Red Wing vs Thorogood

Looking for high-quality boots for work and casual use can be tricky, given the wide array of choices that are presented nowadays. Furthermore, the search becomes even more challenging for specific requirements, such as made-in-the-USA boots.

Red Wing and Thorogood are two top brands popular among people who prefer American-made footwear.

These brands have quite a few similarities aside from where they’re made, including the strong resemblance between their popular moc toe boots. However, there are also significant differences between Thorogood and Red Wing, and it’s worth knowing these distinctions that can help you select which brand – and products – can give you the qualities you’re looking for in boots.

Key Takeaways

• Red Wing and Thorogood are well-known for high-quality footwear options and dedicated lines of made-in-the-US products.
• Red Wing showcases classic, low-key styles using top-quality, breathable leather that ages beautifully and is offered in different colors (for specific styles), elegant silhouettes, and footbeds that mold to the feet.
• However, these boots have higher prices and are more rigid out of the box than Thorogood, don’t have a stabilizing shank, and come in designs that need to be updated by some people.
• Thorogood boots have high-performance qualities for tough conditions, with comfortable out-of-the-box features, rugged styling, cushioned insoles, good shock absorption, and stronger moisture resistance. They are offered in more styles with safety toe options.
• However, Thorogood boots’ footbeds don’t offer customized comfort, and the rugged construction may not be considered stylish or suitable enough for formal occasions and settings.

Red Wing

Red Wing is renowned for using traditional methods of construction for footwear.

It features a line of footwear made in the US called Red Wing Heritage, with each pair handcrafted using over 230 steps to ensure lasting quality and exceptional aesthetics.

Established in Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1905, the company manufactures boots and shoes that feature timeless good looks, endearing them to those who prefer classic, low-key silhouettes that effortlessly inject subtle stylishness into outfits. These footwear choices are ideal for indoor use, although the brand also has a line of safety shoes and boots that cater to more challenging conditions.

Key Advantages of Red Wing

Low-key stylish

Red Wing boots typically have streamlined silhouettes featuring top-quality leather materials. These boots deliver a stylish vibe without screaming for attention, making them suitable for those who prefer boots and shoes that are undoubtedly fashionable but in a subtle way.

Classic good looks

Red Wing shoes and boots are known for classic good looks that have stood the test of time. These pairs, especially the ones from the Red Wing Heritage line, are gorgeous in an old-school way and showcase a charm that more modern designs don’t have. Their timeless appeal makes these boots and shoes great for matching different smart-casual outfits.

Fine-quality leather

Red Wing uses leather from its well-established tanneries – its own S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing, Minnesota, and Hermann Oak in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sourcing the material from these reputable tanneries results in top-quality leather that looks and performs exceptionally well, offering lasting strength and timeless beauty that inferior leather won’t match.

With all the raw materials coming from only two sources, the quality of the crafted footwear is always guaranteed and maintained at a high level.

Leather ages better

The leather parts of Red Wing boots and shoes are designed to age beautifully. Unlike the uppers of other boots that can take on a beat-up look with long-term use, the fine-quality leather that Red Wing uses develops a lovely patina, aging gracefully to provide even more character to the timeless good looks. The leather also stays strong through long use, so the leather components don’t easily break apart.

Breathable leather

Red Wing boots and shoes are typically crafted with unlined leather that benefits from maintaining the streamlined look and promotes welcome breathability to each pair. In addition, the unlined material lets the air move freely into the footwear, preventing heat build-up even with prolonged use in humid or hot conditions.

Footbed offers a personalized fit

Most Red Wing boots are built with leather footbeds that slowly conform to the foot’s curves with time.

The more these boots and shoes are used, the better the footbed follows the foot’s shape. This results in a lovingly personalized fit as the footbed eventually mimics the contours of the wearer’s unique foot shape.

Offered in different colors

While the brand is well-known for its timeless silhouettes, Red Wing surprisingly offers some styles in various colors. This is a huge advantage for those who prefer to inject vibrant colors into their footwear.

With more shades to choose from, it’s easier to pair these boots and shoes with an even wider array of outfit choices – and much easier to let wearers’ personalities and preferences shine through.

Key Disadvantages of Red Wing

Leather feels stiff out of the box

The leather used in Red Wing boots may be of top quality, but it has the disadvantage of being stiff. Typically, the material must go through a considerable break-in period before the boots or shoes can be used comfortably. The leather may initially be stiff enough to cause blisters and bruising while walking.

No shank for stability

Classic Red Wing shoes and boots aren’t equipped with shanks, which are essential for improving stability.

Without this enhancement, the footwear may not feel stable while walking and standing. However, the safety boots and shoe line includes this component for improved functionality in work conditions.

More expensive than Thorogood

Red Wing boots typically cost around 70 to 100 dollars more than Thorogood’s ones. The top-quality leather materials and handcrafted designs (especially for the Red Wing Heritage product line) contribute to the higher price points of these shoes and boots. With high price tags, the brand may not be the top choice for those who prefer cheaper options.

May look too old-fashioned for some

Most people prefer Red Wing because of its footwear’s timeless design, while others might consider them a bit old-fashioned.

Some consider the styles outdated, especially compared to the contemporary boot designs that come with high-tech enhancements.

Thorogood

Thorogood was originally established as the Weinbrenner Shoe Co., opening a cobblery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1892. The company manufactured sturdy boots catering to hardworking individuals and in the next decades, started designing footwear for specific professions, which were referred to as “job-fitted” boots. By 1917, the company became known as Thorogood and continued its support to the country by contributing boots to the US Army for WWI and WWII.

Today, the employee-owned Thorogood company continues the tradition of manufacturing high-quality footwear in the US, with classic styles crafted in three facilities in Wisconsin.

These boots are known for rugged looks and reliable strength that can keep up with demanding settings.

Key Advantages of Thorogood

Rugged appeal

Thorogood boots come with more robust silhouettes that match their ability to withstand challenging conditions. This construction results in boots with a rugged appeal, offering a bold touch to work wear while providing improved strength and durability to keep up with various activities while on the job.

Cushioned insole

The interior of Thorogood boots is significantly more comfortable compared to Red Wing’s with the addition of cushioned insoles.

These components bring a welcome softness to cradle the feet throughout the day, protecting the skin from rubbing against the rigid parts of the boots’ interior and promoting long-lasting comfort while walking.

More affordable than Red Wing

In general, Thorogood boots are more affordable compared to Red Wing boots. The price difference may be due to the quality of leather materials and where they’re sourced. In addition, Thorogood boots offer functional benefits that can be enjoyed in different workplaces (and sometimes even off work) but won’t break the bank, unlike costlier options.

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.

More comfortable out of the box

Thorogood boots are designed to be used without needing a long break-in period.

Depending on the wearer’s preference and the specific style, these boots are much more comfortable out of the box than Red Wing footwear, which is often stiff and must be broken in before they can be used without pain.

Stronger moisture resistance

Even without waterproofing enhancements, Thorogood boots offer stronger resistance to liquid penetration compared to Red Wing. In addition, the rugged construction and thick leather used in these boots prevent moisture from easily seeping in, so the feet won’t immediately become soaked when the boots are exposed to wet conditions.

Designed for work/rough conditions

The rugged construction and overall strength of Thorogood boots make them ideal for work settings and rough conditions. They’re built to last through the most hectic shifts and grueling activities while still providing the performance expected from high-quality work boots.

Better shock absorption

Thorogood boots with comfortably cushioned insoles offer the added benefit of strong shock absorption.

The exclusive Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed protect the feet against the strong impact of continuous steps on hard surfaces, dissipating the force to stop the development of foot fatigue over the busiest workdays.

Fitted with a shank

Thorogood offers more stable walking experiences, thanks to the fiberglass shank fitted within each boot. The shank gives the boot the rigidity needed to maintain its structure and support the foot with every step, promoting better stability over various ground conditions. This reliable stability makes walking easier for extended periods without compromising safety, especially while navigating tricky surfaces.

More styles available with safety toes

Thorogood offers more styles with safety toes compared to Red Wing. The Thorogood American Heritage line alone features quite a few moc-toe style options with steel safety toes, protecting the feet against injuries caused by hazardous compression or impact.

Key Disadvantages of Thorogood

Not very stylish

Thorogood boots have heavy-duty structures designed to take on tough conditions – but they’re not the most stylish options.

They can look too bulky and may even look out of place with some uniforms or workwear options.

The ruggedness of these boots might make them look a bit awkward with casual attire – although some don’t mind the bold silhouette together with off-the-job outfits.

Footbed doesn’t mold to the foot’s shape

The cushioned footbeds of Thorogood boots may be a lot softer and more comfortable than Red Wing’s, but they also have a disadvantage. The cushioned structures don’t mold to the foot’s shape, so using the boots for a long time won’t result in a customized fit – which is what Red Wing’s leather footbeds offer after long-term use.

Unsuitable for formal settings

The rugged look of Thorogood boots seamlessly blends with demanding work settings, but they may look less welcome in more formal settings. The bulk of these boots can clash with suits and other non-casual attire and may even look out of place in indoor work environments.

Uses of Thorogood

Thorogood boots are known for their high-performance features, making them suitable for different work areas where there may be some safety hazards around – such as the ones where these professionals work:

• Electricians
• Construction workers
• Linemen
• Warehouse personnel

Personal Testing Experience

We’ve tried quite a few boots from Red Wing. Still, for this article, we’ll focus on the Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc Toe Boot because it has a very similar counterpart in Thorogood, which is the Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe MAXWear Wedge Boot. These premium boots are part of each brand’s made-in-the-US lines that showcase the eternal pride of American-made footwear. The Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc Toe Boot has a handsome, timeless profile that’s been a favorite worldwide since its introduction in 1952. The moc toe design gives a rugged appeal while retaining the style synonymous with the Red Wing brand, with Puritan triple stitching around the upper and sole for increased strength in a comfortably flexible structure. However, this boot’s Traction Tred outsole didn’t feel grippy enough to keep up with tricky surfaces. On the other hand, the Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe MAXWear Wedge Boot is one of the brand’s most popular designs, with the moc toe silhouette adding a touch of fashion to the high-performance features a shock-absorbing footbed, cushioned insole, a fiberglass shank, and comfortable sole. The outsole doesn’t have strong traction, though, and the relaxed fit may feel too unstable for those who prefer snugger footwear.

Conclusion

Red Wing and Thorogood are two well-known brands offering dependable, high-quality boots for work and casual use. Each brand has its line of made-in-the-US footwear styles favored by fans of American-made leather boots and shoes. Red Wing caters to individuals who prefer footwear options with classic styles and low-profile looks, featuring top-quality leather that breathes and ages gracefully, elegant silhouettes, footbeds that offer a customized fit, and the choice to get some styles in different colors. However, these boots are more expensive and stiffer out of the box than Thorogood, don’t come with a stabilizing shank, and may be considered too old-fashioned by some. Meanwhile, Thorogood boots showcase functional qualities for work or rough settings, with comfortable out-of-the-box features, ruggedly appealing styles, and cushioned insoles. In addition, they offer better shock absorption and stronger moisture resistance and have quite a few styles with safety toe options. However, their footbeds don’t mold to the foot’s shape for customized comfort, and the rugged construction isn’t considered stylish or suitable for formal settings.