Red Wing Gentleman Traveler boots

IndianaGeo · Post by **IndianaGeo** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:45 pm

Hi, Does anyone have experience with the Red Wing Gentleman Traveler boots? They seem quite "Indy" although not an exact duplicate of the famous Aldens. Nevertheless, they look interesting. Has anyone had any experience with these that they could share? Thanks.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:02 pm

I just returned a pair (two actually).

They run very wide, and are not available in narrow sizes.

Excellent boots, however. I wish they fit!

I will have a pair of Alden's soon...

Get to a Red Wing store if you can and try them on... I got mine at Zappos.com

TheFedoraGuy · Post by **TheFedoraGuy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:58 pm

..I believe you are talking about the RW 1908:

I got them also in black (#1915). They are great boots but not as a comfy as the 405s (no lining). They come with a rugged sole similar to the Alden AF64 boots. And J!m is right, they do run in strange sizes, someone with a 10.5 in Aldens should go for a 10 or maybe even smaller in RWs.

What I don't understand is that RW apparently does not sell the Gentlemen Traveller series in the U.S. (I'm in Europe).

I suppose the main difference to the Aldens is this: Alden=orthopedic boot, RW=classic work boot.

Cheers
TFG.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:05 am

Gentleman Travelers are available in the US, no problem.

Both at the stores, as well as at Zappos.com

IndyFlyer · Post by **IndyFlyer** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:27 am

The gentleman traveler is not the 1908 pictured, they do not have toe stitching. The 1908's are not available in the US. I have a pair of the GT's and they do run a bit on the big side. Trying them on is a must, or order two pair and return one. I normally wear a 10, but a 9.5 fit better. I noticed a HUGE size difference between the 9.5 and the 10, seemed much more than the normal 1/2 a size in both length and especially width. Zappos has good photos of them.

TheFedoraGuy · Post by **TheFedoraGuy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:28 am

imho "Gentleman Traveller" is a whole series of boots:

http://www.redwingshoe-europe.com/Defau ... ?tabid=306

I guess what they call "Beckman Collection" today was the GT series some years ago, they also changed the naming of their boots, eg 1914 became 9014 and so on. The 1908 as displayed was part of the GT collection when I bought it .They had even more models like the 1909 and the 1913 which were almost identical to the 1911/9011 besides the color (they all ran in some kind of a red tone). I did collect RW for some time and got most of these boots, if somebody is interested I'd post some pics here.

It's possible that some of these boots were only available on the japanese and european market, maybe not the 1908.

Regards
TFG

IndianaGeo · Post by **IndianaGeo** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:05 pm

Yes, please do post pics of all the great stuff you have on Red Wings, particularly the GT. Thanks!

TheFedoraGuy · Post by **TheFedoraGuy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:28 pm

...here it goes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/266 ... 071e_b.jpg

From left to right it's the 1908 as already posted, the 1915 which are basically the same in black, then the boots without moc toe stitching 1914 (also black), and the pretty similiar models 1911, 1913 and 1909 all of them in some reddish colour.

I also got a pair of 875 which are not from the classic series (they look like the 1908 but with a white crepe sole instead of a rugged sole). Also a pair of 2910 and 2911, also non-classic style.

Regards
TFG

IndianaGeo · Post by **IndianaGeo** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:44 pm

Holy Moly Fedora, you could open up your own Red Wing store with your collection! They really look awesome! Thanks for sharing those photos. Much appreciated. Looks like you have a fortune tied up in shoes.

TheFedoraGuy · Post by **TheFedoraGuy** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:04 am

..well some here have that in jackets ;-) Or hats ;-)

Regards
TFG.

YARVTON · Post by **YARVTON** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:56 am

How annoying -- and more not suitable for a family-friendly forum! I suppose if a manufacturer can't make it for a "Walmart price" then it won't be sold here. I hear so often that "Americans won't buy Quality" yet it seems that the retailers refuse to stock or even order anything but the most common and ordinary.

Jack Flanders · Post by **Jack Flanders** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:54 pm

Dear The Fedora Guy,
Despite my tenure as a member of this site, I still do more lurking than posting. I have been a gearhead for a while and I have come to the realization that the Aldens hold no further fascination for me- I've been to the mountain top so to speak. I've owned a pair for a while now but find that I barely wear them at all; in fact, they still look pretty new! As it happens I am in the market for a pair or really cool olde-tyme work boots and the brown gentleman traveler's look like the ticket.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:03 pm

I think the GT are awesome. They have that 'no-nonsense' look to them, and I imagine that just keep getting better with age...

I wish they fit me! Also much cheaper than Aldens too. I need the Alden fit options... (and they DO look cool too...)

TheFedoraGuy · Post by **TheFedoraGuy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:28 am

@Jack Flanders, glad if I was of any help

)

One more thing, I'm from Europe and it's much easier to get the GT Redwings over here than getting certain Alden models. The 405s amongst others are not available at all. The Aldens they offer here are mostly dress shoes and extraordinairy expensive, most of them running above 600-700€. Guess I'd be collecting Aldens if I were in the U.S.

)

TFG.

Red Wing Gentleman Traveler boots

Red Wing Gentleman Traveler boots

post pics

Red Wing

Not Available in USA