Red Wing vs Irish Setter

Red Wing and Irish Setter are two of the top choices when it comes to high-quality heritage boots.

Red Wing began in 1905 as a footwear company focused on manufacturing heavy-duty boots, eventually becoming popular among farmers and construction workers. In 1950, the company first introduced hunting boots under the Irish Setter name. These boots were worn not only by outdoors people and by workers alike. Now, Red Wing is generally preferred by fans of traditional heritage styles, while Irish Setter focuses on boots and shoes that are more functional. This article will look more closely at these brands’ similarities and differences, giving you a better perspective and knowing which choice will best suit your needs.

Red Wing and Irish Setter are often mentioned together not only because they both produce top-grade footwear but because they belong to the same company.

Key Takeaways

• Red Wing and Irish Setter are similar as they’re from the same company, but each brand has distinctive features.
• Red Wing has a classic, stylish look and uses top-quality leather, with footbeds that offer a customized fit and soles that can be recrafted. These boots are available in different colors and use breathable, unlined leather.
• This brand’s boots, however, are more expensive, don’t have safety toes, and may take longer to break in. They generally don’t come in waterproof materials and may seem too old-fashioned for some.
• Irish Setter is designed to withstand tough settings, with most models fitted with high-performance features such as safety toes, waterproofing, and cushioned footbeds. These boots are easier to break in and look more modern than Red Wing.
• Irish Setter boots are made of leather that may not be of excellent quality, their soles can’t be recrafted, most styles are made outside the US, and the designs aren’t very stylish.

Red Wing

Founded in Red Wing, Minnesota, Red Wing as a brand is known for producing boots and shoes that showcase traditional American workmanship.

The original Red Wing boots featured the iconic white crepe sole, which is still included in the timeless profile of the Classic Moc Toe Boot. The brand has a line of made-in-the-USA products called Red Wing Heritage footwear, using the finest materials and established construction methods to create top-quality boots and shoes.

Key Advantages of Red Wing Boots

Timeless designs

Red Wing boots are known for their classic silhouettes, which have endured since the brand first introduced its original design in the early 20th century. As a result, these boots are popular among people who prefer footwear with an old-school charm instead of those with exceptionally high-tech features.

Top-quality leather

Red Wing boots, especially the ones from the Heritage line, are crafted with leather that comes from S.B. Foot Tanning Company – the company’s tannery which is based in Red Wing, Minnesota- and from another well-known tannery, Hermann Oak (in St. Louis, Missouri).

This sourcing ensures that Red Wing boots are made from the highest quality leather components, unlike other footwear brands that may need help to guarantee or confirm where the leather is sourced.

More stylish than Irish Setter boots

Red Wing features more stylish profiles compared to Irish Setter. Red Wing boots mostly come in streamlined silhouettes that inject low-key style into casual and work outfits, making them versatile choices that can be maximized in more ways. They’re a far cry from the bulky designs that Irish Setter often has for its work boots.

Leather footbed molds to the foot’s shape

Red Wing boots come with leather footbeds that eventually follow the foot’s unique shape. This ability to adapt to the foot’s curves results in a customized fit the more the boots are used. As a result, the boots will become even more comfortable after some time has passed, and the personalized fit will feel a lot better.

Sole can be recrafted

Red Wing boots are made with stitch-down construction or Goodyear welt construction.

Both of these methods result in boots that can be recrafted, with soles that can be replaced when they become damaged or excessively worn away due to heavy use. This means the boots can still be used and enjoyed even after their soles are compromised.

Available in more color variations

With its focus on producing classic, stylish footwear, Red Wing boots are available in more color options. While Irish Setter boots mostly come in brown tones, the ones from Red Wing come in more vibrant color variations, including red, blue, grey, and even yellow. This makes Red Wing an ideal choice for those looking to add striking splashes of color to their ensembles.

Breathable

Red Wing boots are manufactured using unlined leather that lets in more air, keeping the interior properly ventilated so that the feet can enjoy breathability throughout the long hours of boot use. As a result, these boots are ideal for those prone to sweaty feet and for people who don’t want their feet to overheat, especially in extremely warm conditions.

Key Disadvantages of Red Wing Boots

May seem outdated to some

The classic look of most Red Wing boots may seem too old-fashioned for some, especially those who prefer more modern designs. Likewise, the traditional silhouette can be outdated for people looking for boots with high-tech features.

Typically, more expensive than Irish Setter boots

The craftsmanship that goes into every pair of Red Wing boots comes with a price that is considerably higher than Irish Setter’s. The higher price point isn’t surprising as Red Wing uses top-quality leather from renowned tanneries, including its tannery in Minnesota. These boots are also costlier because they can be maximized for far longer, with structures that can be recrafted if their soles break down after long-term use.

However, we still won’t recommend Red Wing boots for those looking for the most affordable boot choices.

May take longer to break in

The leather footbeds used by Red Wing may offer a customized fit, but they’re also more difficult to break in. The material starts as naturally stiff and will only become pliable as the boots are used several times, then they will mold to the foot’s shape. The longer break-in period makes these boots unsuitable for those who prefer their footwear to be immediately comfortable out of the box.

Not waterproof

Although the leather used for Red Wing boots offers minimal resistance to liquids, it isn’t waterproof like the leather used in most Irish Setter boots.

As such, Red Wing boots are not recommended for outdoor use (especially when it’s raining) and in settings where there’s considerable moisture all around.

Classic styles have no toe protection

Red Wing boots in classic styles are geared more for casual or non-hazardous work settings. In addition, these boots don’t have toe protection, so they won’t be able to guard the toes against injuries should heavy objects accidentally drop from high spots.

Uses of Red Wing Boots

Red Wing boots offer timeless beauty and reliable performance that are suited for indoor work settings, such as the work conditions of professionals:

• Carpenters
• Sales personnel
• Lawyers
• Professors/teachers

Irish Setter

Irish Setter boots were first introduced in 1950 as part of Red Wing’s line of products. They were built using Oro-iginal (or Oro-Russet) leather with a unique color, which looked just like the coat of an Irish Setter dog – which is how the brand name came about. The boots were originally designed for hunting but became largely appreciated by more workers during the 1960s. To this day, Irish Setter is known for high-performance footwear choices for hunting and other outdoor activities, including fishing.

These boots mostly exude ruggedly casual styles that focus more on function than aesthetics, although some prefer these boots because of their bold vibe. In addition, most of these boots have enhanced features for superior function and safety in various work settings.

Key Advantages of Irish Setter Boots

More modern designs

Irish Setter boots have more modern silhouettes compared to Red Wing Boots. As a result, Irish Setter boots are ideal for those who are not fans of the classic boot silhouette and instead prefer a more edgy look to their footwear choices for work and casual use.

Comfortable footbeds

Instead of the leather footbeds that Red Wing uses, Irish Setter boots are equipped with cushioned footbeds that offer a more comfortable walking experience. The footbeds cradle the feet with great softness to ward off pain and prevent uncomfortable chafing when walking or standing for long periods.

Easier to break in than Red Wing

The footbeds used in Irish Setter boots are much softer compared to those made from leather so that they can be used comfortably out of the box. In addition, the boots don’t need to be broken in for a long time before the soles feel comfy enough for hours of walking – which is what leather footbeds require to address the uncomfortable stiffness.

Performance enhancements 

Irish Setter boots are equipped with enhanced features that make them suitable for more challenging conditions, either for work or play.

Some of these enhancements include stronger water resistance, grippy soles, cushioned footbeds, and strong shank components – all of which work together to improve the feet’s performance in different settings.

Built for tough conditions

The robust construction of Irish Setter boots makes them more suitable for tough conditions than Red Wing boots (which are more suited for indoor use).

Irish Setter boots are equipped with much thicker soles for enhanced grip and stability and are fitted with supportive shanks to stabilize the footing over varying ground conditions.

Strong water resistance

Specific product lines – such as Wingshooter and Trailblazer boots – are built with waterproof leather to stop liquids from entering, making these boots ideal for rainy and wet settings.

The boots’ construction is further enhanced with a reliable waterproofing system to seal out moisture, ensuring that the feet stay dry and comfortable during exposure to extreme wetness.

Some models have safety toes

Some Irish Setter boot styles include safety toe caps for protection against compression and impact hazards. These boots are ideal for use in environments where there are risks of heavy objects suddenly rolling or dropping onto the foot area from elevated spaces.

Generally, more affordable compared to Red Wing

Depending on the style, Irish Setter boots are typically more affordable than Red Wing boots because the leather used may be of lower quality, and the soles can’t be recrafted. However, this comparison doesn’t account for factors such as safety enhancements. In general, the Irish Setter boots have lower price points, making them excellent choices for those after no-nonsense, affordable work boots.

Key Disadvantages of Irish Setter Boots

Leather quality may not be as high as Red Wing’s

Unlike Red Wing boots made with leather only from renowned tanneries in the US, Irish Setter boots use leather from different sources in other countries where the quality may not always be guaranteed to be top-notch.

This can compromise the boots’ appearance and performance, depending on their style and use.

Sole can’t be recrafted

The soles of Irish Setter boots can’t be replaced – unlike Red Wing boots that can be recrafted.

This means that once the soles of Irish Setter boots are damaged, there’s nothing left to do but get a new pair of boots, as the soles can’t be exchanged for a brand-new sole.

Most styles are made outside the US

While some designs are still made in the US, most Irish Setter boots are now manufactured outside the country. This can lead to compromised footwear quality in terms of materials and processes used, which can significantly affect the product’s appearance and performance – especially when it comes to long-term use.

Styles aren’t very fashionable

Irish Setter boots are focused more on function than form, which is evident in the boots’ no-nonsense styles. These boots are designed to perform well in challenging conditions and aren’t the most stylish options, unlike Red Wing boots which are created with premium aesthetics.

Uses of Irish Setter Boots

Irish Setter boots are suitable for conditions that are exposed to the elements or hazardous areas, such as the settings encountered by these professionals:

• Hunters
• Construction workers
• Farmers
• Loggers

Personal Testing Experience

We had the chance to try several Red Wing and Irish Setter boots, and we discovered each pair’s merits in different settings. The classic Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc Toe Boot had a beautiful vintage style, with reinforced stitching around the upper and sole, a comfy structure, and flexible soles that sadly didn’t have strong traction. The Red Wing Work Chukka is stylish and looks great with casual wear, but its quality is significantly more premium than other chukkas. It’s quite lightweight and has a comfortable fit, although it’s not waterproof and has limited traction. The Red Wing Blacksmith Boot looked like motorcycle boots with its edgy profile, featuring a mini-lug Vibram sole, white stitching accents, and a premium, comfortable feel – although it’s also not waterproof and lacked a strong grip. The Red Wing Iron Ranger Boot was similar to Blacksmith but came with a cap toe design, the same retro vibe and comfortable fit, and low-traction outsoles. For Irish Setter, we tried the Big Game Hunt VAPRTREK Boots that we believe would work well as hunting and tactical boots, showcasing camo colors, a lightweight structure that felt like tall sneakers, and UltraDry waterproofing. We also had the chance to use the Irish Setter Wingshooter Hunting Boots that turned out to be one of the best moc toe boots we’ve tried as they’re very comfortable, have premium construction, and are waterproof – although they’re not suitable for those who prefer lightweight boots. Finally, the Trailblazer Boots looked similar to the Wingshooter with more of a logger boot silhouette, showcasing heavy-duty construction, waterproofing, and strong traction outsoles. Still, the snug fit may feel uncomfortable for wide feet.

Conclusion

Red Wing and Irish Setter boots come from the same company, but the two brands have their own distinctive features suitable for varying preferences and needs. Red Wing is suitable for people who place a high value on aesthetics, as these boots come in stylish, classic designs, are made of top-quality leather, and are available in different colors. They’re also breathable, can be recrafted, and use leather footbeds for a customized fit. However, they can look outdated for some; the classic styles don’t offer toe protection, are typically more expensive, need longer break-in periods (compared to Red Wing boots), and aren’t waterproof. On the other hand, Irish Setter boots are ideal for those who prioritize function over form as they’re built for tough conditions, are easier to break in, have strong water resistance, and some models have safety toes. In addition, these boots have cushioned footbeds, have high-performance features with modern designs, and are generally more affordable than Red Wing. However, their leather quality may not be as top-notch as Red Wing’s, their soles are not replaceable, most styles are built outside the US, and the straightforward designs aren’t the most fashionable choices.