THOROGOOD VS RED WING VS CHIPPEWA: Battle of the Workboots!

TEAM RED WING? SHOP HERE: https://bit.ly/3wYYuTv
TEAM THOROGOOD? SHOP HERE: https://amzn.to/2CoCGH3
*UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHIPPEWA SERVICE BOOT IS DISCONTINUED.*

These are three beloved work boot companies that are American owned, reasonably priced, and, well... kinda completely different. There's a lot to talk about here when it comes to Thorogood vs Red Wing vs Chippewa and while I had a hard time deciding on which products to compare, I decided to go with each of their most popular boots.

READ THE FULL REVIEW: https://stridewise.com/red-wing-vs-chippewa-vs-thorogood/

FIRST GLANCE

Red Wing Iron Ranger

Best known for its kind of bulbous cap toe, this shoe is made with thick oil-tanned leather, shiny nickel eyelets, and has a smooth nitrile cork sole. Note that newer models are made with a Vibram sole.

Chippewa

To be honest, when most people think of the word "boot," they probably think of something that looks like this. An uncomplicated service boot aesthetic, this shoe has a plain toe, Crazy Horse leather, and a grippy Vibram sole.

Thorogood

Obviously the big difference is a moc toe but there's also the polyurethane sole — said to be 25% more durable than Vibram — and a ton of busy stitching all around the outside. All three shoes have a Goodyear welt.

*** SEE MY 5 FAVORITE BOOTS OF ALL TIME HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y7_Bu7XGB0 ***

LEATHER

Red Wing

Oil tanned leather from Red Wing's own tannery, SB Foot Tanning Co, I confess I really darkened the crap out of these boots by using Obenauf's when I should have used mink oil, but I still love the leather. It's thick, it's scratch resistant, and it doesn't require a ton of conditioning.

Chippewa

Crazy Horse leather is made with full grain steer leather. It's had a kind of wax applied to it that strengthens the fibers in such a way that they change color when you rub them. It's not remotely formal but it looks great in informal situations, but note that it ages pretty fast.

Thorogood

This is oil tanned leather but it's thinner and ages faster than Red Wing. I cant say I'm disappointed because it's much, much less expensive, but if you value aesthetics over value you might not love this leather.

*** SEE THE RED WING IRON RANGER REVIEW HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amleWqDrCf8 ***

SOLE

Red Wing

This is a nitrile cork sole, which has better grip than you might think, plus it's more durable than a leather sole. Newer models have a grippy Vibram lug. This shoe has a cork midsole, a leather insole, and a steel shank.

Chippewa

A nice Vibram outsole combined with a cork midsole, leather insole, and steel shank. If you think this sounds like Red Wing you'd be right, but this easily has the worst shock absorption of the three.

Thorogood

Polyurethane outsole, rubber midsole, poron insole, fiberglass shank. All of which is why this is a much lighter shoe than the other three and when that' all combined with a shock absorbing insert, this also offers the best shock absorption and arch support of the three. It's more like a sneaker. Not everyone loves that.

*** SEE THE FULL CHIPPEWA SERVICE BOOT REVIEW HERE: https://stridewise.com/chippewa-service-utility-boot-review/ ***

PRICE

Red Wing

$300 - $330

Chippewa

$270 - $290

Thorogood

$170 - $190

VERDICT

Red Wing

Pros
* Great leather, doesn't need a lot of care
* Super durable and well constructed
* Most versatile

Cons
* Worst break in
* Most expensive
* 270-degree Goodyear welt

Chippewa

Pros
* Somewhat cheap (under $300)
* Classic aesthetic
* Good grip

Cons
* Worst shock absorption
* Least durable, leather wrinkled, a lot of loose threads
* Heels are coming off

Thorogood

Pros
* Lightweight
* Cheapest
* Decent workboots

Cons
* Not versatile
* Not great leather
* Feels more like a sneaker than a boot

Видео THOROGOOD VS RED WING VS CHIPPEWA: Battle of the Workboots! канала Stridewise