2949
The Red Wing Roughneck 2949 takes the classic American Moc Toe and gives it some serious teeth.
Inspired by boots originally made for the oil rig workers — or “roughnecks” — of the mid-20th century, this is one of the most rugged boots in the Red Wing Heritage collection. The familiar 6-inch Moc Toe upper is built from rich Black Oil Slick leather, but underneath you'll find an aggressive Vibram® TC-4 lug outsole designed to provide dependable traction when conditions turn rough.
Dark, substantial and built for hard wear, the Roughneck looks every bit as tough as its name suggests.
See the Red Wing collectionhere.
The Roughneck 2949 is made from Black Oil Slick, a premium full-grain Red Wing leather with a heavily waxed finish.
It's substantial stuff. The oils and waxes worked into the leather help give it a rich appearance and make it particularly well suited to a boot designed for autumn, winter and hard everyday use.
As with the best Red Wing leathers, wear is part of the appeal. Creases, scuffs and changes in the finish gradually give the boots more character.
These are boots to wear hard, not keep in the box.
Oil rig workers earned the name roughnecks doing some of the hardest and most dangerous industrial work around.
Red Wing supplied boots for these workers during the mid-20th century, and today's Roughneck draws directly on that heritage — combining the company's iconic Moc Toe construction with a considerably more aggressive outsole.
It's a piece of genuine American workwear history brought up to date for modern wear.
The biggest difference between the Roughneck and Red Wing's traditional Moc Toe boots is underneath.
Instead of the familiar flat Traction Tred sole, the 2949 uses a deep Vibram® TC-4 lug outsole designed to provide reliable traction across loose, wet and uneven ground.
That makes the Roughneck particularly well suited to the British autumn and winter, when a traditional heritage boot can benefit from considerably more bite underfoot.
Asteel shank provides additional support and stability.
The Roughneck uses proven Goodyear welt construction, creating a strong connection between the upper, welt and outsole.
More importantly, it means the boots are fully resoleable. Look after that Black Oil Slick leather and, when the original sole eventually wears out, a good bootmaker can give them another lease of life.
That's how proper boots should be built.
Red Wing's distinctive Puritan triple-stitch construction reinforces the upper at key points and has become one of the signatures of the company's American-made Heritage boots.
Nickel eyelets provide a simple contrast against the black leather and complete the no-nonsense appearance.
Get a FREE tin of Red Wing All Natural Leather Conditioner worth £21.99 when you order these boots.
The Roughneck 2949 is constructed on Red Wing's famous No. 23 Last, developed during the 1950s and closely associated with the company's classic Moc Toe boots.
It provides additional room through the forefoot and instep, allowing the toes to sit naturally while retaining that unmistakable Red Wing profile.
We recommend dropping half a size from your usual shoe size. For broader feet, sticking with your normal size may provide the better fit.
The No. 23 Last provides generous room through the forefoot and instep, but Red Wing Heritage boots are made from substantial full-grain leather and a break-in period should be expected.
Wear them for a few hours at a time initially, gradually increasing wear over the first few weeks as the leather begins to soften and conform to your feet.
Because sometimes the classic Moc Toe needs a bit more muscle.
TheRoughneck 2949 retains everything we like about a traditional Red Wing — premium full-grain leather, Goodyear welt construction, Puritan stitching and genuine American workwear heritage — then puts the whole thing on a serious Vibram lug sole.
If you like the Red Wing Moc Toe but want more grip, a darker appearance and a tougher all-season boot, this is the one.
The classic Moc Toe may have started the conversation. The Roughneck finishes it.
Shop the Red Wing Roughneck 2949 in Black Oil Slick at Natural Man.
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