Red Wing
Red Wing: Manufacturer of work footwear founded in 1905
A manufacturer of work boots and work shoes, founded in the city of Red Wing, Minnesota by Charles H. The real boom in production came with the arrival of the First World War, when the American army shipped out wearing Red Wing N. 16s. Moreover, during the Second World War, the company was working at full capacity to make the 239 variants on the military combat boot, with various sizes and widths.
Furthermore, another important phase in the company’s development came with the birth of the petroleum industry, between the 1960s and the 1970s, when the “hard work shoe” became familiar in Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, and other producing nations in the Middle East.
The rise of the Company
The company started producing thousands of pairs of shoes and boots every day through its four brand lines: Worx and Red Wing Shoes for work, Irish Setter for hunting and fishing, and Vasque for leisure.
Indeed its inception, there have been many milestones, including the “Gloria” model, the original women’s boot, in 1926 and the creation of the 877 Moc Toe in 1952.
While the core business remains work boots, in 2008 Red Wing Shoes added a heritage catalogue that includes more fashion – oriented shoes.
With the motto “out of fashion since 1905” – featured in the 2021 advertising campaign. Since then, Red Wing has been creating boots for people who are more interested in quality and longevity than the latest fashion trends. In addition to these footwear , they were worn by those who stop following the masses and trends.
The company uses two different types of manufacturing. Goodyear welting – a process dating back to 1869 – is known for its durability as it sews a thin leather welt together with the upper and insole of the footwear.
Stitch down construction, on the other hand, creates flexible and comfortable footwear. Stitch down construction dates back to the 17th century. The upper of the shoe is flanged outwards and stitched up to the midsole.
You may also like:
Van Gorp, Lieve
