Above: # 9013 Beckman Boot
Red Wings are a long established American shoe company, probably best known for their tough work boots. Started in 1905 in Red Wing, MN by a local shoe store owner named Charles Beckman, the company has gone on to thrive ever since, and has really become a very iconic American brand. My memories of seeing them growing up are mostly associated with guys who made their livings buildings houses, or working in the forests, or something similar. To me, Red Wings have always been the ultimate no-nonsense boots. But beyond their utilitarian roots, Red Wings have always had a very cool sense of style about them, going back decades. The coolest of the cool from throughout their long history have been collected together in their Heritage line, and that’s what we’re wearing.
The Heritage boots differ pretty greatly from Red Wings modern collection, in looks and construction. First of all, the Heritage boots are really just the timeless classics that Red Wings has made for decades. So while one half of the company tries out new materials and looks, the Heritage line sticks with what they know works. In an age where it seems every company is constantly throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and fixing things that weren’t broken to begin with, this is a really refreshing and welcome approach. In keeping with this ethos, Red Wings does it all themselves, from providing the leather form their own tannery, to building everything in the same town the company started in over a century ago. More than that, these boots and shoes are actually still manually made on machines that go back a hundred years in some cases. The company boasts that even today they have third and fourth generation shoe-makers working in their factory, working on the same machines their parents and grandparents did. Again, in an age where people often change jobs as frequently as they change their socks, this is pretty cool.
Building boots at the factory in Red Wing, MN…
Perhaps the most iconic of the Heritage line-up is the #875 Moc Toe Boot. Named for the Moccasin style toe, the 875’s were originally designed as a boot for farmers. The off-white crepe sole has very light tread, which prevents mud from building up on the bottom of your boot. In my opinion these have to be the coolest non-dress boots ever made, and they look good with pretty much everything. I even wear them with suits from time to time.
875 Moc Toe Boot…
Next up is the #9012 Beckman Chukka boot. This is my personal favourite all around boot for wearing every day. According to the company, Beckman designed this boot himself as a solution to his problem of needing a shoe that befit his place as a well-heeled business man but could stand up to harsh weather daily wear. His design was successful on both counts, The Beckman Chukka looks beautiful and right at home under your best suit, but has a thin commando style tread to keep you from slipping all over the ice in winter.
9012 Beckman Chukka…
Of course, the best thing about any Red Wings boot is that after wearing it for a few weeks, it molds to your foot and becomes insanely comfortable. No matter if you’re on your feet or behind a desk all day, these shoes feel amazing once they’re worn in. But you do have to wear them in. Don’t be put off if they seem stiff at first.
One final thing I love about these boots is that you can have them restored by the factory. For $95 you can have your boots or shoes completely refurbished and re-soled. You send off your worn out boots and a few weeks later they arrive back in the mail, resoled, reoiled, resewn, and ready to go. What you end up with is an essentially new shoe that is already shaped to your foot. It’s a fantastic service. Technically any shoe company worth their salt offers this service, but in reality it’s getting rarer and rarer these days. So another point for Red Wings.
If you decide you want to try a pair, a couple of things to keep in mind… first of all, Red Wings aren’t cheap. At about $340 a pair they can seem a bit pricey to some people, but when you consider the styling and craftsmanship, and the fact that they can be refurbished when needed and made to last for a very long time (I’ve had a pair for 10 years), the price seems like a very good value for your money…another nearly lost American ethic incarnate. Also, they tend to run a bit large as a rule. I am normally an 11, and in Red Wings I always wear a 10.5. Some folks like to go one whole size down, but I think a half-size is fine. Red Wings Heritage boots are available at any number of stores, which you can find here. If you’re buying online, I always recommend going through Zappos, as they have very competitive pricing and unparalleled customer service. Happy tromping.
Some more shots form the Red Wing Factory and Tannery…
