Red Wing Boots

k9handler · 12-04-2007, 06:33 PM

Just purchased some Red Wing boots, quality of them seems pretty high when compaired to my normal boots purchased in the military retail stores.
My father always said they were the best, so I broke down and ordered a set two weeks ago thus I have been waiting for this day.

Anyway...I have a question on how they have stayed in business when it seems they just don't do the business of other shoe stores? And then to have just the one brand, what gives?

holtjv · 12-04-2007, 06:42 PM

Frat boys and bikers keep them in business. I think they're the most comfortable boots I've ever worn and damn sturdy.

sammyg2 · 12-04-2007, 06:47 PM

Red wings are high quality and last almost forever, but in my experience they are a b!tch to break in. It took me several months before they softened up enough to be comfortable.
I prefer wolverines.
I spend at least 3000 hours a year wearing them and I've found they last about 3 or 4 years and are as comfortable out of the box as they are the day before I replace them.

Laneco · 12-04-2007, 07:03 PM

Steve uses Redwing boots for work. He's used them for about 20 years. They are rugged and comfortable. He gets as many as 3 resoles out of a pair before he discards them. I don't expect that he will ever change out of this brand as they fit well, hold up well and are comfortable to wear after initial break-in.

angela

JTO · 12-04-2007, 07:10 PM

about half of the product line are still made in America. THe rest are made in China, as is the case with most shoes and boots. I got a list of the Red Wing boot models still made here from their customer service.
Troy

Mule · 12-04-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9handler

Just purchased some Red Wing boots, quality of them seems pretty high when compaired to my normal boots purchased in the military retail stores.
My father always said they were the best, so I broke down and ordered a set two weeks ago thus I have been waiting for this day.

Anyway...I have a question on how they have stayed in business when it seems they just don't do the business of other shoe stores? And then to have just the one brand, what gives?

'Cause they cost $200 a pair and are the best you can buy.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

My company; a county agency, gives me a certificate for $75 twice a year to offset the cost of construction grade work boots and Red Wing is on there approved list. To me, that's one of the reasons they stay in business.

David · David's Garage

I've worn several pairs of Red Wings over the last few years. I really appreciated the quality, but I certainly wouldn't call them comfortable. Since I have to wear steel toed shoes at work, I switched over to slip on safety shoes from Academy for $19.95. My feet and wallet are happier now.

tabs · 12-05-2007, 04:42 AM

I still have a pair of Red Wing boots that I bought 27 years ago. I bought them on sale for $45.00 at the Red Wing store in Covina, Ca. . I call them my ***** kickers.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

I've had several pairs of the years. I got tired of them before they wore out. I've had them re-soled and rehealed several times. They market the "US made" union, biker, and construction, guys pretty hard. When you show up with a new pair on a job site someone will always say something about them.

Of course when the Architect shows up in his I-talion loafers he get a few comments too.

equality72521 · 12-05-2007, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Red wings are high quality and last almost forever, but in my experience they are a b!tch to break in. It took me several months before they softened up enough to be comfortable.
I prefer wolverines.
I spend at least 3000 hours a year wearing them and I've found they last about 3 or 4 years and are as comfortable out of the box as they are the day before I replace them.

So it isn't just me! They F##$%^ing killed my feet. I gave them to the village idiot/nearly homeless parts cleaner at the shop after two weeks of trying to break them in. Even he wouldn't wear them. He threw them away. I bought Wolverines and never looked back. Curious because everyone says they are the best most comfortable work boot made.

NICKG · 12-05-2007, 04:53 AM

i was wondering about georgia boots..they sell them at tractor supply (my new favorite store btw) They look nice....

RoninLB · 12-05-2007, 04:55 AM

Red Wing is a great boot but they don't make extra extra wide. I bought the next size up and they were never really a "right" fit.

had to buy a Cabalis brand super insulated boot. I can stand around in 20F with sneaker socks on and stay warm. $125

Laneco · 12-05-2007, 05:47 AM

What? Don't make wide widths? My husband has been buying EEE width from Redwing for 20 years - good heavens man how wide do you need them to be?

angela

john walker's workshop · 12-05-2007, 06:15 AM

i bought their pecos boots for 25 years. when they got ugly looking, i used them at work and got a fresh set. loved those things. then they turned on me and became so hard on my feet that i went for lace up work shoes with padded inserts. still red wing, but the stitching in front came loose and the sole gaped open after two weeks, so i warrantied them and the same thing happened again. musta been the chinese ones. got a few lace up sets from snap-on which lasted long enough, but took too long to order. got dockers now. work kills shoes pretty fast, but you may as well be comfortable while they last. i'm going to order green tag shoes next. that's what the mailman wears, and he swears by them. makes sense, considering how much walking they do.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I don't wear red wing boots anymore; I just wash my face afterwards...

Back when I was a seasonal firefighter, I wore Red Wings boots; I couldn't scare up the cash for a pair of Whites

vash · vash's Garage

i have a pair on, as i type. i am a construction engineer, so i destroy them. my most recent pair, i have owned for 5 weeks. i dont see the quality that i am used to. my soles are peeling at the perimeter. i think RW's are expensive, there are a billion styles, come in all sizes (yes, even wide)... my next pair will be DANNERS. for the same money, i think i can get a better pair of boots. i dont think this pair will last the regular 9-12 months.

RoninLB · 12-05-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laneco

What? Don't make wide widths? My husband has been buying EEE width from Redwing for 20 years - good heavens man how wide do you need them to be?

I'm super wide. 5E

Some say they're flippers. Must be what happens to 2nd generation bay rats?

equality72521 · 12-05-2007, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoninLB

I'm super wide. 5E

Some say they're flippers. Must be what happens to 2nd generation bay rats?

Are you sure you don't wear clown shoes?

Ronin McDonald.

JTO · 12-05-2007, 06:53 AM

My work boots are Danner Quarries. THey are pretty well made. The soles are gone and need a complete resole. They cost $189 three years ago. I wear them five days a week, all day since I'm in a mill. I would buy them again, maybe. They are made in China. You need to spend over $200 to buy Danners made in America.
troy