Manufacturer
The Red Wing Shoe Company
The Red Wing Shoe Company in Minnesota has been making shoes since 1905 that are famous for their excellent fit and durability. These are usually models that have had to prove themselves in tough everyday working conditions - in forges, workshops and mines or on oil fields and farms. The leather is of particular importance here. Red Wing always uses strong, full-grain cowhide leather for its shoes and boots, which is produced using a special process developed at the end of the 1940s and patented for Red Wing. The chrome-tanned leather is re-tanned in mineral oil, which is what the American term "oil-tanned" means. This gives it a fat content of 22% (normal is 8 to 10%), which makes it uniquely supple and at the same time hard-wearing and water-repellent despite its ample material thickness.
The tannery, which was founded in 1872 and is therefore older than Red Wing itself, is located just "three miles down the road", as Red Wing puts it. Short distances are therefore guaranteed. And at the same time full control over the tanning process, as Red Wing took over the company in 1986, which also ensured its continued existence at the time. Red Wing is just as demanding when it comes to processing as it is with the leather. Red Wing shoes are welted using the Goodyear process. This benefits the fit and dimensional stability. At the same time, it makes the shoes more durable and repairable in the event of an accident. You will notice it in use: a Red Wing adapts individually to your foot when you wear it. At the same time, its expressive patina makes it more and more beautiful, making it your personal companion for many years, if not decades.