Best products from r/RedWingShoes

Sure. They're called wax laces but they're really low wax. But match the red wing super hard wax ones color wise exactly which is why I like them. And they even have a sheen to them. Here it is. I got the brown

Cobbler's Choice 55'' Flat Wax Cotton Boot Lace, Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0161MIACA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xj3KDbTC7AZ14

The Red Wing Ice Cutters are pretty handsome, tough, and resilient in cold weather.

For an almost disposable option, I've had good luck with Boggs Range Boots.

I really like the Danner Hunting boots, elk hunter and the sierra for cold weather and toughness.

I don't know if your new job will require steel toes, I don't have much experience with them unfortunately.

If you have a Red Wing store near you, check out their work lines. They had a meaty pair of slip ons that caught my eye, the Irish Setter 11" Crosby Pull-On Composite Toe Waterproof Boots

Lots of good options out there these days.

*I forgot to mention, almost as important as the boots are, socks make a huge difference. I've spent a couple hundred dollars already on darn tough hiking socks. I wear them in the summer and the winter, and they make footwear so much nicer. The unconditional guarantee sounds nice, but I have not needed to use it yet.

Got it! Thanks! I'll try that. Mine is just the Red Wing Heritage Neutral Boot Cream. It's supposed to buff to a shine, which I think it would, and it's supposed to hydrate as well... but yeah, it just gets filmy. It truly might be me doing something wrong. The jar went really fast, so maybe I'm using too much. Four boots was half the jar.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A4ZFF1K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hopefully that link works. It's just an amazon link for the paste.

http://www.redwingheritage.com/us/USD/product/care/products/boot-cream-neutral-97110

Red Wing Store employee here-

There's this really great Carnauba wax and lanolin oil based conditioner called Urad that I've tested on multiple R&T leathers, it's really neutral, and will darken very little if at all, as it penetrates and dries as a wax does. When applied lightly(comes with a foam applicator), it dries clear and leaves a nice shine. Best thing i've found for an all in one conditioner that does not darken. Buy it in the "Neutral" color.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AUYAH2M/ref=twister_B00BSJZELC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

FWIW, I'm planning on using Lexol as well. I too recently got the 8119's and after reading hours of guides and opinions on leather conditioning, it seems that Lexol is the best for what I want, which sounds like what you want too - moisturize the leather without fucking up the color too much.

Amazon's got a good kit for $12 Prime.

Also, you can try running a thin insole in them if you decide to pull the trigger on those ones you found at the second hand. Something like this. I'm debating on trying something like this as well to try to plant the ball of my foot more and lock my heel down in the 1155's.

I just use the Red Wing brand leather conditioner, which can be found here .

I used to use Kiwi brand (here), which did a decent job, but I read something somewhere that silicone bases conditioners like Kiwi can cause wear on the leather.

Also, I mentioned earlier to take it by a Red Wing store. They'll condition any Red Wing shoe for free.

These are my first pair of Red Wings and I love them to death! I went into the store originally looking to buy the 8083's but came out with these instead. Really open to any tips or constructive criticism if the leather looks off because of my own wrong-doing.


I'm normally a 10.5, but a 9.5E for the Iron Ranger. I think I have at least another month or so before they're fully broken in, as I don't wear them every day.


In the meantime I'm looking at getting a pair of insoles for some extra support, but the boots already fit fairly well and don't have much room. So if anyone has any tips for that, it'd be appreciated as well. Currently, I've been looking at https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01C4Z2QX2/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

FWIW, I've used super glue on my shoes without problem. You can buy a variation on Amazon (search for boot glue) that does have some flexibility.

Boot-Fix Shoe Glue: Instant Professional Grade Shoe Repair Glue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3IDN5M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9NQCCb59S85G2

Are you a lady or a guy. Ladies engineers are still on the heritage site, but the men’s aren’t. They are all on the Japanese market now, out of reach for Americans and Canadians for that matter.
You can find engineers factory Seconds on Sierra Trading
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~red-wing/

And Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Wing-Heritage-Mens-Engineer/dp/B0018DYR66?th=1&psc=1

I’d imagine there are other places to look if you look hard enough like eBay and less popular websites

A tongue pad will probably help them fit a little better

These have been great so far. Helps fill a little volume and adds a bit of cushioning.


Spenco Rx Comfort Thin Lightweight Cushioning Orthotic Shoe Insole, Women's 11-12.5/Men's 10-11.5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S6GBI6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2bkZDbRAJ6X8C

Guarded Goods has a good reputation, but the black leather is out-of-stock at the moment. I put myself on the email list to be attested when they are back in stock.

TOFL on Amazon gets recommended a fair amount too.

My go to are the Darn Tough Men's Solid Basic Crew Light (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0100LOO6O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I wear these with 8 last boots. For 23 Last boots, I can get by with thicker socks which are a little too snug for me in the 8 last. Their hiking line works for those boots but I find they are unbearably warm during warmer weather. Winter socks only: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XFZY1M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XG1BC2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I get these for every pair of red wings I own (except for my 875’s. Those are work boots so I use the comfort force)

Red Wing Heritage Shaped Comfort Footbed, Tan, Extra Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQR6ZJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yod8Cb538P8KN

Tried with the Needle nose pliers like the guy in the store suggested, not much luck, all six on both boots were really rough and cutting pretty deeply into the tongue, not impressing in the tongue, but cutting. I ended up buying one of these but it's like 2 weeks for delivery.


Will be taking them to one of the local cobbler shops in a couple days to have them do it. I really want to wear these, but don't want them all chewed up.

No clue on the pen. However you could stamp it in with one those leather stamping kits. That would be permanent and look pretty cool too.

Example of one of the kits: TEKTON 6610 5/32-Inch Letter and Number Stamp Set, 36-Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUKY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.2djyb5P16NBP

Leather Boot Laces Logger Style -Easy Sizing Just Cut to Fit. 108 Inches long Shoelaces By TOFL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KH0YB52/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_.Uc0DbBT80QHW

I have some of these and think they’re quite nice.

I have multiple colors of these leather laces (use them on my Thorogood Dodgevilles and Magnanni leather sneakers). They've held up fine so far. And these are thick as well so excellent for boots. I have the blue, tan and black. Quality wise, very close to my TG stock leather laces which is high quality.

These come in standard 72" size but you can trim them off as needed.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AQVU3OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and Sponge Kit, For Use on Leather Apparel, Furniture, Auto Interiors, Shoes, Handbags and Accessories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H7DRQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_t78OCbRYWN9HC