Red Wing Shoes & Boots General Discussion

[Bennarion]

I love the moc toe style. I have a pair of Danners, thoroughgood, and now a pair of redwings (gore Tex). I dont know how anyone could say they are comfortable right out of the box. They are all pretty dreadfully uncomfortable and I can’t fit a softer insert in any of them. Ironically the cheap brand of moc toe boots(Golden fox, I think?)that I bought off of Amazon are the only ones that are comfortable. To be fair, I haven’t worn out the red wings yet but I’m dreading the process of breaking them in. View attachment 767216

These shoes are not suitable for everyone, especially those with wide feet.

If RW shoes initially cause you discomfort, unfortunately they are unlikely to be more comfortable in the future.

 

[Edward]

I took a chance and ordered factory seconds. I bought them from Sierra. Sierra is a TJX company. Orders ship with return labels in case you are not satisfied with the product.​

The backstay, on the right boot, is off-center. It covers the back seam stitch. It is not structural, and will not effect the performance of the shoe. I can live with that.



What I can tell you is that these boots are comfortable right out of the box. My feet will not hurt as I break them in. They don't feel heavy. The sole is a comfortable step, not hard. Traction is acceptable. These soles are not going to be for combat. I will not be running over uneven terrain, with loose dirt and gravel. Well constructed and robust with a leather insole and leather midsole. 270 degree Goodyear welt.



The Beckman is a good boot. Hard to say if it's worth $400, when compared to an Iron Ranger or Blacksmith. You do get a leather midsole. You don't get the toe cap. It's a different last, which is supposed to be true to size. I am wearing my Brannock size.

View attachment 722090 View attachment 722091 View attachment 722092 View attachment 722093 View attachment 722094 View attachment 722095​

View attachment 722098 View attachment 722097 View attachment 722096

Those are nice indeed. I have half an eye on a pair of Beckmans, as much as anything for the mix of this particular colour, and that they are just a hair dressier looking than my Iron Rangers. I think my ideal RedWing would be an Iron Ranger with this sole, and in a leather that could take a shine. Smooth on the toecap and backstay, grained on the main body. William Lennon will likely be my port of call for something in that vein. The Beckman is very appealing, though. And I'm reminded I need to get on with getting my Iron Rangers resoled. Fourteen years isn't a bad run for a sole on them, so worth the expense.

You did well with the reduction here... in truth I have to look hard to see the imperfection, so great for you for getting the reducation for that, and it also speaks highly of RW's QA procedure that they flagged it at all.

The old Beckman without the speed hooks. The new Beckman with speed hooks.







View attachment 722127

I do like a speed hook when getting on the go in the morning. The new boots also look like the sole is a slightly lower profile with less obvious lugs (though they were subtle on the original), which to my eye helps give it a fractionally dressier vibe.

​

Fit is always interesting to me. I have always heard about sizing down. On my feet, my Brannock size fits fine. My toes aren't at the end of the boot. I have that thumb's width of space. My toes are not squished. The ball of my foot sits evenly with, and flexes with, the wide part of the shoe where it is suppose to flex.

I guess we all have different feet.​

​

I get the impression US footwear sizing varies more with brand than UK stuff. I only remember a couple of pairs of shoes I've ever found I needed to resize in, it's a rare thing indeed. Red Wings, though, the standard 9D (I'm a UK 8) has always been perfect for me.

My latest Red Wing. Not a Heritage model. A work boot. A shoe that you can go to work in. A shoe that is tough enough to wear at the dishwashing station of Panda Express. Grease, sludge, food waste, heat, steam, standing water, chemicals.......... And I wanted a boot that I could ride a motorcycle with. Rigid and surefooted enough to come to a stop on a Harley, plant both feet on the pavement, and feel stable.



Good or bad. Right or wrong. I chose this boot because it was on sale. Not every Red Wing has to be a Heritage model. It's Made In USA. And resoleable. There are advantages to the synthetic technologies. Softer step. Easier to break in. More resistant to corrosive agents. Synthetics which are more durable and won't rot or corrode like leather and cork. This is the shoe that I want when I have to work on plumbing, perform auto maintenance, or step into barnyard muck. With this boot, I can scrub it and hose it off. The SuperSole is direct attached to the PVC welt, which means that no water is going to leak through delaminating glue and loose stitches.







​

View attachment 736527 View attachment 736529​

My first pair of Red Wings, which I'm wearing now, are also non-traditional. Picked them up "used" (they appeared unworn) on eBay for £70 about fifteen years ago. I'm actually wearing them now - they're like house slippers. They are a lot like this one, except about three eyeholes lower, and the sole was always flat. It's about worn smooth now. I'm not sure that mine can be resoled, though by this point the uppers are a bit thrashed. I've never put anything on them (I should). The greasy leather finish wouldn't take polish, I know that. They've worn to a grey along the top of the toe and up the side. I'm not normally one for that sort of finish on boots, but for something I grab to take the dog out, I quite like it on these. As I say I don't think mine can be resoled - they appear to be what RedWing calls the 'Supersole' form of construction. Still, for all the use I've had out of them for a decade and a half, when they do eventually give up the ghost (likely when one of the soles finally splits), they haven't done badly at all.

 

[murphykobe]

Did anyone bought the new 2966 from fall 25 collection? Interested hear the siziing

 

[omega1848]

Has anyone direct comparison in wearing Iron Ranger vs. the recent Beckman?
I have both, the Iron Ranger and the Blacksmith, which I both like for the fit and sizing, but I must admit (getting older...) walking on the "pure" Vibram Sole on both, is hurting my knees after some time.
I wish they would have an additional leather sole for dampening.
Given the Beckman is "based" on a leather "sole" inbetween, would you say they are more comfortable or is it too thin and basically the same "construction" as with the Iron Rager/ Blacksmith?

 

[GreX]

Has anyone direct comparison in wearing Iron Ranger vs. the recent Beckman?
I have both, the Iron Ranger and the Blacksmith, which I both like for the fit and sizing, but I must admit (getting older...) walking on the "pure" Vibram Sole on both, is hurting my knees after some time.
I wish they would have an additional leather sole for dampening.
Given the Beckman is "based" on a leather "sole" inbetween, would you say they are more comfortable or is it too thin and basically the same "construction" as with the Iron Rager/ Blacksmith?

It looks like they now offer an Iron Ranger with a wedge sole (traction tred) that may be worth checking out. I have a pair of Iron Rangers, and there one of my favorite boots, but recently picked up a pair of their Classic Moc's and they are for sure more comfortable walking around on pavement, and that's just in the first two weeks, so those could also be on your list, if you're wanting to stick with Red Wing.

 

[omega1848]

Yes I saw those, but a big fan of the wedge sole combo on them I am afraid. But it sounds like the new Beckman share the same principle/ construction.