Red Wing boots

[oc_in_fw]

After years of wearing cheap ($70) work boots, it is time to explore something better. Can anyone tell me about Red Wings? What type of wear can I expect? Can soles be replaced? What price range can I expect to pay? If it helps, I currently wear an 8 inch boot, and prefer slip resistant soles due to occasional work with hydraulic fluid. I would also be wearing this on the motor cycle. I am planning a trip to the RW store, but any and all info would be appreciated.

 

[Black Adder]

I would have recommended them wholeheartedly many years ago. The pair I had then were very comfortable, and they finally just gave up after years of good service.

The last time I was at a Red Wing store, the clerks seemed content to steer me toward boots that were very uncomfortable, telling me that I would have to go through the painful process of "breaking them in." Well, nothing they sold me ever "broke in," and returns by me after giving these boots an honest try, I got a lot of harumping and implications that it was somehow my fault. Never again. Again, that was my experience, I hope yours will go better.

Don

 

[GeneC]

I instal frames and glass into high rise buildings( worked in Vegas, at City Center-7 hotel/casinos, around 60 stories each). I too used to wear cheap boots, but after a water logged, wet feet all day, my feet were injured. I walked into a Red Wing store. They put my feet in the machine( turns out I was wearing a half size smaller all along) and into a pair of boots. I swear, I told them I wasn't taking them off. I walked out with them on and have never looked back. Most comfortable boots I'd ever worn. No break in. I've sworn by RW for 15 yrs now.....I've never had any trouble, poster above must be isolated incident. Btw, lifetime oiling and strings, free( just take them in). Most can be resoled(not free). I wear Red Wing to this day. Btw, next best is Sears Die Hard.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Thanks for the help. I may stop in the next few days and check them out.

 

[Sullybob]

I was in a Red Wing store today with my son, I was getting him his first pair of work shoes. I've worn Red Wings regularly for about 15 years. They have a new (to me) line called the heritage line, they are hand made in the U.S. My most comfortable Red Wings have all been made in the U.S.

Originally I liked Red Wings because they had extra wide shoes and boots. It seems that most of their foot ware only comes in D width now. Stop in and try them on.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I was in a Red Wing store today with my son, I was getting him his first pair of work shoes. I've worn Red Wings regularly for about 15 years. They have a new (to me) line called the heritage line, they are hand made in the U.S. My most comfortable Red Wings have all been made in the U.S.

Originally I liked Red Wings because they had extra wide shoes and boots. It seems that most of their foot ware only comes in D width now. Stop in and try them on.

Will do- my dogs are barking right now, and I just put new insoles in my boots.

 

[jlanger]

Will do- my dogs are barking right now, and I just put new insoles in my boots.

From the Red Wing website it appears that they have widths available all the way to H(!!!) I really think that that various stores are good and bad, (like anything else) A good store will be able to get anything you want in the size you need. Surprisingly I've had very good luck and even better pricing at the stores than I've been able to find online.

 

[SAFETYpin]

I love my RW Heritage IronRangers, although in a oilly environment the sole would probably be an issue. I had a long and hard break in process of roughly 3-5 months, they're awesome now. I ordered down a 1/2 size which is great on length but most likely too narrow.



My local store matched an amazon price... fyi.

 

[robellison01]

I tried a pair of Red Wings once. Never again. Never were comfortable. I switched to Rockport Works and I find them to be incredibly comfortable, with really good arch support. The down side is they aren't very durable, I destroy a pair in a year.

My previous go to boots were Hytest, but the last pair I owned were just too heavy and clunky.

 

[Acmemfg]

First pair of Red Wings I owned served me well for about 17 years. Cannot remember how many soles and heels exactly I went through (3 soles and 5 heels seems right). Finally the leather just wore out. Stll sold the silly things on the Bay to some guy in the SF Bay area. I really don't want to know what their final fate was.

Currently have another pair of the same boot. Original soles and heels. Had them for about 9 years. Wearing actually a bit better than their predecessors because now they do not get worn on a daily basis. They are however still seeing Yeoman's duty and are doing just fine. Highly recommended. Hopefully this model is still American Made....

 

[nehpets4627]

These are more on the low-end of what Red Wing offers, but I've had good luck with the Worx line, specifically the 5424 Romeo model. I'm a white-collar worker that spends some time at industrial jobsites, usually during the construction phase, and these are a nice balance between dress/office and jobsite appropriate. I've even worn them with a suit I'm in Montreal in February (after destroying a pair of Bostonian loafers in the snow/salt/slush earlier in the trip) and they weren't really out of place given the weather conditions.

 

[Dusty1]

I dont care for them myself, and i will tell you why. Being a residential remodeling contractor i have tried a bunch.

Let me start with likes: Narrow width, light weight, well made, resoleable.

Dislikes: To keep them in "warranty" you have to oil them regularly using approved oils (expensive), and to be resoleable you cant step on nails! These are work boots, right? Way too expensive.

After much searching i have found boots that have all of the likes, and none of the dislikes. They are Justin Boots. To each his own.

 

[GeneC]

I've been getting the 405 6" boots, with the wedge sole. Great for working on concrete floors 8, 10 ,12 hrs a day 6-7 days a week. I'm on my second pair, in the last 20 yrs. I know alot of iron workers who swear by them, too.

 

[GeneC]

I dont care for them myself, and i will tell you why. Being a residential remodeling contractor i have tried a bunch.

Let me start with likes: Narrow width, light weight, well made, resoleable.

Dislikes: To keep them in "warranty" you have to oil them regularly using approved oils (expensive), and to be resoleable you cant step on nails! These are work boots, right? Way too expensive.

You can walk into any RW store and oil your boots for free( or they'll do it and throw on a new pair of strings, too)....I've never heard of the step on a nail thing, but you can get alot better soles from a private cobbler, for alot less than RW.

My Pappy taught me that some things you just don't scrimp on: your work boots, your oil, tires and brakes, your women, your shaving gear and your gun gear.

 

[intotheforge]

They make the best slip-on steel toes in the industry. I am referring to the short ones that don't support the angle. I've never tried their wellingtons.

 

[wuluf]

I tried on a pair of Red Wings and couldn't find a pair that fit..just don't have Red Wing Feet! I've worn Danner boots for years, I'm on my feet all day for work and also have a pair for motorcycling. Expensive, but worth the money.
http://www.danner.com/boots/

 

[blary54]

I think my next pair of boots is going to be a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers.

Might want check out Chippewa boots. Made in USA(well...some models) and good quality for the price.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I think I settled on the 607s. They are black, slip resistant, made in USA of domestic product, and non-steel toe (I don't need that). Now to convince the wife to let me spent $215 on boots.

Correct me if I am wrong- welt constructed boot can be resoled, correct?

 

[Sullybob]

I tried on a pair of Red Wings and couldn't find a pair that fit..just don't have Red Wing Feet! I've worn Danner boots for years, I'm on my feet all day for work and also have a pair for motorcycling. Expensive, but worth the money.
http://www.danner.com/boots/

I've had that exact experience with Danner boots. I wish they fit me, I really like some of the styles they offer.

 

[SAFETYpin]

Correct me if I am wrong- welt constructed boot can be resoled, correct?

I think just about anything with a Goodyear welted sole can be resoled.