole thin and then try to Topy too late.

 

[emptym]

Quick questions:

Is it best to wear boots for a few wears and then add a topy/cover sole? Or add one straight away (without any wears)

I agree w/ CC that it probably doesn't matter much, but iirc, DWFII recommends getting it done early. Perhaps to avoid unevenness or oils that may prevent the topy from adhering well. That said, I've attached topies myself to old shoes.

Thanks for the review and comparison. I’d never seen the RM belt. I nearly bought off CB bit had bought a few of the Badgery ones prior. The Roo tail belts they sell are a lot thicker and appear more in line with RM that way. I got a black one and like that too.

Very good, thanks, CC. I searched for Roo tail belts, but couldn't find any. Would you happen to know of a source/link?

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I agree w/ CC that it probably doesn't matter much, but iirc, DWFII recommends getting it done early. Perhaps to avoid unevenness or oils that may prevent the topy from adhering well. That said, I've attached topies myself to old shoes.


Very good, thanks, CC. I searched for Roo tail belts, but couldn't find any. Would you happen to know of a source/link?

https://www.bushgear.co.uk/collections/hats/products/barmah-kangaroo-leather-belt-broken-hill-black

Excellent service from this shop too.

 

[EdoubleD]

Had a cover sole fitted my my local clobber, happy with the results