Red Wing Blacksmith in S.B. Foot Briar Oil Slick

Reliable boot with a quality of leather that is a step above that found on other Red Wings.

Out of all the Red Wings I could buy that are regularly available in North America, I am glad I got these. I find this leather to be one of their most interesting with the greatest depth of colour both initially and as it ages. the slight buffalo-like texture is unique in the Red Wing lineup and just looks less uniform than their other leathers. I'd put the leather on par with Chromexcel in terms of pullup and ability to hide minor scratches and above par to hide areas of creasing, especially along the vamp. I am lucky with the QC that came on my pair. I think the stitching, welt construction and leather selection on my pair is on par with the Grant Stone and Parkhurst boots I own and better than my Oakstreets. I know that's not always the case but on my pair it is. That's a Red Wing lottery win. The hardware is cheaper but that's to be expected. And honestly, hardware is easy to change out if I wanted to. I know people either love or hate the sole and heel on the newer Red Wings. I'm in the former camp. I like the longevity this Vibram soul offers and my feet are pretty conditioned so I don't feel the hardness or breakin period with most boots. I think I would have really loved their former soles for the same reasons, but I live in Canada and appreciate the increased grip the newer soles offer in the snow. The 8 Last is where this boot absolutely crushes it for me. The structured wider toe box gives me the perfect amount of room along the top of my foot and the wider last allows my foot to splay outward so that these fit like a glove. I could wear these boots non-stop and feel no pain. The only lasts that I've tried that provide the same level of comfort for my foot shape is the Elston last from Oakstreet and the 602M from Parkhurst. There has been absolutely no breakin period with this last or with the single slab of leather. These have fit and felt like a dream since day one. I have the 3340s I know the Blacksmith version before mine were all leather lined while these have synthetic material along the inside of the vamp. I think I would have liked the leather lined better but that's because of what I've heard online that the synthetic on my pair will break down over time. So far I haven't seen any evidence of that being the case but I think the likelihood is higher. The Blacksmiths don't look like they have as much of a sprung toe as the Iron Rangers, but to be honest, I wouldn't mind if they did. I think that sprung toe looks awesome on the Red Wings. Even after the dome I envision these being a go to pair of boots for me. And I'm saying that with owning some pairs of boots that are considered far more superior in the boot community.

Read the full review

Red Wing Blacksmith

Reliable boot with a quality of leather that is a step above that found on other Red Wings.

Maker

Model

Leather

Last

Sole

Purchased from