Red Wing and Thorogood are two of the most respected boot makers in the world. Both brands have been around for over a century, and both have an impressive list of loyal customers. Each has its own unique style and craftsmanship that sets it apart from the competition. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two iconic footwear brands to help you decide which is right for you. We’ll look at the features, quality, and pricing of each brand to determine which boot maker is better suited for different types of consumers.The Red Wing and Thorogood brands of work boots are two of the most popular and longest-running brands in the industry. Both brands have a long history of providing quality, durable, and comfortable footwear for working conditions. Both brands also offer a wide selection of styles and sizes to suit any job or activity.
Red Wing has been making work boots since 1905 and is known for their iconic style, quality materials, and superior craftsmanship. They offer a wide range of styles including steel toe, waterproof, insulated, non-insulated, logger style, oxford style, pull-on boots, and more. They also offer custom-fit insoles for added comfort.
Thorogood has been making work boots since 1892 and is renowned for its superior comfort designs. Their line includes safety toe boots with shock absorbent soles; waterproof leathers with breathable linings; insulation for extreme cold or hot weather conditions; slip resistant outsoles; as well as slip ons, chukkas, oxfords, logger styles and more. Thorogood also offers custom fit insoles for all-day comfort.
Overall both Red Wing and Thorogood offer high quality work boots that will last many years with proper care. The main difference between the two is in the look and feel of the boot – Red Wing tends to have a traditional look while Thorogood has a more modern design aesthetic.
Construction
Red Wing and Thorogood are both well-known American brands when it comes to boots and shoes. Both companies have been producing quality footwear for more than 100 years. However, there are some key differences between Red Wing and Thorogood when it comes to construction.
Red Wing boots are made from all natural leather, usually full-grain leather that is oil-tanned and waxed to increase durability. The leather is then sewn together with strong threads, ensuring a sturdy connection between the uppers and outsoles. The outsoles are also constructed with a durable rubber material that provides excellent traction and longevity.
Thorogood boots are also constructed with high-quality materials, but typically use thicker leathers such as full grain or oil tanned leathers. However, the stitching used on Thorogood boots is not as strong as Red Wing’s, which can make them less durable over time. Thorogood’s outsoles are made from rubber but they often include additional features such as steel shanks or carbon fiber for extra support and durability.
Overall, both Red Wing and Thorogood offer quality construction in their boots and shoes. However, Red Wing’s use of stronger stitching and natural materials makes their products more durable than those of Thorogood.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, Red Wing boots are renowned for their well-cushioned insoles and arch support. The leather upper molds to your foot over time, creating a comfortable, custom fit. Thorogood boots also feature cushioned insoles and arch support, but some models may have a stiffer upper that takes longer to break-in.
Durability
Both Red Wing and Thorogood boots are incredibly durable. Red Wing is known for its goodyear welt construction which helps keep the boot waterproof and prevents the sole from separating from the upper. Thorogood also uses goodyear welt construction in many of its models, and additionally uses a cement construction that is designed to be lightweight but still durable.
Price & Value: Red Wing vs Thorogood
When it comes to evaluating the price and value of Red Wing and Thorogood boots, there is no clear winner. Both brands offer quality, durable boots at a variety of price points.
Red Wing is known for its quality craftsmanship, which is reflected in the price of their boots. Prices range from around $150 to over $400 for some styles, making them one of the more expensive boot brands on the market. However, many customers find that their boots are worth the investment due to their superior construction and comfort.
Thorogood also produces high-quality boots at a variety of price points. Their boots range from around $100 to over $300 for some styles. Many customers find that Thorogood provides excellent value for their money, with well-made boots that last for years despite regular wear and tear.
Ultimately, it’s up to the individual customer to decide which brand offers the best value for them. Both Red Wing and Thorogood provide quality products at a range of prices, so it’s important to consider your budget before making a purchase decision.
Safety Features
Both Red Wing and Thorogood are known for their safety features including steel toes, slip-resistant soles, and oil-resistant outsoles. Red Wing offers a variety of styles that meet ASTM standards for impact and compression protection as well as static dissipative properties. Thorogood also offers styles that meet or exceed ASTM standards for electrical hazard (EH) protection. Both brands offer a wide range of sizes, widths, and colors to fit any work environment. The main difference between the two is in the construction of their footwear. Red Wing shoes are crafted with full-grain leathers that boast superior durability and breathability compared to Thorogood’s synthetic leathers. Additionally, Red Wing utilizes Goodyear welt construction while Thorogood uses cemented construction which is less durable but more lightweight.
When it comes to safety features, both brands provide quality products that will help keep your feet safe while on the job. However, if you require extra protection, you may want to opt for Red Wing’s steel toe shoes or Thorogood’s electrical hazard (EH) styles. You should also consider the type of construction used in your chosen footwear to ensure maximum durability and comfort throughout the day.
Appearance & Style
When deciding between Red Wing and Thorogood boots, appearance and style are important factors to consider. Red Wing boots are known for their classic style, with most boots featuring a moc-toe design and high-quality leather. The leather is available in a range of colors, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Thorogood boots also feature classic styling, usually with a moc-toe design as well. However, they offer more variety than Red Wing when it comes to material and color choices. Thorogood boots come in a range of materials, including suede and full grain leathers for extra durability. You can also find boots in a variety of colors, giving you more options for finding the perfect look for your style.
Both brands offer great options when it comes to appearance and style, so it’s important to decide what features matter most to you before making your decision.
Red Wing vs Thorogood: Sizing & Fit
When it comes to size and fit, Red Wing and Thorogood boots have different approaches. Red Wing boots are known for their snug fit, while Thorogood’s boots are known for a more relaxed fit. Red Wing boots usually run a bit smaller than what is standard, so it is important to make sure you get the right size when ordering. For Thorogood boots, sizing is more forgiving and they usually offer more room in the toe box.
In terms of widths, Red Wing and Thorogood both offer a variety of widths to accommodate most foot shapes. Red Wing has two main widths – D (Medium) and EE (Wide). Thorogood also has two main widths – E (Medium) and EE (Wide). If you have wider feet, you may want to look into getting a pair of Thorogoods as they tend to offer more room in the toe box.
When it comes to comfort, both brands offer a variety of features that provide cushioning and support. Red Wing boots feature leather linings that provide extra cushioning while also keeping your feet warm in colder temperatures. They also feature Goodyear welt construction which allows for easy resoling when needed. Thorogood boots also feature Goodyear welt construction as well as removable insoles for added comfort and support.
Overall, when deciding between Red Wing vs Thorogood sizing & fit, it really comes down to personal preference as both brands offer a variety of sizes and widths to accommodate most foot shapes. It is important to try on both styles before making your purchase so you can ensure you get the perfect fit for your feet!
Customer Reviews
When it comes to choosing the right work boots, Red Wing and Thorogood have both earned a reputation for quality and durability. As leading work boot brands, customers have shared their reviews on the two brands to help others make an informed decision.
Red Wing is widely known for its use of premium quality materials in crafting its boots, with a focus on comfort and durability. Customers have praised Red Wing for its attention to detail, with many noting that these boots are made to last. They also appreciate the classic styling of Red Wing’s boots alongside their comfort and protection.
Thorogood on the other hand has also received positive reviews from customers, who appreciate the brand’s classic styling as well as its use of high-quality materials. Customers have noted that Thorogood’s boots are comfortable, durable and provide excellent protection from the elements. Many customers have also praised Thorogood for its wide range of sizes and styles, making it easy to find a perfect fit for any job or situation.
Overall, customers seem to be happy with both Red Wing and Thorogood when it comes to choosing a reliable work boot brand. Both brands offer high quality materials and construction at competitive prices, so customers can trust that they’re getting a good product when buying either brand. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when choosing between these two leading work boot brands.
Conclusion
Both Red Wing and Thorogood are excellent choices for work boots. They both provide great comfort, durability, and protection for people in need of a reliable work boot. Red Wing is known for its classic style and long-lasting construction, while Thorogood offers a more modern style with up-to-date features. Depending on what you’re looking for in a work boot, either of these companies can provide the perfect solution.
When it comes to cost, Red Wing boots are more expensive than Thorogood boots. However, the extra cost of Red Wing boots is justified by their quality construction and longer lifespan. On the other hand, Thorogood boots provide great value for money since they are cheaper but still offer plenty of features and benefits.
In conclusion, both Red Wing and Thorogood offer excellent work boots that can meet the needs of many different types of people. The final decision should be based on personal preference as well as budget constraints.