Red Wing Shoes

Behind the Brand

Red Wing shoes are certainly amongst some of the oldest names in the footwear industry. The company started out in 1905 when its founder, Charles H. Beckham, crafted the initial Red Wing inventory in a Minnesota river town called Red Wing. According to the official Red Wing site, the first boots sold for less than $2. Over the next decade, shoe production grew from approximately 100 pairs per day to over 200,000 pairs per day by 1915. When World War I rolled around, United States soldiers were issued the Red Wing No. 16 boot model, thereby increasing the company's popularity.

The Red Wing company survived the Great Depression and World War II under the management of J.R. Sweasy, who became the general manager in 1918 before taking the company presidency in 1921. The presence of Black Friday on October 18, 1929, had workers burning spare scraps of leather in the factory instead of coal in order for Red Wing employees to keep warm.

Throughout World War II, Red Wing shoes were swept up by the military and United States soldiers were outfitted with these sturdy boots. In fact, the Red Wing company was busily manufacturing 239 varying boot sizes and widths just for the Army.

After the war, Red Wing began making classic work shoes and office shoes, as the men returned to the work place. And in 1963, Red Wing commissioned Norman Rockwell as well as incipient artist Les Kouba to sketch Red Wing shoes for the company catalog.

During the 1960s and 70s, Red Wing expanded its inventory to reach Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. By the mid 1980s, the company's production quota was well over two million pairs per day. While offering 150 styles, geared towards many uses, Red Wing had to hire night shift workers at both its factories in order to meet customer demands.

Today, Red Wing is still a well respected name in the industry of work boots and labor-related footwear. The company further boasts the fact that its products are crafted by hand to ensure quality and reliability.

Types of Red Wing Shoes

Although predominantly known for its boots, the Red Wing company manufactures shoes for many labor-intensive activities. Products include:

• Oxfords
• Steel Toe Boots
• Hiking Boots
• Pull-on Boots
• Motorcycle Boots
• Logger Boots

As mentioned previously, Red Wing shoes are intended for working men. Many of Red Wing's shoes are outfitted with steel toes to protect a worker's feet from falling objects and generally demanding tasks. Men who work in construction, factories, and logging facilities are all big fans of Red Wing footwear because of the special attention given to comfort and safety in the shoes' designs. Even Red Wing's motorcycle boots are provided with options such as zipper, lace-up, or pull-on features.

Where to Purchase

Red Wing shoes are not available through online catalogs or any form of internet sales. Products that can be found online should be considered with caution, as the Red Wing company has stated several times that it does not want its merchandise to be available on the internet. Why is this trustworthy company so against internet sales?

Since the Red Wing policy is to create shoes that are designed for safety and comfort, the company believes that shoes should be provided by in-store retailers who can ensure an ideal fit for your feet. This policy is especially valuable when you are purchasing steel-toed boots, which can cause damage to your feet if not fit properly. To purchase Red Wing shoes, visit the official company site where you will find a store locater on the home page.