Red Wing Heritage Men's Roughneck Lace Up Boot

On this particular offering from Amazon, there appears to be multiple different Red Wing boots depending on which color you click on. The ones I got were style #8146, which are the moc toe version with the Briar oil slick leather. I have previously and currently own numerous pair of 6" and 8" lace up boots from Red Wing, Alden, and Allen Edmonds, all of which are made in America (at least for the Red Wing Heritage line). The latter two tend to be more expensive and for this higher expense you get a better quality leather and IMO a little better fit. However, I have always liked Red Wing boots, and while I have had problems with their foreign made products, the Heritage line is as good as Red Wings ever have been.The construction of this boot includes Goodyear welt, Vibram lug sole, cork midsole, nickle riveted eyelets, and a steel shank, all of which are what you want in a good work boot. If you need at good boot for 8 hours + on your feet wear, do not compromise on any of these features. Just a note on the Vibram sole, I had a pair of Red Wings that I wore regularly for 10 years and it took that long for the Vibram lugs to wear down to the rest of the sole. The 8146 does not have speed lacers, which I don't particularly like for 6" boots.As far as sizing and break-in goes, I recommend you have your foot measured or do some research online regarding measuring them yourself rather than going with your size in some other footwear. For an unlined work boot, I will always wear thick wool socks and with such I find these boots are very much true to size. I've owned other Red Wing boots made on the same last and I knew what to expect. For best results, visit a Red Wing store and have yourself properly fitted. I suspect some of the complaints with comfort others have experienced are due to improper fittings. You can also expect the boot to feel different after break-in as your feet settle into the cork midsole. I recommend going with your measured size initially, then sizing up or down as needed to get the right fit rather than relying on what someone else did, who may or may not have been every properly sized and/or may have a very different foot shape. The reason the 23 last has been used by Red Wing for decades is because it fits most people well. I also recommend that when you are getting measured or are trying these on, wear the type of socks you intend on wearing with them. Personally for work boots I go with a thick good quality wool blend that has a high wool content. Anything else and you're inviting blisters and poor comfort. Always wash wool socks inside out in cold water and hang them to dry.The leather on these boots is pretty typical of Red Wing boots. It's mid-range in terms of quality, but the leather is made thicker for higher durability. This means it's going to take longer to break in, but will eventually soften up nicely and flex the way your feet move once the creases form. The oil impregnated leather is going to last for many years even if you do nothing in the way of care, but if you want them to stay looking good keep them clean and brushed regularly and hit them with some leather conditioner and polish a couple of times per year.All-in-all I'd have to say I'm pretty pleased with my purchase. I have no reason to believe I won't get many years of good service from them as I have had from my other most favored pairs of Red Wings. Considering the quality of construction and proper elements of a good boot, these are an excellent value.Edit: So I'm more than a year into these boots. I wear them about once or twice a week as I have several other boots as well. They did break in quite nicely and after a bit of wear they look better than new. My only real complaint is I don't really like the Vibram sole on this boot. I have Vibram on other heavier boots, but I think I'd prefer the nitrile cork sole that's on some of the others in the Heritage line. Vibram might be a good thing if you needed the off-pavement traction. Otherwise it isn't well suited to this boot.

UPDATED REVIEW:I've been wearing these almost everyday for 24 Days, 4-12 hours/day. They have broken in alright, although my Brannock size 13.5 D+ left foot is not quite as comfortable as my 13D right foot, which fits and feels great.My big problem with these boots, and the reason I have downgraded from 4-stars to 3-stars is due to the moc-toe design. At the top of the toe box, the two pieces of leather are stitched together, which is great. The edges of these two pieces of leather are then GLUED together above that stitching . This glued seam started to leak glue at about day 18 after delivery. Today (day 24), I noticed that the glued seams have started to separate significantly right around where the natural crease forms from walking/bending, etc. see photo. Again, since this is after less than a month of light/moderate use (walking, squatting down, sitting cross-legged at my laptop, I kicked a tire once or twice....gently), I can only assume that this glued seam will eventually separate completely down to the stitching. Since I've had them, outdoor/indoor temps have been from mid-30s to mid-80ss, I wipe the dirt and dust off regularly with a clean rag, no oil or other treatments. The quality of the leather itself and the stitching is not in question here, just the manner in which the moc toe seam is put together and my own observation that this design is not durable with regard to the glued seam. I'm all for a well-worn look in a boot, but as these seams blossom out like a flower, it will not look good, and worse, it erodes my confidence in the structural integrity of the boot. Someone tell me if they know different, but I have to believe that all Moc Toe boot designs must suffer from the same flaw, unless they use just one continuous piece of leather that is folded and stitched to achieve the Moc Toe look/structure..INITIAL REVIEW:PRICE/SHIPPING:Just got these in Briar Oil Slick today. Fast shipping. Price dropped to $187 and snagged them. Some sizes/colorways are $270!MEASURES:On Brannock Device, my feet measure 13D (Right) and 13.5D+ (Left). I got size 12D. Learned the hard way you have to size down from my Iron Rangers (which fit WAY TOO BIG at 13D, but perfect out of the box once I got size 12D). You want these boots to be snug, even a bit uncomfortable at first - they will stretch out and mold to your feet (mine are already).LOOK/PRESENTATION:Out of the box, leather is stiff, flawless, not a scratch or blemish, but richly colored and textured. Perfecto stitching inside and out.. Hardware right where it should be. Vibram soles straight, shiny and new. Insoles centered. Left one was inspected by "Sherry", right by "Loriann". Thanks, ladies. With them on my feet, I am surprised that they are actually sort of sleek/low profile, and not anywhere near being big and clunky despite the Roughneck-chunky sole. Is it just me, or are these basically Red Wing Heritage Moc 6" Boot uppers with a vibram sole? Either way, they look great - better than the photos. I am very impressed.FIT:Getting them on the first time took some patience and effort. One does not simply slip their foot into Red Wing Boots. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as the tongue is sewn up to to the top to keep the dirt and water out. At first, I thought it might be a bust, but after some gentle pulling, got them on and laced them up. Laces could be a few inches longer, Ill probably replace with paracord. After wearing for a few hours, I can visibly see and feel the leather inside and out starting to mold to my feet. Right (smaller foot) feels pretty good, a bit of pressure on outside of big toe. Left (bigger) is getting pinched a bit from the pinky toe along the side a couple inches back along the side and a bit of pressure on the outside of big toe. For the other toes, its snug in there but feels alright.. You want to lace them firmly snug but not circulation-starving tight. Darn Tough Socks are helping the process. I don't expect anything like blisters or major chaffing.WHY I GOT THEM:I work in a semi-austere environment where rain, snow, mud, dirt, dust, rocks, hot, cold is a year-round thing. Need some un-insulated boots for the spring/summer, and I didn't want to subject my Iron Rangers to all of the wear and tear. We'll see how they do in the winter with wool Darn Tough Socks. Also, I've made a life-choice to prioritize minimalism, only purchase high-quality products, and seek to buy American first and at all costs, unless there is a special case or simply no alternative. PLUS, these boots look cool as !@#$% and wearing them makes me feel good. If you look good, then you feel good, and if you feel good, then you do good. Buying less-expensive, low-quality, low-fashion stuff that doesn't last and puts Americans out of work just makes no sense to me.CONSENSUS:I've only had them a few hours, and so far so good. I'll hold back on a 5-star rating to see how they break in and hold up. I'll update in a month or so.

The high quality of this leather, it's colour, the perfect rubber material of the Vibram outsole, the sensation of comfort and protection you feel once you put these boots on, ready to hit all kinds of terrain either earth or asfalt, all of this makes these boots top of the list for any boot lover !And the break in period ? After all the figth I had to go through to break in the 8119 Iron Rangers these turned out to be surprisingly easy. I've worn them non stop since day one ! The secret ? the right size - I've sized down half a size from my normal shoe size while for the IR I had to go down a full size - and the 23 shoe last which is more in agreement with my feet's configuration than the 8 shoe last of the Iron Ranger.So, to make it the best or one the best boots of all times, all one needs is to like it's design. Me ? I'm a Moc Toes' guy !!!!!

These boots where a gift for my husband which he’d wanted for sometime . Not cheep but they” fit like a glove” he said. Well worth money .

I bought these as a replacement for a pair I had worn to death - really pleased with them and the price was very competitive.

Just brilliant. I received these as a birthday present and they are perfect. They needed a bit of breaking in as the leather is very tough but after a few long walks and some dubbin they are like a second skin.

The best boots I have ever owned.