Pilot Shoes
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I recall wearing my RM Williams on my first flying job in North America and they were not received well at all. Especially by females.
If you want to impress the Jilleroos and Jackaroos, then wear your R.M. Williams. If you had to suddenly walk for your survival, they might dramatically lessen your walking distance.
I'd suggest that Pilots take a look at the Costco Catalog and order on line some of the most fashionable work shoes that look professional and not like a cow boy.
Now, I can tell you that on one FAA ride I did, the inspector work Cowboy boots with spurs and a 10 gallon hat.
You could always go for the US Airforce flight boots on Ebay, and be right at home when you chug down a beer as you step out of the cockpit.
If you want to impress the Jilleroos and Jackaroos, then wear your R.M. Williams. If you had to suddenly walk for your survival, they might dramatically lessen your walking distance.
I'd suggest that Pilots take a look at the Costco Catalog and order on line some of the most fashionable work shoes that look professional and not like a cow boy.
Now, I can tell you that on one FAA ride I did, the inspector work Cowboy boots with spurs and a 10 gallon hat.
You could always go for the US Airforce flight boots on Ebay, and be right at home when you chug down a beer as you step out of the cockpit.
The Sporty's Catalogue is full of Justin's boots as I recall, which will put to shame anything offered by RMs and rivall the average Ariat boots worn by most ringers I know. 
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As any OZ bushie knows, you have TWO pairs of RMs - one for goin' to town and the other for workin' in.
Leave both of those on the verandah and wear some of the more sensible suggestions on here.
Horses for courses, I think is the expression.
As any OZ bushie knows, you have TWO pairs of RMs - one for goin' to town and the other for workin' in.
Leave both of those on the verandah and wear some of the more sensible suggestions on here.
Horses for courses, I think is the expression.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Unfortunately, now back in 'the real world' of Australia, as all good things must eventually come to an end. Looking forward to returning to Japan next year, but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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I recall wearing my RM Williams on my first flying job in North America and they were not received well at all. Especially by females.
Care to give us the story Ramjet 555?
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What a load of tosh this whole thread has been.
The young fellow is just starting out ,I presume ,and asked advice about SHOES . Not BOOTS.
Personally, I wonder if a person who cannot make up his mind about shoes should hold a pilots licence but, I will leave that decision to the powers that be.
When I started out, I didn't have money for decent shoes so, I remember wearing my old school shoes . Black and clean.
Later when I had money, I bought better . Not RM boots, decent shoes!
Good shoes are available , some made to measure for less than RMs ,most are far more stylish and at least as good if not better in quality.
After all, the Europeans have been making quality shoes ( and boots) since at least 300 years before the great RM was even born!
I just don't understand the fixation with these boots.
They are about as fashionable as a Gladstone bag and have the workmanship similar to that on a stock saddle.
Good if you expect to step in cow dung or mud but, I don't recall seeing any of that on my last walk around at the airport nor anywhere in the terminal or walking down George St.
However,I do read a lot of Bullsh1t in this thread.
Pilots wore oversized boots up until about 70 years ago when they had liners to protect from the cold and you wanted something that would protect from the high possibility of fire ( because people were shooting at you) , and you would want them to slip off if you landed in the drink.
I can't recall ever having had to "hit the silk", what about you?
RM Williams culture is (obviously) popular with country people and I am sure that, even today, no self respecting country gent from ' out the back of Roma ' would go to 'town' or court the local ' Jilleroo' without his RMs and a pair of 'moleskins'.
They don't still wear moleskins in public , do they?
Foot odour would be a problem in the summer wouldn't it or, does the cow odour cover that up as well as everything else?
In the real world , most pilots come from the city and live in modern times.
Buy a decent pair of SHOES , keep them clean ( do the young know what shoe polish is used for ?) and to a point , the more you pay, the better the shoes will be.
However, remember that a scuffed and dirty $2000 shoe looks just as bad as a scuffed and dirty $60 shoe or a scuffed RM.
The young fellow is just starting out ,I presume ,and asked advice about SHOES . Not BOOTS.
Personally, I wonder if a person who cannot make up his mind about shoes should hold a pilots licence but, I will leave that decision to the powers that be.
When I started out, I didn't have money for decent shoes so, I remember wearing my old school shoes . Black and clean.
Later when I had money, I bought better . Not RM boots, decent shoes!
Good shoes are available , some made to measure for less than RMs ,most are far more stylish and at least as good if not better in quality.
After all, the Europeans have been making quality shoes ( and boots) since at least 300 years before the great RM was even born!
I just don't understand the fixation with these boots.
They are about as fashionable as a Gladstone bag and have the workmanship similar to that on a stock saddle.
Good if you expect to step in cow dung or mud but, I don't recall seeing any of that on my last walk around at the airport nor anywhere in the terminal or walking down George St.
However,I do read a lot of Bullsh1t in this thread.
Pilots wore oversized boots up until about 70 years ago when they had liners to protect from the cold and you wanted something that would protect from the high possibility of fire ( because people were shooting at you) , and you would want them to slip off if you landed in the drink.
I can't recall ever having had to "hit the silk", what about you?
RM Williams culture is (obviously) popular with country people and I am sure that, even today, no self respecting country gent from ' out the back of Roma ' would go to 'town' or court the local ' Jilleroo' without his RMs and a pair of 'moleskins'.
They don't still wear moleskins in public , do they?
Foot odour would be a problem in the summer wouldn't it or, does the cow odour cover that up as well as everything else?
In the real world , most pilots come from the city and live in modern times.
Buy a decent pair of SHOES , keep them clean ( do the young know what shoe polish is used for ?) and to a point , the more you pay, the better the shoes will be.
However, remember that a scuffed and dirty $2000 shoe looks just as bad as a scuffed and dirty $60 shoe or a scuffed RM.
Join Date: Jul 1999
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I bought a pair of Colorado boots about 11 years ago. They were only $120 back then, and I have seen them still for sale at about $150-170 depending on whether they are on sale or not.
They have been comfortable, easy to slip on and off, for security checks, DONT smell( although, right from day one, I put some odor eaters in them!).
And yes.... They are boots! Great for doing walk arounds in tropical cyclones, on muddy tarmacs or on snow covered aprons.
They have been comfortable, easy to slip on and off, for security checks, DONT smell( although, right from day one, I put some odor eaters in them!).
And yes.... They are boots! Great for doing walk arounds in tropical cyclones, on muddy tarmacs or on snow covered aprons.
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Thank you International Trader for bringing some sense into the discussion. I agree, buy a pair of comfortable shoes, and keep them clean. They stay cooler, and you can throw them out each year.
The RM boots I have seen either squeak when you walk, or require resoling after only 12 months walking on the apron, sometimes earlier. All that for $400.
Save your money and buy houses and land, then you only need thongs to walk on your 100 acres beachfront property, because you retired at 50.
The RM boots I have seen either squeak when you walk, or require resoling after only 12 months walking on the apron, sometimes earlier. All that for $400.
Save your money and buy houses and land, then you only need thongs to walk on your 100 acres beachfront property, because you retired at 50.
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I don't doubt the quality , comfort nor the 'value for money' of your boots but, I don't recall the last tropical flood or snow storm building the contamination up anywhere near my ankles, be it in Sydney or anywhere else.
I could think of a few management types who would have a pilot's head if they saw a pair of hiking boots ( muddy or otherwise) hanging out from the trouser legs of a uniform.
I would not walk into any of my past corporate offices wearing hiking boots in or out of uniform.
Really, when was the last Tropical storm, where was the muddy tarmac ( a sealed surface) or snow fall that necessitated hiking boots to keep you dry?
Boots such as yours may be practical in some remote aviation operations and if it is your personal choice, good luck to you.
I applaud your individuality .
For the majority?
I could think of a few management types who would have a pilot's head if they saw a pair of hiking boots ( muddy or otherwise) hanging out from the trouser legs of a uniform.
I would not walk into any of my past corporate offices wearing hiking boots in or out of uniform.
Really, when was the last Tropical storm, where was the muddy tarmac ( a sealed surface) or snow fall that necessitated hiking boots to keep you dry?
Boots such as yours may be practical in some remote aviation operations and if it is your personal choice, good luck to you.
I applaud your individuality .
For the majority?
Join Date: Oct 2007
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How about this: buy the footwear applicable to your operation. If you are an ag pilot you will most likely want work boots. If you are an airline pilot you will most likely want shiny Black shoes, and if you are some kind of Arctic supply pilot then Arctic boots are going to be the go. And of course if you are a jockey then RM Williams riding boots should do the trick.
Join Date: Jul 1999
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Really, when was the last Tropical storm, where was the muddy tarmac ( a sealed surface) or snow fall that necessitated hiking boots to keep you dry?
Boots such as yours may be practical in some remote aviation operations and if it is your personal choice, good luck to you.
Boots such as yours may be practical in some remote aviation operations and if it is your personal choice, good luck to you.
Tropical cyclones..... Cairns, Darwin, anywhere in the tropics, including Hong Kong, Denpasar......
Muddy..... Could be anywhere!
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For fark sake 4 pages on this shite!
What's with the debate On RM's. Everyone has a different shape foot so different shoes or boots will suit different people.
Now for a real question, What is the best pilots undies out there? I operate from very cold to very hot temperatures and from humid to dry conditions. Any advice would be much appreciated
What's with the debate On RM's. Everyone has a different shape foot so different shoes or boots will suit different people.
Now for a real question, What is the best pilots undies out there? I operate from very cold to very hot temperatures and from humid to dry conditions. Any advice would be much appreciated
