Category Archives: VintageCategory Archives: Vintage

Bootcare service

Posted on December 20th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

We at Red Wing Shoes are big advocates of proper boot care! A well-cared for pair of boots has the potential to last for years and years with the help of leather conditioning and appropriate resoling. Taking this knowledge and putting it to use, Matthijs restored over 30 pairs of Red Wing boots that were dropped off at Mensroom in Eindhoven, Netherlands last week. With some TLC and boot conditioner these worn-out Red Wings have been brought back to life and now are ready for some more miles.

How to take care of your boots? Read it here. Special thanks to Michael van Hal / Ouwe Paparazzi for the pics.




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1960 Promotions

Posted on November 14th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

In the 1960s, Red Wing Shoes stepped away from traditional boot promotions and began engaging customers through inventive campaigns that relied on their participation. These campaigns not only raised brand awareness but also increased interaction between Red Wing Shoe stores and customers.

D&S Bootery, located in Minot, North Dakota, brought their Red Wing shoes to the North Dakota State fair in 1960. Along with the boots, they brought an Irish Setter dog to promote the Irish Setter brand. With the help of the new addition, over 15,000 people stopped at the booth to register for the free dog and check out the boots. In addition, over 10,000 Red Wing Shoe coupons were handed out. At the end of the state fair, the dog was placed with a new family.

One of the most popular promotions was the penny-a-pound program. With the penny-a-pound promotion, a customer received one penny off the price of their boots for every pound they weighed. The campaign highlighted Red Wing Shoes diversity and ability to fit all types of people with varying shoe sizes and widths. Penny-a-pound was loved by both Red Wing Shoe stores and customers, and ran longer than other promotions.

In 1961, customer’s competitive sides were unleashed with two contests held in the fall. Red Wing Shoe stores around the United States gave away a free pair of boots to the individual who presented the longest ear of corn or pheasant tail feather. Both contests were well received, and thousands of feathers and ears of corn were brought to stores across the US.

The diverse promotions brought different types of customers into the stores throughout the 1960s. Every store decided which nationwide promotions to participate in and how long to run them for. Some stores, like the D&S Bootery, invented their own promotions, to bring in large crowds.

 

The evolution of a color

Posted on November 5th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

As we announced earlier, the 4558 is now available in Red Wing Shoe Stores across Europe. The guys from Tenue de Nimes have dedicated a special to the Evolution of the boot’s color, which was introduced first in 1952, and has appeared in various reddish-orange colors throughout the years. A rich history we’re proud off.

Have a look and learn all about The Evolution of Color:

Tiny little Red Wings

Posted on October 24th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

We recently came across a unique and unexpected story thanks to one of our employees in Red Wing, Minnesota. Pictured here is a pair of “tiny” 877s, estimated to be a child size 12. Thoroughly enthralled with these tiny Red Wings, we spoke with Nancy, the aunt of the employee who brought this unique find to our attention, in order to learn the history behind these rare boots.

What Nancy told us is both remarkable and a testimony to the durability and longevity of a pair of Red Wing boots. Purchased used at a garage sale around 1969 or 1970, this pair of tiny Red Wings was worn by Nancy’s two brothers when they were four and five year olds. Once outgrown, they were passed on through Nancy’s family and worn by six other young boys over a thirty year span, including Nancy’s own son.

At one point, the boots were resoled by a Red Wing employee who replaced the iconic white crepe soles so the boots could continue their progression through the family.

“Many of our family members are in construction and homebuilding,” said Nancy. “Wearing these boots would make the kids feel like they were in construction, too. As soon as they put them on their whole personality would change into one of a little worker.”

After three generations and eight young boys, the boots are still in use today by Nancy’s grandson. And the only repair they have ever needed was a pair of new soles and some boot oil.

These little 877s have undoubtedly withstood the test of time and are a very remarkable and special family heirloom.

 

The Puritan Machine

Posted on September 20th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

The Puritan Machine has been part of traditional shoemaking since 1893 and is one that we continue to use today. The Puritan Stitch is created with a multi-needle row machine that allows us to create the signature Red Wing Shoes triple stitch on the uppers of our boots.

The Puritan machine doesn’t use bobbins; instead the thread is driven into the leather and re-hooked to create the stitch. As the thread is pulled from the spool, it goes through a wax reservoir that makes the thread soft and pliable. Once the thread is stitched into the uppers, the wax hardens, locking the stitches into place.

For over 100 years, we have been using the Puritan machines, maintaining our zero stitch failure record. Our Puritan machines have been around for decades. Because the machines can now be considered antiques, replacement parts are no longer available for them. Red Wing Shoes has a mechanical staff that re-creates the old parts to keep the machines running.

If you ever get the chance to tour a Red Wing Shoes factory, you’ll see that the machines look like they are wearing leather jackets. In the 1980s, leather wraps were made for the Puritan machines to minimize noise and to protect the machines from the hot wax reservoir on top, maximizing the lifespan of the Puritan machines.

Photo from 1964 of the vamp and quarter being stitched by the Puritan.

Instagram finds

Posted on September 17th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

There are many nice Red Wing boots around. We thought it would be worth sharing some of them. We surfed Instagram and made a small selection.

Image by footagestore


Image by castandcrew.

Image by Gondora


Image by Landonsheely


Image by Daiske730

Moonrise Kingdom starring Red Wing boots

Posted on July 30th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

 

Moonrise Kingdom, a new film by Wes Anderson, not only features a star-cast of Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Harvey Kitel and Bruce Willis among others, but two pair of Red Wing boots as well. The story takes you on a ride with Khaki Scout Sam Shakusky and schoolgirl Suzy Bishop through their summer adventures. The stage is New England in the year 1965, and for the lover of vintage outfits, this is a must-see. Proud as we are, our classic boot, the Iron Ranger has been given its share. And as we see it, they fit right in there, with the style and amount of detail Wes Anderson took to set the scene.

The boots shown are well beyond ‘new’. Correct. Vintageworkwear.com was contacted by the film’s producers asking them if they could borrow a pair of Iron Ranger boots, they spotted on the blog. And beyond that, Cousin Ben, rocks the iconic 875 Moc Toe. Nice pick mr. Jason Schwartzman!

And so it occurred that our boots were featured in great style at the opening of the Cannes International Film Festival. Thank you Wes Anderson and thank you vintageworkwear.com!

 

Boot of the Week | Valuables found in Berlin

Posted on July 6th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

Whether they are boots worn for over 20 years, a collector’s item or a customized pair. We are very proud having these fans on our side. Spending three days in Berlin, showcasing our new collection at Bread and Butter, we are honored to meet these people. Some great boots they were wearing. Here’s some of them. Thank you all for wearing our boots over and over again!

Red Wing Oxford worn since 1985!

 

A rare piece. Moc Toe in Green.

 

8173 Moc Toe, customized. 12 years old with the so-called Supersole.

Boot of the Week | Bronzed 200 series

Posted on April 13th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

Our 200-series were first released in the 1950′s. That given, these boots have been with Red Wing for a long time. The best vintage pair we only found recently. They’re in Dan’s possesion, who wore them in highschool and preserved them in a unique and valuable (!) way.

“I grew up always wearing Red Wings. I was recently going through some of my parents’ things and came across two old pairs of boots that my mom had had bronzed. Since she never was able to bronze our baby shoes, which is an old tradition, she might as well do our boots – she
said. One is my brother’s and the other is mine from our high school days.”


Boot of the week | Snake Boot

Posted on March 27th, 2012 by Red Wing Shoes

Starting in the early 1900′s, our first boots were made for farmers and construction workers. That doesn’t imply we never have broadened our horizon. Take for example the Skytrooper boot or the Iron Ranger. Proving these snake boots, made from the 1960’s to 80’s, designed to stop a snake bite.

Heavy leather was specified, so the snake could not bite thru and penetrate a person’s leg. Because a gusset would require thinner leather to allow boot to be laced, it was made a pull-on style. As rattle snakes can only strike a maximum number of inches off the ground and the boot was designed above that height.

All snake proof boots, have to be certified buy an approved testing lab. The footwear is tested by putting balloons inside the boot and placed in a snake pit, where it is actually subjected to live snake bits. A functional boot with great appearance.

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