Red Wing boots are tried and true, the favorite brand of generations of Americans and the first brand many people associate with quality leather boots. The brand’s Goodyear-welted footwear is a standard in the boot industry for good reason. Founded in 1905, Red Wing manufactures over 1 million pairs of boots every year.
The brand is known both for its hardwearing work boots and its traditional styles (sold under the Heritage name). As far as plain-toe leather boots go, the Red Wing Heritage Merchant boots ($320) and Williston boots ($430) are hard to beat. But if you’re looking for a different Goodyear-welted option to add to your footwear rotation, a few other American brands offer great styles. Here are some worth the upgrade.
White’s Main Street Boots
These boots offer a ton of value for the money. Unlike White’s work boots which utilize hand-sewn stitchdown construction, these are Goodyear welted, so they’re relatively affordable. Unlike other sub-$400 boots, these have solid leather insoles, midsoles, shanks and heel counters (the 10 iron leather shank also requires noticeably more handwork to add). The 5-inch upper is made from water-resistant leather and the sole is available in two styles: half-lug or Dainite.
Oak Street Bootmakers Brown Trench Boots
These Goodyear-welted trench boots feature oiled-leather Waterlock soles, stacked leather heels and calfskin linings. They have Horween Chromexcel leather uppers, metal eyelets and are available in sizes 7 to 12.
Viberg Derby Boots
Made in Victoria, British Columbia, these boots are based on a Canadian military style. They feature a calfskin upper, Dainite sole and elegant quarters with French Bindings. Unlike Viberg’s other stitchdown boots, this pair is Goodyear welted.