Wrapped in the iconic Mossy Oak Moc camo pattern you find mostly on shotguns, hats, seat covers, and mud flaps all across the rural parts of the country, these boots catch eyes more than they blend in. But the unique aesthetics don’t come at the cost of quality or functionality.
The six-inch, triple-stitched uppers are made from full-grain Advantage Timber leather from the Red Wing’s own leather supplier, S.B. Foot Tanning, Co. That means they can handle long-term wear and tear, and maintain enough fortitude to allow for replacing the soles for years to come. The Traction Tred rubber outsoles made with Goodyear welt construction, however, will likely last on their own, so you may never need to replace the soles anyway.
Red Wing has been making hand-crafted leather footwear since 1905 in its factory in Minnesota. Each shoe is made from pieces of die-cut leather sewn together on old-school Puritan-style sewing machines, some of which date back to the 1920s. These tough, highly water-resistant boots can be found on the feet of farmers and factory workers across the country. But they’ve recently found a new home among urban crowds who appreciate the clean lines and classic style of a well-made boot.
City slickers beware: these kicks may attract comments and conversation from homesick Midwesterns who recognize the iconic Mossy Oak camo print and Red Wing design. You may even be invited on an impromptu hunting trip or two. Who knows, anything can happen.
But that’s a small price to pay for a pair of boots that will take on the fall and winter weather and last for a few decades to come.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Style No. 8884s are only available through a limited number of retailers and won’t be around forever. Bag a pair while supplies last.
