Red Wing Recommendations

[Pandemic]

9011 Gentleman Traveller

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I don't think that the soles are for hiking. The mini lug soles would not get enough traction for off-road use. It's more of a "city boot". It is a good boot. A cobbler will be able to install a full lug sole for hiking. Buying a $350 boot, then spending another $150 to install a full lug sole, is not the best option. For $500, you could just buy a boot with full lug soles, and probably a boot better suited for off-road adventures.

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I see. Still look awesome

 

[Fifty150]

Most people are satisfied with Red Wing shoes. They can do quite a bit. But the soles are not for hiking.

 

[Fifty150]

Just a mock up right now, to see how they fit with the zippers.​

 

[Budgewink]

I have two pair of Iron Rangers. One in rough out. When broken in they are very comfortable. I do avoid walking in puddles as they are not waterproof. But I do recommend them

I thought the goodyear welt was desgined for waterproofing, my Iron Rangers don't leak. Which ones of yours do, Muleskins?

 

[sal]

I thought the goodyear welt was desgined for waterproofing, my Iron Rangers don't leak. Which ones of yours do, Muleskins?

I should have been more specific. The leather is not waterproof as in a gore tex lining or such. they do not leak but I don’t want to get the leather saturated

 

[AeroFan_07]

Reading through this thread, I see a lot of twists and turns in the conversation, as people contributed to the initial question and then there were several clarifications that were eventually brought forth.

Perhaps this would have been much easier if the question was initially posed as:

I am considering Red Wing Boots for a future pair of boots. I have little to no experience with the brand and its products.
Here are my planned uses for the boots:
- Hiking the Southwestern parts of the US
- Hiking in my regional area
- Occasionally crossing streams/wet conditions

Looking back through the thread, this seems to be the usage intent what OP has for his future pair of boots.

I have personally owned Red Wing Iron Rangers for ~ 13 years, mine have the earlier "cork" sole which is 100% smooth without tread features. They have replaced heels on them now as of ~ 2 years back. My personal observation of RW IR's are as follows given the use case information the OP has provided:

- These boots are not hiking shoes/boots
- There is little if any arch support (100% flat inside in fact)
- No tread to speak of on my pair (improved a bit with mini-Vibram soles later)
- No attempt at waterproofing in their design or construction
- Original intent was in mines (long before safety toes were a common item in work boots).
- Durable and "comfortable" (to a point) after break in occurs
- I have used mine as dress shoes after I re-oiled them and no-one noticed the difference

Frankly what the OP is asking about here I would steer you toward a boot like an Asolo Leather hiking or backpacking boot, with full Gore-Tex lining. Yes, that deviates considerably from FL standards. However, the boots are excellent for many days in a row of hiking & backpacking, in nearly any reasonable condition you may encounter. They are supportive and well-appointed for this type of usage. That said, if you are really going to be fording rivers & sloshing around in lakes, you will still need a pair of rubber boots or Muck-type boots specifically made for that purpose.

Here's a pair similar to my hiking/backpacking boots (from ~ 20 years back, still in production)
https://www.asolo.com/en/15-backpac...2NjQyNzgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDk2NjQyNzgkajYwJGwwJGgw

 

[大馬伕]

I thought the goodyear welt was desgined for waterproofing,

Goodyear welt is not a waterproof. The stitches do a good job with keeping water out. But if you're standing in a puddle, or crossing creeks and streams, water will eventually seep in past the stitches. if you put the boots in a sink with 3 inches of water, expect water to get in..... Eventually. Goodyear welted shoes are fine in the rain, snow, etc. Just don't submerge them and expect to stay dry.

 

[Delawareguy]

I know nothing about Red Wing boots, but I would like to get into them. What are your favorite Red Wing boots and why?

I would suggest that you go to your local Red Wing store... get sized and try on various boots from the Heritage line. I've got pretty much all of them, and have had some for almost 15 years. They all fit a little differently so it's important to find out what works for you. If you are new to "real" boots, there is a bit of an adjustment/breakin period. I suggest you see what combination of fit and style suits you best. You can't go wrong.

 

[Fifty150]

I would suggest that you go to your local Red Wing store... get sized and try on various boots

That's the best advice. Go try on boots. Even when you know your size, every shoe fits a little different.

Some items you can buy online, if the seller has a good return policy. If you buy from a webstore like Zappos, you can always return it if it doesn't fit right.

Not being able to try the boots on, is exactly why I have never bought certain shoes. For me, Pacific NorthWest boots have always been something that I wanted to try. But the ambiguous fit and sizing has stopped me every time. So much information and misinformation. Different brands say that they use the same 55 last. Some brands tell you to go down half a size. Other brands tell you to go down a full size. There's also a brand that tells you to go down one full size, and up one width. In theory, if they are all building with the same last, shouldn't they fit the same? But we all have different feet. $700, months of wait time, and the shoes don't fit? That's beyond my level of risk tolerance.

I also see sizing recommendations with Red Wings. Red Wing does not make this suggestion on their own website. Different people writing product reviews have recommended sizing down. Some of the store clerks will try to steer you to size down. The line I've heard, is that the shoes should be snug when new. Like a firm handshake. So that they can stretch out around your feet as you break them in.

On my feet, Red Wing have always fit with my Brannock size, even though they use different lasts for different models. Red Wing Heritage usually comes with a leather insole. On some models, they use a synthetic lasting board with poron. On one model, it comes with an insert. The insert will change the way that the shoe fits. Some people like them. Some people don't.

The synthetic lasting boards with poron is controversial. Sure, it's not "heritage". That simply did not exist 100 years ago. 100 years ago, shoes were made with leather. Synthetics are "cheaper", because they cost less? I don't know if that makes a "cheap" shoe. It does make the shoe more comfortable. I have seen synthetic lasting boards last a very long time. It all depends on how you wear your shoes, and what you do in those shoes. Many manufacturers use synthetic lasting boards with poron on top. Those shoes are not disintegrating, falling apart, or simply failing prematurely.

 

[Fifty150]

Red Wing model no. 877.

Zero break in discomfort. Feels good right out of the box True to size.

 

[Fifty150]

For me, whenever I consider Red Wing boots, I also think of 1000 Mile Boots. Not exactly identical. But close enough that I would weigh them against each other when choosing shoes.

Red Wing has proprietary leather from their own SB Foot Tannery. Many people have favorites like Copper Rough & Tough, Oro Legacy, Amber Harness, Muleskinner....... Wolverine uses Horween for Chromexcel, Lux, Es***..... 1000 Mile Boots has Texon synthetic lasting boards. Red Wing uses a veg tan insole. Wolverine offers a leather sole. On some models, Red Wing boots do not have a midsole. Wolverine offers the basic boot, a cap toe, and have had moc toes and wedge soles. Red Wing Beckman, Iron Rangers, Blacksmith, and moc toes offer different style choices and even different boot heights.

The boots are different enough, that it's not an apples to apples comparison.

Yet, both are what many people consider when moving into "better" boots.

One of my considerations was pricing. Red Wing prices are more or less fixed. $300 - $400. You seldom see a price reduction. Red Wing doesn't put Heritage Boots on sale. Occasionally, you could find a discount or coupon from a reseller. Wolverine has a MSRP around $400. Some limited editions price higher. Wolverine often has sales and coupons codes. I have patiently waited, and bought for around $200.


Red Wing and 1000 Mile Boots are both sturdy and comfortable. I couldn't chose 1 over the other. I own models of both. Yes, they do feel different when you put them on. And your feet may like one over the other. For me, both are good. If I do recraft, there are changes that I would make for both. I would add leather insoles to the Wolverines. Red Wing boots could use a leather midsole. I like the neo-cork soles that used to come on Red Wing (and Alden Indy). I'm now a fan of wedge soles, so that would be my choice if I resoled. But there's no perfect shoe to make everyone happy.


Here's a look at 1000 Mile Boots regular boot, the cap toe with a 360 degree welt, and the Red Wing Iron Ranger. 3 of my "go to" boots. the 3 shoes that I wear more than my other shoes.​

 

[大馬伕]

the Moc Toe 875 is iconic

I like the 8" moc toe because the vamp is 1 piece of leather .

 

[mmcsee]

I've heard a lot of good thing about the Beckman Flatbox 9060, but they are quite hard to come by since it was a Japan exclusive for a while. The unstructured toe look is quite popular these days, and has been for a while in Japan

 

[Fifty150]

A moc toe shoe. It seems like a good idea.

I usually do not wear shoes. I like the ankle support, and coverage of boots. And some shoes dig right into the bottom of my ankles.

These shoes feel like the boot. Made on the same last. For me, they fit true to my Brannock size. The collar of the shoe does not dig into my ankle.

The build is solid. The small details are sloppy. The labels on both tongues were stitched poorly. The imprint stamp of the logo on one of the insoles is wrong. None of that affects the actual structural integrity of the shoe.​

 

[Gudachi]

I've heard a lot of good thing about the Beckman Flatbox 9060, but they are quite hard to come by since it was a Japan exclusive for a while. The unstructured toe look is quite popular these days, and has been for a while in Japan

I own a pair of the Beckman Flatbox 9060. Lucky to have snagged them from Blue Owl in USA. I love them, they look great.

The contrast with the black base and brown accents is my favorite detail besides the unstructured toe box.

Would highly recommend them.

 

[Fifty150]

I'm wearing the moc shoes today. Initial impression is that the shoes are comfortable with no break in. I also noticed that the Oro Legacy leather is different on the shoe when compared to the boot.

Prices are all over the place. You can find a real good price online if you have the right size foot.

 

[Flos]

Love Red Wing boots! There’s so many good deals available too if you’re patient. I have 6 pairs, but far away my most worn are the Iron Ranger CRT. The patina on the CRT leather is hard to beat.

 

[omega1848]

Challenge with the Shop Moc Toe above - for some - could be the heel slipping, because since the sole of the boot stay quiet stiff and firm, the heel isn't following your foot moevement/ bending. With a 6" Boot you heel is encapsulaed fully and as such you get the typical ? (upsidedown) shape of the boot which holds your heel from slipping...