Red Wing Shoes
Encyclopedia
Red Wing Shoes is a footwear company based in Red Wing, Minnesota
that was founded by Charles H. Beckman in 1905.
Within 10 years of its inception, Red Wing Shoes was producing more than 200,000 pairs of boots per year and was the primary company manufacturing footwear for American soldiers fighting in World War I
. Red Wing Shoes continued its tradition of producing footwear for wartime use by manufacturing boots for American soldiers during World War II
.
Though Red Wing Shoes is known primarily for their leather boots intended for heavy work, in recent years the company has expanded its line-up to include athletic-styled work shoes and footwear designed for specific job applications (such as slip-resistant shoes designed for the service industry and boots ideal for the mining industry that utilize a metatarsal guard). The company produces oxford, chukka, hiker, and logger styles, as well as 6-inch and 8-inch work boots.
In order to comply with ASTM F 2413-05 and M I/75 C/75 standards for impact and compression, Red Wing Shoes manufactures many of their styles with steel, non-metallic, and aluminum safety toes and offers puncture-resistant options that meet the ASTM F 2413-05 standard. Red Wing Shoes also produces footwear that is static-dissipative in order to control the amount of electrical discharge from the body and electrical hazard in order to provide extra protection from accidental contact with electrically energized objects.
The Red Wing Shoe brand is still primarily handmade in the USA
at the company's plants in Potosi, Missouri
and Danville, Kentucky
and two plants in Red Wing, Minnesota. In addition to manufacturing footwear under their own name, Red Wing Shoes also manufactures shoes under the Carhartt
, Irish Setter Boots, Vasque, and Worx brands. These non-Red Wing brands include a majority of models manufactured overseas.
In 2008, Red Wing Shoes added a Heritage/Lifestyle catalog with models drawing inspiration from past styles within the company's century-long history.
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
that was founded by Charles H. Beckman in 1905.
Within 10 years of its inception, Red Wing Shoes was producing more than 200,000 pairs of boots per year and was the primary company manufacturing footwear for American soldiers fighting in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Red Wing Shoes continued its tradition of producing footwear for wartime use by manufacturing boots for American soldiers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Though Red Wing Shoes is known primarily for their leather boots intended for heavy work, in recent years the company has expanded its line-up to include athletic-styled work shoes and footwear designed for specific job applications (such as slip-resistant shoes designed for the service industry and boots ideal for the mining industry that utilize a metatarsal guard). The company produces oxford, chukka, hiker, and logger styles, as well as 6-inch and 8-inch work boots.
In order to comply with ASTM F 2413-05 and M I/75 C/75 standards for impact and compression, Red Wing Shoes manufactures many of their styles with steel, non-metallic, and aluminum safety toes and offers puncture-resistant options that meet the ASTM F 2413-05 standard. Red Wing Shoes also produces footwear that is static-dissipative in order to control the amount of electrical discharge from the body and electrical hazard in order to provide extra protection from accidental contact with electrically energized objects.
The Red Wing Shoe brand is still primarily handmade in the USA
Made in USA
The Made in USA mark is a country of origin label indicating the product is "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. The label is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission .-Legal requirements:...
at the company's plants in Potosi, Missouri
Potosi, Missouri
Potosi is a city in Washington County, Missouri, United States. Potosi is about 10 miles north of Belgrade. The estimated population in July 2008 was 2,698. It was 2,662 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Washington County...
and Danville, Kentucky
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
and two plants in Red Wing, Minnesota. In addition to manufacturing footwear under their own name, Red Wing Shoes also manufactures shoes under the Carhartt
Carhartt
Carhartt, Inc., is a U.S.-based clothing company founded in 1889. It is still a family-owned company, owned by the descendants of company founder Hamilton Carhartt, with its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.-Carhartt in the United States:...
, Irish Setter Boots, Vasque, and Worx brands. These non-Red Wing brands include a majority of models manufactured overseas.
In 2008, Red Wing Shoes added a Heritage/Lifestyle catalog with models drawing inspiration from past styles within the company's century-long history.