Red Wing Prototype / Test Boots Are Refurbished to Their Original Look

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Galatians 6:9
This is a pair of Red Wing "test" boots that were mailed to us from a customer. Red Wing sent this pair of prototypes to him to test out and get his opinion. After 15 years of heavy wear, he mailed these Red Wing's to us to be refurbished. We cleaned off the leather, resoled them with Vibram soles and set out to get them back to their original look. What say you? Do you like the look of these wingtip Red Wing boots, or do you prefer the classic look of the Red Wing Iron Rangers?
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Video edited by: Ashley Saldanha

[@kristavthatsme3178]

I actually like the wing tip. It's unconventional for a work boot and that's why I like them. 🙂 They definitely loòk better in brown. Great job always, guys! 👍🏾

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you!

[@johnroberts1347]

Friend of mine used to make up prototype boots for Clarke's,to see if they were going to market them.He wore trainers all the time,made these boots in 9 wide, I'm 9 wide, funny that😁.Had a pair of suede desert boots that lasted 18 years with regular use. Prototypes are made so much better than marketed ones.These were built like a tank.

[@PhotonHerald]

It's nice seeing rare stuff like this. Rare boots, test pairs, etc. Sure, there's lots of Iron Rangers out there. But seeing special stuff like this is a treat. Thanks for showing it to us.

[@darrinwagoner3025]

Oh hell yes I would wear those! I truly believe that if Red Wing put them in to production they would sell pretty well.

[@kevinstewart4579]

Watching these longer videos makes me realise just how labour - intensive your work is, and how much effort you guys put in.... Masterful work as always, guys!

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you so much!

[@stintegra96]

Seriously I can’t understand how any human can put a thumbs down on your videos! You two are passionate about your job, it’s your calling! You guys have kind souls and anyone with any emotional intelligence would see you two put your heart into ever shoe! Keep up the good work! And screw anybody who puts a thumbs down on your videos!

[@zakugodofwar1005]

maybe the product manager from Red Wing disliked it , others no reasons at all 😂

[@pittschapelfarm2844]

I come from a long family line of buying cheap shoes. My mom wouldn't even buy a shoe unless it was on sale at payless. So these boots look magnificent to me - especially as a work boot. You guys did brilliant work and totally resurrected a classic look.

[@steveeab2364]

My childhood into my teenage years was filled with nothing but Payless shoes. I ended up recently buying some Nicks boots and Whites mock toes never having spent anywhere near that for footwear.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much!

[@garssympa500]

I would tell the manufacturer to relaunch the boot today but market to a young demographic that is looking for a dressier boot for going out. Those boots would look great with a dressy pair of jeans or chinos... but they might look a little too fancy for heavy construction work. Loved the video, guys... as always!

[@markarrington4044]

i'm hardly young, but i have a pair i wear exactly that way. i think they were called the "brogue ranger" in production.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much!

[@VictorDude98]

I agree with the relaunching but I'd say that 99.99% of young people don't go out in boots and dressy jeans/chinos

[@johnnyfnhammersticks]

The finished product is beautiful, really surprised you're able to get the color looking so good again. I'm jealous.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you!

[@URprollyrite]

I’ve been a furniture builder and restorer most of my life. Watching you guys repair, restore these great shoes is very rewarding to watch.

[@siguureinartraustason8564]

When I watch your videos I remember how lucky I am to have a good cobbler that properly resoles shoes. I know a few people that tell me I pay my cobbler way too much for a resole but I think my cobbler is fair. I think they don't have a clue how much work goes into a proper resole. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much!

[@bean97tr]

I work for red wing and this looks like it would have been a prototype for the brogue ranger. Very similar to the iron ranger

[@aarongustafson3630]

Similar, The heel is the Iron ranger. The toe cap is very different.

[@joaquin-jacknava2696]

It’s pretty cool that he owns a pair of Red Wing one of a kind protocol. I like the new Ranger style of boot myself. Great job gentlemen on the new resole. Have a blessed weekend gentlemen.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you! You as well.

[@suedfrucht44]

Coming from some long hours of clearing cellars in western germany flood zones, this upload was exactly what i needed. Thank you so much, it is excellent - as always 👍

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you and thank you for what you’re doing! We lived in Geilenkirchen for fours years. It is our adopted home. Terrible what’s happened, but all of our German friends are ok. God bless!

[@johnready630]

I'm hoping the flooding in Germany ends soon and life gets back to normal for you. I lived in Soest from 1965-68. All the best.

[@tommoxjr]

My Grandmother lived in Ahrweiler. I’m almost glad she’s not around to see what happened to the beautiful Ahrtal. Thank you for your work.

[@johncahill612]

Why in the world would you put black polish on a beautiful brown boot?!?

[@TrentonHeath]

We’re fans of the brown too. 👍

[@xDarthRio]

My thoughts exactly!

[@arthurdoctolero8813]

Could be a requirement of the owner's previous job.

[@StolenAlias]

“$300 is too much for a shoe” this dude has had these for 15 years and no resoles.

[@NobodyWhatsoever]

That's the sort of mindset I've been trying to get over. I'm about to get my first pair of decent boots, and I'm wanting to save up for a good pair of work boots as well when my current pair wears out.

[@StolenAlias]

@@NobodyWhatsoever sir, I promise you, i swear on my life. You will not regret it. I recommend Nick’s if you want the absolute best work boots.

[@TheNunakun]

I've already gonr through 2 mediocre boota at $150ish each. They did the job, but they were low quality and did not enjoy wearing them one bit. Save up and get the best pair for the job. No regrets. I don't do heavy work, but my next pair will be something like Nick's (they may be tooooo heavy duty though)

[@torkrench]

Amazing ain't?

[@csbeverly1]

Nicks and whites baby. They will live longer than you if you treat them well.

[@Connor_Roush]

Hey, I really think you should start making your own brand of shoes.

[@MandoAndo]

Agreed!

[@TrentonHeath]

We “may” have something in the works with another brand. Stay tuned.

[@solaireoffl4243]

Bro I'm sorry but most on the time to get into the boot manufacturing business you need a lot of people and a lot of equipment unless you're doing made to order, custom boots or shoes but then you'll pay an arm and a leg for them

[@MandoAndo]

@@solaireoffl4243 You’re not wrong. However, they already have the sandal operation going. I understand, totally different animals, but still. I wouldn’t be surprised if sometime down the road we see them do a limited release of their own. I think, the most likely thing would be for them to do a collab with a company like Rose Anvil did with Whites.

[@williamlinville2559]

Rose Anvil did a collab with Nicks not Whites

[@bL3dbL4k]

I liked them much more BEFORE. I prefer the rugged/grunge look. The patina on the eyelets and the worn look through the black polish. Extremely rare to see Rangers look like that. If they were mine, I would have just had them resoled. But to each their own!

[@matzbol4812]

Love your repair videos and especially this one. I bought my iron rangers a couple years ago after wearing down quite a number of boots beyond repair. Feels good to see that excellent craftsmanship can keep these boots alive for many years. Makes the price tag a bit less painful...

[@peterlittlewood8827]

Love seeing unique redwings, I have a couple brogue rangers 8126 & 8128 which are kind of similar in some ways. Would like to see you guys do more unique boots like this.

[@tonydarby9096]

Great therapeutic video. I am about to purchase my first pair of Iron Rangers, but if this style were available I would go for it.

[@MadArmyVet]

I really love the new and old combo of the brass. With the age of the leather and the new brass makes it that hip style that’s in fashion. Keep up the wonderful work! Really enjoy y’all’s videos each week!

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@razrazraz476]

I had a pair of these,beckman wingtip I think they were called. they ended up being slightly too tight 😑 so I let them go to a new home.. Great to see a prototype of them, thanks for the video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jimhuskins8506]

The way to remove the speed hooks is to drill them. Start with a bit smaller than needed, and move up a step at a time until the bit cuts most of the inside ring. Hold the hook with pliers while you drill.

[@kevincarter1203]

Great looking boot. I would've liked the extra leather around the heel to help with abrasions. Hopefully, he doesn't coat them with black polish in the future.

[@williammarshall468]

I'm a sucker for wingtips so I definitely would have worn those.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

And taken better care of them I’m sure.

[@sisleymichael]

I love your Dremel scoring tool for the stitch line. Nice!

[@1990westfalia]

I’m new to your channel and enjoy seeing what makes boots/ shoes that we wear everyday and how you save those that might have been thrown out before. Your channel is actually helping other cobblers and craftsmen, as you’re making us think of stop making this a throw-away life style, but saving those well manufactured items. Skillet from Minnesota

[@TylerSnyder305]

I think these look much nicer than the iron ranger.

[@pixxburgh420]

You would fukn say that

[@TylerSnyder305]

@@pixxburgh420 why not ?

[@Wapaz]

The final look with the restored brown, dark patina, and light stitching looks really great.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you!

[@Splicer1970]

Something very satisfying about watching these videos...

[@hardline5889]

Love me some cork and hot iron action!!!

[@IamNotANumber]

Same.

[@derekgarbellini9850]

I very much like the look of the wing tip on the boots.

[@danjoe22]

I watch a lot of shoe repair videos. The best ones are on topics that I have not seen before. This was one of those. A refurbishment of a prototype boot that was never put into production. They are now one of a kind and you guys did it. Keep up the good work.

[@jonboy8181]

Nice job! Why am I thinking they did make these for a little while, i remember seeing them on line and thinking those two styles didn’t work together. I think they were black though, with shinny leather. I like the brown much better.

[@tonyricketts5569]

I never knew those speed hooks could be replaced. Awesome rebuild.

[@Carmastrong855]

I am a hairdresser from Houston, TX. I love yall's videos! Your hair is excellent. The grey pattern is fantastic. I am 51 so I know something about salt and pepper.

[@ptbfrch]

Damn, those are good looking boots.

[@IamNotANumber]

Superb. I honestly have so much admiration for the skill and knowledge that goes into your work.

[@tplambert]

This is super interesting! My take on those red wings are: it looks like redwing were having a look at loakes style boots, with the ruggedness of an iron ranger. Thankfully it hasn’t reached production, but nonetheless what an awesome boot to own and wear! Regardless of if it looks a little Frankensteiny, this is an awesome boot. What a pleasure the guy must have to own them!

[@mikezeke7041]

Love the classic vibram v-bar

[@josevillanueva5823]

Really appreciated you guys taking the time to film the process of restoring these unique Redwing boots and giving the backstory. Thanks again and keep making awesome videos.

[@jonkomatsu8192]

My first reaction to seeing all that icky black polish: "Wha-huh-uuuut?! Ugh!" Man. But "wingtip" Iron Rangers--what a great find! And Hot Cork! Nothing more need be said. Another great job, gentlemen. Happy weekend to you and all, mahalo! 🤙🥾

[@RadDadisRad]

Would’ve definitely been an interesting boot if it was a two tone black and brown.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much!

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

They look beautiful. I can't wait till my redwings wear out so I can send them to you guys.

[@Hdhakdhdj]

Amaaaaazing job! better than new! Also guys, i want to buy sandals from you but as a male i find the loop in the toe very uncomfortable. Please release a different model for guys! Pleeeaseee!!

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you very much. You never know what be coming out!

[@Hdhakdhdj]

@@TrentonHeath HYPED!

[@imtheweekendwarrior5205]

I would rock those wing tips ! I have iron rangers in black and brown. I love them. I ride my motorcycle to work and I don’t change my boots. They work great

[@pedrolanevert]

gorgeous! the original brown is perfect and the tap toe brings a nice elegance to these big shoes! what I would criticize the Red Wing is their leather not very flexible even if it is what makes the solidity!…

[@tomscott4723]

Red Wing should have picked up the tab on this one with a 15 year old pair of boots still working! Nice work :)

[@johnmilkent9488]

I would buy that version in a minute in my day! I think its a good looking boot. But you know how guys are in the trades. They are always looking for something to pick at. Myself included in my day in the field but it was the kind of thing that breaks the day up. Thanks for the great content guys, please keep it coming!

[@jeraldheinrich3589]

Just bought some Red Wing 8" Mesabis with steel toe. You guys did great job on reconditioning boots, very informative.

[@lawsonfan5797]

I believe you could do a Cork Compilation vid and have it be one of your top viewed.

[@djcharforce]

I love your repair shoes shows. I am completely astounded! I want to see more of your repair shoes shows. It's very gratifying! Thank you for making my well being just better. Your extremely positive. ❤️💯👍😃

[@alx252]

Acetone is not making oil magically disappear. It just delutes it. you have to wipe the acetone with the deluted oil off, of the sole

[@AudioFileZ]

Fantastic job as usual. Very interesting story. I have been repairing and selling Red Wings since 1976. Red Wing dealers with shoe repair facilities can buy Red Wing branded soles and heels which is nice. To my knowledge RW no longer produces boots with their original Red Wing branded NeoCork (neoprene rubber with cork) sole as was on this prototype boot. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure the NeoCork is gone like the the wind. I sold a bunch of Red Wing #1177 slip-on PECOS (their name for western inspired slip-ons) boots with the very sole and heel that I see on the prototype boot. If I am not mistaken Vulcan made both Red Wing version and their own NeoCork soles in Clarksville, TN which was Vulcan's last remaining plant (closed in or around 2018). The sole you and your customer selected by Vibram is slightly thinner and much more flexible. It, as most Vibram soles, will wear extremely tough while being likely more comfortable than the original due to the increased flexibility. Again, nice video. I think you guys may just be part of the solution to get younger people once more aware and interested in shoe repairing which might help the USA bring back more quality made here footwear to the market. Well made footwear is a high-art worth paying for. The client said he had these 15-years and actually they looked like they might only need a heel and some TLC to go another 15. Keep up the good work.

[@danielsalm6410]

Wow! Great job guys! The boots look spectacular! I do actually like that wingtip cap very much. It would be neat if Redwing introduced both styles.

[@seanmccauley1446]

This has become my recent obsession watching these videos. It’s analogous to rebuilding a car and commenting on how it was engineered , good and bad.

[@michaelhuggins4595]

Nice save gentlemen. I would wear that style, but I'm sure cost of production vs. price point is why Red Wing opted to go with the current style.

[@TrentonHeath]

Thank you!

[@kevinmangan7124]

We need more airtime with the Landis stitching machine I Love that sound for some reason.

[@benblakemore4195]

Man trent and heath is the best!! Sunday morning breakfast content, the sun streaming in, toast steaming, coffee hot ant trent and heath restoreing some cool redwings!! 😆😆😆 kind regards ben from NZ

[@sbc_specter]

Red Wing did sell Brogue Rangers in Amsterdam about 5-6 years back, they did look a little different though.

[@meowwl]

I liked the look of the wingtip, but could see how it would cause issues, in a boot that was made for working and hiking, more than fanciness...The ornamentation would snag on things, for starters, and would make it harder to clean them. The heel part actually seems like it might be a bit sturdier construction, but would be more difficult to sew symmetrically.

[@robertcolfack26]

You did a great job restoring those boots I wouldn't change a thing I would be proud wearing them.....

[@robg836]

I love your guys videos but I wish ya'll showed more of the finished product. Can we get like a solid 30 seconds of you just showing the finished boot/shoe off at the end of the video and not switch off between different angles, and different shots back and forth of you in the camera and then the boot please?

[@flatmoon6359]

I used to used Perklone dry cleaning solvent in past,to remove wax and polish,off old boots,worked really well,only used if very poor condition,be ready with something to re moisturizer quickly.I think it's banned in U.S now.

[@margueritejourdan]

Well done guys, very professional, as usual. Always looking forward to new repair videos, pleasure to watch!

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day and greetings from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺 you can certainly tell that talented and professional craftsmen such as yourselves have restored these boots compared when you got them in they now look terrific. I never miss your videos and I'm glad that I subscribed it showed me how shoes and boots are repaired and the names of the different pieces of the boots. Thank you for the good filming and explanations of what you are doing.......kind regards John

[@albrechtbeck445]

It´s nice to hear that you lived in Germany. I hope you liked and enjoyed it. And i´m very impressed about your skills and i love your channel. Your doing very professional work. Greetings from Germany.

[@TimothyHigdonHiggs]

Thanks for showing it to us.

[@learning6253]

I always enjoy the way y'all show attention to detail. Ultimate craftsmanship!

[@roynajecki1100]

The D.B. Gurney nail source you mentioned has an interesting factory in Whitman, Mass. Since I'm only an hour away I go there to buy my shoe nails, especially hobnails. About 30 years ago David Gurney let me wander through the mostly vacant or idle factory to pick through old wooden boxes to find the 'old stock' no longer in production. Though some of their machinery has electric motors a lot of it was powered via wide leather belts running from the overhead drive shafts that ran the length of the factory. I didn't see it but I presume those shafts were once powered by a steam engine behind the mill, now there must be a large electric motor in it's place. Sadly most of the factory is quiet as most of the shoe factories in New England have closed, thus domestic demand for much of what they made has disappeared. Anyway, stepping into their factory is like travelling back to 1900.

[@jpoonyo6910]

Great video as usual! I still like the cap toe original red wing.

[@dustmonkey1973]

Will definitely reach out to you guys when I need a resole on my Redwings.

[@ChrisLascari]

I couldn't imagine skipping over the I tro and missing the backstory, ever. That makes the whole video complete

[@dilbertdoefanboy5084]

Wing tip redwings is a trip. The cap toe is so iconic. Would be a fun special limited run but doubt it would do well if it was in the produxt line

[@abadjoseph]

+1 for closed captions, if it isn’t too much to ask! I’d love to be tuning in with mixed company on public transportation, without my soundbuds in my ears! (Although everyone SHOULD hear about this stuff!) Cheers!

[@chrisbreidenbaugh3697]

Except for hunting, Red Wing 2406 is my go-to boot. Been wearing them for years (on at least my 5th pair). The wing tip doesn't really do anything for me on this type of boot.

[@par3caddy]

Yes guys! I truly did not like the first impression..they looked a bit funky bulbous toe etc.,,but after the re-color and re-build The final product look absolutely killer! I was impressed with the final color mix w the laces ,eyelets etcThese look like a good work companion for years. Gr8 work. Graham Greene -The Tenth Man (novel)

[@bobshore9529]

Yes, I would buy a pair like that if it was in production. It seems to give an extra layer of leather and protection along the sides . I would want a midsole as well. Looks great!

[@bldlightpainting]

Beautiful job as usual guys. Thanks for sharing your God-given talent and keeping alive the old high-quality way of shoe repair.

[@billystpaul8907]

I would of wore those boots. Something different from RW. Another very good video as always. I am always amazed when a ratty old pair of boots are transformed almost back to new. And, taking time to do things right is one reason why you both have a successful business and a lot of followers...

[@ryandtheguys1781]

my favorite part is the heat stick with the cork

[@tracyprouty4491]

I have a couple pairs of Iron Rangers. I personally would love a pair in this style. I think the wing tip action classes them up a little. That along with perhaps an upgrade in leather? Would be a killer boot!

[@handybunny]

I love this version of the toe cap! Very cool!

[@465maltbie]

Nice looking boots, thanks for sharing. Charles

[@InGrindWeCrust2010]

I have 3 pairs of wingtip boots and I love my Iron Rangers, so I loved these. Beautiful work as always.

[@brianeharmonjr]

Seen the brogue Iron Rangers, but never wing-tips. Wish they would put these into production, though I wonder if the extra layer of leather running up the side of the toe area would have made for a tougher break-in. Phenomenal job, as always, on these.

[@aarongustafson3630]

Yep. It was nearly a year before they broke. I stood in a puddle of water for a day and then they started to give.

[@xilio2622]

22:00 talkin about getting down to brass tacks lol

[@expatmoose]

So pleased to hear “ladies and gents” that you don’t assume only gents watch, thank you Now back to viewing, just know this is gone be good 👍🏻

[@davidtomlin9503]

Now I feel relaxed for the weekend

[@JM-wy6sq]

The corking is my favorite part!

[@BATman-we4uo]

After repair they are looks more better Well done 👍

[@selenap7339]

Love the longer video. Always so interesting to see all the work.

[@jarodstolz6282]

Shoe restoration! I have a pair of Bedstu Burst boots that’s I’ve owned for 6 years and are my absolute go to shoe in the fall spring and winter. Going through your channel this weekend I’ve not seen you do a pair of bedstu’s. I loved them so much and figured they’d wear out that even though they’re discontinued, I was able to find a new pair on eBay. I’ve been wearing these out and pretty much worn through the insole and the rubber off the heel. From just discovering your channel I now see that these can be repaired and I don’t need to break in the new pair.

[@isaacdamian4566]

Wolverine 1000 mile Addison is very similar boot in a beautiful Horween CXL.

[@anthonygardner400]

Hey guys! I’ve been away for a minute. Really great to see you again. I’ll be binge watching your last several videos to catch up. :) And Heath, the haircut is dope! Love it. Take care. PS - Soooo awesome to see you over a quarter of a million subs! That’s more than a third of the population of Nashville watching your videos. That’s crazy - in the best possible way! Very happy for your well deserved channel explosion!

[@katrinalevin4064]

I love wingtips. They are a nice stylistic difference but maybe not appropriate on work boots.

[@sausagewizard6975]

I wish they’d release a wingtip version, I’d buy a pair for sure.

[@jeffdutcher3676]

They should offer it again would be nice to have a pair in rotation.

[@shinysunlight]

When you put on and iron the cork, it’s so cool, almost culinary. 😂😂😂😂

[@artnomad1]

Awesome video guys! I'm so happy for this customer , hope he will appreciate this work ! Also you should put in this video, customer reaction on New Boots!