Our History
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Honest Work, Told Honestly
In 1905, Charles Beckman founded the Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota.
He believed making good boots wasn't enough—you had to make them the right way. Using the finest leathers, quality materials, and uncompromising craft, he set out to build boots as tough as the people who wore them.
120 years later, we’re still upholding that promise. Still family owned. Still in the same town. Still making boots the right way.
All images courtesy of the Red Wing Shoe Company Corporate Archives.
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1905
Charles Beckman and other investors organize the Red Wing Shoe Company
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1919
Red Wing adopts the Tredstrate last—a foot-shaped mold—improving fit and comfort across the board
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1924
The Moc toe first appears on a Red Wing boot, a feature that will grow to be an icon
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1926
The Gloria debuts, our first footwear specifically for women
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1934
Red Wing incorporates a steel toe cap into footwear, an advantage for workers in heavy industry
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1952
The first Red Wing Shoe Store opens in Salt Lake City, Utah
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1963
Worker-first fitting comes directly to the job site with Red Wing’s first mobile shoe truck
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1965
Red Wing begins to sell head-to-toe PPE to industries worldwide
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1977
Urethane sole technology (aka SuperSole) starts a long-lasting legacy on jobsites
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1985
A boot repair shop opens in the factory, giving more customers the opportunity to have their boots re-soled to endure longer
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1986
S.B. Foot Tanning Company, a long-time local supplier, officially joins Red Wing
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2005
100 years is celebrated with the Guinness World Record holder for World’s Biggest Boot, a style #877 in size 638 ½ D
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2007
Red Wing Heritage debuts, a lifestyle brand inspired by 20th century workers’ footwear
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2023
Allison Sweasy Gettings, the 4th generation Sweasy to serve in the position, is appointed CEO of Red Wing. She is Red Wing’s first female CEO.
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Stories
The people. The work. the craft. The legacy. A closer look at the boots we build.