In fact, there is no need to add the prefix of "cargo boots", when it comes to boots, Red Wing is a brand that will inevitably follow, comprehensive process and cost performance, it is the preferred "boot king" in the minds of the vast majority of people.
However, under the aura of the boot king, red wing has many boutiques that we have inadvertently ignored for a long time, including "low-top leather boots".
But turning your head, if you talk about American-style leather shoes, then as the Red Wing is a classic in boots, in everyone's view, Alden is the orthodoxy of American leather shoes.
▲ Alden
Here, if we want to take the Red Wing's leather shoes and Alden to distinguish between high and low, who can better represent the essence of American leather shoes, is not very serious.
Because the two are different in level, as an advanced, or even the final choice, Alden's ultra-high quality, naturally everyone envies, but also like boots, if you want to compare the cost performance and craftsmanship, Red Wing will have more advantages.
In other words, if we want to experience the rugged and textured style of American leather shoes at a more favorable price, Red Wing is undoubtedly the best entry.
▲ Red Wing
So, today Ye Zi will take you to see if red wing shoes are as unique and attractive as its boots?
01/
POSTMAN OXFORD
POSTMAN OXFORD is one of the most well-known red Wing low-top shoes and the most typical pair of "American work shoes".
Directly from the name we can understand its positioning, "postman's shoe".
Red Wing's first pair of postman shoes was the 101, introduced in 1954, at first the 101 was not only for the postman's work, but also included police, military, station personnel, but with the U.S. Postal Service as a standard shoe, the 101 also traveled with the postmen, so it became popular.
Postman OXFORD has adopted a very unique design because of the need to take into account the matching of government uniforms, as well as the comfort and durability of walking and standing for long periods of time.
From the most basic shoe type, POSTMAN OXFORD is a "Blucher" shoe, the upper and tongue are integrated, very simple and generous.
However, unlike the conventional Blucher, the last type of POSTMAN OXFORD is generally relatively wide, such as the 101 chooses the Red Wing's 210 last type, and the toes have a certain stretch of space to prevent tired feet over time.
Secondly, POSTMAN OXFORD has no heel, the sole is relatively thick, and it is equipped with a Cushion Cnepe sole made of neoprene, which further enhances the comfort of the shoes.
The upper is mainly Chaparral leather, which is also considered from the perspective of durability and comfort, although it is not a high-quality leather, but after polishing, you can also feel its decency and calmness.
As a typical pair of American work shoes, POSTMAN OXFORD, which is not smooth enough, is not an elegant style, but this is also where it is different from the traditional Blucher, the wide silhouette brings a more rugged temperament, and it is one of the leather shoe styles with a stronger sense of casualness and toughness.
Although it can't be worn on formal occasions, it can be paired with your jeans and Chinos, which can give a more full and retro style effect.
Today, Red Wing's POSTMAN OXFORD is not only 101, but also the 9183 with goRE-TEX waterproof material style, which increases waterproof performance, but compared with the 101, its texture and luster are not obvious.
And the 9112 suede upper, the texture is relatively delicate, and the style should be low-key.
Some time ago, Red Wing also cooperated with BEAMS to create a pair of suede POSTMAN OXFORD, which is not much different from the ordinary version of 9112 from the outside, but the lining also adds GORE-TEX materials to enhance the sense of functionality.
▲ Red Wing x BEAMS
# POSTMAN OXFORD reference price: ¥ 2000 YUAN
02/
CLASSIC OXFORD
Like POSTMAN OXFORD, CLASSIC OXFORD is also a representative of "no heel thick sole" work shoes.
Classic OXFORD is also an early low-end model of Red Wing, first appearing in the 50s, but at that time it was in a state of no fire, until the 80s to Japan gradually highlighted.
In fact, CLASSIC OXFORD is a low-top version of the brand's 875, 877 and other classic boot types, the same Mock Toe toe toe stitching structure, the same white wedge-shaped foam outsole, the overall structure and technology is not much different.
Compared to the POSTMAN OXFORD above, there is no doubt that the CLASSIC OXFORD style is obviously much rougher and tougher, because it is itself born out of the brand's classic outdoor cargo boots.
Even if it becomes low-ended, it looks thicker and even bulkier than ordinary leather shoes, but the resulting toughness and retro feeling will be more intense and abundant.
At present, classic OXFORD is more common in the 8103 and 8106 models.
In fact, the two shoes are not much different, but the leather color is not the same, 8103 is the most classic oil brown of the Red Wing, made of Oro Russet oil tanned leather, while the 8106 is black, and the leather is Chrome Leather chrome tanned leather.
▲ 8103
▲ 8106
In addition, there is a pair of 9893, made of suede material, also known as "Irish Setter Oxford", compared with the above two, the delicate texture is blessed, so that its style is not so rough and obvious.
It is worth mentioning that today's CLASSIC OXFORD is basically a reproduction of the early style, but in the late 80s, this pair of shoes also had major changes.
For example, with the addition of a heeled sole and the stitches changed to black, classic OXFORD in the late 80s will be more inclined to formal leather shoes than work shoes, with Oro Russet leather, the style is much more elegant.
Unfortunately, they were discontinued and can now only be found on the secondary Vintage market.
▲ CLASSIC OXFORD 104
# CLASSIC OXFORD reference price: 2000 RMB
03/
SPORT OXFORD
When it comes to the more orthodox red wing style of leather shoes, it is necessary to mention SPORT OXFORD, more accurately, 1930s SPORT OXFORD.
Despite the "sporty attribute" prefix, it is much more formal than the brand's other low-top shoes.
1930s SPORT OXFORD is a replica of Red Wing's early SPORT OXFORD style, which is a very classic "American old leather shoe".
SPORT OXFORD was popular in the 20s and 40s of the last century, is the Red Wing for the rise of hiking, golf and other outdoor sports at that time and the launch of the shoe, its shoe style can be said to be completely different from the brand's classic style, even if it is also a "functional shoe", but it does not see any rough feeling.
Although it is also a Mock Toe toe toe structure, it is equipped with the brand's rare size 8 shoe last, and the more flat and slender shoe shape appearance brings enough elegant and attractive charm.
This also shows that American style leather shoes are not only rough and tough.
Of course, we shouldn't look at the 1930s SPORT OXFORD as a very serious leather shoe style.
This is a pair of shoes that not only take into account functional comfort, but also integrate elegant and decent style, which can not only attend formal commuting occasions, but also meet the needs of comfortable and casual wearing, and the retro smooth appearance is compatible with the style performance of more different occasions.
Today's 1930s SPORT OXFORD is relatively unpopular in the Red Wing, with only two models, the 8070 and 8071.
The difference is that the 8070 is black Klondike leather and the 8071 is cigar-colored Retan leather.
Since both have been processed to reduce grease, they will slowly take on a "tea core" effect as you get on your feet longer and longer, which is very chic.
The sole of the shoe continues the Vibram Glocord "King B" outsole carried by SPORT OXFORD, which is perfect in detail restoration.
# 1930s SPORT OXFORD reference price: 2300 CNY
I don't know if you found out.
Although Red Wing's low-top leather shoes are not outstanding in terms of craftsmanship or quality, it has its own set, inheriting the classic aesthetic heritage of American leather shoes, which can be rugged, tough, elegant and retro, unique style, which is also the brand's unique, can not be replaced by a point, just like its boots.
So, will you be addicted to red wing shoes?