The Aussie design icon dreamed up in the outback 90 years ago – and still going strong today

Metro

28-05-2025

In an era when products are increasingly disposable, one Australian heritage brand is championing lasting quality above all else.
The story of R.M.Williams began in the outback in 1932, when the world was a very different place.
So what enduring characteristics have helped the company continue to thrive more than 90 years later?
The origin story
The The very first R.M.Williams boots were crafted with a specific purpose in mind – to outlast all others.
A young Redinald Murray 'RM' Williams was camping in the South Australian bush when he observed the complaints of local stockmen, fed up with their boots wearing out after long days in the saddle.
Working alongside a local craftsman, Dollar Mick, RM found that the answer was to make a boot from a single piece of leather.
Together, they would make the very first R.M.Williams boot – starting off a remarkable Australian legacy.
Unique design, crafted by hand
Today, artisans continue to craft every boot by hand in RM's workshop in Adelaide, using the same method he pioneered.
It's safe to say this isn't the easiest or quickest way to go about things, but it still results in a pair of boots that are timeless, iconic, and most importantly, made to last.
After all, using a single piece of leather requires only one reinforced seam at the heel, eliminating points of weakness and maximising the material's inherent strength.
And with leather naturally conforming to the foot with wear, it also produces a smoother, more comfortable fit that improves with time.
R.M.Williams also employs the Goodyear welt process, which involves stitching a leather strip to the innersole of the boot, creating a lip of leather that the outersole can then be stitched to.
This doesn't just make the boots more durable than lower quality options that are glued together – it also means they can be easily resoled without damaging the structure.
The use of high-quality materials further contributes to their remarkable longevity, which makes them less of a one-off purchase, and more of a long-term investment.
It's a reflection of the effectiveness of this system that one in every 10 boot transactions R.M.Williams sees is for a repair service, with some customers wearing the same pair for more than 60 years.
From outback to city
In their ability to overcome the challenges of the outback, R.M.Williams boots became the stuff of local legend.
But news of their unrelenting quality quickly spread beyond Australia, gaining this very Aussie icon its current reputation as one of the world's best-loved boot brands.
Products like their iconic Chelsea Boot might have been designed to survive the punishing environment of the outback, but their comfort, style and versatility makes them ideally suited to city life too.
Grounded in the UK
More than 9,000 away from their home in Australia, R.M.Williams boots have proved a hit in the UK.
From long country walks to fancy parties, they're the perfect companion to life in Britain – and more than a match for our famously unpredictable climate! More Trending
The company now has four stores across the country, with the latest opening last year in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
If you own a pair of R.M.Williams that you'd like repaired, simply drop them off at one of these stores, or phone their expert team for advice.
Once you've had yours patched up, they'll once again be a reliable companion for all your adventures…
Made to last: Browse the R.M.Williams men's range by clicking HERE.