Comments on: Reader Find: Redwing Boots http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:52:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: DEX http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-361897 DEX Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:53:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-361897 I stopped wearing Timberlands about 10 years ago when I noticed that the quality had really gone down. Bought some Red Wings not too long ago (steel toe), and they're great. The Red Wing store has excellent people fitting you for boots. If you wear and work in your boots all day long, RW's are a hell of an investment. My foreman had his foot run over by a forklift. But he was wearing steel toes and didn't have nary a problem! I stopped wearing Timberlands about 10 years ago when
I noticed that the quality had really gone down.

Bought some Red Wings not too long ago (steel toe),
and they’re great.

The Red Wing store has excellent people fitting you for boots.

If you wear and work in your boots all day long, RW’s are a hell
of an investment.

My foreman had his foot run over by a forklift. But he was wearing steel toes
and didn’t have nary a problem!

]]> By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Back In The Day: A Year Ago This Week On Toolmonger http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-178438 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Back In The Day: A Year Ago This Week On Toolmonger Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:12:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-178438 [...] A reader wrote in to tell us of his great experience with Redwing boots. Apparently they’re still popular among the Toolmonger crowd. [...] [...] A reader wrote in to tell us of his great experience with Redwing boots. Apparently they’re still popular among the Toolmonger crowd. [...]

]]> By: Bryan http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7124 Bryan Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:05:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7124 If you get your Redwings at the Redwing Store, they will even go so far as to split up pairs they have in stock to get you the best fit. Last time I was there, they sold me an 11 for my left foot and an 11.5 for my right. That's service. If you get your Redwings at the Redwing Store, they will even go so far as to split up pairs they have in stock to get you the best fit. Last time I was there, they sold me an 11 for my left foot and an 11.5 for my right. That’s service.

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7022 Rick Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:48:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7022 Nope.. I'm in NY :-D http://www.theruggedboot.com/ Nope.. I’m in NY :-D
http://www.theruggedboot.com/

]]> By: Roscoe http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7005 Roscoe Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:36:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7005 Rick, You must be in Central Ohio- the Rugged Boot is the dealer I was referring to. Hope you like your boots. Rick,

You must be in Central Ohio- the Rugged Boot is the dealer I was referring to. Hope you like your boots.

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7001 Rick Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:15:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-7001 Roscoe, That's good to know.. I've always worn Timberlands and after my last few pair didn't last worth a damn, I decided to listen to the hype surrounding Redwings. The dealer where I bought them, called "The Rubbed Boot Co." was great. The measured both feet, and added some padding under the insole, and even under the tongue on the right foot to ensure a perfect fit. They were great. While I was there, an old timer, a member of the Engineer's Union (Caterpillar and other havy machinery operators, etc.) came in. He basically had a year old pair of their big ass heavy duty Redwings, and the sales guy greated him by name, and asked "The usual?" Went in back, got him a pair of the same ones he had on, had him try them on, did some adjustments, and sent him on his way. The guy just comes in once a year and buys them. The Rugged Boot also has every customer on file by phone number - so they know what I've bought, and what size, so if I need anything they can send it to me without coming in all the time. So I'm really psyched to wear these and get at least a few good years out of them.. Now, for my rant on Timberlands... I was shocked at some of the prices and the lack of quality on some of the Timberland boots out there. I was at Macy's and they had a huge selection of them. They come in all kinds of colors, including red and blue (WTF?) and the little Tree logo comes in chrome and gold plate, with other gold plated accents. Seriously.. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot... Timberland has apparently stopped making work boots and started making poseur boots for the urban market.. I mean, I'm a fan - I wear baggy pants, etc. But I still like my footwear to be functional.. I don't need bling on my boots. Roscoe, That’s good to know.. I’ve always worn Timberlands and after my last few pair didn’t last worth a damn, I decided to listen to the hype surrounding Redwings.
The dealer where I bought them, called “The Rubbed Boot Co.” was great. The measured both feet, and added some padding under the insole, and even under the tongue on the right foot to ensure a perfect fit. They were great.

While I was there, an old timer, a member of the Engineer’s Union (Caterpillar and other havy machinery operators, etc.) came in. He basically had a year old pair of their big ass heavy duty Redwings, and the sales guy greated him by name, and asked “The usual?” Went in back, got him a pair of the same ones he had on, had him try them on, did some adjustments, and sent him on his way. The guy just comes in once a year and buys them.

The Rugged Boot also has every customer on file by phone number - so they know what I’ve bought, and what size, so if I need anything they can send it to me without coming in all the time.

So I’m really psyched to wear these and get at least a few good years out of them..

Now, for my rant on Timberlands…
I was shocked at some of the prices and the lack of quality on some of the Timberland boots out there. I was at Macy’s and they had a huge selection of them. They come in all kinds of colors, including red and blue (WTF?) and the little Tree logo comes in chrome and gold plate, with other gold plated accents. Seriously.. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot… Timberland has apparently stopped making work boots and started making poseur boots for the urban market.. I mean, I’m a fan - I wear baggy pants, etc. But I still like my footwear to be functional.. I don’t need bling on my boots.

]]> By: Roscoe http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6995 Roscoe Tue, 12 Dec 2006 12:36:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6995 For my money, a pair of Redwings is worth five pair of any other boot. The dealers I've worked with are all great and want to build a relationship with their customers like you would with a real estate agent or a really good equipment salesman. I wear the same style (1132) and constantly rotate them through from casual, to work, to trash. If I trash a pair today, the dealer will overnight me a pair for tomorrow. If something fails on the boots that shouldn't have, they'll replace them. In an age of throw-away junk, it's great to find a product with real support and quality workmanship. For my money, a pair of Redwings is worth five pair of any other boot. The dealers I’ve worked with are all great and want to build a relationship with their customers like you would with a real estate agent or a really good equipment salesman. I wear the same style (1132) and constantly rotate them through from casual, to work, to trash. If I trash a pair today, the dealer will overnight me a pair for tomorrow. If something fails on the boots that shouldn’t have, they’ll replace them. In an age of throw-away junk, it’s great to find a product with real support and quality workmanship.

]]> By: Myself http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6967 Myself Tue, 12 Dec 2006 05:01:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6967 I have a pair of the "Mack" boots, picked up last winter for their insulation, and worn all summer for their comfort. I should get a second pair before they change the style. For being $60 cheapie "it's too snowy for my low-tops" boots, I'm quite impressed with the quality. I guess that's what happens when you pay Chinese workers an extra nickel, or something. *sigh* I have a pair of the “Mack” boots, picked up last winter for their insulation, and worn all summer for their comfort. I should get a second pair before they change the style. For being $60 cheapie “it’s too snowy for my low-tops” boots, I’m quite impressed with the quality.

I guess that’s what happens when you pay Chinese workers an extra nickel, or something.

*sigh*

]]> By: John Shea http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6959 John Shea Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:14:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6959 Redback boots have a slip on version (REDBACK USBBK $140 'The Easy EscapeTM - Slip-On Black Leather Boots (STEELTOE)'). Not cheap but very comfortable. I leave mine at work and put them on when I'm "on the floor". They have other steel toe shoes but I prefer the slip-on's Redback boots have a slip on version (REDBACK USBBK $140
‘The Easy EscapeTM - Slip-On Black Leather Boots (STEELTOE)’). Not cheap but very comfortable. I leave mine at work and put them on when I’m “on the floor”. They have other steel toe shoes but I prefer the slip-on’s

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6948 Rick Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:36:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6948 I hadn't seen that episode of Mythbusters.. I'll have to check out bittorrent... I hadn’t seen that episode of Mythbusters.. I’ll have to check out bittorrent…

]]> By: Larry Coleman http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6946 Larry Coleman Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:09:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6946 Chuck-No, because you have to take ANY boots or shoes off completely to go through security. That's the only downside I know of to wearing boots...they take longer. L. Chuck-No, because you have to take ANY boots or shoes off completely to go through security. That’s the only downside I know of to wearing boots…they take longer. L.

]]> By: Chuck Cage http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6942 Chuck Cage Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:34:12 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6942 Larry: Do they give you any trouble for the steel toes at the airport? Larry: Do they give you any trouble for the steel toes at the airport?

]]> By: Larry Coleman http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6940 Larry Coleman Mon, 11 Dec 2006 22:49:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6940 Rick-I have the same boots and wear them for the same purpose, with Khakis and a sport shirt. I alternate these with another pair of Red Wings, style no. 2263, which does the same job as far as comfort but looks even less like work boots and more like something to wear casually. They're great for travel. Maybe there's a trend here. Larry C. Rick-I have the same boots and wear them for the same purpose, with Khakis and a sport shirt. I alternate these with another pair of Red Wings, style no. 2263, which does the same job as far as comfort but looks even less like work boots and more like something to wear casually. They’re great for travel. Maybe there’s a trend here. Larry C.

]]> By: Chuck Cage http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6936 Chuck Cage Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:40:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6936 Rick: Have you seen the Mythbusters episode? They did quite extensive testing -- much of which ended up on camera -- and showed that anything heavy enough to chop your toe off by bending in the steel toe is plenty heavy to chop it off anyway. There's no such thing as "total protection." If you drop something heavy enough on your toe, you're hosed. The steel cap does help -- as I can attest -- in terms of giving you a second chance in some situations. Rick: Have you seen the Mythbusters episode? They did quite extensive testing — much of which ended up on camera — and showed that anything heavy enough to chop your toe off by bending in the steel toe is plenty heavy to chop it off anyway.

There’s no such thing as “total protection.” If you drop something heavy enough on your toe, you’re hosed. The steel cap does help — as I can attest — in terms of giving you a second chance in some situations.

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6935 Rick Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:34:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/11/reader-find-redwing-boots/#comment-6935 Interesting that you mention dropping a 1500lb mass on your foot. When i mentioned to my brother-in-law that I got those boots, he said he didn't like Steel Toes (He's a contractor mind you) because he had "heard" that if you drop a large enough weight on your foot, the steel toe can bend in and chop off your toes.. I can see the visual, but I'm not convinced.. I tried searching Snopes to see if there were any Urban Legends on that but came up empty.. Interesting that you mention dropping a 1500lb mass on your foot. When i mentioned to my brother-in-law that I got those boots, he said he didn’t like Steel Toes (He’s a contractor mind you) because he had “heard” that if you drop a large enough weight on your foot, the steel toe can bend in and chop off your toes..

I can see the visual, but I’m not convinced.. I tried searching Snopes to see if there were any Urban Legends on that but came up empty..

]]>