Last week I was in Portland with Red Wing Heritage for the launch the new and updated 875 and 877 styles at an event at Lizard Lounge. It was a nice party, drinks were had, lots of friends showed up and near the end Dolorean played a few songs. Red Wing is a client of ours, so we were in PDX on official business, which included inviting some folks to the event. Without knowing what was going on, several of the people I told about the event for the relaunch of the 875 were alarmed. ‘Why does the 875 need to be updated?” They would say, and for good reason; the 875 and 877 do not need to be messed with. Don’t worry though, the change is definitely a good one. The 875 and 877 remain two American icons.
Right off the bat, the shape both styles has not changed a bit. Everything in that regard is exactly the same. Don’t worry, they are still made in the U.S. What has changed is the leather, which has reverted back to a historically significant variant from the Red Wing archives. The name of this new 875/877 leather is Oro Legacy. It’s a full grain “naked” leather which exhibits much more character than the leather of the old 875/877s. All of the Red Wing Heritage leather is made in Red Wing, MN at the company’s own tannery.
More about the new leather below:
“Oro Legacy represents durability, eye appealing, healthful properties–it breathes–molds readily to the shape of the foot, and because it is natural (non-pigmented finish) all of nature’s beauty marks are visible and representative of heavyweight U.S. cattle hides. Consumers also can expect color variation because of the natural, unfinished method of production. The amount and type of oil used by the tannery was a critical component in the development of both the color and feel. A rich, oily feel was historically perceived as a signature property of Red Wing shoes and boots.”
Both the style of the leather, which is made at Red Wing’s tannery S.B. Foot, and the color of the boots point back to earlier eras of the 875 and 877. And as of the event in Portland, these boots are available now. Though, if you prefer the previous version, Red Wing work will still continue to offer them –so no need to panic. This page on the Red Wing work site illustrates the difference very vividly.
Growing up my Dad –a man who loved consistency– would jokingly say: “Change is bad.” But in this case I’m sure my Dad would have to agree, change is most definitely good. [RED WING HERITAGE]
I’ve had a pair of those (mine look about 8″ high) for several years. They are especially comfortable for walking on hard surfaces like concrete but the soles wear relatively quickly. The leather, which I frequently treat with oil, is almost the thickest on any pair of boots I have, even thicker (maybe) than my White’s but very soft and flexible, as are the White’s.
id like to see an A/B comparison between the old and new to actually see what the marketing language is attempting to say.
@SCP http://www.redwingshoes.com/877-and-875
thanks, yeah, i saw that. i guess i dont see any difference outside some writing. they look identical to my quite new pair. i guess time will tell if they actually age a bit differently.
i wish i was in the know, as i live quite close to lizard lounge. ahhh well, i was out of town anyways.
sure wish we had the color options here in the states. looks like the euro version gets a couple color options once again, in addition to the 812X’s, i’d kill for the blue pair.
Any idea on the prices of these guys?
I bet many people started reading this feeling slight apprehensive, turns out it’s all good.
So cool!!! I think I’m in love <3
It’s strange, but my 877s which were purchased a little over a year ago look more like the new ones than they do the old ones. I have conditioned them frequently with shoe grease, but they were never that brown. Has there ever been another type of leather used to make them?
When will Red Wing correct their mistake of discontinuing the old 4440 (an 8″ version of the current – non “Heritage” just regular “Work” – 4439)? I’ve worn 4440’s for 20 years and can’t believe such a quintessential RW boot was discontinued.
Those Red Wing are calling my name, they look beyond awesome Micheal! Ps. I’m also from Ohio you’re about an hour away from me here in Cincinnati. I’ve been reading your blog for ages, just haven’t gotten around to actually leaving a note on by. Anyways keep up the good, and I’ll keep reading! Thanks, Brian
Alright, so I can tell the difference between “oro-riginal” and “oro-legacy,” but what’s the difference in color between “oro-russet” and “oro-legacy”?
@Josh that’s because the fashion line is now outselling the work line. Time for a tide of change.
I always enjoy when you post about Red Wings. I have admired them for years, but every time they put something out that I like or want, it always stops at a size 13 or 14. This seems to be the case with a lot of better made/styled shoes. Hopefully one day Red Wing will make some larger sizes.
This Fall will finally be the one where I’ll buy my first pair of Red Wings. The 875’s will be the one.
I got a pair of 875s from the Red Wing store, and they had to order. I wanted 877s and the ordered the 875s in error, but I took them anyway. Now to get the 877s. They are great.
I have owned a pair of 875 for 6 years, used them for everything from trail riding the baja peninsula on my bike to hunting quail in GA to every day use on commercial and residential construction sites. frankly they are a icon of American work boots.
Adrian,
I believe (someone correct me of I’m wrong), the new oro legacy is the same colour as previously japan only “oro-russett portage” (model no. 8875).
I bought mine in 2010 in Tokyo and when I travelled to States in 2011 noticed the subtle difference of the colour. I wasn’t aware of this previously, thinking that 875 = 8885.
This is interesting indeed.. Another case of Japanese fethist for Americana prevailed yet again (Danner Stumptown collection was inspired by Danner Japan collection). I can think of many other examples.. LVC, North Face purple label, etc.
Cheers,
LS — you are wrong. Oro Legacy is Oro Legacy, and Oro Russett is Oro Russett. Two different colors from two different eras of the 877/875. Just like LVC has many different 501s from different years.
Danner is owned by ABC MART (which is a Japanese Company).
Thanks Mike! of course they’re different. One’s brown and the other is red. That was an early morning post for me. I think what I’m trying to say is tha Jap’s 8875 has got a different hue compared to US/Europe’s 8131 – both models specify ‘Oro Rusett Portage’. But it might be because I’m comparing my old and battered 8875 to a brand new 8131.
Yep, understand that ABC Mart now owns Danner (I bought my RW there, not surprisingly), however this change of ownership was only quite recent. 2012 maybe? Prior to this Danner was owned by a US company (can’t remember the name on top of my head).
Keep up the good work!
Cheers