Red Wing Boots: Does anybody here have them?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
11/12/2014 at 12:36 • Filed to: None

I've never bought an expensive pair of shoes before. I normally go for the ~$50 flat sole skate shoes.

Lately I haven't been getting 4 months out of them before they start to fall apart. And I'm really starting to believe that you get what you pay for.

All my shoes the shoe it self looks like new but the sole wears out and leak.

I've been thinking that it's time I treat myself to quality shoes and I'm thinking of picking up a pair of Red Wing 8146 classics. From what I've heard the quality is second to none. These are all hand made in the good ol US of A and should literally last a lifetime if cared for properly.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! had a pair that were well worn for 13 years. and he got them reconditioned from Red Wing for $95 bucks and they came up as good as new and ready for another 13 years.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Before I go drop $300.00 bucks on these I wondering what you guys think of them. I'm thinking that spending a little bit now might save me a lot in the long run. Also they look amazing.

I know I could probably get something comparable for half the price but I'm in a situation where I can afford to spoil myself, so why cheap out if I'll be wearing them for the next 10 years?

DISCUSSION (41)

EL_ULY > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:39

My shop bought us all Redwing boots because techs kept slipping oil and falling. I got these . Sooo comfy and the grip is killer on all surfaces. All on the shop's tab :]

BigBlock440 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:41

Cheap boots don't last. I've got 2 pairs of Redwings, American made, and they're lasting fine. They do have Chinese made boots, and I'm not sure how they'd hold up, so you do have to watch. All I wear are boots, and I haven't had to buy a new pair in 3+ years.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > EL_ULY
11/12/2014 at 12:42

Awesome! I some how expected that you would go for the cowboy boots. You are making the decision easier.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > BigBlock440
11/12/2014 at 12:44

The chinese stuff must the from the worx series. As far as I know everything from the Heritage series in made in the US.

Heck even if these lasted me 3 years I would get my moneys worth.

LappingLuke > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:44

I worked an internship for a company that makes low-medium voltage electrical equipment and they bought us Red Wing safety boots. I have barely used them but they seem well made and are reasonably comfortable.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > LappingLuke
11/12/2014 at 12:45

So far I've heard nothing but good things so I'm guessing they are worth it.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:45

A coworker I used to work with before hw retired swore by them. He'd get about 18 months out of them, wearing them to work five days a week.

Also, FWIW, Red Wings were what the US Goverment supplies (or at least used to) to civilian employees who worked in areas where they needed boots.

EL_ULY > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:48

I like my Vans though :] Boss won't let us wear them anymore lol But those Redwings boots are the badass solid American truck of the footwear world.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
11/12/2014 at 12:49

I'd be wearing these as shoes and not as a work boot so they should last a lot longer. I work in an office so they won't get abused as much.

thats an interesting fact.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:49

My dad is an ASE Master Mechanic (and has been a Mechanic for something like 30+ years, he's in his 50's). I've never seen him where a different pair of boots.

Red Wing Boots - no question.

He ran a plowing business when we lived in NJ, used them in the snow too. He's nuts for them.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
11/12/2014 at 12:51

That's what I like to hear. I'll probably go pick up a pair this weekend.

BigBlock440 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:52

I don't know what kind of environment you work in, but I see no reason you couldn't get 3 years. The tread/sole may need to be replaced, but that's usually not too expensive at a shoe shop, and usually worth it for a good pair of boots. It's great when they get to the point where you slip them on and they're perfectly conformed to your foot. Even better is when you know you'll have a few more years of that because your toes aren't poking through yet. I've never bought a $300 pair, but even $200 boots are much better than the cheap ones.

ACESandEIGHTS > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:54

I have 4 pair, with a few pair discarded along the way. They tend to last forever. That pair pictured looks awesome. Buy them.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > BigBlock440
11/12/2014 at 12:54

I work in an office so they should last forever. Also I'm in Canada so they are a bit more money here. The 8146's I want(pictured above) are $289.99 here and to me still totally worth it.

McMike > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:56

I have two pairs.

They are both the same style, but I like the latter pair better. I didn't like the sole and the steel tips of the first pair.

http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/…

http://www.redwingheritage.com/USD/product/fo…

Kinja'd!!!

I'm getting ready to drop these off at the local RedWing store for new soles. I've never had a pair of shoes resoled before, but since replacements are ~ $300, I'll give it a shot for $95.

I just need to wait for it to get cold so I can be without them (wear them on the motorbike) for a week - which is quickly approaching.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 12:56

I honestly can't imagine wearing any other kind of boots. I've got 2 pair of Red Wings, a black pair that's about 8 years old and a 6 year old brown pair I'm wearing right now. Highest quality, comfortable, durable boots.

Much like with cars, you get what you pay for in boots. Worth every dollar.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > ACESandEIGHTS
11/12/2014 at 12:56

Those are the ones I want and I think I'll go grab them this weekend. I haven't heard on single bad thing about them so it makes the decision easy. 100% worth the money by the sounds of it.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
11/12/2014 at 12:59

Awesome! I like where this conversation is going. Everyone is on the same page which means I MUST buy them.

505Turbeaux > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:01

yeah I have a pair. Love them. I try to only buy shoes that can be rebuilt unless they are sneakers. So I rock Mephistos which are WELL worth the $500 buy in, I have had mine 12 years, resoled and finished twice

Red Wings the same, well worth it, have had a pair for 7 years and just about ready for a rebuild

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:01

Kinja'd!!!

I've never used their boots but the do make the best wool socks in existence

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > McMike
11/12/2014 at 13:02

Totally worth it to get them re-soled. I've never done it either but with these I plan on having them for a LONG time. So I can see a resole or 2 in the future.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/12/2014 at 13:03

I might have to take your word for it and buy a few pairs.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > 505Turbeaux
11/12/2014 at 13:06

Awesome! I'm getting excited to join this expensive shoe club and really have shoes to be proud of.

I had never really given much thought to rebuildable shoes until a few days ago which make these 100% worth it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:06

I don't know if they are the same type you're looking at, but for the brand as a whole, you couldn't pay him to wear anything else.

505Turbeaux > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:07

if you have the loot, just do it. With the red wings you cant lose, the styling is classic. With my Mephistos I chose the ones I could see being fashionable for the long haul

pdx107 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:13

Red Wing, or Danner boots, both very good.

You get what you pay for no questions asked

McMike > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:19

They also told me I could get another type of sole, too.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > McMike
11/12/2014 at 13:24

good to know

Kyle > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:32

Ive got a set of iron ranger's I have had for a few years and I love them. They hold up great, and with some of the beeswax keep looking great and repelling water.

Only tip I have for you is you may want to get some inserts for the heels and arch to improve standing comfort.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Kyle
11/12/2014 at 13:39

The red wing store near me does custom insoles if needed.

NaturallyAspirated > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 13:39

Adding my voice to those praising Red Wing boots. I wore them when I was an A&P mechanic. 10 hour shifts, all on my feet, and the Red Wings were incredibly comfortable, even at the end of a shift. Highly recommended.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > NaturallyAspirated
11/12/2014 at 13:40

10/10 will buy!

Kyle > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 14:07

Yea, but those doctor scholls foot scanning things at CVS work great and are probably cheaper.

ceanderson920 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 14:41

I have a pair of redwing work boots from about 7 years ago, I think they costed around 120. I used to wear them riding dirt bikes and doing construction work. I put them on a couple weeks ago to go pheasant hunting and they felt like they were brand new. I highly recommend buying quality footwear, especially something like boots. My friend always says that when buying tools its better to buy the quality more expensive ones so you only have to buy them once. This statement is exactly how I feel about boots.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > ceanderson920
11/12/2014 at 15:24

With what I've been hearing I'm with you 100%. I never buy cheap tools for that very reason. I'm gonna start doing the same with footwear.

ceanderson920 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 15:26

Its worth it, if you know what size and style you want maybe check out ebay for a gently used pair and save a hundred bucks or so.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > ceanderson920
11/12/2014 at 15:30

I'd rather have my own brand new boots. I can afford it so I don't mind paying full price. I was just not very familiar with the company until a few days ago, which is why I was asking about it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 16:54

Just make sure to get made in USA ones. Clearly visible by the little flag tag they put on the laces. Awesome boots though, my insulated ones are cool enough for summer and warm enough for winter.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
11/12/2014 at 16:58

Will do! Might go get them tonight.

Tina Corbett > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/12/2014 at 18:55

At the last warehouse I worked at, that's all we wore. The company would even give us up to $150 for each pair..and we were allowed 2 at a time due to the quality.

Then the company could work us for those damn 12-14 hours days and our legs wouldn't fall off. .

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Tina Corbett
11/12/2014 at 18:58

Sounds like you got the short end of the stick but it's good to know that the boots worked as intended. Cant wait to get mine and be done with these busted sneakers.