Red Wing Shoe Company: A Rich History

I recently purchased a pair of Red Wing work boots for my husband and was so impressed with the quality, I did some checking into the history of the company. I was surprised to learn the company has such a rich history much of it paralleling that of the United States.

Whenever you mention Red Wing Shoes words like respect, quality, integrity and craftsmanship are always at the forefront. They are America’s leading manufacturer of safety footwear, and for good reason. With their innovative technology, sturdy construction and commitment to quality and customer service, Red Wing Shoe Company is a force to be reckoned with.

In 1905, German immigrant “Shoe Man” Charles Beckman had been selling shoes at his retail store in the beautiful historic river town of Red Wing, Minnesota for 22 years. Too often, to his frustration, he did not have the right size or type shoe for his customers. It was that frustration and a drive to do more that led to the founding of Red Wing Shoe Company. At first he tailored the shoe lines to meet the lifestyles of specific customer groups such as farmers and railroaders. Within 10 years, the company had branched out producing more than 200,000 pairs of boots per year, and even issued the standard footwear to soldiers fighting in World War I.

Until the 1970s, Red Wing's reputation rested primarily on a wide variety of footwear marketed as “"work shoes” emphasizing their practical use in the workplace. By the mid 1980s, however, as U.S. workers moved increasingly out of industrial and agricultural sectors into service related jobs, the company's scope changed. Their emphasis shifted from “work shoes” to “shoes for work” promoting the company's new commitment to innovative lines of lighter, more comfortable footwear developed to accommodate new work-oriented and recreational needs. New management style and brand image also brought new products to Red Wing giving special attention to women's comfort footwear. Red Wing also ran a series of print advertisements featuring a top model in McCall's, Women's Day, and Mademoiselle magazines and promoting the image of an up-to-date, attractive, and fashionable Red Wing clientele.

Today a third generation of employees, located just down the road from the original factory, continues the upstanding tradition by using the same premium craftsmanship and attention to detail. Triple-stitched seams, sturdy welt construction and rich leathers are signature elements of a Red Wing boot. 

At the turn of the century Red Wing Shoe offered more than 180 styles of shoes and boots and 120 shoe sizes and widths for men and women.  Their boots can be found around the globe.  A lot has changed over the past 100 years since the inception of Red Wing Shoe Company, but one thing has remained the same - their belief and commitment to four basic principles of boot making:  quality, craftsmanship, durability and comfort.

Next time you purchase a product from Red Wing Shoe Company be assured you’re getting the best!  “Built to Fit, Built to Last” is a motto you can depend on!

My original impression was that Red Wing made work boots only. Nope.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn they also make a line of motorcycle boots -- something I've put on my list to purchase for my husband's birthday!