ANATOMY OF A RED WING

04 Nov 2018
Shop Red Wing Shoes Collections Now -->

 

ANATOMY OF A RED WING

EACH RED WING SHOE IS CRAFTED WITH SKILL AND PRECISION, BY PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT QUALITY.

1. CUTTING

The shoemaking process, largely unchanged since Red Wing’s inception, begins with cutting the leather for the shoe. Highly trained leather cutters carefully lay out the cutting dies on every hide. Since no two sides of leather are the same, selecting the best parts for our shoes is an art that can be performed by only experienced craftsmen.

 

2. FITTING

The cut leather pieces are sewn together to form the upper of the shoe, so careful hand-eye coordination is required by our skilled sewing machine operators. The same Puritan sewing machines that did the job when Red Wing was founded are still used today.

 

PURITAN SEWING MACHINES

The triple-stitched seams found in Red Wing shoes have been sewn using the Puritan sewing machine since the company’s inception. First patented in the 1860s, the machines melt latex into the sewing thread, making the boots more water resistant.

Many Puritan sewing machines in use today date back to the 1920s. The only way to keep these sometimes finicky machines running? Red Wing’s full-time maintenance team who provides repair services with parts they manufacture themselves.

3. LASTING

During the forepart lasting process, the fitted upper is pulled over the shoe last giving the shoe its final shape and form. The leather welt is sewn together with the upper and the leather insole using the traditional Goodyear welt construction process patented in 1869.

LASTS FOR MEN

Last No. 60

Created for the Weekender collection with stitch-down construction, this true to size last is designed to have a removable footbed and is built for comfort.

Last No. 224

The Red Wing No. 224 Last was created in 2008 especially for the Beckman Collection. It features a narrower toe shape, but is still a slightly bulkier toe than a typical dress shoe.

Last No. 210

Recommended for higher insteps, the Red Wing No. 210 last is used for our straightforward, uniform footwear pieces.

Last No. 23

Created for Moc Toe products, the Red Wing No. 23 Last was developed in the 1930s for the 668 Red Wing work boots.

Last No. 45

The No. 45 Last is also used for Moc Toe products, but was developed in 2005. This is a footbed-friendly last, giving ample room for footbeds to be used.

Last No. 8

The Red Wing No. 8 Last is one of the oldest lasts still used at the company, and the most frequently used last. It is a round-toe last and helps build some of our best selling products like the 8165 and 8111.

Last No. 522

Originally created for SuperSole® steel toe products in 1985, Red Wing Last No. 522 was eventually used for soft toe products. Due to its wider toe shape, this last provides comfortable fitting around the toe finger area.

Last No. 326

The No. 326 last was designed for a snug fit both in length and in width. Designed for people with higher arches, this last provides a secure fit in the toe and heel area with support in the mid-foot.

LAST FOR WOMEN

Last No. 105

Based on our original Classic Moc, this is Red Wing's most iconic style. Our women's version has been slimmed down just a bit in the width and toe for a true women's fit.

Last No. 106

The No. 106 last is based on one of our oldest lasts, the 8 last, slightly modified for a better fit and sleeker feel for women. This timeless round toe shape gives the character to many of our most popular boots.

Last No. 107

Our No. 107 gives shape to our engineer boots. Based on the Men's 522 last, it's a pull-on design that fits true to size.

Last No. 108

The No. 108 last is a brand new addition for our Women’s Heritage collection. This last features a clean almond toe shape for a more feminine feel.

Last No. 109

The No. 109 last is based on Red Wing Shoe Company’s first style for women, the Gloria, carefully updated for a modern look and feel.

Last No. 110

The No. 110 last is used on our stacked leather heeled boots. This last features a slightly tapered round toe for a comfortable fit and a timeless look.

4. BOTTOMING

The sole is stitched or glued to the midsole, completing the shoemaking process.

5. GOODYEAR WELT CONSTRUCTION

Most Red Wing work boots are made using the Goodyear welt construction. This traditional construction process was patented in 1869. This elaborate method of stitching a thin leather welt together with the upper and the leather insole yields the highest quality shoes that are both durable and comfortable. Welt construction also makes resoling of boots possible, guaranteeing continued, long-term use.

6. Shoe Finishing

All shoes are carefully inspected twice before being packed into shoeboxes. Depending on the leather, each shoe is cleaned, polished, brushed and finished by a team of expert shoe finishers.

Tour the factory

Get an up-close look at the Red Wing Factory and see just how we make our iconic line of boots.

Learn about repairs

See the Red Wing repair process and learn how to keep your boots in solid, sturdy shape.

 
 
 
 
Be the first to comment...
Leave a comment
Leave a comment

Recent articles

View all

G-STAR RAW
25 Jul 2022
Denim. It’s our passion. It’s in our blood. But we are not just another denim brand. We’re RAW. Since 1989, we have been pushing the boundaries of denim design, manifesting our own future of den...
Read more

KSUBI
12 Jul 2022
Founded in 1999, Ksubi in undeniably one of the most coveted Australian fashion labels in the world....
Read more

PURPLE BRAND
21 Mar 2022
PURPLE was founded in 2017 at the intersection of industrial design, streetwear and luxury fashion. A collective of friends and industry veterans sought out to launch a collection of men’s denim and...
Read more