You Are What You Wear
The two most essential items of a person’s attire are clothes and footwear. A person may turn up in the trendiest outfit. However, once you are done with looking at their clothes, you might throw a quick glance at their feet. Footwear tends to define our personality.
If you are well-to-do, you will always wear high-end shoes and boots, even in the most casual of settings. If you are fashion conscious, your footwear is likely to stand out. A neat and organized person will always have their footwear spotless, whereas an untidy person may wear stained and unpolished shoes or boots. Whether you are at work or not, we like our shoes to be fashionable but functional. Well, most of us!
In this article, we discuss the importance of having a good pair of work boots. By “good,” we mean both comfortable and stylish. But how do you go about selecting a suitable pair? We first highlight what you need to look for in a pair of work boots. Since Red Wing boots are a well-known brand, that’s been around for over 100 years, we have focused on this brand and reviewed a few of the best products of Red Wing.
Shopping For Men’s Boots – What To Look For
In this article, we focus on work boots and outdoor boots used for camping, hiking, and hunting – the kind of Red Wing boots men and women who lead active lifestyles need. Such boots need to be rugged, provide adequate protection, yet they need to be comfortable as well. Here are a few things you need to look out for selecting a suitable pair of boots:
Type Of Boots
There are different types of work boots for work and outdoors activities. It is very important to know what you need before going in for a pair of boots. You may end up wasting your money if you find that when you finally get your new boots, they are not suitable for your purposes. You can choose from the following boot types, depending on what you expect do when you wear your boots:
- Waterproof boots
- Steel toe design
- Metatarsal boots
- Composite toe type
- Static dissipative boots (useful for wearing while working in the electronics industry)
Protection Required
Be aware of the protection that you need for your feet. You need soles with extra traction for slippery surfaces. If you are working in a hot environment, then your boots need to be made of heat resistant material. Likewise, you may need to look for boots with water-resistant properties or those that offer high electrical insulation.
Material Used
It’s important to know what materials are being used for your boots. For instance, if you need thermal protective material in cold weather but your boots should have material that helps your feet “breathe” in hot climates.
Boot Construction
The shape of the boot is also an important factor to consider. If you spend long hours standing, then a flat sole would be ideal for your purposes. If you do a lot of climbing at the worksite, then you would need to have a boot with irregular indentations for a better grip. If however, you climb a lot of ladders, then you would need to have a boot that has a protruding heel, but a concave space between the heel and the end of the boot to sit comfortably in the rungs of ladders.
Appearance
Your boots should be smart enough to compliment the rest of your attire. You are likely to be wearing them daily, so choose a pair that don’t look ugly on your feet.
Manufacturer’s Track Record
Going into the manufacturer’s track record is a good way of getting the feel of how their products are. It is also a good idea to go through some reviews of verified customers to get firsthand information about the product.
5 most Popular Red Wing Men’s Boots You Can Buy
Established in 1905 in Red Wing, Minnesota, the Red Wing Shoe Company is a family-run business. With more than a century of covering the feet of millions of Americans, let’s take a look at what Red Wing has to offer. We feature work boots and outdoor boots from the Red Wing line of products:
Comparison Chart
Red Wing Men’s Iron Ranger 6” Boot
These Red Wing boots are part of the Iron Ranger series named after the valiant iron ore miners of Minnesota. These are miners who used to work the iron ore mines in the mountain ranges of the area. Although many Red Wing are manufactured in China today, this particular model is handcrafted in the USA. The stitching is durable, and they use premium quality leather. The finish of the cap toe, hooks and eyelets is sleek. The sole is made of an oil-resistant and stain-resistant material. The stitching is of durable “stitch-down welt” construction to keep all parts of the boot well-joined and waterproof.
Pros
- All-American product
- Durable “stitch-down welt” construction
- Sleek looks
- Oil-resistant and stain-resistant sole
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Laces not so durable
- Staples sometimes poke through the insoles
Red Wing Heritage Men’s Classic Moc 6” Boot
Here, you get pure leather boots that look stylish and offer adequate protection. However, these red wing boots men may use are not your regular work boots. They are not waterproof, so, before you wear them in the rain, you would have to waterproof them yourself. That said, these boots have a classic, 1900s look, which can make you stand out in a crowd when you wear them. Although a bit stiff to begin with, once these boots are worn in the leather softens and they become quite comfortable. Traction Tred outsoles help in making the boots slip-resistant, and a storm welt helps to provide some level of water resistance.
Pros
- Comfortable once broken in
- Traction Tred outsoles provide slip resistance
- Pleasant looking copper-colored leather
- Classic 1900s look
- Storm welt to add resistance to water
Cons
- Some issues with size
- The leather insole may not be suitable for all wearers
Irish Setter Men’s Waterproof Upland Hunting Boot
If you are planning a hunting, hiking, or camping trip, these Red Wing boots will take care of your feet for the trip. With synthetic soles, these boots are made of pure leather. UltraDry waterproofing technology takes care of protection from water, and you can lace up in a jiffy with the speed-lacing system. Style, performance, and comfort are all part and parcel of this lace-up boot from Irish Setter. The lining is made of moisture-wicking lining, and the EVA footbed serves as a shock absorber for added comfort with each step. The Goodyear welt construction adds the finishing touch to give extra durability and stability to these moc-toe made in China boots.
Pros
- Pure leather
- UltraDry waterproofing technology
- Stylish look
- Comfortable fit
- Speed lacing system
Cons
- Complaints of rips after three months of wearing
- Soles not so durable
Irish Setter Men’s Wingshooter ST-83632 Work Boot
The Wingshooter series Red Wing boots men prefer offer superior comfort and support while working. The iconic amber-colored leather and white sole create a striking contrast. The boot is lightweight with a non-metallic “Nano” toe, which provides space for your toes but offers adequate protection as well, with safety certified as per ASTM F2413-11, I/75C/75 standards. The safety toe keeps your feet safe in an environment of heavy falling, moving vehicles, or dropped objects. The UltraDry waterproofing ensures your feet stay dry. The wedge sole ensures that you don’t slip on the most hazardous of surfaces. Finally, the outsoles are designed to withstand high temperatures using “Heat Resistant Outsole” (HRO) technology with a melting point of minimum 475°F.
Pros
- Pleasantly colored leather
- UltraDry waterproofing technology
- Protective Nano toe
- Heat resistant
- Comfortable toe space
Cons
- Complaints of soles cracking
- Some boots ripped at the seams in a few months
Red Wing Heritage Men’s Roughneck Lace-Up Boot
These boots are made in the US and are 100% full-grain leather. They have synthetic soles that are water-resistant and stain-resistant. This robust men’s boot’s bold stitching gives it that rugged look that goes so well with a boot. It has an EVA midsole that provides added comfort to the foot. You also get excellent traction with the Vibram lug outsole, which offers you a good grip on any surface. Another provision for comfort is that most of the tongue is stitched to the inside of the boot. The result is that the tongue doesn’t move to the side, but stays centered as you wear the boot. These red wing boots men will prefer due to comfort, durability and the stylish look of the product.
Pros
- 100% all-American product
- Full-grain leather uppers
- EVA Vibram lug outsole
- Stylish but comfortable
- Tongue stays in the center position while wearing
Cons
- Feels heavy while wearing
- Nailheads observed over the insole
You Can Be Comfortable And Fashionable With Red Wing Shoes
Men mostly buy boots for work or for wearing outdoors in hunting, camping, or hiking trips. That isn’t to say that you can’t wear them for daily use as well. Because these boots are lightweight and look stylish, you can wear them for regular use.
Whether you wear your boots as work boots or for regular use, you need to choose carefully take care of the leather. Any leather, if exposed continually to water, will deteriorate. Even during normal wear and tear, you need to wash your boots, oil and wax them and clean them regularly. Red Wing boots respond well to regular boot care techniques, so take good care of your boots, and they will take care of your feet as well.
We hope that now you have a better idea about what to look for in a pair of work boots. Also, you should now be aware of the brands of Red Wing boots available in the market, so you could probably get a suitable pair for yourself.