I really tried this year to get a boot I could wear anywhere, and I feel like I achieved that goal. I work 5 days a week, so the primary usage was for my job as a fleet manager. I spend most days at a desk, but when I needed to go on site or to the shop, I wasn’t worried about needed to swap out my shoes for something else. If nothing else, the sheer practicality of that was a win in my books. Off hours I took these on hikes in the nicer weather, but also decided to strap on some crampons when the weather got most treacherous. We were blessed with a mild winter, so I found myself reaching for these instead of my Timberland 40 Below boots.
It’s pretty obvious when on your first day of wear that EVERYthing that touches this leather is going to leather its mark in one way or another. But it your plan is to wear these every day, soon enough you realize that the water (or other) spots eventually blend in and start to create a nice patina. As far as wear, this leather is very robust and being roughout, very resistant to scratches. Beyond the darkening, there are no signs of damage to the leather.
These were a real mother to break in. Not in the foot necessarily, but more the ankle area. I ended up taking a skiving tool and thinning some of the leather on the tongue gussets. The pinch point with 3 layers of leather was very tough at first but did let up over time. The skiving helped as well, without compromising the overall strength or changing the look.
Red Wings are very well finished for a boot of that price point. From a design perspective I feel they are function first, but as a result the aesthetic is classic and doesn’t require much tinkering to look good.
Thankfully the snow and ice were minimal this year but when it did get back, I strapped on crampons to reduce slippage. Otherwise, they held up well and I should get some more usage before needing a resole.
This is my 3rd thunderdome and I feel as though each has been more successful than the last. This time around I chose a boot I would WANT to wear everyday of the dome and everyday thereafter. With the Moc-toe this year I found my horse that I could ride and really make my own.