Red Wing is known as a top-tier boot brand for getting tough and rugged boots, but it often gets the tag of being expensive. Do you think that too?
I understand that their prices have always been a headache, especially for those looking for work boots or durable options for challenging weather conditions.
So today, let’s chat about why are Red Wings Shoes so expensive. Are you getting top-notch quality, or is it just the brand name doing the talking?
Read on to find out what the answer is!
Contents
Why Are Red Wings Shoes So Expensive? Detailed Answer
Red Wing shoes are no doubt expensive and here I’m going to explain why they are so. For that, I’ve got a few factors that play an important role in pricing being increased and by the end, you’ll understand why Red Wing Shoes are so expensive.
Let’s start!
American Brand
Red Wing is an American brand, and nearly all of their shoes are made in the US. Red Wing Shoes has plants in Minnesota, Missouri, and Kentucky. This highlights that their labor force is also homegrown in the United States.
In the United States, the lowest wage is $7.25 per hour. In some other countries, companies can pay their workers as little as 8 cents per hour. This makes American companies set higher prices for their products because if they don’t charge more for their products, they might end up losing money.
Moreover, this brand doesn’t hire normal laborers; instead, they hire complete experts who could retain their brand reputation and family legacy spanning four generations.
That’s one reason why the boots come at a premium price.
Must Read: Red Wing 10877 vs 877 – Which One Should You Get?
Brand History And Reputation
Next, we have the reputation that the company has earned over the past 100 years. Red Wing has been in business since 1905, so they do have some experience, and if there were junk shoes, they would have perished by this time.
In the beginning, their main goal was to create shoes that could meet the needs of various workers, whether miners, farmers, or loggers. So, they made work boots, and they kept doing it until, in 1952, they brought out the famous 877 Moc-toe. In 2008, Red Wing Shoes expanded with a Heritage catalog and started experimenting with more fashion-oriented shoes. And in 2016, they added the Heritage Women’s line.
So, with a rich history and ongoing experimentation, Red Wing has evolved into a premium brand.
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Excellent Craftsmanship
Red Wing is known far and wide for its incredible comfort. Red Wing proudly creates boots that are designed to fit perfectly and are built to endure. To truly appreciate their shoes, you’ve got to understand how they’re made.
For the creation of each shoe, there are five major steps through which each shoe is passed. Cutting, fitting, lasting, bottoming, and finishing.
Cutting: They start with top-notch leather. Charles Beckman, the founder, teamed up with SB Foot Tannery to get the best and toughest leather. Once they have the leather, the construction journey starts. The leather is tanned, stretched, and cut into patterns.
Fitting: Then it is sent to the fitting department. In the fitting department, the stitching process takes place. Stitching involves mostly free-form handwork, requiring a high level of eye-hand coordination. After completing all the stitching on the upper, the boot is now prepared for the lasting stage.
Lasting: Next, the leather moves to the lasting department. Here, it is placed on a last, which is shaped like your feet. This step is crucial, as it’s where the leather is molded to create 30 different styles and various sizes of boots and shoes.
Bottoming: After the lasting department, the shoes head to the bottoms department, where the soles are added. These soles are considered the best thing about Red Wing shoes.
Finishing: Once everything is done, the shoe then heads to the finishing department. This is where each boot gets a final check, and things like shoelaces and footbeds are added.
This is how Red Wing work boots are constructed to be sturdy and reliable.
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Premium Materials
Red Wing goes all out by using top-quality materials for their boots. They get leather from the best tanneries and use top-grade material to make their boots.
For most of their styles, Red Wing uses full-grain leather for the uppers. The midsoles are crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, and the cork filler molds to your foot as you wear them over time. They provide a variety of outsoles, ranging from wedge soles to different Vibram soles like the Mini-lug 430 and Montagna 100-lug commando sole.
Moreover, most boots have Goodyear Welt construction with leather welts, which makes them resoleable. Along with that, they also have some stitch-down-constructed boots and shoes in their lineup.
In my opinion, what you get from Red Wing is definitely worth more than what you pay.
Comfort and Support
When it comes to comfort and support, Red Wing boots hit the mark just right.
Breaking in Red Wing shoes might be a bit tough at first, but after wearing them for a week, the leather softens up, and they become super comfortable, molding to the shape of your feet.
I have a few pairs of Red Wing boots, both from their special heritage line and the work line. Every time I wear them, I’m amazed by how well they’re made. The careful craftsmanship, the handmade details, and the lovely leather smell just make me love them even more.
Along with that, there are extra comfort features such as cushioned insoles and special lug soles, slip resistance, and many more. So all of these together increase the price of boots.
Also Read: Why Are Clarks Shoes So Expensive?
Safety Standards
Red Wing Shoes are crafted to be durable and dependable for the work environment. To ensure reliability, they undergo various rigorous tests during the manufacturing process.
It’s mentioned that their work boots adhere to safety standards, and all of these safety standards align with ASTM International Standards.
To meet ASTM standards for impact and compression, their styles include steel, non-metallic, and aluminum safety toes. They even offer puncture-resistant options. Some shoes are static-dissipative to control electrical discharge, and others have electrical hazard protection for extra safety around electricity.
So, all of these safety measurements come at a cost, which you have to pay.
Customer Care
Red Wing’s customer service is top-notch. They are highly skilled at what they do and genuinely care about their customers.
Personally, I had an experience with that when my boot started falling apart earlier than expected. When I brought it in, they examined it and promptly replaced it with a new one. Even if they had mentioned it was due to “normal wear and tear” (which was true and outside the warranty period), I wouldn’t have been disappointed. While their customer service may come at a higher cost, it’s absolutely worth it.
The point I’m making with that story is that Red Wing charges more because they hire skilled experts.
Famous Celebrities in Red Wings
Popularity is another major reason why they are so expensive.
Red Wing boots have gained quite a reputation, and it seems everyone wants a pair. Not only are they popular among our favorite TV and movie celebrities, but famous sports personalities have also been spotted rocking them on the streets.
On the official Red Wing blogs, there’s a whole list of celebrities with their photos wearing Red Wing shoes. Some of these celebrities include Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, David Beckham, and many more.
So, the price of these shoes tends to go up as celebrities create a buzz around them, adding to their popularity among the general public.
FAQ
What’s So Special About Red Wing Boots?
Red Wing is so special because their boots are durable, comfortable, and crafted with excellence.
For more than 100 years, Red Wing has been crafting shoes with real safety ratings for workers. They use sturdy methods to turn quality materials into long-lasting boots. Every pair is made with care and attention to detail at each step. These factors are crucial in making Red Wing truly special.
Why are Redwings popular?
Red Wings are well-known for their work boots. From the start, they’ve focused on making top-notch work boots and have succeeded.
Apart from work boots, they’re famous for their heritage line, which is great for casual wear and tough against the weather.
In short, people love them because of the high-quality materials, skillful construction, and long-lasting comfort.
Do Red Wing Boots Last a Lifetime?
Yes! Red Wing boots are built to last a lifetime, especially their work line boots, which are incredibly durable and don’t wear out easily.
Their best material selection, strong stitching and expert supervision made their boots very durable. But keep in mind that their durability factor also depends on the style. So if you’re after durable Red Wing boots, pick shoes wisely.
Final Words: Are Red Wing Shoes Worth Your Money?
Yes! Red Wing shoes are worth every penny. I know they are expensive, but the value they provide to their customers makes them particularly popular among individuals in professions that require rugged, dependable footwear, such as construction workers, tradespeople, and outdoors enthusiasts.
And for me, it’s not bad if someone is providing you with top-grade value for some extra bucks. So that’s all about why are Red Wings shoes so expensive. I’m curious what you think about their boots. Let me know in comment
