RED WING

Our History

Historical photo of the Red Wing Shoe factory and a picture of the factory workers lined up in front

Honest Work, Told Honestly

In 1905, Charles Beckman founded the Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota.

He believed making good boots wasn't enough—you had to make them the right way. Using the finest leathers, quality materials, and uncompromising craft, he set out to build boots as tough as the people who wore them.

120 years later, we’re still upholding that promise. Still family owned. Still in the same town. Still making boots the right way.

All images courtesy of the Red Wing Shoe Company Corporate Archives.

Historical photo of the Red Wing Shoe Company building with horse-drawn carriages in front

1905

Charles Beckman and other investors organize the Red Wing Shoe Company
Illustration comparing the "Old Style" last and the "Tredstrate" last

1919

Red Wing adopts the Tredstrate last—a foot-shaped mold—improving fit and comfort across the board
Illustration of the Red Wing Boot style No. 809

1924

The Moc toe first appears on a Red Wing boot, a feature that will grow to be an icon
A pair of old worn Gloria boots against a white background

1926

The Gloria debuts, our first footwear specifically for women
Illustration of a cut in half shoe indicating all of the shoe parts and their names

1934

Red Wing incorporates a steel toe cap into footwear, an advantage for workers in heavy industry
Historical photo of the storefront of the first Red Wing Shoe store in Salt Lake City, Utah

1952

The first Red Wing Shoe Store opens in Salt Lake City, Utah
Historical photo of Red Wing Shoes first mobile shoe bus parked at a jobsite

1963

Worker-first fitting comes directly to the job site with Red Wing’s first mobile shoe truck
Historical Red Wing Shoes ad promoting the sale of PPE for workers

1965

Red Wing begins to sell head-to-toe PPE to industries worldwide
Picture of a Red Wing Shoes ad for Supersole with a pair of boots that says "The boots nobody else can make."

1977

Urethane sole technology (aka SuperSole) starts a long-lasting legacy on jobsites 
A boot repair workbench with boots and tools on it

1985

A boot repair shop opens in the factory, giving more customers the opportunity to have their boots re-soled to endure longer
Leather hides hanging on a conveyor belt

1986

S.B. Foot Tanning Company, a long-time local supplier, officially joins Red Wing
Red Wing Shoes world's largest boot being hauled by a tractor in front of the Red Wing Shoe Store

2005

100 years is celebrated with the Guinness World Record holder for World’s Biggest Boot, a style #877 in size 638 ½ D
Close up of a person's legs with Red Wing Heritage boots on

2007

Red Wing Heritage debuts, a lifestyle brand inspired by 20th century workers’ footwear
One shoe floating in front of a metal background

2019

Red Wing introduces a footbed made from algae biomass, continuing a movement toward sustainability in design 
A photo of the 4 generations of Red Wing Shoes Leaders, Jr. R. Sweasy, William D. Sweasy, Bill Sweasy and Allison Gettings

2023

Allison Sweasy Gettings, the 4th generation Sweasy to serve in the position, is appointed CEO of Red Wing. She is Red Wing’s first female CEO. 
RED WING

Stories

The people. The work. The craft. The legacy. A closer look at the boots we build and who we build them for.
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