Brand Spotlight: Red Wing Shoes - Topic of the day 9/29/24
Since 1905, Red Wing Shoes has crafted shoes to take on the harshest working environments, but they came into increased prominence in the 2010s as r/malefashionadvice, r/goodyearwelt and other communities/individuals began singing its praises as a "versatile" "quality" shoe option. Are they still worth the hype? Do you still have (or want) a pair of Iron Rangers? Talk all about this notable brand here.
22 Replies
Big drop off in popularity since the workwear trend dropped
Interesting challenge is seeing how core pieces like Iron Rangers can be implemented in non-2015 workwear contexts
Theyre still good imo.
Apparently the Postmans are super popular in Asia and perpetually sold out.
I think they are too iconic for their own good. Whenever I see them I just think “iron ranger” which isn’t really negative it’s just not a plus
Yeah, one of my students wears iron rangers + slim fit selvedge jeans and it low key irritates me (not in a negative way)
Iron rangers were the first big fashion purchase I ever made. They are beat to hell and I love them to bits. I still get complemented on them even half-cooked.
If they made the shop Mocs in better colourways I would probably have grabbed a pair
https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/SHOP-MOC-OXFORD-08090.html
SHOP MOC OXFORD | RedWing
The Shop Moc Oxford in Black Prairie leather has iconic Traction Tred outsoles and unmistakable moc toe silhouette at low profile height. Shop Now at Heritage. | Red Wing
I can see the appeal
Of the postmans
Redwing Japan dose some really neat stuff that’s a bit more experimental than the us lines
I do think the models with the white Christie sole have aged much better than the IRs
I still have my pair and I love them. They are for sure heavy on the "Americana" vibes tho
I wish they had a version with a more monochrome setup, no contrast welt etc
Postmans are coming up on a decade since I got them and theyre still truckin, cant think of anything I want from them now though vs back then
I think the moc toes are kind of evergreen workwear honestly. The iron ranger aren’t chunky enough for the current trends but the moc toes are perfect. Great boots imo functionally and fashionably. You wont he turning any heads with them but they will certainly work great in a lot of fits
Red Wing 875 is iconic and at some point I should probably acquire another pair (I currently have an Irish Setter variant with steel toes, but those are not wearable every day).
RIP to the Pecos 866, which was one of the greatest shit kicking boots of all time.
Hate the wedge sole they do but i’ve seen more traditional heeled resoles that look so good
I love the wedge sole
On a western boot it just feels weird i guess
I’m sure functionally its super comfy tho
Crazy comfortable. I had a pair in high school. Wish I still had em. 😭
I have been tempted to try the Tecovas equivalent, but I don’t like the profile quite as much
I think their muleskinner leather is some of the best "beat the helk out of it" roughouts around.
SB Foot is slept on as a tannery in general imo
They genuinely have excellent tough as shit leathers
I bought some a few months ago, great boots and definitely a step up in quality from my Solovairs. Retail price is BRUTAL in the UK though
I wore through a pair of Solovairs too (lasted a long while, way longer than DMs, even MIE ones). The Red Wings are great, they last longer than fashion trends so 10 years on I am sticking with my Iron Rangers.