If you have ever been to Lapstone & Hammer and took a good look around the store, then you know we truly care. We care about every customer's comfort and shopping experience. We care about every piece of marble, wood, copper, and glass that have been carefully crafted and arranged to create our aesthetic. We care about every piece of merchandise on our shelves; analyzing where it comes from, how it was made, who made it, and if it is a good representation of our company's ideals. We not only care about the quality of the merchandise from the brands we carry, we care about the quality of the brand itself. It is this mindset that leads us to a great American brand like Red Wing Shoes, who's wonderful products we are proud to now be offering in-store and online.
The Red Wing Shoe Company was founded in 1905 by Charles Beckman in Red Wing, Minnesota (hence the name). Beckman saw a local necessity for shoes specifically designed for the demanding work of industries such as mining, logging, and farming. These jobs required footwear which was tough enough to outlast harsh working conditions, but also comfortable enough for the hardworking people who wore them. Within a decade of its formation, the company was producing more than 200,000 boots per year and was the primary manufacturer of footwear for American soldiers during World War I and World War II. Known for their traditionally hand-crafted, heavy-duty leather boots, Red Wing has evolved over the years to include oxfords, chukkas, hiking boots, logger style boots, and 6 and 8 inch work boots. The company also produces more fashion oriented footwear, along with a selection of accessories and shoe care products.
Red Wing's shoemaking process has remained largely unchanged since the company's founding. It begins with highly trained leather cutters hand selecting each hide to be cut for every variety of boot to be made. The leather pieces are then sewn together to form the upper on the same Puritan sewing machines that have been used since the company began. The machines melt latex into the sewing thread, making the triple-stitched seams found in every Red Wing boot more water resistant.
The fitted upper is then pulled over a shoe last, or mold, which gives it its final shape and form. The upper is then combined with the leather insole and the welt, which is a strip of leather that runs along the perimeter of the outsole, using the traditional Goodyear welt construction process patented in 1869. This elaborate method of stitching a thin leather welt together with the upper and the leather insole yields the highest quality shoes that are both durable and comfortable. It also makes resoling of boots possible, guaranteeing continued long-term use. After this the sole is then either glued or stitched to the newly welted upper to create a completed boot.
Red Wing Shoes have been operating continuously for over 100 years and their commitment to producing only the highest grade footwear remains as unwavering as Charles Beckman's original vision. Consistently performing in environments spanning from the oil fields of the Middle East to the corn fields of the American Midwest, Red Wing boots protect workers in more than one hundred countries across the world, an accomplishment built by years of hard work, endurance, and the promise to never compromise on quality. From the boots they make, to the people who make them, to the methods they use, we think Red Wing Shoes are a perfect fit for Lapstone & Hammer.