Your videos , your passion , and your knowledge of history make your videos the best on TH-cam. They always learn something when I watch your videos. From the history to construction to styling. You cover all the bases. Keep it up !!!! Always looking forward to the next one !
Heavens! RM's have definitely gone up in price since my last pair. RM's worn with a suit went through a wave of popularity for a period, which I could never understand from a dress sense standpoint. I have watched a couple of your videos now, and have enjoyed them both in content and descriptive eloquence. Thanks.🙂
"The best damn boots they can!" I think of a craftsperson working on a detail of something they're creating, or helping to create. The thing is beautiful, but the act of making it is just as beautiful. And I think of this person wondering if the final recipient will notice what they've done. and wonder about the person who did it. I think of them thinking of me thinking of them... Boots or flutes, scoots or TH-cam videos, it is this care for the beauty and perfection of something made by someone that reminds me of our long, unbreakable connection with a world that does not revolve around mass-produced profit. We still have this world because of the passion and persistence of these people. How truly lucky we are! Yes, I like this sort of content!
I enjoyed your knowledgeable video. My experience is limited to Blundstone and Redback. I had four pair of Blundstones. Three years ago I bought a pair of Redbacks. In terms of quality, comfort, resistance to wear, traction on ice and snow, and all around satisfaction my Redbacks stand well above the Blundstones.
Agreed. I have a pair in the oak roughout. They are super comfortable; I really thought about getting the earth, but already have the brass boots in earth. That said, I think the earth chelseas do look a little better.
I really follow your channel and a fan of your vids. I started my collection with red wing mocs and IRs a few years ago, and my next boot will surely be a Chelsea. This video really opened up excellent suggestions for beginners like me. I will probably go for RMW comfort craftsman for my first pair. Thank you and keep the vids going. Keep safe mate, from London.😊
Hi Tek. Thanks for your terrific reviews. Do you have any recommendations for an attractive, versatile (casual to business casual), black Chelsea boot (either new or used)? Also what leather would be best for a boot like this other than calf (if any)? I had been eyeing the Grant Stone Chelsea in Black Calf due to their excellent value and QC but they stopped stocking it (tannery stopped production). Other ideas: used RM Williams in Black Yearling or Kangaroo, used Benzein/Briselblack in Black Horsebutt, newly released Thursday Journeyman in Black Shinki Shell Cordovan or TLB Mallorca Madison in Black Box Calf. Would appreciate any insights you might have. Thank you!
@@JonathanHParker all good choices. You didn’t say but guessing from your used v new choices I’m guessing there’s a ceiling around $300? Take a look at Meermin and Christian Daniel
I'm mulling over getting both the RM Williams comfort craftsman in tan and the Astorflex Greenflex desert boot in whiskey. Two classic designs that would fill quite specific roles. Shame the RM's are so pricey here in the UK. £400! That just can't be right when the Redwing Blacksmiths are around £300. Oh well. Maybe I should just bite the bullet! 😢
Redwing don’t come close to RM, I have several pairs of both. I also have some vibergs and I’d say RM do come close to them even though they are well over twice the price, I’m also in the UK.
@@Bootlosophy Thank you sir. I'm about 2 weeks in with my first ever pair of Chelseas, and what I'm wondering about is: Would you consider the Chelsea boot ideal for long walks (at least 1+ hour), or are laced boots more suited to that purpose? I also distinguish between loafing about (which is standing on your feet + short bursts of SLOW walking) and BRISK walking. I find that the latter exacerbates many of the tiny fit issues/discomforts encountered at store try-on (which admittedly only permits the former activity) With your clear superiority in knowledge and experience, I'd love to hear your guidance!
@@Bootlosophy Thank you very much for this. It was kind of my suspicion, but you certainly add more weight to it! And are heel slips (even if minor) rather unavoidable with the Chelsea boot? My first pair felt pretty good in store, but I did notice a small "tug" at the heel with every step. I bought into the conventional wisdom that with time the heel slip will disappear, but now I'm questioning it. Because with vigorous walking my shin pushes the instep part out, and I fear stretching it for good. So that heel slippage will worsen, not lessen Do all your Chelsea boots slip a bit at the heel, and what are your thoughts on heel slippage in general? I find having tried 2-3 brands that heel slip is near impossible to avoid with Chelseas, unless I tolerate my toes getting squished by a small size!
Hi. I always enjoy your show. I need advice on Chelsea boots. Like you. My most favorite well supported boots are Whites. I am trying to find A Chelsea w good foot support like Whites. Are Christian’s Daniel or Grant Stone good? And which is the better build? Thank you very much.
Hi, I wonder if you have tried Thomas Cook chelsea boots? I have a couple of RMs and looking to buy a black one but a bit put off by the value proposition. Looking for alternatives and i came across Thomas Cook. I would appreciate if you can give your opinion and comparison to RMs if possible. Thank you
Based on watching your videos repeatedly I took my dip into the world of Heritage boots with a pair of Viberg's 2030 Service Boots. Thanks to you, fit, leather, quality construction, everything turned out great! Now I'm thinking Chelsea. In looking at the R.M. Williams selection I noticed that, compared to Viberg, their description of the leathers used seems kind of sparse. Am I missing a place to go for more information?
Try checking out the Australian site (.com.au). They are sparse but they use Australian tanned leather, usually three kinds, full grown bovine, calfskin, yearling.
Love your content.Ten years ago I bought a pair of reiker 'chelsea' boots for a great price.I have to say that they are the most comfortable footwear i currently own.I realise you could buy four pairs of rm's for what these cost me, but i have enjoyed every minute of wearing them.They are ten years old and really need replaced. I thought that would be fairly straightforward, crikey so much choice.Are a pair at £400 worth the money?
Hello. Thank you for the insightful content. I have a personal dilemma that i can't get an answer easily, and i would appreciate it if you could offer any advice. I commute on bicycle, and i need athlethic and tight-fitting yet dressy boots for the office. And i have singled out chelsea style boots for my next purchase and experiment. When i peddle on my cycle, i might damage the top of the boots easily. For my case, should i buy good quality boots with good leather or buy cheap boots and switch often. Chelsea design originated from horse riding, so i was curious about its comfort.
@Bootlosophy yes thats an excellent suggestion. I have considered it. But i have always kept on hoping to find something more versatile. Perhaps that's for the best.
Do you have any experience with Zonkey Boots? Also, could you talk about gemming? Is it an indicator of poor construction? I fell down a rabbit hole in some forums and general consensus is gemming IS an indicator of poor construction BUT Edward Green gems their shoes.
@@theOGabcduong not heard of Zonkey. Gemming is a now standard method in Goodyear welting. In the “old” days, they carved a channel in the leather insole to create a flap. This flap was used for the inside GY stitch to stitch together the uppers, insole and welt. For a faster approach they then started sewing a canvas strip to the insole called the gemming. So yeah, not as “quality” as old ways but it’s an industrial approach that’s not IMO equal to poor construction
This was the first I heard of a sizing scale where half sizes speak to width rather than length! Can you recommend any reading about that system or its history? I've become interested in the comings and goings of width sizing for the mass market as a very narrow 12.5 Brannock. Half sizes increasing width is no help to me, needing narrow. But I hold out hope that more makers offering standard and wide will open the door for narrow SKUs, too.
I think if you're going to put a person behind the use of Chelsea Boots to describe these elastic sided boot, you should point to Mary Quant, but the name came about because her and other fashion innovators often wore them. The Beatles picked up the trend already happening, though the "Beatle Boot" was quite different. During Queen Victoria's reign, Chelsea was an artist's hang out, and had a decided bohemian vibe. In those days, artists were classed with prostitutes and gamblers, so Victoria's friends wouldn't have been there. Also, the versions with round toes, lug soles, and the like, are not actually Chelsea boots in my opinion. Chelsea boots are sleek, and have leather soles. They are meant for fashion, and even the fictional fashion icon John Steed wore Chelsea boots with tuxedo. Not something you could do with a pair of R.M. Williams.
I like the video except for when you say leather board is "greener" than leather lol. For leatherbpard, you're using scraps from dozens of different cowhides, meaning for the production of leatherboard you require dozens of different animals to be raised, instead of just 1 for regular leather. Ontop of that it's recycled which means instead of just naturally breaking down back into the environment we go through another multi-step process that requires electricity, water, and other chemicals. So in the grand scheme of things it's really not greener lol.
Your videos , your passion , and your knowledge of history make your videos the best on TH-cam. They always learn something when I watch your videos. From the history to construction to styling. You cover all the bases. Keep it up !!!! Always looking forward to the next one !
Heavens! RM's have definitely gone up in price since my last pair. RM's worn with a suit went through a wave of popularity for a period, which I could never understand from a dress sense standpoint.
I have watched a couple of your videos now, and have enjoyed them both in content and descriptive eloquence. Thanks.🙂
"The best damn boots they can!"
I think of a craftsperson working on a detail of something they're creating, or helping to create. The thing is beautiful, but the act of making it is just as beautiful. And I think of this person wondering if the final recipient will notice what they've done. and wonder about the person who did it. I think of them thinking of me thinking of them... Boots or flutes, scoots or TH-cam videos, it is this care for the beauty and perfection of something made by someone that reminds me of our long, unbreakable connection with a world that does not revolve around mass-produced profit. We still have this world because of the passion and persistence of these people. How truly lucky we are!
Yes, I like this sort of content!
Well said!
I enjoyed your knowledgeable video. My experience is limited to Blundstone and Redback. I had four pair of Blundstones. Three years ago I bought a pair of Redbacks. In terms of quality, comfort, resistance to wear, traction on ice and snow, and all around satisfaction my Redbacks stand well above the Blundstones.
You should give grant stone Chelsea’s a try. They’re very good. Especially the earth
Agreed. I have a pair in the oak roughout. They are super comfortable; I really thought about getting the earth, but already have the brass boots in earth. That said, I think the earth chelseas do look a little better.
First time watching, instantly subscribed. I love your passion and knowledge, I’m a boot fanatic and quality is critical. Thank you for what you do!!
Thanks
Wow! Thank you!
@Bootlosophy my boots now outnumber my wife's shoes.. so I know I have a problem! Really enjoying your reviews.
I like it. You don't need to buy a bunch of boots to produce content. I like comparisons and best of stuff too.
Unfortunately I’ve already bought a bunch of boots 😂😂😂
Thanks!
Oh man, thank you!
I really follow your channel and a fan of your vids. I started my collection with red wing mocs and IRs a few years ago, and my next boot will surely be a Chelsea. This video really opened up excellent suggestions for beginners like me. I will probably go for RMW comfort craftsman for my first pair. Thank you and keep the vids going. Keep safe mate, from London.😊
No Grant Stone Chelsea in this? Would love to see your thoughts on it.
Great info on the Chelsea boots. Been thinking about getting a pair. Yes I also admire and support these makers for their passion and skill.
It’s very casual and not so versatile. My RM Williams is my favorite and the most versatile boots I own.
Thank You for sharing!
Hi Tek. Thanks for your terrific reviews.
Do you have any recommendations for an attractive, versatile (casual to business casual), black Chelsea boot (either new or used)? Also what leather would be best for a boot like this other than calf (if any)?
I had been eyeing the Grant Stone Chelsea in Black Calf due to their excellent value and QC but they stopped stocking it (tannery stopped production). Other ideas: used RM Williams in Black Yearling or Kangaroo, used Benzein/Briselblack in Black Horsebutt, newly released Thursday Journeyman in Black Shinki Shell Cordovan or TLB Mallorca Madison in Black Box Calf.
Would appreciate any insights you might have. Thank you!
@@JonathanHParker all good choices. You didn’t say but guessing from your used v new choices I’m guessing there’s a ceiling around $300? Take a look at Meermin and Christian Daniel
I'm mulling over getting both the RM Williams comfort craftsman in tan and the Astorflex Greenflex desert boot in whiskey. Two classic designs that would fill quite specific roles. Shame the RM's are so pricey here in the UK. £400! That just can't be right when the Redwing Blacksmiths are around £300. Oh well. Maybe I should just bite the bullet! 😢
The build and finish on the RMs are very different to the RW.
Redwing don’t come close to RM, I have several pairs of both. I also have some vibergs and I’d say RM do come close to them even though they are well over twice the price, I’m also in the UK.
Wonderful explanations
I love this guys pick
Do you have plans to try Viberg chelsea boots? I'm thinking of getting a pair
I’d like to one day
@@Bootlosophy Thank you sir. I'm about 2 weeks in with my first ever pair of Chelseas, and what I'm wondering about is: Would you consider the Chelsea boot ideal for long walks (at least 1+ hour), or are laced boots more suited to that purpose? I also distinguish between loafing about (which is standing on your feet + short bursts of SLOW walking) and BRISK walking. I find that the latter exacerbates many of the tiny fit issues/discomforts encountered at store try-on (which admittedly only permits the former activity)
With your clear superiority in knowledge and experience, I'd love to hear your guidance!
@@MegaThucydides I honestly wouldn’t wear Chelsea boots for long brisk walks, hiking, etc.
@@Bootlosophy Thank you very much for this. It was kind of my suspicion, but you certainly add more weight to it!
And are heel slips (even if minor) rather unavoidable with the Chelsea boot? My first pair felt pretty good in store, but I did notice a small "tug" at the heel with every step.
I bought into the conventional wisdom that with time the heel slip will disappear, but now I'm questioning it. Because with vigorous walking my shin pushes the instep part out, and I fear stretching it for good. So that heel slippage will worsen, not lessen
Do all your Chelsea boots slip a bit at the heel, and what are your thoughts on heel slippage in general? I find having tried 2-3 brands that heel slip is near impossible to avoid with Chelseas, unless I tolerate my toes getting squished by a small size!
@@MegaThucydides there will be slight heel slip but the instep should be snug
The Christian Daniels look beautiful! Are they true to size? That's what it says on their website.
Yes I find them TTS
what color RM Williams did you exhibit in the video? I am contemplating getting the Comfort craftsman in the mid brown or Caramel
@@rayowen3528 Caramel - it’s in the time stamp
Is the double joint phenomenon also on the other boot in the Fernandos?
Yes, which is which I think it’s deliberate
Hey Teik! Great vid. Have you worn the RM Williams Gardner Commandos? I have both brown and black and love them!
Not the commando sole, no
Fantastic video!!
Hi. I always enjoy your show.
I need advice on Chelsea boots. Like you. My most favorite well supported boots are Whites.
I am trying to find A Chelsea w good foot support like Whites.
Are Christian’s Daniel or Grant Stone good? And which is the better build?
Thank you very much.
@@ryoogawa3152 Chelsea boots won’t have the structure of PNW boots - laceless. That said, Christian Daniel are pretty good, so are Bordon.
Thank you very much!!!
thanks but what do you think about crockett and jones?
Hi, I wonder if you have tried Thomas Cook chelsea boots? I have a couple of RMs and looking to buy a black one but a bit put off by the value proposition. Looking for alternatives and i came across Thomas Cook. I would appreciate if you can give your opinion and comparison to RMs if possible. Thank you
Love hearing you talk about shoes.
One question. Are the crepe soles on the Astorflex slippery when it's raining?
It can be when worn down
great review. btw, how many pairs of boots do you have?
I have owned 96 but I’ve sold and am selling a few!
@@Bootlosophy does your wife tell imelda marcos' jokes 🤣
Based on watching your videos repeatedly I took my dip into the world of Heritage boots with a pair of Viberg's 2030 Service Boots. Thanks to you, fit, leather, quality construction, everything turned out great!
Now I'm thinking Chelsea. In looking at the R.M. Williams selection I noticed that, compared to Viberg, their description of the leathers used seems kind of sparse. Am I missing a place to go for more information?
Try checking out the Australian site (.com.au). They are sparse but they use Australian tanned leather, usually three kinds, full grown bovine, calfskin, yearling.
Hi can you review Rm Williams comfort Turnout?
Waiting for my pair to arrive
Love your content.Ten years ago I bought a pair of reiker 'chelsea' boots for a great price.I have to say that they are the most comfortable footwear i currently own.I realise you could buy four pairs of rm's for what these cost me, but i have enjoyed every minute of wearing them.They are ten years old and really need replaced.
I thought that would be fairly straightforward, crikey so much choice.Are a pair at £400 worth the money?
I honestly think that’s at the edge of “worth it”
Hello. Thank you for the insightful content. I have a personal dilemma that i can't get an answer easily, and i would appreciate it if you could offer any advice. I commute on bicycle, and i need athlethic and tight-fitting yet dressy boots for the office. And i have singled out chelsea style boots for my next purchase and experiment. When i peddle on my cycle, i might damage the top of the boots easily. For my case, should i buy good quality boots with good leather or buy cheap boots and switch often. Chelsea design originated from horse riding, so i was curious about its comfort.
I’d always buy quality but I’d also consider biking in sneakers and changing at work
@Bootlosophy yes thats an excellent suggestion. I have considered it. But i have always kept on hoping to find something more versatile. Perhaps that's for the best.
Do you have any experience with Zonkey Boots?
Also, could you talk about gemming? Is it an indicator of poor construction? I fell down a rabbit hole in some forums and general consensus is gemming IS an indicator of poor construction BUT Edward Green gems their shoes.
@@theOGabcduong not heard of Zonkey.
Gemming is a now standard method in Goodyear welting. In the “old” days, they carved a channel in the leather insole to create a flap. This flap was used for the inside GY stitch to stitch together the uppers, insole and welt. For a faster approach they then started sewing a canvas strip to the insole called the gemming.
So yeah, not as “quality” as old ways but it’s an industrial approach that’s not IMO equal to poor construction
@@Bootlosophy thanks for such a fast response and appreciate the knowledge!
This was the first I heard of a sizing scale where half sizes speak to width rather than length! Can you recommend any reading about that system or its history? I've become interested in the comings and goings of width sizing for the mass market as a very narrow 12.5 Brannock. Half sizes increasing width is no help to me, needing narrow. But I hold out hope that more makers offering standard and wide will open the door for narrow SKUs, too.
I don’t know. They seem to be true only of Aussie work boots.
Steel Blue work boots also use the half size for width rather then length. They are also Australian
What do you think when people say Blundstone is not what it was? That Redbacks are better?
I still prefer my Blunnies as being better made. But yes, the leathers don’t seem as good as before.
Do you plan on buying a pair of helm Finn boots? And reviewing
Cool. I love Chelsea boots, once I get them on, so comfy
excellent video Sir 🙏😊 thank you so much
you remind me of a famous singer, and a cool gentleman Jose Mari Chan from the 🇵🇭
Good stuff ,I like history.
thoughts on Grant Stone's chelsea?
Haven’t tried them
Some video of you wearing each pair would have been helpful.
I already have in the individual boots reviews
I can't wait for you to talk about Fortis Chelsea
Fortis x Bootlosophy Chelsea Workboot Collab coming soon!
Awww I'm actually looking for a dressier one. But still, can't wait!!
I think if you're going to put a person behind the use of Chelsea Boots to describe these elastic sided boot, you should point to Mary Quant, but the name came about because her and other fashion innovators often wore them. The Beatles picked up the trend already happening, though the "Beatle Boot" was quite different.
During Queen Victoria's reign, Chelsea was an artist's hang out, and had a decided bohemian vibe. In those days, artists were classed with prostitutes and gamblers, so Victoria's friends wouldn't have been there.
Also, the versions with round toes, lug soles, and the like, are not actually Chelsea boots in my opinion. Chelsea boots are sleek, and have leather soles. They are meant for fashion, and even the fictional fashion icon John Steed wore Chelsea boots with tuxedo. Not something you could do with a pair of R.M. Williams.
Really like the Christian Daniel, but their site doesn't let me buy them....
They are batch MTO - sign up for news for when they are offered again
Seems like they don’t make 650 anymore
They don’t often sell them outside Australia
@Bootlosophy what color RM Williams did you display in the video?
i want 12 types of logging boots
Hmmm, let me see what I can do 😂😂😂
I like the video except for when you say leather board is "greener" than leather lol. For leatherbpard, you're using scraps from dozens of different cowhides, meaning for the production of leatherboard you require dozens of different animals to be raised, instead of just 1 for regular leather. Ontop of that it's recycled which means instead of just naturally breaking down back into the environment we go through another multi-step process that requires electricity, water, and other chemicals. So in the grand scheme of things it's really not greener lol.
Maybe it’s racism, but for some reason I trust this Asian-looking gentleman ❤
Thanks
Wow, thank you very much!