I worked at Redwings factory for 12 years, and I remember 90 % of all the employees were very proud of their labor, including me , as employees, we had good discounts, so I ended up buy one pair every month, the leather and materials are very good quality.
For an easy breakin, in the Army we used to wear thin dress socks under our thicker socks for a few weeks when the boots are new. The breakin will be painless and easy. I have these boots and they are fantastic, I get a lot of compliments, I like how after wearing them for about 5 months now some of the brown comes through the black since its just painted leather sort of. I like the look of it. Great video, thanks!
Dude,you’re not alone.I too love the smell of a good leather and every time I purchase a new pair of RW heritage I would take it out of the box to take a deep sniff 😂😂😂.
Many thanks for the review. I think you have a very friendly charisma, which makes a review like this even more fun! I bought the Moc Toes a few weeks ago (875) and only wear them with thick socks. That definitely helps. I also have the Red Wing Blacksmith (3343) and they were actually a lot heavier to wear in. But all in all, I love Red Wings! The price-performance ratio is great, they are classic, they age beautifully and they are made in the USA. I'm looking forward to more content from you. Greetings from Germany
Thanks for that Aaron! I’m hoping to pick up a pair of Blacksmiths later this year. I tried on a pair a few months ago and really liked them. I’ve always been impressed with Red Wing. They have a great tradition of craftsmanship and materials.
I bought my Classic Moc Toe in 2013. Wore them mostly when commuting to work by motorcycle in all elements. Sold the motorcycle but still wear mine a few days a week. They still look great. With a little care these will last forever.
Avoiding painful break in is a two fold strategy. No. 1, size. Get the correct size. Know your Brannock measurements, especially “arch length”. determine how to translate Brannock sizing to whatever manufacturer your considering, then try them on ignoring where your toes fall, unless they are too short, but paying close attention to the ball of your foot in relation to the ball of the boots. That is the widest parts of your foot should match the widest parts of the boot. No. 2, condition your boots right out of the box. It will help the boot conform to your feet and who knows when that leather was last given any attention. I like a thick coat of Obenauf’s, not oil, applied, wiped off, then aggressively brushed. That’s what I’ve done for every pair, horse butt or steerhide regardless of tannage. The boots will darken, significantly depending on the leather, but will lighten up after a few days of wear and sun exposure. Though they may never return to original the benefits to break in and the leather itself are worth it.
The classic color is glowing orange stiff like a new real baseball glove and heavy in the store. Things that would make you shy away from them. These were in my mind for about two years. I was not going to get myself anything for Christmas this year. Then my wife asked. I was like well... and then we bought them. My dog wants to hug the leather smell when I take them off :) They are a break in, but you get it after a few wears. They are the real thing. The oils come to the surface and the color darkens almost immediately. The feel would be missed as working people would say when trying a lesser boot. You appreciate the sole when you step on a root, rock, or press the clutch pedal for instance. I look forward to them getting better. The do look great. I wear heavy socks with them. The green and black are very enticing colors :)
Hi there, I have the Red Wing 875's and they are amazing, love the boots, but yes, be prepared for a long, hard break in period but it will be worth it. I wore mine around the inside of the house for no more than 10 minutes per day for a couple months. Even after that, the back of the boot of my left foot at the top of the boot rubbed against my leg. This went away after another month. No exaggeration about the lengthy break in time otherwise wearing them for any length of time initially will be a very painful experience.
Great video. Yes, I own those and several other Red Wings and some of them can be tough to break in. This peticular pair were tough but, not as tough as 875, 877 or 8111. Rough out leathers are a little less tough to break in it seems to me. But, once you do break then in they're like wearing slippers. My advice, wear them for a 2 or 3 block walk a day until they begin to give. Don't wear them longer than that because, your feet will begin to swell and they'll get tighter and tighter until you take them off. And, if the feel like they're getting to loose, try a half sole arch support. Works great and adds a bit more comfort. My 8849 are my favorite. Love how they're aging. Have a great moc toe Monday! P.S. there soles are made by Vibram.
I agree. My Iron Rangers are roughout and they were much easier to break in. I’m going to take your advice and just try to break them in little by little. Thanks!
I have a pair of the Shop Mocs in Hawthorne. I work at a hardware store, long days on concrete, but lots of kneeling down, I simply don't need the extra ankle support, it's simply a hindrance and adds a little weight as well. That is also my suggestion to the eyelet inconvenience as well, sometimes less is more. The break in is still still significant, but the leather insoles are now starting to conform to the contours of my feet and that alone makes quite a difference. The Hawthorne being a rough out leather has lots of character, the shoes seem to draw compliments, they are probably too nice for work truth be told. I'm sold pleased, I might get a pair in black, the Work Chukka interests me, though not typically my style, then again I'd have said the same regarding these not that long ago. - I will say, for anyone who spends a lot of time on concrete, these will likely e a good choice, simply be sure to get a good fit and allow for the extended break in period.
I own the 877 as well as a pair of the Iron Rangers. Hands down, the 877 was one of the toughest break in periods of any boot I've owned. Granted, once they are broken in - they fit like gloves, and can can be worn for the whole day. But - in the early stages I highly recommend only wearing them for a couple of hours at a time, and conditioning a couple of times to make the leather soften up.
OK, breakin. I’ve had the Briar Slick version since 2019…Love them so much, I’ve actually told people I want to be buried in them. That said, the first time I wore them at length was on a trip to Boston where I walked around a lot. At one point, I thought my right foot was going to explode (part of the right side of foot under pinky toe due to pressure). But between wearing, conditioning, and shoe trees, they fit perfectly after a month. I will get the version shown in this video soon, heck maybe this week, and I firmly believe in conditioning boots out of the box for breakin (only after you’ve decided to keep them of course).
I have the 8138 Briar Oil Slick. Had them for about 5 weeks. Wear them everyday 8-10 hours a day. Break in takes months not days. I have a ways to go. My feet hurt. Some days im in so much pain I have to crawl around the office. Im contemplating amputating 2 of my toes for a better fit.
Brutal break in. But I may have found a great way for a future pair. I used a steamer on the inside of them around the top and ankle and it helped significantly with comfort/break in.
My break in was really nice. This is also my 4 pair of heritage boots. Iron rangers are much harder to break in. I will say that I wear my boots to work and I usually buy black and soak in mink oil with a heat gun after about a week of daily wear. It helps to loosen the leather up and provides water resistance
my friend i have the exact pair of your moc.s. i’ve owned them for 1 year now. no my friend 0 break in no to collar rubbing nothing they get sweeter by the day thank you for sharing
I have had my 1907 rough and tough for about a year. Purchased to wear for everything except formal and woodland hiking. Especially needed for all day city walking on hard, flat and often wet pavement. Other boots with this quality mids and uppers and welts for sole replacement have lasted, with every other day wear, for over 30 years. I expect these to last till I'm buried in them. They are far more comfortable than anything else I have tired. The less than one week of difficult break in was a low price for the benefits and now a distant memory.
Nice! I can't wait till mine are there. This crazy heatwave has made it difficult for me to get some time in them (unless I want to wear them with shorts).
Agree about the speed hooks. I have heard Red Wing will change them out for you. They may charge a fee, though. If you are handy, you may be able to do it yourself.
So I’ve had these for a few days now (I’ve had the briar slick version for 5-years now and love them). As indicated by the past few comments (all correct, by the way), this Prairie leather is a much tougher breakin. I wear size 10D with an insole in the Briars, but I wear no insole with these (same size). Also, I bought the Briars before I took up running, and think my feet are definitely flatter/wider now. I still think 10D was the right size for me (although I’ve gone without an insert, which Is the norm for me). The problem area is the same as my previous pair…the right side of my right foot near the pinky toe. As long as it stretches enough there, I should be fine.
The break-in was only hard with my first pair of 875 because I had them a half size too big! Have the right size, I had no problems whatsoever with either RW (I had the 875, Iron Rangers, Roughnecks, Blacksmiths).
Worst part of the break in for mine was the tongue wasn’t sewn in correctly and so it got a crease in it when I would tie it. Was super uncomfortable. I changed the lace configuration , and had to try to stick something in the gusset while tying the shoe to keep the tongue flat. It is still there, but isn’t as aggressive and doesn’t dig into the top of my foot as bad as it was before. I have a pair of 1907s that broke in really nicely. The leather on them wasn’t as stiff. I think it has something to do with the coloring and waxing of the leather on the 8849s.
The break in was brutal. My advice is to buy a pair of Red Wing socks that are nice and thick and protect you from the blisters of the break in. I do LOVE mine once they got broken in. I can now wear them for 12 hours.
I like your content man. Keep it up. I'm wearing some Thorogood moc toes. Bought for work as they're steel toed. Now I'm looking at the RW's as my casual boots.
Speed hooks are a huge miss by Red Wing, I had my pair ordered from Red Wing with speed hooks for the top 3 eyelets, a must in my book, no pun intended. Break in is a rite of passage, lace them a little loose for a few weeks and then you"ll be good to go
I recently got the black prairie 8849 from my local red wing store. It’s been a year since I got my iron ranger 8111 and decided to get a moc toe to compliment the IR since the moc and the IR is red wing most known boots. I tried to wear these semi daily as I did with my IR to break in sooner. Idk if I need separate insoles as my IR did but I’ll give it a month or 2 to see. I also agree with slight hardship of taking them off, I tried to do the bean boot knot on them to see that help but didn’t make a difference. So far the break in is not bad as the IR but still tough.
Great Review, really helped to make my decision to buy. The break in is something I expect. I watched my girl break in her doc martins and hate the process. She almost returned them for being so uncomfortable. She stuck with it. I have had leather boots before so I know what I am in for.
Actually found the break in to be relatively simple and painless. I suggest thick socks and don’t make them too tight at the very top. Also worth noting that the leathers are not the same for softness, the Briar Oil Slick of my Roughneck boots being much softer than the Black Prairie. In a couple months, the leather insoles and cork really form to your feet and then the magic happens. For insoles, I’d only recommend if they are too roomy, and in that case, get the leather Red Wing ones or the thinnest ones from the Red Wing store.
In my experience, the black prairie moc toes are a little bit harder to break in than any other Red Wing moc toes. I notice that the black coating on top of the leather makes it less flexible and conforming than other leathers that are just tanned. With more wear, that black coating eventually wears away and the boot becomes more comfortable, but it will take some time to get there.
@@Bayou987 The Black Prairie is an oil-tanned leather, and teacore is usually veg-tanned. They might age a bit the same though since the black is basically painted on.
@@Bayou987 What @StrayReviews said. You will get that tea-core effect with wear when the black wears off and the brown leather underneath begins to poke through. It looks really cool, but takes some time to get there.
I have the 9060 with the black klondike leather. the leather on these look similar. I had the same ancle problem on the 9060. I think it has to do with how hard the leather is. I just got the roughout 8208 moc. they are comfortable from the get-go. So the leather makes a very big difference.
Good review. I have the 10875 for work. Going to buy 877 and wear them and eventually use for work. I’m getting the black prairie blacksmiths and I also want these black Mocs in your video. As well ass the oro chukkas! I’m also a huge fan of fantasy so I’ll be checking out your books! Cheers!
Great video very well thought out and entertaining. Just wanted to share some encouragement about the break in stick with them eventually they will get soft. I have owned 2 pair of 10877. I know there not exactly the same but I believe they are built the same. I’m currently working on breaking in my second pair. It takes time. I felt like on my first pair they really were not broke in fully until it was time for the first resole. But once they are broke in it is like having a leather sock that just feels awesome to put on.
I own this model including 3 other pairs of red wing. These have by far been the worst break-in I've ever tried. If you decide to buy this pair, I would strongly recommend that you go to a red wing store and get your feed measured. In sneakers I'm a size 11 in red wing a size 10. I bought these at Brund store in Copenhagen who did not have a measuring device. The clerk was also a size 11 in sneakers and for him size 10,5 worked, so that's what he told me to get. Many agonizing wears later, I figured out I got the wrong size when I finally visited a red wing store in Berlin and had my feet measured. I now wear them with double socks, and it works somewhat. Moral of the story, make sure you go to a retailer who knows what they are doing and measures your feet. This goes for all boots. Getting the size right is so important. I got all my other Red Wings in size 10, and they are so much better.
I never get the speed hooks thing. You can pretty much loosen the laces without taking them out of the holes. To me the speed hooks are slower and a pain because I miss em or skip them half the time when I’m in a hurry. 🤷♂️
You can wear these all year round. Wear socks like the Dickies sweat-wicking socks and you'll be fine. I disagree with a tough break-in. This is the second pair of heritage mic toes I've owned by Red Wing.
rough and touch Blacksmith breaking perios 9 to 12 months as I was getting frustrated. Thez were OK after a zear . But thez reallz shine after 3 years. I would take them for a trip around the world now . I am on mz first week of breaking moctoe Black Prerrie , I feel it will not take so long this time . wish me luck
I have a pair of iron Rangers, and three pairs of Jim Green Boots, and while I wear them for different reasons, I have found that the Red Wings are an easier break in. Another great review, I really appreciate what you’re doing and your perspective
@@edrader no sorry, I own two pair of razor backs and I tested a pair they’re planning on introducing to the American market soon. The break in for all was tough, the midsole is stiff and all of mine are “double lasted” which basically means they have really thick lining leather. Now that they’re broken in I love them all. All that being said the rangers don’t have a lining leather and they have a softer outsole than mine. I’d imagine that the rangers may be Jim Green’s easiest break in. I want a pair and when I get them I’ll let you know then 😉
I think it's funny to talk about a tough break in, my 877s felt like slippers during the break in compared to my Nicks Rangers and Hotshots. Also, the Red Wing store put speed hooks on my boots when I bought them. Great service!
I just replaced a pair I owned for a dozen years and resoled at least five or six times. The leather of my original pair was just starting to give out after more than a decade of wear.
Look any good pair of leather boots is going to have a break-in. I have 1907's about 10 years now. Love them. Yea they took a while to break in. You where them for about 3 hours a day till broken in. Nuff said. Rich K.
Classic Moc breakin 101. (or any full leather boot/shoe) 1. Do not lace them all the way up.. Notice how short those laces are.. Skip the top eyelets.... I actually tie knots in the end of my laces and have plenty of room to get them on and off. If your foot is too fat, skip the top 2. Once it's broken in, lace it all the way. 2. Everything in moderation, don't be a hero. Start with 2 hours max. If there is pain/discomfort stop, change shoes. 3. Stay away from all the gimmicks/shoe trees anything designed to "shape" your boots. You want it foot shaped.... Your foot. 4. Be patient. And for the record the leather these boots are made out of is extremely tough and dry. Of the 7 different leathers in this line it's probably the most stiff.
Im sorry to say that the computer image of my feet was complete wrong it measured my feet at 10.5 d left and my right 10 d WRONG after hurting my feet for years I talked to a cobbler and we measure with bannocks device and tape measure and found my feet at 9.5 ee When I order a pair of Redwing Moc steal toe I order a pair 9.5 EE and my feet LOVED it I will never have them try to to tell me the size again and listen to them I have plantar fasciitis now from all the heal slips and discomfort !
I love my moc toes, by far my favorite red wings I own. I have it the Heritage 1907s. I’ve had them resoled twice since owning them and the upper just keeps getting better with age!
@@StrayReviews Yes I have! And yes took a bit of a break in time, and I felt the same for my Iron Rangers. However, once those Moc Toes had their break-in they are suuuuper comfy now. Id say for me my pair of Red Wings that had like no break in time are my pair of Weekender Chukkas.
@@StrayReviews I dig em esp for summer months! Honestly really comfy, leather is softer more supple out of the box. I got mine on a sale through Nordstrom, in fact it was a special Nordstrom exclusive colorway, its like a dark shadow grey.
Honestly I don’t get how people need to break in any kind of boot. I bought this pair a few months ago. Wore them to work and had no issues. Maybe my feet got use to it but idk I think people that don’t use boots to work have weak feet
It depends on the shoes. But, they're definitely more comfortable than some of the other heritage boots I own. I think that the sole really lends to this. Also, there's a little extra room if I want to throw a thin footbed in there for more comfort.
Do you have any recommendations for a heritage style boot that is actually squishy comfortable underfoot? Something that is meant to be worn with an actual insert, not leather but like dual density foam inserts. Imo something like Thorogood is way, way more comfortable underfoot squish wise but they are too narrow for me even in wide sizes (mine live in the mudroom, lol). I got Thursday because reviewers sold the idea that the poron would make them feel more sneaker like and I think people who say this only wear boots, lol. Just to give an idea of what I have tried I have RW Iron Rangers and 10875s. Also Thursday President (these are super hard underfoot) and Diplomats, which are new but more comfortable out of the box than the Presidents are even after being broken in. Thorogoods, which would be perfect if they still made a 4E. Of them the 10875s have the best feel underfoot imo. Or is standing 8 hours a day (classroom) in heritage boots just outside of my reach?
Great question. The closest thing I can think of would be the new Nomad Gen 2 by Dievier. I just picked up a pair and they're pretty squishy. They also have a removable footbed so you can put your favorite one in there if you want. Here's a link if you want to take a look dievierofficial.com/products/nomad-cognac-suede
Red wings are no longer the qaulity they once were. There is no lifetime warranty on them anymore. Now there is only a year warranty, if anything happens after a year your paying for shipping and whatever cost they decided they want to charge you. Also people don't realize it but they are not solely made in USA anymore most are made over seas. I have owned at least 11 red wings boots throughout my Life. I'm 56 years old and a contractor who has tried pretty much every brand out there . Red wings were good back in the 80s but not no more . They would last at least 5 years before the soles or stitching started to unravel. I just purchased a pair last year 2023 and paid $400 for them 2 days ago the stitches Ontop came apart, I took them into the red wings store in my area they said I barely made it in time before my 1 year warranty expired, I told them I thought they were lifetime warranty? They said not any more. They gave me a brand new pair because it was only 11 months and they couldn't be repaired. Back in the 80s they always could be repaired even if the stitching were to unravel. They said no they use machines for everything, therefore they are not hand made from scratch like they were in the 80s. She went on to say that they are a union company as well and they are having problems keeping people aboard to work because of our lazy new generation no one wants to work. They live with mommy and daddy till they are 40 years old so the qaulity of the manufacturing is just not there anymore. I have a pair of iron age that are now 7 years old and still going strong and 1/4 of the price that you pay for red wings. You see back in the 80s people cared about there jobs, they cared about the workmanship, in 2024 the only thing the new generation cared about is being on there cell phones and social media. She ( manager ) at this store is 65 years old and been working for red wings for over 30 years she said it's the new generation that has caused red wings qaulity to fall to the curb side,
I own that exact model and I like my 875's better. Probably going to sell them along with a few other RW's I own. Good video and review//troutbumandsam ps I bought a kindle copy of your book to support ya boot addiction!
@@edrader True to the Brannock device. I'm a 10 on the Brannock (and on Red Wing's computer thingy) and that's the size I went with for the Classic Moc.
@@StrayReviews if you want to shorten this period, you have to apply some skin softener inside the toe box. Some kind of cream and the leather will form and become like a second skin
That might be. I got them at the Red Wing store and that's what they recommended. But they might not have taken into account the fact that they expand a little.
they are popular because hipsters crave "recraftable, heritage style" boots. they all say when the leather insole molds to your feet the boots will be as comfortable as slippers. but we both know that is BS, don't we 🤣
@@StrayReviews the most comfortable boots i own are belleville C320s. they are 8' and fully gusseted so NOTHING gets in them. they are my desert boots and i also use them for hiking on rough terrain
I worked at Redwings factory for 12 years, and I remember 90 % of all the employees were very proud of their labor, including me , as employees, we had good discounts, so I ended up buy one pair every month, the leather and materials are very good quality.
Wow, you must have an amazing Red Wing collection!
What kinda discount we talkin
My guess would be 40%, am I right!?
For an easy breakin, in the Army we used to wear thin dress socks under our thicker socks for a few weeks when the boots are new. The breakin will be painless and easy. I have these boots and they are fantastic, I get a lot of compliments, I like how after wearing them for about 5 months now some of the brown comes through the black since its just painted leather sort of. I like the look of it. Great video, thanks!
Thanks Eric! I get compliments when I wear mine too. Not sure why, but that actually surprised me.
Patina
Patina what?@@Toledosteve1
Dude,you’re not alone.I too love the smell of a good leather and every time I purchase a new pair of RW heritage I would take it out of the box to take a deep sniff 😂😂😂.
😂 I’m even worse with Chromexcel!
Many thanks for the review. I think you have a very friendly charisma, which makes a review like this even more fun! I bought the Moc Toes a few weeks ago (875) and only wear them with thick socks. That definitely helps. I also have the Red Wing Blacksmith (3343) and they were actually a lot heavier to wear in. But all in all, I love Red Wings! The price-performance ratio is great, they are classic, they age beautifully and they are made in the USA.
I'm looking forward to more content from you. Greetings from Germany
Thanks for that Aaron! I’m hoping to pick up a pair of Blacksmiths later this year. I tried on a pair a few months ago and really liked them. I’ve always been impressed with Red Wing. They have a great tradition of craftsmanship and materials.
I’ve had this exact model 6-8 months now. Love them
I bought my Classic Moc Toe in 2013. Wore them mostly when commuting to work by motorcycle in all elements. Sold the motorcycle but still wear mine a few days a week. They still look great. With a little care these will last forever.
At 10 years old they must feel amazing!
Avoiding painful break in is a two fold strategy. No. 1, size. Get the correct size. Know your Brannock measurements, especially “arch length”. determine how to translate Brannock sizing to whatever manufacturer your considering, then try them on ignoring where your toes fall, unless they are too short, but paying close attention to the ball of your foot in relation to the ball of the boots. That is the widest parts of your foot should match the widest parts of the boot. No. 2, condition your boots right out of the box. It will help the boot conform to your feet and who knows when that leather was last given any attention. I like a thick coat of Obenauf’s, not oil, applied, wiped off, then aggressively brushed. That’s what I’ve done for every pair, horse butt or steerhide regardless of tannage. The boots will darken, significantly depending on the leather, but will lighten up after a few days of wear and sun exposure. Though they may never return to original the benefits to break in and the leather itself are worth it.
Thanks! I'm okay with some darkening here. The boots are already black! 😀
The classic color is glowing orange stiff like a new real baseball glove and heavy in the store. Things that would make you shy away from them. These were in my mind for about two years. I was not going to get myself anything for Christmas this year. Then my wife asked. I was like well... and then we bought them. My dog wants to hug the leather smell when I take them off :) They are a break in, but you get it after a few wears. They are the real thing. The oils come to the surface and the color darkens almost immediately. The feel would be missed as working people would say when trying a lesser boot. You appreciate the sole when you step on a root, rock, or press the clutch pedal for instance. I look forward to them getting better. The do look great. I wear heavy socks with them. The green and black are very enticing colors :)
Indeed! The green ones came out after I got these. Otherwise, I probably would have picked those up instead.
Hi there, I have the Red Wing 875's and they are amazing, love the boots, but yes, be prepared for a long, hard break in period but it will be worth it. I wore mine around the inside of the house for no more than 10 minutes per day for a couple months. Even after that, the back of the boot of my left foot at the top of the boot rubbed against my leg. This went away after another month. No exaggeration about the lengthy break in time otherwise wearing them for any length of time initially will be a very painful experience.
10 minutes around the each day is a really good idea. I should have done that!
I totally agree. The break in period is brutal. It took almost a year to get them to break in and not hurt. Once broken in however they are great!
Yep, they get better every day. They get lots of wears from me these days.
Great video. Yes, I own those and several other Red Wings and some of them can be tough to break in. This peticular pair were tough but, not as tough as 875, 877 or 8111. Rough out leathers are a little less tough to break in it seems to me. But, once you do break then in they're like wearing slippers. My advice, wear them for a 2 or 3 block walk a day until they begin to give. Don't wear them longer than that because, your feet will begin to swell and they'll get tighter and tighter until you take them off. And, if the feel like they're getting to loose, try a half sole arch support. Works great and adds a bit more comfort. My 8849 are my favorite. Love how they're aging. Have a great moc toe Monday! P.S. there soles are made by Vibram.
I agree. My Iron Rangers are roughout and they were much easier to break in. I’m going to take your advice and just try to break them in little by little. Thanks!
I have a pair of the Shop Mocs in Hawthorne. I work at a hardware store, long days on concrete, but lots of kneeling down, I simply don't need the extra ankle support, it's simply a hindrance and adds a little weight as well. That is also my suggestion to the eyelet inconvenience as well, sometimes less is more. The break in is still still significant, but the leather insoles are now starting to conform to the contours of my feet and that alone makes quite a difference. The Hawthorne being a rough out leather has lots of character, the shoes seem to draw compliments, they are probably too nice for work truth be told. I'm sold pleased, I might get a pair in black, the Work Chukka interests me, though not typically my style, then again I'd have said the same regarding these not that long ago. - I will say, for anyone who spends a lot of time on concrete, these will likely e a good choice, simply be sure to get a good fit and allow for the extended break in period.
Nice. That softer wedge sole probably helps on the concrete.
@@StrayReviews No question.
I own the 877 as well as a pair of the Iron Rangers. Hands down, the 877 was one of the toughest break in periods of any boot I've owned. Granted, once they are broken in - they fit like gloves, and can can be worn for the whole day. But - in the early stages I highly recommend only wearing them for a couple of hours at a time, and conditioning a couple of times to make the leather soften up.
Nice. I'm going to have to throw them in the car and wear them for only a couple hours at a time.
OK, breakin. I’ve had the Briar Slick version since 2019…Love them so much, I’ve actually told people I want to be buried in them. That said, the first time I wore them at length was on a trip to Boston where I walked around a lot. At one point, I thought my right foot was going to explode (part of the right side of foot under pinky toe due to pressure). But between wearing, conditioning, and shoe trees, they fit perfectly after a month. I will get the version shown in this video soon, heck maybe this week, and I firmly believe in conditioning boots out of the box for breakin (only after you’ve decided to keep them of course).
The Briar Slick is a great color. These are pretty well broken in now and I love the way they fit.
I've decided to buy this pair because of your review 🍻
I’m glad I could help! I hope you really like them!
I have the 8138 Briar Oil Slick. Had them for about 5 weeks. Wear them everyday 8-10 hours a day. Break in takes months not days. I have a ways to go. My feet hurt. Some days im in so much pain I have to crawl around the office. Im contemplating amputating 2 of my toes for a better fit.
Wow! The advice I received was to wear them only 2-3 hours a day, then gradually increase.
Brutal break in. But I may have found a great way for a future pair. I used a steamer on the inside of them around the top and ankle and it helped significantly with comfort/break in.
That’s a great idea! I wish I would have thought of that.
My break in was really nice. This is also my 4 pair of heritage boots. Iron rangers are much harder to break in. I will say that I wear my boots to work and I usually buy black and soak in mink oil with a heat gun after about a week of daily wear. It helps to loosen the leather up and provides water resistance
Very nice! Mine are really growing on me.
my friend
i have the exact pair of your moc.s. i’ve owned them for 1 year now. no my friend 0 break in no to collar rubbing nothing
they get sweeter by the day
thank you for sharing
Excellent! I look forward to them softening up and getting better over time!
Just picked a pair of these up yesterday and they are flipping gorgeous!
Indeed they are!
I have had my 1907 rough and tough for about a year. Purchased to wear for everything except formal and woodland hiking. Especially needed for all day city walking on hard, flat and often wet pavement. Other boots with this quality mids and uppers and welts for sole replacement have lasted, with every other day wear, for over 30 years. I expect these to last till I'm buried in them. They are far more comfortable than anything else I have tired. The less than one week of difficult break in was a low price for the benefits and now a distant memory.
Nice! I can't wait till mine are there. This crazy heatwave has made it difficult for me to get some time in them (unless I want to wear them with shorts).
@@StrayReviews funnily enough, that's the best time to break them in. The heat makes them break in faster
@@pinchpeak5203 Great point!
Agree about the speed hooks. I have heard Red Wing will change them out for you. They may charge a fee, though. If you are handy, you may be able to do it yourself.
Nice. I'd say one or two would be perfect.
So I’ve had these for a few days now (I’ve had the briar slick version for 5-years now and love them). As indicated by the past few comments (all correct, by the way), this Prairie leather is a much tougher breakin. I wear size 10D with an insole in the Briars, but I wear no insole with these (same size). Also, I bought the Briars before I took up running, and think my feet are definitely flatter/wider now. I still think 10D was the right size for me (although I’ve gone without an insert, which Is the norm for me). The problem area is the same as my previous pair…the right side of my right foot near the pinky toe. As long as it stretches enough there, I should be fine.
I was wondering about that because it seems like people with the other leathers have easier break-ins.
The break-in was only hard with my first pair of 875 because I had them a half size too big! Have the right size, I had no problems whatsoever with either RW (I had the 875, Iron Rangers, Roughnecks, Blacksmiths).
Size definitely matters 100%.
Worst part of the break in for mine was the tongue wasn’t sewn in correctly and so it got a crease in it when I would tie it. Was super uncomfortable. I changed the lace configuration , and had to try to stick something in the gusset while tying the shoe to keep the tongue flat. It is still there, but isn’t as aggressive and doesn’t dig into the top of my foot as bad as it was before. I have a pair of 1907s that broke in really nicely. The leather on them wasn’t as stiff. I think it has something to do with the coloring and waxing of the leather on the 8849s.
Oh, that would be so uncomfortable. I'm glad that tongue softened up a bit.
The break in was brutal. My advice is to buy a pair of Red Wing socks that are nice and thick and protect you from the blisters of the break in. I do LOVE mine once they got broken in. I can now wear them for 12 hours.
Nice! It’s almost the time of year when I can really get some time in these.
I like your content man. Keep it up. I'm wearing some Thorogood moc toes. Bought for work as they're steel toed. Now I'm looking at the RW's as my casual boots.
Thanks! I’ve heard good things about the Thorogoofs.
Speed hooks are a huge miss by Red Wing, I had my pair ordered from Red Wing with speed hooks for the top 3 eyelets, a must in my book, no pun intended.
Break in is a rite of passage, lace them a little loose for a few weeks and then you"ll be good to go
They’re much better now. Great idea having Red Wing install speed hooks!
I recently got the black prairie 8849 from my local red wing store. It’s been a year since I got my iron ranger 8111 and decided to get a moc toe to compliment the IR since the moc and the IR is red wing most known boots. I tried to wear these semi daily as I did with my IR to break in sooner. Idk if I need separate insoles as my IR did but I’ll give it a month or 2 to see. I also agree with slight hardship of taking them off, I tried to do the bean boot knot on them to see that help but didn’t make a difference. So far the break in is not bad as the IR but still tough.
Now that the weather is cooling off, I'll be able to break them in much quicker. Can't wait!
padded socks are the only way to go when breaking in redwings, it really helps with the collar
Definitely!👍
Great Review, really helped to make my decision to buy. The break in is something I expect. I watched my girl break in her doc martins and hate the process. She almost returned them for being so uncomfortable. She stuck with it. I have had leather boots before so I know what I am in for.
Thanks! Now that these are broken in for me, I've really grown to like them a lot more, and wear them more often.
Great to here. Have a sub for being an awesome reviewer and engaged. @@StrayReviews
@@Nilessterner Thanks Niles!
Actually found the break in to be relatively simple and painless. I suggest thick socks and don’t make them too tight at the very top. Also worth noting that the leathers are not the same for softness, the Briar Oil Slick of my Roughneck boots being much softer than the Black Prairie. In a couple months, the leather insoles and cork really form to your feet and then the magic happens. For insoles, I’d only recommend if they are too roomy, and in that case, get the leather Red Wing ones or the thinnest ones from the Red Wing store.
Thanks for that, Bradley. I'm definitely looking forward to some of that magic as soon as the weather cools a bit here.
My break in wasn’t bad either. I wore them over 10 hours the first day. Maybe it’s 30 years of ice hockey barefooted.
In my experience, the black prairie moc toes are a little bit harder to break in than any other Red Wing moc toes. I notice that the black coating on top of the leather makes it less flexible and conforming than other leathers that are just tanned. With more wear, that black coating eventually wears away and the boot becomes more comfortable, but it will take some time to get there.
Thanks! That makes a lot of sense.
Is the prairie leather similar to a teacore?
@@Bayou987 The Black Prairie is an oil-tanned leather, and teacore is usually veg-tanned. They might age a bit the same though since the black is basically painted on.
@@Bayou987 What @StrayReviews said. You will get that tea-core effect with wear when the black wears off and the brown leather underneath begins to poke through. It looks really cool, but takes some time to get there.
@@uncannyfoxHi there, I personally love the all black style. Can the color be restored by a shoe cobbler when this happens?
I have the 9060 with the black klondike leather. the leather on these look similar. I had the same ancle problem on the 9060. I think it has to do with how hard the leather is. I just got the roughout 8208 moc. they are comfortable from the get-go. So the leather makes a very big difference.
Absolutely! The leather makes a huge difference.
Good review. I have the 10875 for work. Going to buy 877 and wear them and eventually use for work. I’m getting the black prairie blacksmiths and I also want these black Mocs in your video. As well ass the oro chukkas! I’m also a huge fan of fantasy so I’ll be checking out your books! Cheers!
Thanks so much! I’ve got my eye on a pair of Blacksmiths too. Great stuff!
Sometimes I wonder if the insane break ins of Red Wing boots are the result of bad sizing recommendations
I hear that a lot. I do prefer a roomier fit. In this case, it was that rolled collar rubbing against my leg all day. Painful.
@@StrayReviews i don't use the top hole on my RW moc toes and i don't need to unlace any further to slip my boots on
@@edrader I'm going to give that a shot.
Great video very well thought out and entertaining. Just wanted to share some encouragement about the break in stick with them eventually they will get soft. I have owned 2 pair of 10877. I know there not exactly the same but I believe they are built the same. I’m currently working on breaking in my second pair. It takes time. I felt like on my first pair they really were not broke in fully until it was time for the first resole. But once they are broke in it is like having a leather sock that just feels awesome to put on.
Wow! I can't wait until mine feel like that!
I own this model including 3 other pairs of red wing. These have by far been the worst break-in I've ever tried. If you decide to buy this pair, I would strongly recommend that you go to a red wing store and get your feed measured. In sneakers I'm a size 11 in red wing a size 10. I bought these at Brund store in Copenhagen who did not have a measuring device. The clerk was also a size 11 in sneakers and for him size 10,5 worked, so that's what he told me to get. Many agonizing wears later, I figured out I got the wrong size when I finally visited a red wing store in Berlin and had my feet measured. I now wear them with double socks, and it works somewhat. Moral of the story, make sure you go to a retailer who knows what they are doing and measures your feet. This goes for all boots. Getting the size right is so important. I got all my other Red Wings in size 10, and they are so much better.
So true! Getting the right size makes all the difference.
I never get the speed hooks thing. You can pretty much loosen the laces without taking them out of the holes. To me the speed hooks are slower and a pain because I miss em or skip them half the time when I’m in a hurry. 🤷♂️
Makes sense. I have a pair of Danners that have small speed hooks, and I'm always skipping one by accident.
I have a pair, about 10 years old……I love them, but they’re heavy. They look cool, but they’re not comfortable. If you want that, buy a pair of ecco
Mine are getting more comfortable with each wear but, you are right, they're heavy.
Great, honest review!
Thanks so much!
You can wear these all year round. Wear socks like the Dickies sweat-wicking socks and you'll be fine. I disagree with a tough break-in. This is the second pair of heritage mic toes I've owned by Red Wing.
Nice! I'll have to check those socks out.
rough and touch Blacksmith breaking perios 9 to 12 months as I was getting frustrated. Thez were OK after a zear . But thez reallz shine after 3 years. I would take them for a trip around the world now . I am on mz first week of breaking moctoe Black Prerrie , I feel it will not take so long this time . wish me luck
Good luck! Mine feel much better now.
I have a pair of iron Rangers, and three pairs of Jim Green Boots, and while I wear them for different reasons, I have found that the Red Wings are an easier break in. Another great review, I really appreciate what you’re doing and your perspective
Thanks Justin!
do you own JIM Green Rangers? how are they to break in?
@@edrader I don't have those but I've considered picking up a pair. I hear good things about them.
@@edrader no sorry, I own two pair of razor backs and I tested a pair they’re planning on introducing to the American market soon. The break in for all was tough, the midsole is stiff and all of mine are “double lasted” which basically means they have really thick lining leather. Now that they’re broken in I love them all. All that being said the rangers don’t have a lining leather and they have a softer outsole than mine. I’d imagine that the rangers may be Jim Green’s easiest break in. I want a pair and when I get them I’ll let you know then 😉
that rolled collar doesn't break in! 5 years in it still hurt
Wow! Are they Black Prairie leather?
I think it's funny to talk about a tough break in, my 877s felt like slippers during the break in compared to my Nicks Rangers and Hotshots.
Also, the Red Wing store put speed hooks on my boots when I bought them. Great service!
I didn’t know that could be done at the store. That’s great service!
I just replaced a pair I owned for a dozen years and resoled at least five or six times. The leather of my original pair was just starting to give out after more than a decade of wear.
Wow, you must have worn them just about every day!
@@StrayReviews I'm a big guy. I'm sure my weight added to the wear and tear.
Look any good pair of leather boots is going to have a break-in. I have 1907's about 10 years now. Love them. Yea they took a while to break in. You where them for about 3 hours a day till broken in. Nuff said.
Rich K.
Those 1907s must be amazing by now!
Absolutely worth the money 😊
For sure!
Classic Moc breakin 101. (or any full leather boot/shoe)
1. Do not lace them all the way up.. Notice how short those laces are.. Skip the top eyelets.... I actually tie knots in the end of my laces and have plenty of room to get them on and off. If your foot is too fat, skip the top 2. Once it's broken in, lace it all the way.
2. Everything in moderation, don't be a hero. Start with 2 hours max. If there is pain/discomfort stop, change shoes.
3. Stay away from all the gimmicks/shoe trees anything designed to "shape" your boots. You want it foot shaped.... Your foot.
4. Be patient.
And for the record the leather these boots are made out of is extremely tough and dry. Of the 7 different leathers in this line it's probably the most stiff.
Thanks for that! Makes tons of sense.
Worth every penny or dollar maybe it’s just me but I’ve enjoyed breaking my pairs in…..
And they are as cool as f###
I just wore these yesterday. Now that they’re broken in, I love ‘em. They always get compliments too.
I need to know what kind of jeans you were wearing when you had the boots on outside…
That's an old pair of Flint and Tinders from back in the day when they were using Cone Mills denim, and making them in the U.S..
I love my mocs! Break in was tougher than my iron rangers, but they’re great now 👍
Nice! I’m looking forward to getting there.
how many mile would you say it took, to break them in? thanks
@@BigBobbyBoLo miles is tough to say, probably about 6 months of wear (3-4 days a week)
red wing actually is one of the easier ones to break-in for me, those real work boots took double or triple the time.
The Iron Rangers actually felt fine on me right away. These classic mocs though...
My local RWS installed spread hooks to my pair
I didn't realize the store did that. Nice!
Im sorry to say that the computer image of my feet was complete wrong it measured my feet at 10.5 d left and my right 10 d WRONG after hurting my feet for years I talked to a cobbler and we measure with bannocks device and tape measure and found my feet at 9.5 ee When I order a pair of Redwing Moc steal toe I order a pair 9.5 EE and my feet LOVED it I will never have them try to to tell me the size again and listen to them I have plantar fasciitis now from all the heal slips and discomfort !
Wow! I'm glad you found the right size!
I love my moc toes, by far my favorite red wings I own. I have it the Heritage 1907s. I’ve had them resoled twice since owning them and the upper just keeps getting better with age!
Wow, you must have had those things forever!
@@StrayReviews Yes I have! And yes took a bit of a break in time, and I felt the same for my Iron Rangers. However, once those Moc Toes had their break-in they are suuuuper comfy now. Id say for me my pair of Red Wings that had like no break in time are my pair of Weekender Chukkas.
@@TravisGoodman I've had my eye on a pair of those Weekenders. They look so nice!
@@StrayReviews I dig em esp for summer months! Honestly really comfy, leather is softer more supple out of the box. I got mine on a sale through Nordstrom, in fact it was a special Nordstrom exclusive colorway, its like a dark shadow grey.
@@TravisGoodman Nice!
1st day breaking in my mocs.. blister on both of my heels😂
I feel that pain! It gets better.
@@StrayReviews haha yes they’re already starting to feel much better!
I’ve always wondered in overall what brand is more popular worldwide Timberland or red wing
Great question!
Honestly I don’t get how people need to break in any kind of boot. I bought this pair a few months ago. Wore them to work and had no issues. Maybe my feet got use to it but idk I think people that don’t use boots to work have weak feet
These didn't hurt my feet. It was the collar rubbing against my leg above the ankle that hurt. Maybe I have baby skin there. 😂
Haha ya the top part hurt so much i put paper towel in my sock till they finally didjt hurt no more
Great idea! I wore thick wool socks for a while until they broke in.
Would you say after breaking it becomes more comfortable than normal shoes? Im hoping to daily the 8849
It depends on the shoes. But, they're definitely more comfortable than some of the other heritage boots I own. I think that the sole really lends to this. Also, there's a little extra room if I want to throw a thin footbed in there for more comfort.
Do you have any recommendations for a heritage style boot that is actually squishy comfortable underfoot? Something that is meant to be worn with an actual insert, not leather but like dual density foam inserts. Imo something like Thorogood is way, way more comfortable underfoot squish wise but they are too narrow for me even in wide sizes (mine live in the mudroom, lol). I got Thursday because reviewers sold the idea that the poron would make them feel more sneaker like and I think people who say this only wear boots, lol.
Just to give an idea of what I have tried I have RW Iron Rangers and 10875s. Also Thursday President (these are super hard underfoot) and Diplomats, which are new but more comfortable out of the box than the Presidents are even after being broken in. Thorogoods, which would be perfect if they still made a 4E. Of them the 10875s have the best feel underfoot imo.
Or is standing 8 hours a day (classroom) in heritage boots just outside of my reach?
Great question. The closest thing I can think of would be the new Nomad Gen 2 by Dievier. I just picked up a pair and they're pretty squishy. They also have a removable footbed so you can put your favorite one in there if you want. Here's a link if you want to take a look dievierofficial.com/products/nomad-cognac-suede
I wore all the tread off the front 2/3 of the soles in 10 months. Wish were made out of a sturdier material.
Yes, if I could make one change it would be to replace the crepe soul with a Vibram rubber Traction Tread.
What motivated you to choose the black prairie over the other leather options?
I actually didn’t own any black boots so I figured I’d get the Black Prairie.
Great Review.
Thanks Peter!
Get ya some Red Wing Iron Rangers. The Thorogood Moc Toe is better than the RD Moc Toes.
I haven't tried the Thorogoods but I own some Iron Rangers, and they were a much easier break-in.
Red wings are no longer the qaulity they once were. There is no lifetime warranty on them anymore. Now there is only a year warranty, if anything happens after a year your paying for shipping and whatever cost they decided they want to charge you. Also people don't realize it but they are not solely made in USA anymore most are made over seas. I have owned at least 11 red wings boots throughout my Life. I'm 56 years old and a contractor who has tried pretty much every brand out there . Red wings were good back in the 80s but not no more . They would last at least 5 years before the soles or stitching started to unravel. I just purchased a pair last year 2023 and paid $400 for them 2 days ago the stitches Ontop came apart, I took them into the red wings store in my area they said I barely made it in time before my 1 year warranty expired, I told them I thought they were lifetime warranty? They said not any more. They gave me a brand new pair because it was only 11 months and they couldn't be repaired. Back in the 80s they always could be repaired even if the stitching were to unravel. They said no they use machines for everything, therefore they are not hand made from scratch like they were in the 80s. She went on to say that they are a union company as well and they are having problems keeping people aboard to work because of our lazy new generation no one wants to work. They live with mommy and daddy till they are 40 years old so the qaulity of the manufacturing is just not there anymore. I have a pair of iron age that are now 7 years old and still going strong and 1/4 of the price that you pay for red wings. You see back in the 80s people cared about there jobs, they cared about the workmanship, in 2024 the only thing the new generation cared about is being on there cell phones and social media. She ( manager ) at this store is 65 years old and been working for red wings for over 30 years she said it's the new generation that has caused red wings qaulity to fall to the curb side,
Wow, so disappointing. I didn't realize they scaled back their warrantee like that.
I own that exact model and I like my 875's better. Probably going to sell them along with a few other RW's I own. Good video and review//troutbumandsam ps I bought a kindle copy of your book to support ya boot addiction!
Thanks so much! The addiction is real!
This vs the Brass Boots?
Both great boots but very different from each other. I did a comparison in this video
ua-cam.com/video/hqY18YcpGPs/v-deo.html
i don't know what "true to size" means. all my boots are a half size smaller than my sneaker size
I'm somewhere in the middle with that. Some of my boots are the same as my sneaker size but most are a half size down.
@@StrayReviews so what do you mean by "true to size"? same as sneaker?
@@edrader True to the Brannock device. I'm a 10 on the Brannock (and on Red Wing's computer thingy) and that's the size I went with for the Classic Moc.
These boots are made to wear them with thick socks ONLY. They have NO cushioning. Merino wool combined with some elastic materials, but never COTTON
That was especially true for me during the first 6 months. They’re much better now that they’re broken in.
@@StrayReviews if you want to shorten this period, you have to apply some skin softener inside the toe box. Some kind of cream and the leather will form and become like a second skin
@@teopetrov9668 Nice. The toughest spot for me was the collar. Maybe because it was a stiffer rolled collar?
@@StrayReviews the thick socks should prevent this. Never had a problem with the boots
@@teopetrov9668 Great! Thanks!
Keep it smelling better on the inside with some Red Wing merino wool socks! You’ll thank me later.
Nice! Thanks for the tip!
They run big
Now that mine are broken in, they are pretty roomy.
Who cares about “break-in” we only care about a great fit!!! And next we care about how durable and of course looks!
Well these are definitely durable and look great in my opinion.
They're like walking on two-by-fours😩
😂
I think you bought 1/2 size too big.
That might be. I got them at the Red Wing store and that's what they recommended. But they might not have taken into account the fact that they expand a little.
@@StrayReviews plus the issue of painful rubbing against ankle… Nevertheless, I agree, the break in is a challenge!
they are popular because hipsters crave "recraftable, heritage style" boots. they all say when the leather insole molds to your feet the boots will be as comfortable as slippers. but we both know that is BS, don't we 🤣
If only. I've never had a pair of boots that felt as good as some nice slippers.
@@StrayReviews the most comfortable boots i own are belleville C320s. they are 8' and fully gusseted so NOTHING gets in them. they are my desert boots and i also use them for hiking on rough terrain
@@edrader Had to look those up. They look BA!
If the soles were black it would look a lot better .
That would be sweet!
You need to wear higher socks when wearing boots my friend, your no-shows aren’t gonna cut it 😂
😂 I can't wear no-shows with jeans. For some reason I've gotta have those ankles covered. 🧦
you need good wool socks and don't over tighten the laces.
Yes, when I switched to thicker wool socks, it was much better.
3:20 Some people have no taste or sense of style. Who cares what they think?
Truth! 👍
Weebrem? 😂
stop saying thick man
😅
Hideous boots
😅
What a sisy.
I’m a tenderfoot! 🦶