DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I recently bought a pair of Red Wing waterproof boots. I do not like them because they make my feet sweat like crazy! One evening I wore them for 3 hours and when I took my boots off the gray socks I was wearing were wet all around the toes and heels. My feet are wet before I get near any water. I sent an email to Red Wing asking what they use for waterproofing. The waterproofing layer is a material called Sympatex. This material is supposed to be very breathable but it's NOT. I found a good read on waterproofing material. This breathability comparison testing was performed by the U.S. Army Soldier Center. The website is www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/breathability.pdf After reading this, I emailed Red Wing again telling them about how these boots make my feet sweat. I also told them I have only had the boots for 30 days and I am very unhappy. They have not replied to this email. Red Wing does not seem to care. Look this over closely and you can see how sympatex compares to others. Don't get ripped off like I did. I paid $150 for boots that are total junk as far as I'm concerned. I have never had any problems with Goretex in the past, so I will be looking for a new pair of boots with Goretex.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

So we're supposed to boycott a company because you had one bad experience and didn't hear what you wanted to hear?

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

You have WAY too much time on your hands to make that big of deal because your feet sweat. Did you expect them to redesign all of their boots because of you? I’ve owned Irish Setter boots in the past, and they were the best boots I ever owned. Maybe it’s your feet, not the boots.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

How much thinsulate is in them? Perhaps its to much for the conditions. Wear lighter socks.

I currently have Irish Setters (a subsidiary of Red Wing) and absolutey love them. Best boots ive everhad, bar none.

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My point is... the Sympatex is NOT a good material to use on boots and shoes. It is like putting your feet in a plastic bag. Red Wing calls it "Red Wing waterproofing". If you bothered to check the verber website, you could see why I am complaining.(You have to type it in) I don't care what kind of boots you buy. It's your money. I just want everyone that reads this thread to know the difference between a good product, (Goretex) and a bad one. I believe Irish Setter boots use Goretex, not "Red Wing waterproofing" (Sympatex) Red Wing has made quality products for many years, but things change. M.Magis, I don't think you're smart enough to figure this out. It appears you have bruised your brain. Thndrchiken, your name says it ALL! :D

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Wow, insults are a great way to get your point across. :eek:Someday maybe you'll learn your attitude has a great deal to do with how much respect you get. Perhaps THAT'S why you didn't get a reponse.

So according you to, the millions of us that wear rubber boots at times are all stupid?

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

M.Magis thats funny but true never seen an pair of rubber boots that breathe and your feet dont sweat

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Socks are as important as the boots you wear when it comes to wicking moisture away and keeping your feet warm. You want to keep your feet dry then wear some good moisture wicking socks as a first layer. That goes for Goretex, Sympatex, etc.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

So I guess I would be within my rights tell you to go back and pick that hay out of your hick mouth. But I won't do that, maybe you need to act your age and not shoe size. Uh oh that's right your probably wet behind the ear because your feet sweat so much when you had them stuffed in your mouth.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

That's pretty good, 10 whole posts and already trying to alienate people.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Sorry you had a bad experience but I doubt it was from poor quality. I used to work in the oil field and Red Wing boots were the only ones I foundthat would hold up for any considerable time,against all the muck and chemicals I had to wade thru 24/7.

That was in the mid-late eighties and I've worn Red Wing Pecos boots ever since. The quality of material and workmanship has not failed me yet. When I've worn a pair out, I buy a new pair to break in before I throw the old ones out. I don't plan to change that routine anytime in the foreseeable future.

Red Wing won my loyalty thru the quality of their product. :)

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RED WINGS are my work boots of choice and they back them up really well up here. If my boots fail in any manner with in the first year. All I have to do is return them and they will be replaced free of charge! Though,I have had no problems with them holding up.. If your feet sweat doas others have stated use different socks and the problem will go away..

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

i have 2 pair of redwing boots and LOVE them.Did youread the full description of the boots before purchasing them. If you search the product number on their website, it will pull up a description and tell you everything that is within that boot, and there is probably thinsulate in them if your feet are sweating that bad. Secondly, get good socks, cant say that enough.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Redwings are great and by the way one of the few boots MADE IN USA, Irish setters are made oversea's
RC

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I'm with everyone else here just because your feet sweat doesn't mean that the boots are junk. I wear nothing but redwing boots and I am a telephone lineman and they are the only boots that I have been able to find that will hold up in the real world. So I really hope nobody actually quits buying good american made boots because of one mans opinion.

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I've been a Union Carpenter for 20+ years and tried almost every boot on the market, until I found Red Wings and gave them a shot. I have never looked back.They're strapped tomy feet at least9 or more hours for 5 to 6 days a week and I like them so much, I'll wear them ice fishing or out on hikes. I've never had an issue in any way with any RW or IS product. I would consider trying an alternative sock set-up, a boot dryer to make sure they were dry before putting them on damp or wet again, or find a less insulated pair for work in your given climate. There's always the anti-perspirant on the feet trick.

Granted, it sounds like customer service could use a tune up, but asking hard working, hard hunting Americans to boycott one of the few American made products still out there is a bit out of line. I've had plenty of things I've paid hard earned money on take a royal shiznit and not work to my standards too. Figure 'em out and move on.

And if they're size 9-1/2 or 10....send 'em to me. PM me for my address.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Redwings=best boots made

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I wouldn't go that far! I will say that Red Wing boots are great boots, but theyaren't a hunting boot they're a "work boot". If you want a boot to hunt inget a hunting boot! Just for the record, I LOVE Georgia boots (steel tip)fortree work.;)

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Sorry to say Red Wing boots are NOT made in America. Mine are made in China. My point is.......the sympatex does not breath....I have tried alot of different sock combinations and nothing seems to help. Red Wing should not use this inferior waterproofing product because it does BREATH. Check the Verber website I listed at the begining of this thread.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

once broke in red wing boots fit me like a glove.....i wear mine 6 days a week 365 a year......work and hunting.....in the shop, snow, rain, mud...you name it..... of course you need to occasionaly oil them. mine are not waterproof ( no gore tex or the like) but will withstand a great deal when oiled mine are the un insulated work boot but are great hunting boots in dry 20 degree plus weather. only lacking area for hunting is the sole....could be a little more aggessive (but they are my work boot anyways).......but when the weather calls for it i throw i on my irish setters i love them....

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

we all got away from boots like RED WING do to cost and comfort.

what we are buying is HIKING BOOTS.

i buy the non-insulated ones and wear a pair of heavy wool socks, if needed but most of time, i LITE pair of woolies works.

i get ones that are not waterproof,they are water resitant.

i take can of silcone spray and spray them..

reason for this you can get them on sale at D.I.C.K.S FOR LIKE 65 DOLLARS.

THEY ARE MOST COMFORTABLE SHOE TO WEAR GROUSE HUNTING OR WALKING ETC

i dont even look at a leather boot anymore,to costly, not comfortable and expensive when they wear out.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I am from the Red Wing MN area actually from WI. I have alot of friends that work at the shoe and take pride in their job and the product they make. Its an american company and your telling people to not buy and basically put my friends out of a job. Next time keep your opinions to yourself we dont want to hear it.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

you do have point, for sure.

sorry if i told what i do.

redwing is great shoe but we just dont use them anymore do to cost and comfort of a HIKING BOOT.
no use lying to you.

i was union rep at my shop for years.

i used to tell fellow workers to BUY AMERICAN.

almost all would run to wal-mart.[:@]

sadly, thats way it is now, no one cares for fellow people, we just dont care.

its me, me, me people now.

heck, now i shop there too:eek:

even tho i CARE about red wing workers, greed gets me and i also find the cheapest prices ,even if made in china.[:@]

i do still buy american trucks but a lot of my friends dont.

so, i guess i am greedy too but in my heart, i still believe that unions gave me living i have now and we just dont care.

take care,SPROUL

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

what the hell? they keep the water out. it doesnt claim it sweat proof.:eek:

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I wore Wal-Mart boots and other imported for 20 years. Bought my first pair of Red Wing boots in 1995. Won't ever buy import boots again. The Red Wings are more comfortable and last longer. I buy the water proof ones and they usually stay that way for several years of hard use.

Note I live in KS also, and tell you what, if there is mud or a stream or anything like that, this isn't Colorado, this is cow country and the crap in that water will seep into leather boots and you'll never get the stink out. Get a pair of leather boots in some cow crap, jump in the truck and have the heater blowing on there and you'll never do that again. :):) I carry rubber knee high gumbo boots in the back of the truck to wear if the conditions are that wet - really saves my good boots! Just my two cents not worth much. :):)

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How many pair do you buy in a uear? I only buy one pair of Red Wings and they last me almost 2 years.. So which ones cost more? Who are you kidding that others cost less..

You make a good point but then again even China made Wal-Mart boots wouldn't do much good in this case.. Just like brook fishing here in the spring you need to wear the right boot for the right occasion..

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phil, the only boot we bought at work YEARS ago were REDWING.

then came the ROCKY BOOTS, CHINA MADE AND cheaper.

the employees stopped buying the REDWING BOOTS.

now, NOT AT WORK ,i WAS lover of redwing boots, i still am but found no use for them now.

I NOW LOVE HIKING BOOTS i can get for 65 dollars.

they last as long, more comfortable, CHEAPER,no sore feet from walking into my hunting spot or hunting grouse.

THEY ARE JUST MUCH BEETR BOOT THAN REDWING OR ANY OTHER FOR HUNTING/WALKING I DO.

redwing needs to make a leather hiking boot;)

redwing needs to lower prices, if not they will not sell boots at WORK.

most are buyingrocky boots as they are cheaper, its all about PRICE and not as much about QUALITY .

to me, ROCKY boots are junk, soles fell off.

phil, if REDWING would make a quality insulated/WATERPROOF hiking boot, not charge a lot for it, I WOULD BE FIRST TO BUY A PAIR.;)

only boot that gets on my feet in leather is HIKING BOOT now,THEY ARE SIMPLY GREATTTTTTTTTT:D

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one thing i havent seen mentioned on here yet. is that there are two different qualities of red wing. there is the "MADE IN THE USA" and there is also one made in china. my experience is that the china made red wings give them a bad name. i dont know what you paid for them but that is usually a good indicator. the cheap reid wings i bought fell apart after a year. my last pair i bought i made sure that i bought amaerican and so far have lasted me 3 & 1/2 yrs.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

It took me a couple of months of research to determine which pair of boots I would buy. Seeing how my old boots served me for 10 years, I figured I better buy something as good or close. After all the forum talk, web sites and trying on pairs for comfort, I bought the Irish Setter Tamaracks.After 2 years of chit and abuse they are better than the day I bought them. If I had four arms, I would give Irish Setter four thumbs up.

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Seems like most of the old boot companies have an American made line and a chinese line to be more price competitive I would imagine.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Okay so I didnt read the whole thread, but in response to the first post....First off, dont buy insulated boots if you dont want them. Second of all, maybe you just have sweaty feet. Personally I've worn Red Wings the last few years and I will never buy another brand of workboot in my life. They are durable, comfotable, and last forever. This past september I purchased a new pair from the redwing store, I dont know the exact model but they were about $220, insulated, steel toe, shock resistant, the whole 9 yards, the problem is they leaked! So i brought them back, and no questions asked got a new pair which Im actually wearing right now. They are great boots with great service! In response the the whole made in the USA thing, well they arent actually all made here, the red wing rep at the store told me that as of late the boots in China are actually better made than the boots here (some models are made here, some overseas)[:@], and I would tend to believe him since he's worked there since my father was young. Regardless, they are great boots, and the first post in this thread is absolutely ridiculous! :D


...oh and after reading the first few pages REDWING DOES USE GORETEX, mine say it right on the side! Maybe if varies depending on the model, and maybe you should stop being ignorant because you have sweaty feet!

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

My grandfather wore a pair of Red Wing boots for over 40 years. The same pair. We took them into a RedWing store to get him the same pair just newer and they hadn't sold that model of boot since the 70's they said. I know he would definitely stand by their quality of boots.

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SOLES OF A LOT OF BOOTS ARE BEING MADE IN CHINA.

they just dont last.[:@]

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Well I dunno, I mean I always go for the made in america, my redwings are. But the rep at the Red Wing Store was telling me that as of late it seems the quality of the boots made her is lower than the ones made overseas! He said they've been having a lot of returns and stuff on the american made ones [:@]..I'll stick with them anyway :D

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I have worked on a farm all my life. Everybody I knew including myself wore red wings. Now nobody does. They just won't hold up to farm work anymore. 3 months is the most I can get out of them.

We have switched to American made Danners and can get a full year out of them.

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My Red Wings work boots are Gore-Tex.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

I currently own a pair of Irish Setters by Red Wing 600 gram thinsulate, made in china. I really like these boots and wear them primarily for small game hunting. Lately I wore them hiking and love the comfort. I do get sweaty feet on warmer days, probly cause of thinsulate or my Hanes' socks. But thatdoesn't make me hate them. I bought Red Wings for my dad for Christmas since he goes through a lot of boots and I thought he would enjoy them. Don't know if he wears them or not. I am considering buying a pair for work (masonry) paying the extra money. Since I always buy Wal-Mart's Brahma brand,and they don't last.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

for small game hunting, i went to HIKING BOOTS.;)

i bought the uninsulated ones and sprayed them with silicone.now they are WATERPROOF.

i got them on sale at dicks for 69 dollars.

they are best boot i have seen for hunting and i just put a heavy wool sock in them if its real cold out.

the insulated ones are more expensive and are water proof.dont get those.

we use the brahma ones too for our motorcycle rides, they last 2 years for 20 dollars.

the HIKING boot done way i showed you is best and cheapest route to take in hunting small game.you WILL NOT tire out like regular hunting boots.

i am on my 3rd year and boot shows NO WEAR.

boot name is QUEST.bought it at D.I.C.K.S


i really feel sorry for REDWING.

i dont see anyone wearing them now around here, everyone is buying cheapest boot, using them for 2 years or so and throwing them out.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

Sproulman,
These hiking boots you talk of sound comfortable and cheap,but I'm picturing a low boot. What height do they come in? I always get a 8" or greater cause I like the ankle support.

RE: DO NOT BUY RED WING BOOTS!!!!!
 

yes, they are not a 8 inch boot.

the back of boot is 6 inchs and front where you tie your strings is 7 inchs.

8 inch boot always would tire me as it will not bend or as you said, causes a straight ankle support.

for me, thats tiring.

i walk a LOT hunting grouse,a leather 8 inch boot would wear me out.

these boots are SO light and COMFORTABLE to me, i am very seldom tired after walking for 4 hrs .

thats why i guess they call them HIKING BOOTS, they are great.