Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of confusion around Red Wing’s moc toe boots, especially between the 1907 and 875 models.
It is understandable—both boots have many similarities, and it is difficult to decide which one to buy.
So, to clear things up, I pulled both the 1907 and 875 out of my drawer to highlight the real differences between them. Just so you do not have to keep wondering on your own.
Contents
Detailed Comparison of Red Wing 1907 or 875
To fully conclude the differences and to find out which one is actually better, I’ve created short sections of design, features, fit, comfort and price.
Read on till the end to find out more.
Design
Alright, let’s start with the design.
Both the Red Wing 875 and 1907 stick to that classic American workwear vibe—built to work hard but still look sharp.
The 875 has a cleaner, more traditional work boot vibe, the kind you’d imagine from mid-20th-century American labor days. The 1907, though, leans more rugged with its distressed Copper Rough & Tough leather and a chunkier design that gives off a vintage, lived-in feel.
So yeah, they’re pretty similar overall, but the little differences in appearance definitely set them apart.
Related Article: Red Wing 877 vs 10877
Features
After that, come the features.
Both boots have premium full-grain leather that has been tanned by SB Foot. The leather on each is lightly sanded on top and finished with a heavy layer of wax. This helps smooth the nap, giving it that clean, even look.
Both are around 2 millimeters thick and pretty much the same high standard across the board. So, no big difference there!
Moving a bit down, you’ll get to see the soles.
For that, both boots have the exact same outsole—Red Wing’s traction tread-blown rubber outsole. These outsoles are quite soft, comfortable, and easily resoleable.
Here, people often ask questions about the welt stitching. For that, both the 875 and 1907 use 360-degree Goodyear welts stitching. The 875 has a regular flat welt, while the 1907 has a fake Norwegian welt. By fake, I mean that it’s not a real Norwegian welt. It’s actually a fake stitch that wraps around the side of the boot, but it doesn’t serve any real purpose.
As for the midsoles, the 875 features a white rubber midsole, while the 1907 goes with the black one. That’s pretty much the only difference—it’s purely cosmetic. Both have the same thickness, quality, and materials.
And finally, let’s talk a bit about the interior of these boots. Both have unlined shafts but share the same lining material in the vamp. Again, no differences there.
However, for insoles, there’s one big difference The 1907 features a removable insole, while the 875 doesn’t own this feature.
Practically speaking, there are not many differences between the two boots’ features.
Comfort
Now, on to the comfort of these boots.
The 875 and 1907 might seem pretty similar in build, but when it comes to comfort, there are some differences.
First, the break-in period. The 1907 is stiff. You’ll need to wear them for at least a month before they really start to feel comfortable. The 875, however, breaks in a little faster. Not by much, though, still quicker than 1907.
Then there’s the fit. I’ve got narrow feet, so the 875 works great for me. But my brother, who has wider feet, couldn’t make the 875 work—it was just too snug. And in 1907, it had plenty of room, so it fit both of us better.
And I have to talk about looks. The 875 has that classic vibe, and it ages beautifully with a nice patina. It’s super versatile and works with almost any outfit. The 1907 is a bit duller in color, so it doesn’t stand out as much and doesn’t pair as easily.
At the end of the day, both boots are awesome for a number of purposes. They both are great for traveling, hiking or even styling. Just pick the one that feels right for your feet and fits your style!
Fit
Let’s talk fit for a moment.
Both the 875 and the 1907 run true to size, but there’s a key difference in how they fit. The 875 tends to be a bit narrow, so if you’ve got wider feet, you might want to size up. On the other hand, the 1907 has a wider fit and gives you a little more room inside, so it’s better for folks who need that extra space.
It’s just something to keep in mind when you’re picking these up.
Price
Now is my chance to finally explain the price difference.
Both of these boots are priced pretty similarly, coming in under $300. The 875 is priced at $309.99, while the 1907 is around $$329.99.
So, there’s only a $20 difference between the two.
Final Question: Which One is Actually Better?
Honestly, I’ve had both of these boots for about a month now, and I don’t really see a huge difference between them.
For me, the 875 just fits better, is slightly easier to maintain and looks a little sharper, so I lean toward them. The Oro Legacy leather is super soft right off the bat and breaks in quicker than the 1907.
I know a lot of people will argue that the 1907 has the edge with its removable footbed, that fake Norwegian welt, and a slightly wider fit. But it’s definitely tougher to break in and needs a bit more attention (in terms of maintaining).
So yeah, both are solid boots. It really comes down to what fits you better and what style you’re going for!
