Red Wing Boots

[flying m]

I can truly sympathize with those who are disappointed with the footwear being sold in the states today. I was fortunate as a kid that my dad knew the value of excellent footwear. At the time I wore RedWings, Tony, Justin, Dan Post, and Florshiem. No gypo discount stuff for me. I pleaded with him to get a pair of trendy at the time Tom Mcanns, and they went to the dump soon thereafter. Junk. As I grew older and worked harder, I found the Redwings didn't hold a candle to West Coasts. I wore them for quite a while and then found the original Buffalo Boot company, and got a much better off-the-rack fit. I started having my boots custom made, and yeah man, if you don't know the difference between a boot made for you and not fifteen million other yahoos, well more power to you.

Buffalo, Currin-Greene went out of business in the seventies or eighties I guess. West Coast boots off the rack are well made and rebuildable. Some guys don't give a hoot and would rather wear throwaway imports. For Thirty years I have worn handmade custom fit lace up boots by John Newbury of Portland, now deceased, Nicks of Washington and Oregon, and Vibergs from Canada. If you get measured by them or one of their regional representatives, that is the way to go. They take about ten measurements of your foot and ankle and calf. Today's money USA you're looking at around four bills. For me, with logging, firefighting, trucking, farming and dancing around, you might as well have the best. You only get one set of feet so you might as well take care of them. No foot, no horse. The only bad experience I had with handmades was with Whites, one of the premier bootmakers. Three times I sent custom boots back to them and finally said I'm going to Nicks. Whites just got to be TOO BIG of a manufacturer in the time I have been around. The off the rack quality is fine, but for ordering a custom boot, I think their quality control has gotten poor. JMHO. "walk onnnnn"

That's too bad to hear. When as a wildland firefighter I purchased my Whites through the mail. I didn't specifically ask for custom but they sent a measuring kit. Measured foot diameter in several spots and all the way up the calf to the height that you wanted. Wear great though heavy. I've been wearing them for about fifteen years though mostly when hunting now. Here the limestone is ugly and you will tear up a normal boot looking for the coues deer. The Whites just keep on going. Sorry to hear that the quality has gone down.

 

[hslogger]

I don't think the workmanship quality went down, but their ability to build one to specs on huge production scale seemingly went down hill.
I ordered them through an associate store , BAKERS in Eugene,Oregon, great website BTW, and they measured me up, sent off the specs. First time the toes were wrong. Second time one side didn't fit, third time other side didn't fit. I couldn't believe it. The folks at Bakers were most apologetic and they were the ones that then measured me and ordered me a pair of Nicks. I have two pair of them, perfect fit from toe to calf. For me, I have one foot smaller than the other, and curiously, the smaller foot has a bigger ankle than the other. In a custom fit boot, the eyelets don't meet. Off the rack boot they do, at least for me.Nicks Boots

 

[R_Walter]

In 2010, compensation costs (wages and benefits) for manufacturing jobs in the U.S. were $34.74 per hour on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s lower than in 13 northern and western European countries, but far higher than costs in China: $1.36 per hour (in 2008), based on BLS estimates. Another manufacturing powerhouse, India, has even lower hourly compensation costs than China. If you're a manufacturer, its a no-brainer.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

In 2010, compensation costs (wages and benefits) for manufacturing jobs in the U.S. were $34.74 per hour on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s lower than in 13 northern and western European countries, but far higher than costs in China: $1.36 per hour (in 2008), based on BLS estimates. Another manufacturing powerhouse, India, has even lower hourly compensation costs than China. If you're a manufacturer, its a no-brainer.

I will happily spend 2 to 3 hundred dollars on good quality, American made boots. I don't understand our, ( America's ) fascination with cheap Wally World crap.

 

[ruffdog]

I will happily spend 2 to 3 hundred dollars on good quality, American made boots. I don't understand our, ( America's ) fascination with cheap Wally World crap.

I agree. I include other goods in that statement too.

 

[TomSeller]

I will happily spend 2 to 3 hundred dollars on good quality, American made boots. I don't understand our, ( America's ) fascination with cheap Wally World crap.

I also agree. Replace your boots every year or replace you boots every 10 years.

 

[two_bit_score]

So, tell me what you think. I go to the closest Red Wing store today. 1 1/2 hours away. I called first to make sure they would have a nice selection of 12 EE in stock, " Oh yeah the guy said, come on down ". So. I get there with my wife in tow, and guess what ??? Not ONE 12 EE in the store. WTH I say, and the guy shrugs his shoulders and tells me he can order them. No thanks. I go to the next Red Wing store 30 miles away, but not any farther from home on the return trip. I get an 85 year old man to help me, as his son is gone. He knows nothing, and can't understand what I want due to hearing issues. So, I start looking through the selection, and find everything is made in China, YEP, China. *** I think and walk out cause by now my wife is worried I'm gonna get tazed if I don't leave soon. So, 4 hours wasted, no boots, and come to the conclusion Red Wings are going the way of every other boot, ie. cheap... and lousy customer service. Anyway, somebody please give me a boot made in America. And, no, I don't care what they cost. Thanks

You should try these:

Product Detail

Made in the USA. Great soles and extremely comfortable.

The link says they are made to order but in actuality they make this boot specifically for the Texas market. Several stores in Texas stock up on these boots twice a year. Best boot you will ever wear.

 

[two_bit_score]

Sorry for the duplicate post.

 

[two_bit_score]

I also agree. Replace your boots every year or replace you boots every 10 years.

My oldest remaining pair of Red Wing 1178's is about thirty years old and I think I paid less than $100 for them. They MSRP at about $235 now but they can be found for less in some places. I have three pair right now. The oldest are still good for working and I keep them for when it's really nasty, then the regular working pair and the newer semi-dress pair.

 

[two_bit_score]

The guy Wranglerstar on Youtube went through the process of ordering custom boots on his channel a few months ago. Was quite a process with templates and measurements at specific places. Then there was at least one test pair sent for trial. I was very impressed. In his latest update on using them he was still loving them.

I cant remember the maker, but he was in the USA. The info is on Wranglerstar;s channel. He seems like a honest guy so if he says he like the boots, he likely does.

Ive always had issues with standing on my feet for hours. Custom boots may be the answer. Someday I think I might give it a try.

If you stand on your feet a lot I really recommend the RedWing 1178's to you.

Here is a list of great Texas custom boot makers. 25 Top Custom Bootmakers | Texas Monthly

One place on the list, M.L. Leddy in Ft. Worth, is known for custom work boots.