Redback vs Redwing work boots

[scooby074]

Probably in that range if not a bit more. Regular lace ups are a bit over a grand. Currently thinking of having Brian the Bootmaker (owner of Role Club who made those boots up above) resole some lace up boots I currently own and having him relast them as well. Will cost more than the original boots did but the better quality sole, midsole and fit (he'll custom make a last to your foot measurements) may be worth it. He also adds a triple ridge steel shank that would be an inprovement over the wood one currently in my boots and should offer more arch support for me.

Sounds like quality for sure. But one concern is the boots dont have certification. Without a CSA triangle, I cant wear them!

Since I started watching Bedos channel on youtube, I have a new respect for quality footwear. I mean, you only have one pair of feet

I usually wear Cat or Goodhue boots and dont spend near the time on my feet as I used to, but if I was 8h a day again, Id probably be looking at something higher quality

 

[mykvr6]

yeah they are strictly for everyday wear, not really for work, though they are modeled after lace to toe roofer style boots. I like Bedos youtube stuff as well, I get drawn into watching a few videos every now and then and its just so cool and interesting to watch. You can also sometimes get a feel for what a good shoe/boot should be built like if you watch enough of these repair/resole videos.

 

[Ditchdigger]

I purchased Red Wing Heritage Iron Rangers specifically for use in the machine shop because the smooth rubber soles do not collect chips like a lugged sole would.

On a really hot day I will wear a canvas boot like a Palladium and the floor mats of my car at the end of the day definitely show the difference that tread makes

 

[Bluejoe]

Hey I’m looking in getting a pair of Redbacks. How do the sizes run true to fit larger or smaller in the size.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Hey I’m looking in getting a pair of Redbacks. How do the sizes run true to fit larger or smaller in the size.

They're UK sized. I wear an 8 in Redbacks, but an 8-1/2 in everything else, so measure your feet per the chart.
https://www.redbackboots.com/sizing

 

[FakeNewsRealHP]

Years ago(11 to be exact) I ventured from the race shop I was at with full engine machine capabilities to a full on machine shop with all vintage boring mills and a few very early 3 axis Cnc machines. If that doesn’t tell you the place was all about money idk what will. 90hr weeks with an entire floor covered in THICK blue chips wrecked every pair of boots in one months time. I was hunting for boots that would last the longest and found timberland pro had some with a steel mid sole, they atleast gave me an extra half month without getting poked by chips...
Fast forward and back into the auto shop side and they sucked in every way possible, I tried a pair of REDBACK because everyone had them and recommended them. My feet have never smelled terrible in any boot or shoe whatsoever but the slip ons could be smelled from 10 feet away while I wore them, I tried lace up and they where just as bad! I never got enough time in them to know if they where comfy or would last because they smelled like something from a bad fairy tale within a months time.
I will not buy a boot made in a third world country. The timberlands hurt me to purchase them but I had no choice. I have tried every commonly known soft toe American made boot possible almost and just couldn’t get anywhere good until I found DANNER bull run’s, I am On my fourth pair now. I could have them resoled but I don’t have the time or will to clean them everytime I get chemicals or oil on them and I wear the leather out and it drys and cracks after two years. Taken care of I would still be on my first pair guaranteed. Boots are like the ford vs Chevy debate and my experience will greatly differ than everyone else’s and all I can suggest is spend the money and time and you MIGHT eventually find what you like.

 

[Tbird22]

I have redbacks because where i work it never gets really cold so i dont need insulated boots. i wear them everyday working on my feet for 8.5 hours. like them a lot. only had timberlands before when i worked in NY but i was younger then and nothing bothers us when we are young. Although to be fair, i dont live in the US so my options are more limited. People who like redbacks tend to also like blundstones, another Australian boot. i would say sizing for the redbacks are pretty good. i am a 10.5 and the 9.5 fit great!

 

[kapster]

Years ago(11 to be exact) I have tried every commonly known soft toe American made boot possible almost and just couldn’t get anywhere good until I found DANNER bull run’s, I am On my fourth pair now. I could have them resoled but I don’t have the time or will to clean them everytime I get chemicals or oil on them and I wear the leather out and it drys and cracks after two years. Taken care of I would still be on my first pair guaranteed. Boots are like the ford vs Chevy debate and my experience will greatly differ than everyone else’s and all I can suggest is spend the money and time and you MIGHT eventually find what you like.

Your at least the second to say Danner Bull runs. What is so comfortable about them and/or wedge soles? I would try them, they meet my requirement of uninsulated/unlined and non-waterproof.

The redwings I have are pretty darn nice, just seems like they have become uncomfortable prematurely(1.5 years). A new pair would probably help but you always wonder is there something better.

I'm still curious about the redbacks, the lightweight would be nice.

 

[FakeNewsRealHP]

Your at least the second to say Danner Bull runs. What is so comfortable about them and/or wedge soles? I would try them, they meet my requirement of uninsulated/unlined and non-waterproof.

The redwings I have are pretty darn nice, just seems like they have become uncomfortable prematurely(1.5 years). A new pair would probably help but you always wonder is there something better.

I'm still curious about the redbacks, the lightweight would be nice.

I honestly couldn’t tell ya much about the wedge except that there’s more material in the arch area where I tend to tear outsoles. I never kneel and always squat so there and the toe area of the leather gets stressed heavily for me. They just seem to deteriorate sole wise a lot less than anything I’ve tried. Boy those red backs where comfy from day one when the bull runs take a month to break in!

 

[davethorik]

I was a die hard Red Wing guy. I'm 4-5? months into my first pair of Thorogoods for a change and I'm happy so far.

I worked in a machine shop with chips all over the floor too. I used to run manual Devlieg HBM's and depending on job, amount of stock, etc. I could be standing on a foot thick of chips by the time I got done facing off a part (no enclosure).

My USA Redwings did just fine in this environment. They had the semi-transparent sole, and it did get cut up, but wasn't til about midway through year 3 or year 4 that chunks started falling out of the sole and my feet would get wet when it rained. However I don't stand on piles of chips now, and the Red Wings are heavy.

 

[Pasha]

All good points!


What is the deal with the wedge soles, I see people recommend that a lot for comfort but I don't really understand how it's any better? To me it seems like it would cushion less since your weight is spread out over more insole, less bounce? Is it just that the white insole they use is soft?

That's the point. Wedge soles put your feet in more natural position (flat/neutral) when standing, which spreads your weight over your whole foot instead of concentrating it on your heel. The white soles like the Vibram Christy are also made of a much softer material than most black soles, which are usually polyurethane. The trade off being that they wear faster.


With that said, the importance of good insoles is often completely overlooked. They're just as important as the boots themselves and can drastically affect how comfortable your feet are. Get something that will support your arches like a Superfeet insole. Not having enough arch support is what causes plantar fasciitis and pain in your heels.

 

[kapster]

I had to wear tennis shoes to work last week in desperation, my knee pain was much better. Something in those redwings is bad, midsole maybe?

Late last week I stopped at a shop that listed Danner hoping they had bull runs. They did not but had Thorogood moc toe Wedge soles. Didn't work for me, I've had Thorogoods twice and they just don't fit my feet. I tried a ee width, was way to tight even for new boots in the toe area and the heel was loose.

Friday I stopped in a shop to pickup insoles I ordered, I didn't even see them before but they had moc toe Bull runs! I bought a pair to test at home before wearing to work, I seem to always have to do that. I only have an hour or two wearing at home but was making a different part of my knee hurt. Maybe because of the different angle, do your knees/legs have to adjust to this? My other concern, the insoles I like would make these may to tight, not enough height in them unless I get a bigger size. Do you guys use the factory Danner insole, seems very thin and not much cushion?

I'm out of town this week so won't get to mess with them anymore till the weekend but we'll see.

 

[RAYJAY]

You won't regret getting a set of Redbacks, I switched over around 10 years ago and live in them (it helped immensely with my back). I now currently have a set of steel toes for work and regular toes for home (in place of shoes). If you pick up a set, definitely spring for the Redback insoles as well.

I literally just got home with my work provided set of Redwings, so I'll be able to give a good response to how they compare doing 10 hour days in a shop.

how does the sizing go for the redback steel toe to the non steel toe ? same size or up a 1/2 size

 

[bczygan]

My left Red Wing shoe just split width-wise at the ball of the foot.

Need steel toe leather boots for welding. Will also use for machining.

Suggestions?

Bill

Size 13 narrow. Flat footed

 

[ihateminimumwage]

how does the sizing go for the redback steel toe to the non steel toe ? same size or up a 1/2 size

Same size, the toe sits a bit taller with the steel toes versus the standard, but they fit the same.

Definitely been wearing the Redbacks more the last month with the hot days coming through, and the Redwings for the winter and rainy/muddy days.