Red Wing is the phoenix of the boot world that will rise again and again.

Red Wing is the phoenix of the boot world that will rise again and again.

Lifetime products. Many men must be attracted to the sound of such a thing. Boots are the symbol of such a thing. Boots that can be worn for years, or even decades, and enjoy the aging process of maintenance and repair are truly deserving of the term “lifetime item. The popularity of sneakers has recently entered a transitional period, and many people are discovering their appeal anew, but it is Red Wing that is being supported not only by fans of boots of the past, but also by young people.

Rarely loved across generations

The most popular fashion in Japan is American casual. From jeans to choir jackets and cruiser jackets to sweatshirts and flannel shirts, the basic, easy-to-wear items that originated in American casual are indispensable. Although there are ups and downs with each trend, as seen in the recent resurgence of popularity of vintage jeans and band T’s, these items have survived the changing times and trends and have boomed again and again while remaining a staple. The resurgence of Red Wing’s popularity over the past few years is due to a renewed appreciation of the appeal of American casual wear.

Red Wing’s reliability as a product, its style that never goes out of style, its history and background that satisfy the desire to own, and many other factors are reasons to choose Red Wing. Let’s find out why Red Wing is recognized by all boot lovers, from beginners to veterans.

Why Red Wing is a phoenix, Part 2Perfection is high because it's always been the same

Red Wing shoes and boots have garnered the trust of many. Its manufacturing process has remained virtually unchanged since its founding. The leather is cut using a metal template, sewn together, hung in a wooden form, and then the soles are sewn on with the welt. The manufacturing method is the all-around Goodyear welt method, in which the welt is sewn around the entire circumference of the shoe. This method is not only durable, but also allows the soles to be reupholstered. While many boots nowadays use glued soles instead of sewn soles even though they may look rugged, Red Wing has always focused on models that adhere to the same method.

The same Puritan sewing machine has been used to sew the uppers for more than 100 years since the company’s founding. Puritan went bankrupt in the 1930s, but Red Wing continues to use the same machine with its own maintenance team. Needless to say, the old Puritan sewing machines require the skills of craftsmen to sew, which leads to the transmission of technology and, in other words, to the production of highly reliable shoes and boots.

Plant Two
Red Wing, MN

Why Red Wing is a phoenix, Part 3Made in the USA, a rarity among many brands produced overseas

One factor that ensures Red Wing’s reliability is its continued commitment to American manufacturing. This is true not only in the production system, such as cutting and sewing, but also in the manufacturing of the leather used to make the shoes.

In 1987, Red Wing acquired SB Foot, a leather tannery in Minnesota. In the 1980s, many U.S. brands were moving their factories overseas in search of cheap labor, and SB Foot was on the verge of bankruptcy, Red Wing became a white knight. Incidentally, the Puritan sewing machines used to sew the uppers were also made in the US.

Such a policy of Red Wing is very appealing to American casual fashion lovers. Red Wing is not an American brand in name only, but a truly American brand, and that is why it is trusted by American casual lovers.

Why Red Wing is a phoenix, Part 4No need to train in leather shoes! High durability and light comfort

Here in Japan, Red Wing continues to support American casual and boot lovers literally at their feet, mainly with its heritage models. The reason why Red Wing has been supported so widely and for so long is not only its history and commitment as mentioned above, but also the fact that its boots are comfortable, lightweight, and have excellent cushioning properties.

The leather used for the brand’s flagship model, the 6-inch Classic Moc, is steer hide, which is both durable and supple. The leather is then re-tanned twice in a tannery to create a supple, full-grain leather with lots of oil, so that the shoes do not feel stiff from the first time they are worn. The traction tread sole, which was first used on the Irish Setter in 1952, provides lightness and cushioning. The traction tread sole was originally developed to reduce footstep noise in the hunting scene, but today it provides comfort on concrete.

Why Red Wing is a phoenix, Part 5Responding to changing times with management that preserves tradition and never stops evolving

Red Wing gained popularity in Japan and around the world in the 1970s, followed by an explosive boom in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s. The company established Red Wing Japan in 2005 in response to the boom, and opened a directly managed store in Minami-Aoyama in 2014, which at the time was the only store in the world exclusively selling its Heritage Collection.

In fact, in Red Wing’s home country, the U.S. lineup, heritage boots like the 6-inch Classic Moc are not mainstream, but mainly modern, up-to-date work boots. The technology gained from this is fed back into the heritage models, and the 6-inch Classic Moc is now available in a Gore-Tex version. The brand combines heritage appeal with modern-day practicality.

For fall/winter 2024, the all-black model will be more fashion-conscious, and the women’s lineup will be expanded. In addition, the company is also developing a sustainable development program, including an upcycling project in which dead stock and defective items that would normally be rejected are repaired and sold.

While preserving tradition, the company continues to evolve. This is why Red Wing continues to be supported even in these ever-changing times.

From the can't-miss masterpieces to the latest fall/winter 2024Red Wing's 6 Permanent Staples and Modern Masterpieces

From here, we will pick up and introduce 6 Red Wing’s permanent staples and masterpiece shoes that fit in with the modern style.

NO.8875 6-inch Classic Moc

The 8875 is the model that symbolized the Red Wing boom of the 90s. It is a 6-inch model that follows in the footsteps of the 8-inch 877, which was created in 1952, and is characterized by its moccasin-type toe and traction tread sole. The color of the leather used for the upper has changed over the years, but the reddish Oloracet leather used in the 1990s was popular among longtime fans. Originally an orangey-brown color, it was changed to this reddish color in the 1990s. Later, it was returned to its original color, but in 1996, in response to many requests, it was given the part number 8875 and revived. It is a proposal that has exquisitely stimulated fans’ points of view.

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NO.875 6-inch Classic Moc

Since its birth in 1952, the Classic Moc has been sold with several subtle color changes. In the 1990s, the leather was reddish like the 8875 shown above, but in 2014 it was decided to return to its original orangey-brown color and the leather was renamed Oro Legacy Leather. The leather is rich in oil and is characterized by the fact that it is only dyed after tanning and the silver surface is not painted. This gives the leather a natural texture and coloring, which will change over time as it is worn in for more beautiful results.

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Red Wing Masterpiece 3: The Red Wing that can be worn on and off!NO.101 Postman Oxford

It was created in 1954 as a service shoe for military personnel, police officers, and postal workers. The name “Postman” came from the fact that they were officially adopted by the U.S. Postal Service. The design is a plain toe with an external shuttlecock, and is simple and basic. The thick rubber sole, however, was highly favored by postmen who were forced to walk for long hours. The plain look with just the right amount of volume is popular not only in casual outfits, but also in business styles that have become more tolerant of casual wear in recent years. The Oxford type is also available in the standard 6-inch Classic Moc, showing Red Wing’s wide range of options.

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NO.9422 Beckman

Named after the company’s founder Charles Beckman, this model is based on a model from the early 20th century, the plain toe The Excalibur leather used in these boots shows their toughness, while the clean form gives them a dressy atmosphere. In fact, the production of these boots was forced to be discontinued due to the production system that was forced to suffer due to the Corona disaster, but they will be revived from the fall/winter of 2024 in response to the many requests for them. Fine adjustments have been made to make the fit more comfortable and easier to wear. However, the development was done by the same development team that created the original. While evolving, the charm of the original has been firmly maintained, and this is what keeps fans coming back.

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NO.1155 11-inch Pecos

Red Wing once had a location in Texas. Since the state is the home of cowboys, Western boots were sold there. The company was born in 1959 under the name Pecos. The name “Pecos” comes from the river that flows through New Mexico, and Red Wing has registered it as a trademark. There are several variations, but the 1155 sold in 1964 became a big hit and a long seller. In Japan, the 1155 was discontinued in 2007, but was reintroduced with the part number changed to 8159. Later, the part number was changed to 8845, but it is no longer sold in Japan. In the meantime, 1155 will be revived in the fall/winter of 2024. It is only Red Wing, with its timeless masterpieces, that can reissue the 1155 again and again in such a way.

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NO.8074 6-inch Classic Moc

Here is a new appearance from the 6-inch Classic Moc, a permanent and immortal classic and a great classic. The oiled leather used for the upper is black harness. The traction tread sole, laces, and eyelets are all black, giving the shoe a rugged yet sophisticated finish. The result is a shoe that matches not only American casual wear, but also a variety of other fashion styles. This is truly a pair that is an evolving classic. This kind of proposal is another reason why Red Wing continues to be loved.

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