The Ultimate RM Williams Boot Care Guide

If you own a pair of RM Williams boots, you will already know how special and long-lasting they are. Designed originally for the Australian outback, each pair of RM Williams’ iconic Australian boots are made using fine grain leather by a team of highly skilled craftsmen and up to 80 pairs of hands. To make sure you get the most wear from your RM Williams boots, we have put together our RM Williams care secrets, showing you how to look after them to keep them looking their best. If you've ever wondered how log do RM Williams boots last, the answer is all down to proper care and treatment. With the right practice, you can trust RM Williams boots to withstand a country lifestyle with proper care.

General care tips for RM Williams boots:

• Wearing your boots for the first time? Try to wear them in dry conditions for the first few occasions and protect them with leather conditioner or suede protector before first wear.
• To keep the elastic sides of your boots in good shape, always pull them on or take them off using the signature woven ‘tugs’, which are specially designed to take the strain.
• Soaked your boots? Allow them to dry naturally away from direct heat and stuff them with newspaper to retain their shape. Never use direct heat or place them near a radiator because this will damage the upper, making the leather crack and may harm the sole.
• Fine leather or suede boots can require a full day to dry out from natural perspiration. It is a good idea to alternate which boots you wear every few days, if possible, to let them dry out from natural perspiration.
• We recommend using the RM Williams range of footwear-care products, which have been rigorously tested for tough outback conditions to help keep your boots in fine condition.

Shoes are the foundation of any outfit, and if your shoes are not in good repair, your outfit will also look shabby. Good quality RM Williams boots, cared for well, are truly a worthwhile investment.

Caring for leather boots with RM Williams Leather Care

Prolong the lifespan of your leather boots with our expert RM Williams boot care tips. As owners of RM Williams boots ourselves, we know what keeps them looking good for many years of wear. Below, we include specific guidance for good RM Williams leather care across different types of leather RM Williams boots including how to clean RM Williams boots and how to polish RM Williams boots.

Yearling, veal calf and bovine leathers

For yearling, calf or bovine leathers: clean, condition and polish your boots.

Please note: If you have Yearling Nutmeg or Rum coloured boots, follow the separate advice in this guide. If your boots are brand new, you should treat them with a leather conditioner before first wear – follow step 2 below.

1. How to clean RM Williams boots:

• Wipe over with a damp cloth to remove mud, dirt, dust or salt.
• Spray RM Williams leather cleaner directly and evenly onto your boots.
• Rub the cleaner in using a damp cloth or sponge.
• Remove any excess cleaner with a dry, clean cloth.
• Allow your boots to dry naturally at room temperature for at least 24hrs before applying conditioner.
• Be careful not to wear your boots immediately after cleaning – wearing damp boots can strain the leather and lead to stretching.

Top tip It is easier to remove mud and dirt from your leather boots when still wet, using a damp cloth. Then let them dry out naturally, before cleaning and polishing.

2. Condition occasionally and before first wear:

• Apply a light coating of RM Williams Leather Conditioner with a clean cloth, sponge or your hands.
• Leave your boots for 24–48 hours, allowing the conditioner to be completely absorbed into the leather.
• Once completely absorbed, give the leather a good buff with a soft dry cloth.
• To maintain your boots, use the RM Williams leather conditioner about every six weeks or as the leather becomes dry. Leather conditioner nourishes the leather fibres, keeping them supple and preventing cracking of the leather or excessive creasing. It also helps protect against rain and reduces harmful polish build up.
• Just be careful not to over condition; leather also needs to breathe. Therefore, if you clean your boots every week, do not use RM Williams conditioner each time.

3. How to polish RM Williams boots:

• Use RM Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish regularly to maintain the colour of your boots and remove scuffs. This keeps the smart finish of your yearling leather boots, particularly for dress boots.
• Use a clean cloth to massage the RM Williams boot polish well into your boots.
• Buff briskly with a separate clean, soft cloth for a high shine.
• If your boots are badly scuffed, leave the RM Williams polish on overnight to let the pigment fully absorb into the leather. Then buff briskly with a shoe-shine brush, such as the RM Williams Double Sided Brush, and finish with a buffing cloth for a high shine.
• Do not use Stockman’s Boot Polish on vesta or greasy kip leathers, as it drastically changes the colour of the boots.

Yearling – Nutmeg

If you have a pair of Yearling Nutmeg leather boots, such as the Comfort Craftsman in Nutmeg, take these few care steps to keep them in fine condition:

• Clean with a damp cloth. Nutmeg leather is designed to age. Avoid using leather cleaner or conditioner.
• Polish for shine and protection. Apply RM Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish in Natural, using a clean cloth to massage well into your boots. Only use Natural Boot Polish. The polish pigment will fully absorb if left overnight. Then buff briskly with a dry cloth.

Yearling - Rum

Yearling Rum leather has a distinctive, rich brown colour that you will want to look after. RM Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots in Rum are made with a 100% Aniline leather upper. Aniline is a natural looking leather that shows unique surface characteristics of the animal hide, so you may expect some natural marks and shade variation. To care for your Yearling Rum boots, you should:

• Clean with a damp cloth.
• Use leather cleaner. Spray cleaner directly and evenly onto boots. Rub in with a damp cloth, removing any excess with a dry cloth. Allow your boots to dry naturally for 24hrs.
• Apply Natural Boot Polish. RM Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish in Natural will give your boots protection and shine. Use a clean cloth to work the polish well into the boots. If your boots are badly scuffed, leave the polish on overnight. Then buff briskly with a dry cloth for a high shine.
• Leather conditioner may be applied to Yearling Rum leather. Just be aware, it will darken the leather initially.

Did you know? Every leather upper, on every RM Williams boot was once a living, breathing skin and as a result, needs to be maintained like one. If you treat your boots well, they will stay in good condition for longer.

Greasy kip or vesta leather

Even for hard-wearing leathers, such as greasy kip or vesta, it is important to look after your boots.

1. Keep them clean:

• Remove any obvious dirt, mud or salt with a damp cloth.
• Apply RM Williams leather cleaner evenly onto your boots. Rub in with a damp cloth.
• Remove any excess cleaner with a dry clean cloth.
• Let your boots dry naturally for at least 24hrs after cleaning, and before applying saddle dressing.
• Avoid wearing your boots immediately after cleaning, as they will still be damp and they could be stretched with wear.

2. Nourish and preserve their condition:

• Apply RM Williams Saddle Dressing with a soft cloth on a regular basis.
• Allow saddle dressing to penetrate into the leather.
• Buff with a clean cloth.
• Saddle dressing is a creamy paste that penetrates, preserves and protects leather, without over softening or weakening the leather. It will also ensure your boots remain water-resistant.
• Never use Stockman’s Boot Polish on greasy kip or vesta leathers.

Oxhide leather

Oxhide is a durable and water-resistant leather, but it still needs a little care. Look after these boots following these two steps:

• Wipe over with a damp cloth to remove obvious dirt, salt or mud.
• Clean with RM Williams leather cleaner.
• Do not use leather conditioner or polish on your Oxhide leather boots. If necessary, only use a light amount of saddle dressing to help maintain their water-resistance.

Burnished leather

Burnished boots need different care to other leathers, and this applies if you have a pair of RM Williams Chinchilla Boots. The Chinchilla Boots are crafted from natural yearling hide with a burnished effect, which is hand applied in the RM Williams Adelaide factory. Dye is hand painted onto the leather, then set at a high temperature. This creates boots with individual character and style, and you will want to look after your boots well to retain their unique finish. Take these two steps to keep burnished leather boots in good condition:

• Clean lightly with a damp cloth. Do not use any leather cleaner or conditioner. Leather conditioner will alter the appearance of the boots due to the aniline finish of the leather.
• Lightly polish your boots. Only use RM Williams polish, more specifically, RM Williams Stockman’s Natural Boot Polish on burnished leather for shine and protection. Note that when you polish your boots the first couple of times, a small amount of excess dye may come off – this will not affect the overall finish.

Kangaroo leather

To care for your Comfort Kangaroo Craftsman Boots in Chestnut or Chocolate, follow our tips below. Please note there are different care tips for Tanbark Kangaroo leather.

• Wipe off mud or dirt with a damp cloth.
• Spray leather cleaner. Spray cleaner directly onto your boots. Rub in with a damp cloth, removing any excess cleaner with a dry cloth. Leave your boots to dry naturally for 24hrs before applying leather conditioner or polish.
• Apply R M Williams leather conditioner on occasion. Kangaroo leather is very strong, durable and lightweight. It is already soft and supple, so leather conditioner may only be needed from time to time when you notice the leather is dry. Apply leather conditioner with a sponge, cloth or your hands. Work well into the leather and leave for 24-48hrs to absorb, then buff with a clean cloth.
• Finish with RM Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish. This RM Williams boot polish maintains the colour of your boots. Buff to a high shine.
• Let your boots fully dry after cleaning and before wear.

Kangaroo Tanbark leather

If you have the Comfort Kangaroo Craftsman Boot in Tanbark, follow this care guidance. The Tanbark leather is already soft and supple, and is a little more prone to water marks and stains than other kangaroo leathers, so simply:

• Wipe with a damp cloth. Only clean your boots by wiping mud, dirt or dust off with a damp cloth. Do Not use leather cleaner or conditioner.
• Apply Natural Polish. Use RM Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish in Natural to maintain and protect the leather finish. Buff with a soft cloth.

Crazy Horse / Oily Fern leather

This advice applies if you have the Comfort Craftsman boot in Crazy Horse leather, for example: To prolong the longevity of your RM Williams boots:

• Apply RM Williams Leather Conditioner before first wear and every six weeks, or when the leather feels dry. Apply evenly using a clean cloth, sponge or your hands.
• Allow the conditioner to penetrate the leather for 24-48 hours, before buffing off excess with a dry cloth to get a soft sheen. This nourishes the leather, maintaining the condition of your boots and helping to repel water.

Distressed leather and roughout suede

Natural rough-look suede leather needs very little care. It is designed to age and gain character with wear. Take these steps to look after your roughout suede or distressed leather boots, such as the Gardener in Bark colour:

• Protect before first wear. Use RM Williams Suede Protector before initial use. Then use at regular intervals to maintain your boots water-resistance.
• Clean with a suede stick. Simply remove harsh marks with a suede stick or leather rubber. You should not need to use suede cleaner regularly, and only use when necessary on light stains. Your boots are designed to age well naturally.

Caring for suede or nubuck boots

If you do get wet mud on suede boots, let it fully dry first. Then brush gently using a suede brush and follow step 2. below, using the Suede cleaner to remove stains, then brush again. To protect and clean your RM Williams suede or nubuck boots, follow our care steps below.

1. Protect before first wear and regularly:

• Spray RM Williams Suede Protector in one direction, evenly onto clean boots and from 20cm away.
• Allow your boots to fully dry.
• Repeat up to three times before wearing – spraying in the opposite direction from the first application. Do not soak your boots with protector – three light applications, letting your boots dry in between applications is best.

Suede Protector helps to repel water and protect against stains from everyday wear. Protecting your boots is vital because under normal circumstances, water will stain suede boots. Re-spray your boots regularly throughout their life. Always clean your boots before applying the RM Williams Suede Protector.

2. Clean your boots:

• If you see a harsh or stubborn mark on your suede boots, try to remove it first using a leather stick or rubber suitable for suede. It can be hard to get every mark out of suede, but any remaining will add to the character of your boots.

For regular cleaning of your suede or nubuck boots:

• Gently brush the suede with a suede brush.
• Spray RM Williams Suede Cleaner directly onto your boots.
• Let the spray dry naturally, ideally for 24 hours, avoiding direct heat. Once dry, gently brush again using a suede brush to remove marks.

Always use a cleaner specifically for suede. RM Williams Suede Cleaner is non-abrasive and suitable for all suede and nubuck leather. It helps to remove most stains such as dirt, food, grease, salt and cosmetics. For best results use on stains immediately. After cleaning, regularly apply RM Williams Suede Protector and allow to dry fully.

Top tip: Always put on and take off your RM Williams boots using the two pull tugs. Never heel kick your boots when taking them off; where you use one foot to stand on the heel of the other boot. Heel kicking is one of the easiest ways to shorten the lifespan of your boots, ruining the toes and damaging the heels.

Keeping your boots in shape

If you wear your RM Williams boots often, they will naturally soften and mould to your feet over time. This is no bad thing because they will only get more comfortable. However, if your boots get soaked in the rain, make sure they keep their form by scrunching up some newspaper inside while letting them dry naturally. RM Williams boot care is important to keep your boots looking and feeling as good as new for as long as possible.

Storing your boots

Keep your leather and suede boots in a well-ventilated area that is not too damp – ideally somewhere dry and inside. This will allow your boots to air dry if they are still slightly wet. Try to avoid leaving your boots wet for long periods as this will degrade the leather over time. A damp ridden outdoor store or garage is not ideal, because the moisture and temperature changes could badly affect them. Choose a place with ample ventilation to avoid mould growth on the leather. Excessive outdoor sunlight can also damage leather and lead to discolouration, so storing your RM Williams boots inside is best. Always ensure your boots are fully dry before putting away in an enclosed space, such as a shoe box or bag, when storing for a long period of time. Never use artificial heat to dry your boots – let them dry naturally.

How long do RM Williams boots last?

As with most boots, their lifespan depends on a multitude of factors including how and where you wear them, and most importantly how you look after them. Practicing good boot etiquette such as using the tugs to take the strain of pulling them on and sitting down and pulling them off by hand, even when using your other foot is tempting. Its also worth noting that fine leather boots can require up to a full day to dry out from natural perspiration; worth considering if you wear your RM’s most days. The best thing you can do is take as much care of your leather uppers as possible. The body of the boot is not able to be re-paired in this country like the soles due to it being a single piece of leather, so ensuring the leather is kept strong and supple is the biggest favour you can do your boots to improve their lifespan.

Boot repair

Even the toughest footwear may need repair after time. At A Hume, we offer an official RM Williams boot repair service. Leather soles tend to absorb more moisture when they wear thin, so it is worth repairing your boots in good time. The Goodyear welted soles allow for easy replacement once the sole has expired, which can be done using original RM Williams components. Please contact us if your boots need re-heeled, tugs or elastics replaced, re-soled or are requiring attention. We can organise the repair for you.

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