R.M.Williams Comfort Craftsman: Leather & Sole Comparison

The R.M.Williams Comfort Craftsman is available in several leather and sole combinations, and the main difference between them is not the basic Chelsea-boot shape but how the leather looks, how it develops with wear and the type of sole beneath it. At Livingston, our current range includes finished yearling leather, pull-up leather, suede and kangaroo leather versions.

This guide compares the versions we currently stock so you can choose the finish and sole that best suit how you plan to wear the boots. Availability changes, so check the individual product pages for the colours, sizes and fittings currently in stock.

Comfort Craftsman leather and sole options at a glance

Yearling leather with a comfort rubber sole

The standard R.M.Williams Comfort Craftsman Boot uses smooth yearling leather and a comfort rubber outsole. The upper is formed from a single piece of leather with the main seam at the rear, and the boot keeps the familiar chisel-square Craftsman toe.

Inside, a Texon-and-foam insole provides cushioning. The rubber outsole adds traction, flexibility and durability, while the Goodyear-welted construction allows the boot to be repaired and resoled.

This is the version to start with if you want the cleanest, most polished finish. Our current yearling colours are Chestnut, Dark Tan and Black, and matching R.M.Williams Stockman’s Boot Polish is available for those finished leathers. For help choosing between them, read our Comfort Craftsman colour guide.

Pull-up leather with a comfort rubber sole

The Comfort Craftsman Pull Up Boot uses smooth full-grain pull-up leather treated with aniline dyes, oils and waxes. Rather than keeping a completely uniform finish, the leather is designed to develop tonal variation and a natural patina as it is worn.

It shares the cushioned Texon-and-foam insole, padded heel lining, comfort rubber outsole and Goodyear-welted construction used for regular wear. In our current range this version is offered in the regular G fitting.

Choose pull-up leather if you prefer a boot that shows more character as it ages. Care is different from finished yearling leather, so see our R.M.Williams pull-up leather care guide before applying products.

Suede with leather or comfort rubber soles

The Comfort Craftsman Suede Boot gives the same chisel-square Craftsman profile a softer, textured finish. Our current version is Chocolate suede and is formed from a single piece of leather with the main seam at the rear.

Depending on the variant, it is offered with either a leather sole or a comfort rubber sole. It is Goodyear welted and has a leather lining. If you want the Craftsman shape without the smoother look of finished or pull-up leather, suede is the distinct option in the range.

Use a protector and brush suitable for suede, and check the shoe and boot care guide for broader maintenance advice.

Kangaroo leather with a leather sole

The Kangaroo Comfort Craftsman Boot is made from Tanbark kangaroo leather. The upper is cut from a single piece of leather and keeps the chisel-square Craftsman profile, while the leather itself is used for its strength relative to its weight.

This version has a leather sole, a comfort insole, padded heel lining and a regular G fitting. Its current product specification uses sewn-welt construction. The leather sole gives it the most traditional sole finish among the Comfort Craftsman versions in our current range.

Rubber sole or leather sole?

A comfort rubber sole is the practical choice when you want additional traction, flexibility and durability for regular wear. That is the sole used on the finished yearling and pull-up versions, and it is also available on selected suede variants.

A leather sole gives the boot a more traditional finish. It is used on the Kangaroo Comfort Craftsman and on selected suede variants. The right choice is therefore partly about the appearance you prefer and partly about how you intend to wear the boots.

How do the fittings compare?

R.M.Williams men’s boots use AU/UK sizing, but the fittings available differ by style and current stock. The finished yearling Comfort Craftsman is available in G regular and H wide fittings in our current range. The Pull Up and Kangaroo versions are currently represented in G regular, while the available suede options should be checked on the product page.

For help with length, half sizes and the F, G, H and X width system, read our R.M.Williams boot sizing and width guide.

Which Comfort Craftsman should you choose?

• Yearling leather: choose this if you want a smooth, polished finish and the widest choice of our current colours and fittings.
• Pull-up leather: choose this if you like natural tonal variation and a finish that develops more visible character with wear.
• Suede: choose this if you want a softer, textured alternative to smooth leather, with sole choice depending on the current variant.
• Kangaroo leather: choose this if you want a lightweight leather upper paired with a traditional leather sole.

Once you have narrowed down the leather and sole, fit should make the final decision. Browse the current R.M.Williams boots collection, then use the sizing guide to compare the fittings available in your size.

Looking after each leather

Finished yearling leather can be maintained with the appropriate R.M.Williams polish for the colour. Pull-up leather needs products suited to that finish rather than coloured polish. Suede should be protected and brushed with products intended for suede, while kangaroo leather should be treated with care products suitable for the exact leather finish.

For general maintenance, drying and product advice, see our shoe and boot care guide and browse our shoe care collection.