The chukka boots combine a simple boot upper with Red Wing’s classic Traction Tred white crepe sole. Unlike other Red Wing work boots, the work chukka was designed for lighter duty. In most cases it would be used for inside work. Finish carpenters were the primary users. These woodworking craftsmen needed sturdy footwear as they labored to create the interior details of homes and offices. While their boots needed to be sturdy, they needed them to also be light and flexible to accommodate the bending, climbing and kneeling the work day required. The white crepe sole allowed them to ply their trade and not leave a scratch on their finish work.
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The Beckman Collection is named after Charles Beckman, the company’s founder. Mr. Beckman owned a shoe store in Red Wing. In his advertising he promoted himself as Beckman, The Shoe Man. As a prosperous Main Street merchant, he saw first-hand the need for durable and comfortable boots. In 1905 when he couldn’t find boots to meet his needs, he started his own shoe company. Navigating the muddy streets of Red Wing was part of his daily routine. He needed sturdy boots that could be polished to match his status as a successful Main Street merchant and shoe company owner. It is made using Black Cherry Featherstone dress leather custom tanned at our S.B. Foot Tannery, located in Featherstone Township, Goodhue County, MN. It is a light weight and durable leather, a combination that mirrors the name.
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Red Wing - Style No. 8111 Iron Ranger
The Mesabi Iron Range lies in northern Minnesota, a rugged and remote area. The local residents are proudly known as Iron Rangers, individuals with a sense of adventure and a determined personality. The work boots worn into the iron mines had to be as tough as the demanding conditions. The Iron Ranger boots were built with a double layer of leather over the toe to provide the miners an extra measure of safety. The heel pocket, a boot feature designed to provide extra support, was moved to the outside of the boot. This design change eliminated a seam, and provided a smooth and comfortable one-piece surface on the inside of the boot.
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