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Home › Comparison

Red Wing vs Thorogood: Which Moc Toe Is Best for You?

Nick EnglishEditor-in-Chief
Updated May 10, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission from.

If you’ve searched for the best moc toe boot, you’ve probably come across these two iconic, American made boots: Red Wing and Thorogood. The two are locked in an eternal struggle for superiority, and they have a lot of similarities: golden oil tanned leather, white wedge soles, cork midsoles, triple stitching, and a whole lot of American heritage. 

Some might look at the two and think that there can’t be much to compare, but there are actually multiple differences with regard to the leather, the aesthetic, and especially the construction of the sole that you should know about if you’re considering making a purchase. I’ve worn both of these boots — Red Wing’s 875 in Oro Legacy Leather and Thorogood’s American Heritage Moc Toe in Tobacco — for months on end so that you can determine what’s best for your needs.

[Further Reading: 20 Best American Made Boots to Buy in 2024 (Made in USA!)]

[Team Red Wing? Shop the boot here.]

[Prefer Thorogood? Shop it here.]

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Red Wing vs Thorogood Aesthetics
  • Red Wing vs Thorogood Leather
  • Red Wing vs Thorogood Sole
  • Red Wing vs Thorogood Price 
  • Red Wing vs Thorogood Pros & Cons

Red Wing vs Thorogood Aesthetics

OK, let’s put those similarities in bullet point form:

  • White wedge outsole
  • Cork midsole
  • Oil tanned leather
  • Made in USA
  • Triple stitching
  • Moc toe style

“Moc toe” is short for mocassin, by the way, a style borrowed from traditional Native American shoes. (It’s derived from an Algonquian word from Virginia, makasin.) Relative to service boots, the style is meant to give you some more flex in the foot and protect the toe box from scuffs.

Aesthetically — we’re just talking about appearances for now — Red Wing has a more subtle look. While both boots have triple stitching along the side and double stitching on the counter, Red Wing uses contrast stitching, meaning only one of the stitches is bright white. It makes for a more muted appearance that folks who like simpler wardrobes might prefer. (Yes, this is the most superficial part of the comparison.)

Thorogood not only uses bright white stitching, but there’s also a line of three stitches running along from the top of the counter to the end of the eyelet panel, in addition to a Thorogood logo on the heel, another on the tongue, and an American flag.

[More Moc Toes: The 7 Best Moc Toe Boots On The Market | Best Value, Toughest, Best for Work, and More]

red wing vs thorogood moc toe profile
Red Wing left, Thorogood right

It’s really worth emphasizing that Thorogood also uses speed hooks and a leather pull tab, so it’s way easier to get on and off, making for an argument that the Thorogood is more “functional.” In the sole section below, you’ll also find a few other details that support this claim.

But all in all, the biggest differences when you look at them is the stitching, logo, flag, and speed hooks. Thorogood’s a louder boot, in other words. But hey, it’s easier to put on.

[See my comparison of Red Wing vs Thursday Boots here!]

red wing 875 moc toe profile

Red Wing vs Thorogood Leather

  • Both appear to be chrome tanned and oil tanned
  • Red Wing’s is thicker and oilier, though the break in is tougher

As far as the leather goes they’re both described as oil tanned, which actually isn’t very descriptive: sometimes that means a leather has been vegetable tanned then oil tanned, sometimes it means chrome tanned then oil tanned, but I understand they’re both chrome tanned and oil tanned. 

I’ve got a full guide on the differences between vegetable and chrome tanning but in short, chrome tanned leather tends to be a bit softer and take on color more easily. (Veg tanned takes longer to make, is better for the environment, is pricier, and might last longer. This is a very condensed summary.)

But the leathers aren’t identical. Red Wing’s is less grainy, it’s thicker, it’s oilier and it’s waxier — meaning that while it’s not quite as comfy out of the box, it’ll age better and it won’t need to be conditioned quite as often. (That said, oil tanned leather in general doesn’t need a lot of conditioning.)

thorogood boot brooklyn

To be clear, Thorogood’s leather isn’t poor quality. It gets the job done and again, it didn’t give as difficult a break in as Red Wing. But, perhaps because they own their own tannery, Red Wing has better quality control and I consider their leather superior both aesthetically and functionally.

The sole, though, is where you might find Thorogood pull sahead.

[Take a look at my full review of my first Red Wing moc toes]

red wing vs thorogood moc toe sole
Red Wing left, Thorogood right

Red Wing vs Thorogood Sole

Here are the main points:

Red Wing Sole

  • Crepe rubber outsole
  • Cork midsole
  • Leather insole
  • No shank
  • Goodyear welt

Thorogood Sole

  • Polyurethane outsole
  • Resistant to (some) electrical shock, oil, slippage
  • More lightweight
  • Fiberglass shank
  • Shock absorbing insole/footbed
  • Storm welt

Yes, the grip is largely identical, but the sole is where things get really different.

[Related: Crepe soles, what are they and are they good?]

red wing vs thorogood moc toe heel

Red Wing’s sole is crepe rubber, the same kind of inexpensive rubber used on the very flimsy Clarks Desert Boot, but Red Wing’s is much sturdier and thicker. Made from running coagulated latex through rollers, Red Wing’s crepe is solid but more porous than the Thorogood’s sole.

Red Wing also has a cork midsole and leather insole, both of which mold around your feet the longer you wear them. This is a really old fashioned way of making heritage boots and it means they become more comfy as the months and years pass.

However, unlike Thorogood, there’s no shank in the Red Wings. That’s a piece of hard material (usually steel) that’s placed under the midfoot to provide some arch support and stability to the shoe, especially as it ages.

Finally, the upper and sole are attached with a Goodyear welt, a means of attaching the two that makes them really easy to resole because they’re both attached to a welt instead of to each other. It also makes them much more water resistant than “cemented” (glued, in other words) soles you find on sneakers. These are tough boots; you can wear them in rain and snow.

[Related: Goodyear welt vs Blake stitch, which is better?]

charcoal red wing tobacco thorogood profile
Thorogood alongside my other, much older Red Wing moc toes in Charcoal

Thorogood‘s sole is different in almost every way.

For starters, the outsole is polyurethane, and Thorogood makes it themselves. Traditionally, they used a Christy Vibram sole that was made of blown rubber, but they swapped it out for a polyurethane one that they say lasts 25 percent longer than Vibram. 

The sole is also more work friendly: it’s oil and slip resistant, plus it’s resistant to electrical shock, able to withstand

an application of 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute with no current flow or leakage current in excess of 1.0 milliamperes under dry conditions.

As I alluded to before, one of these boots is more often used in actual work situations. Linemen, electricians, plumbers, they all tend to go for Thorogood. I worked in a warehouse myself for many years and saw a lot more Thorogoods than Red Wings. The 875 is a fantastic, tough, and durable boot, but it’s not quite as recognized as a boot for work. More on that later.

Relative to Red Wing, Thorogood’s sole is more lightweight and long lasting. The flipside is that it’s a little harder — some older folks say it’s not as friendly on the knees, but that really depends on your age, joint health, and so on. I haven’t noticed that myself, but it’s true the outsole doesn’t compress as easily as Red Wing’s crepe.

But that doesn’t mean the shock absorption is worse: it’s far better on the Thorogood. 

That’s because after the cork midsole, Thorogood has a Poron 4000 comfort cushion, a material that’s used in a many sneaker brands like Adidas and Nike. Some boot companies, like Thursday Boot Company, use Poron in a few of their models too. The idea with Poron is that it provides cushioning with air permeable open cells that both resist moisture and help with absorb shock. Then Thorogood has a removable insole made with what they call their Dual Density Ultimate Shock Absorption™. 

So, yes, the shock absorption is hands down better with Thorogood. Just know that all that fancy foam means it won’t conform to your foot over time in quite the same way as the old fashioned Red Wing.

[See my full length review of the Thorogood moc toe here]

red wing vs thorogood moc toe stitch
Red Wing left, Thorogood right

One last thing with the sole: both have Goodyear welts but Thorogood has a storm welt, a version where the welt curls up onto the shoe’s upper. This provides even more water resistance, so it’s got Red Wing beat in that category as well. 

Red Wing vs Thorogood Price 

  • Red Wing is about $100 more expensive

This section’s nice and quick: the prices can always change (especially if you get seconds) but roughly speaking, Red Wing is $280 and Thorogood is $200.

Thorogood takes the cake for value.

[Team Red Wing? Shop the boot here.]

[Prefer Thorogood? Shop it here.]

red wing vs thorogood moc toe birds eye

Red Wing vs Thorogood Pros & Cons

Here’s your take home summary:

Thorogood

  • Lighter
  • Better shock absorption
  • More durable sole
  • Better for work
  • Better for wet weather
  • Easier to get on and off
  • Has a fiberglass shank
  • Cheaper

… which might make it sound like Thorogood is indisputably the winner of the two. I’d say that Red Wing’s benefits are:

Red Wing

  • More traditional “heritage” look
  • Molds around feet better over time
  • Leather is thicker, ages better

red wing and thorogood

Now, if you are a working man looking for something to wear on the job, it seems like Thorogood usually gets the win.

Red Wing is a shoe that I would recommend if you are less interested in what works best for electrician work and more interested in what looks stylish, ages well, and pays homage to the traditional ways of constructing boots.

The 875’s cork-midsole-leather-insole construction is the way your granddad’s boots were made, and coupled with the old fashioned brandlessness and the more outdoorsy leather, there’s no shame in going with Red Wing if you like a pair of boots when they look cool, understated, and timeless. It’s also worth remembering that the longer you wear the 875s, the more they’ll feel like they’ve been made for you — you don’t get that in the same way with Thorogood’s thinner leather and foamy footbed. 

That’s it for my summary. Red Wing has a more subtle, simple aesthetic, the leather is thicker and better quality, and it ages better. Thorogood is more comfy out of the box, it’s cheaper, and it’s better suited for work.

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below, and I hope you enjoy whichever boot you land on. In either case, they’re beautiful pieces of American heritage and they’ll share your adventures for years to come.

[Related: My list of The Best Boots]

Nick English

Editor-in-Chief

Nick English, the founder and editor of Stridewise, combines a rich background in journalism with well-recognized expertise in welted footwear and casual menswear.

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Stridewise team

About Stridewise

by Nick English

Founded in 2018 to help men buy the best boots, we’ve since expanded our team and purview to review and celebrate casual footwear and menswear that’s as close to “buy it for life” quality as possible. We take great pride in being a trusted source for information while maintaining complete editorial independence. At no extra cost to you, we might earn a commission from a brand when you purchase through our links, which helps us keep our mission alive. Learn More

11 Ways to Save Money on Boots

Subscribe for an exclusive article to help you find the best deals on quality footwear.

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  1. Johan

    December 5, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    I often say that I love RW moc toe boots…when they’re worn by other guys. They look fantastic and feel quality, but man are they uncomfortable! They’re also a bit strange because they don’t look that good from “above” (i.e., when you are looking down on them on your own feet), but when I see other dudes wearing them they always look great. I enjoy the Thorogoods and would probably recommend them over the Red Wings, they’re just more comfortable and easy to get in and out of. Also, I am not that sure the Red Wings are worth paying top dollar for. The sole of my last pair (8131) cracked after a few months of light use and since I do not live near a Red Wing store, I can’t easily get them repaired.

    Reply
    • Nick

      December 6, 2020 at 11:35 am

      Have you worn them IN, Johan? After a couple weeks they get pretty comfy, I think! But Thorogood is more comfy, especially from the get go, I agree. If they crack Red Wing will repair them, but it’s annoying to send them in, sure.

      Reply
  2. Ronald E Floyd

    February 14, 2021 at 5:30 pm

    I have worn Redwing Boots since I was 11 and my grandfather bought my first pair. I am really considering the Thorogood for my next purchase. I hope they last as long and wear as well as my Redwings always have.

    Reply
    • Nick

      March 4, 2021 at 6:44 pm

      I don’t think they’ll age quite as well but they have a lot of other benefits! Both great boots, Ronald.

      Reply
      • Curt

        November 6, 2021 at 3:02 pm

        Comparing heritage version (redwing) to a working boot (thorogood)
        Not really a fair comparison.

        Reply
        • Nick

          December 7, 2021 at 10:23 am

          I mean it’s fair in that a lot of people wonder, so I’m just answering the query

          Reply
          • John

            December 20, 2022 at 5:30 pm

            You’re smoking crack, redwing work boot vs thorogood hands down throgood last 3x as long all and all around better quality

    • Kriss

      September 1, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      If you like softer leather and a tongue that wads up….go for the Thorogoods. I pretty much did the same thing and have regretted it ever since. These Thorogoods are my first and last pair I’ll ever buy. Thought I’d save a few bucks and it’s not worth it in my opinion.

      Reply
  3. Todd odom

    October 31, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    I have owned both pair of boots. The redwing and thorogood. They are both very good boots. Recommend them to anyone. But I am leaning towards the thorogood boot myself.

    Reply
    • Nick

      November 3, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      Great input Todd, thanks!

      Reply
  4. rocket

    December 12, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    Any other brand you can suggest? I like the leather and overall aesthetic of Red Wings much better, but I need Thorogoods comfort for walking on concrete all day. I also appreciate their faster lacing and longer lasting sole. But these are both things I’m willing to compromise in order to get a less sloppy looking boot with better leather. I don’t mind the price or the break in if in the long run they will be as comfortable as Thorogoods. Any brands I should check out?

    Reply
    • Nick

      January 4, 2022 at 4:57 pm

      A moc toe that’s classic looking but more soft underfoot like the Thorogood? But not too work boot looking? Thursday’s Diplomat is a good bet, they’re pretty soft underfoot as well.

      Reply
  5. Novapete

    January 24, 2022 at 11:27 pm

    Great review!
    I had pair Redwing and found them so hard to break in. Also they don’t open wide so had to fight to get them on and off. Wasn’t worth the pain so after several weeks sold them on ebay. Afterwards bought a pair of Thorogood. Have found some irritation to my toes where the mid stitiching is, but since working on the stitching with my hands they fit well and very easy on my feet. I do prefer the appearance of the Redwing but the comfort of the Thorogood. Don’t need them for a job but just knock a bout.

    Reply
    • Nick

      March 5, 2022 at 12:36 am

      That’s a perfect summary of the two boots, cool you owned and tried out both!

      Reply
  6. Jeremy

    April 4, 2022 at 1:20 am

    Incredible and thorough, pun intended. I think johan was especially spot-on., Appreciate ya both. Myself THOROGOOD all day.

    Reply
    • Nick English

      April 10, 2022 at 11:52 pm

      Glad you know what you like, Jeremy!

      Reply
  7. Kriss

    September 1, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    My Red Wings never had the tongue wad up like these Thorogoods. With that you can’t lace them tight because the wadded up tongue puts pressure spots on the top of my feet. I’ll wear these till they’re done and never buy another pair of Thorogood boots. I’d rather go back 40 years to the die hards I used to wear, they didn’t last long but they didnt hurt my feet like these Thorogoods do.

    Reply
    • Nick English

      October 14, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      That’s surprising, most folks find the leather/footbed much softer nad more comfy

      Reply
  8. Kriss

    September 2, 2022 at 5:44 pm

    So I guess if you don’t go along with the rest of the Thorogood boot lovers your post doesn’t get past moderation. I’ll still go back to Red Wing after these Thorogoods are done…the soft wadded up toe of the Thorogoods sucks.

    Reply
    • Nick English

      October 14, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      Yeah some people like the softer toe, but you can also get them in a steel toe if that’s your priority

      Reply
  9. Kriss

    September 7, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    lol….I’ve left 3 comments and they’ve all not been accepted by the moderator. The last two I was doing it with two different groups I am either neighbors with or have worked with. They now see that this is nothing more than a biased article for Thorogood. I don’t care if you put any of them up, you’ve convinced at least 25 people never to come here for a good review.,..typical of you east coasters. None of you know what a good work boot is, you are what we call urban cowboys. You only wear these types of boots to look cool. But by judging from your picture, your a snowflake…nothing more, nothing less.

    Reply
    • Nick English

      October 14, 2022 at 3:45 pm

      Sorry man I delayed in checking the comments. This is approved! And I wear my Red Wings way more than Thogooods, but if you see it as biased for Thorogood I guess I did my job of being impartial!

      Reply
    • Omar

      March 21, 2023 at 12:18 pm

      Red wing sucks! They’re not work boots, even the Irish setter is better than the 875. Can’t stand you lousy boomers who can not tolerate a differing opinion from your own. Thorogood is American, union made and far superior to those red wing. Stop complaining about the author not liking your preferred boot type, you whiney, little baby.

      P.s for all us union guys, it’s no contest, Thorogood all the way.

      – meme we of Roofers Local 162

      Reply
      • Abdul

        October 2, 2023 at 1:26 am

        I wholeheartedly agree with you! First and foremost it’s Union Made. Secondly I’ve had bad experiences with Redwings twice. So after talking with some coworkers regarding their experience with different boots I purchased some Thorogood’s. They are the epitome of a true work boot.

        Reply
        • Nick English

          November 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm

          So happy you found a boot that works for you, and that this article reflects your experience!

          Reply

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Founded in 2018 to help men buy the best boots, we’ve since expanded our team and purview to review and celebrate casual footwear and menswear that’s as close to “buy it for life” quality as possible. We take great pride in being a trusted source for information while maintaining complete editorial independence. At no extra cost to you, we might earn a commission from a brand when you purchase through our links, which helps us keep our mission alive. Learn More

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