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If you haven’t yet heard about the Red Wing Shoe Co., you’re missing out. Founded in 1905 out of Red Wing, Minnesota, it has deep roots in the production of work boots meant for all pursuits and occupations. Now, its most iconic silhouettes from the archive are getting a new lease on life — just in time to the brand’s 120th anniversary.

The Engineer, the Pecos, and the Logger fuse their original styles’ time-tested durability and resistance to wear and tear with the kind of wearability that honors the needs of today’s consumer: that is, shoes that will get them from point A to point B without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.

“We obsess over every stitch, every hide, [and] every sole, because good design and good materials add up to something more than fashion. They add up to a boot that lasts,” Red Wing Shoe Co.’s product designer, Amy Peck, said in a press release.

The men’s-only capsule is made entirely in the U.S., with the Logger Boot in particular being a stitch-for-stitch replica of its highly regarded Red Wing Shoe Co. ancestor. A tribute to the brand’s 1961 Logger, the fit-for-2025 version comes swathed in full-grain leather, either in a black shade or the auburn-tinted Briar. The Vibram outsole here delivers performance points, keeping stability and traction front of mind; the 90-degree heel, meanwhile, will help you remain upright while trudging through snow, sleet, and any other less-than-pleasant weather condition. Lovers of some hardware will be happy to know that the new, tradition-honoring Logger features nickel eyelets, which contrast impeccably with the richness of its waxed leather.

More of a 1930s fan? There’s the Engineer Boot for you: the closest equivalent to a traditional riding boot (gleaming buckle and all) in this collection. Indeed, it was first introduced as a style for horseback riders and hunters in 1936. A few years after that, the shoe came into favor with railroad engineers, who likely appreciated its seamless, pull-on design, roomy toe box, and ground-gripping outsole. The pre-war boot is reimagined now with Black Klondike leather, whose slightly mattified finish makes it a sight to behold. Whether you don it at the stables or on city streets, know that the shoe’s utility will be well-matched by its ability to make a style statement.

Last but certainly not least is Red Wing Shoe Co.’s Pecos, derived from a shoe born in 1953 that was used by cowboys as a roper boot — which needs to have a shorter shaft, rounder toe, and lower heel than a standard cowboy boot, so as to be functional not only on horseback but also during long stretches of time on your feet. Like the Engineer, the Pecos hopped industries and was soon embraced by Texas’ oil workers, a sign of its sheer versatility. Paying homage to this history, the 2025 iteration’s Chemigum outsole is oil-resistant, and its roughout leather is much more resilient than the comparable suede, though with a similar underhand feel. You’ll quickly appreciate the Pecos’ almond-shaped toe that nonetheless leaves ample room for your foot, as well as its leather comfort pad that doles out added cushioning.

The best part about this capsule just might be the fact that it’s making us excited for the year 2145. The Red Wing Shoe Co., after all, celebrated the launch by burying a (literal) time capsule outside of its Minnesota headquarters. Inside? All three of the boot styles, alongside a product manifest and brand artifacts — all buried in a container designed to withstand the elements, much like its contents.

“The act of burial is both a tribute to the past and a promise to the future, proof that Red Wing boots and the values behind them will remain relevant for generations to come,” the brand states.

Shop the shoes, laden with significance, and watch as they make each of your future footfalls sturdier.

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Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers must-shop footwear drops.