Red Wing Boots are an excellent, long-lasting solution for hikers. Although they were originally designed for heavy-duty industry workers, they provide several benefits to hikers, including waterproofing, durability, and a range of weights and designs. Red Wing hiking boots are available for both men and women.
Is it possible to hike in Red Wing Boots?
True to their reputation, Red Wing Footwear are superb hiking boots. However, despite the fact that work shoes and boots are built for heavy-duty activities, they are fantastic since they are frequently waterproof, insulated, and even puncture resistant. The Heritage shoes are casual shoes that are not as hefty or as durable as work shoes, but are nonetheless fashionable and comfortable, making them ideal for hiking.
Work shoes and boots
Red Wing’s Work Collection is available in two distinct styles: shoes and boots. Intended to protect at minimum your ankles, if not more, the boots are excellent at assisting in the support of your feet and legs throughout long excursions, particularly those that take you over rocky terrain.
The main feature of the work series is their toughness, which makes them ideal for walks in inclement weather or on difficult terrain. Numerous work shoes and boots are waterproof, allowing you to hike in inclement weather. The insulated boots are ideal for walks in frigid or sub-zero temperatures. Finally, many work series are puncture-resistant, allowing you to walk through pebbles or sticks without fear of damaging your shoes.
Prior to trekking in these Red Wing work shoes, you should examine their weight since they are normally heavier than other boots. Many of them include steel toes and are rather thick, making them unsuitable for hiking. Think about the toe design of the Red Wing Boots before purchasing them. You are unlikely to desire or require steel-toe boots on a trek.
Shoes of the Past
Red Wing’s everyday shoe range is called the Heritage Shoes. Designed to adapt to the contour of your feet as you walk, the shoes and boots in this line are lightweight and comfortable.
Additionally, they will seem more attractive if that is a feature you seek in a hiking shoe. Unlike work shoes, many of them will require maintenance to maintain their appearance. Given that the historical Red Wing shoes are made of leather, be sure to check out our leather backpack suggestions as well. You’ll look your best on and off the path with a fashionable leather backpack and shoes.
Red Wing Vs Hiking Boots
There are a few fundamental distinctions between hiking boots and Red Wing boots, and selecting the appropriate pair can have a significant influence on your experience, depending on the activity.
Let’s examine the important factors to consider while deciding between hiking boots and work boots.
Weight
A hiking boot is significantly lighter than a Red Wing boot, and this difference in weight can have a significant influence on the enjoyment of your journey. Because Red Wing boots are designed for safety and injury avoidance, they frequently have elements like steel toes, which add weight.
Hiking boots are typically fitted with rubber toe caps that provide the necessary bump and abrasion protection. The increased weight of Red Wing boots will increase the amount of energy you expend on your trip, so keep an eye on the total weight if you’re hiking in a work boot.
Traction
The majority of hiking boots have grooves and patterns that are intended to increase grip or traction on a range of terrain. Red Wing boots often have a simpler sole design with shallower indentations, which provides some slip resistance but not nearly as much traction as other hiking boots.
Consider the sort of routes you’ll be trekking, as well as the terrain and weather conditions, since hiking boots perform significantly better, especially in rainy, snowy, or muddy circumstances.
Flexibility
The soles of Red Wing boots are designed to provide protection and resistance to punctures. Typically, this implies that they feature a hard rubber sole for added safety. While this is an excellent safety feature, it is not ideal for trekking.
Red Wing boots’ stiff soles diminish your grip on uneven ground, impairing your steadiness.
Comfort
Hiking boots are meant to keep you comfortable over long distances, and the materials used to construct them cushion shocks. Simply said, the majority of Red Wing boots do not provide sufficient comfort for extensive walks.
Waterproofing
Depending on the topography, you may come across streams or other bodies of water. The majority of modern hiking boots are waterproof and quick-drying, allowing the boots to dry while you trek.
While the majority of Red Wing boots are water resistant, they retain more moisture and take longer to dry than hiking boots.
Support for the ankles
Ankle support in hiking boots versus Red Wing boots is critical to consider, even more so if you’re going to be carrying a rucksack. Depending on your requirements, hiking boots can be found with a low, mid, or high-cut profile, whereas Red Wing boots almost exclusively have a mid-cut or high-cut profile.
How Long Are Red Wings Effective?
How long Red Wings endure is determined by how frequently they are used and how well they are cared for. If you hike only once or twice a month, they can last much longer.
The Red Wing website has a section on how to care for each heritage shoe. Protecting, cleaning, and conditioning the leather will be necessary. You may purchase any supplies necessary for shoe maintenance, which is a fantastic investment in order to extend the life of your shoes.
At work boots, Red Wing delivers a maintenance package that gives resoles, rest itching, and replacement components to keep your shoes looking and feeling like new for a fraction of the cost. If you frequently hike in your work boots, you’ll need to send them in for repairs more frequently as well, although they can frequently be resolved and repaired numerous times before they’re totally worn out.
Are Permanent Memberships in the Red Wings Assured?
Red Wing Shoes offers a twelve-month guarantee against manufacturing defects. Regular wear and use is not covered by the guarantee, which implies if you’re using your Red Wings on so many treks, then will not be protected until there is an issue. Additional comfort is guaranteed with the work shoes. You must return the shoes, and this requirement is exclusively for the work collection.
Apart from these two options, your Red Wings are not covered by an extended lifetime warranty. They are, however, constructed to last, and Red Wing does an excellent job of offering maintenance instructions and repair choices.
