Red Wing Taps into 70 Years of Forgotten Heritage For a Malbon Spin on Its Most Iconic Boot

Red Wing’s Moc Toe boots are undoubtedly among the most iconic boots of all time. Their timeless styling and rugged quality have earned them a well-deserved spot in the footwear hall of fame.

However, the latest spin, the Red Wing Heritage x Malbon Moc Oxford, is probably not like anything you’ve ever seen before. That’s because it comes from the brand’s forgotten archives, dating back a whopping 70 years.

Red Wing Heritage

You’re Moc-ing me, aren’t you?

As you may have already guessed from the fact that this is a Malbon collaboration, this Moc Oxford is intended for use as a golf shoe. In fact, the only place you can get it is through Malbon’s site (and it’s an extremely limited edition).

However, what you might not know is that this isn’t Red Wing’s first time out on the links. Rather, this shoe is inspired by and meant as a revival of the brand’s long-forgotten golf shoe from 70 years ago.

Red Wing Heritage

The Red Wing #404 was a tan, elk-leather-lined sport and golf oxford from the 1920s. While this revival is pretty different, it does take inspiration (and a few elements) from that original. Most notably, it’s an Oxford-style shoe.

It’s also built to the same painstaking standards (as is typical with Red Wing footwear, especially the Heritage line) and sports the brand’s unmistakable style, though some of that can be credited to using the brand’s Moc Boot as a starting point.

Red Wing Heritage

A lifetime of hitting the links

A notable departure from the shoe this one takes inspiration from is that this shoe is spikeless. It boasts Red Wing’s signature wedge shape in tandem with a Traction Tred outsole, designed to deliver both durability and grip on any surface, be that the putting green, rough or a bunker.

It’s also built on the brand’s No. 23 last, the same as the boot after which it was modeled. That grants it additional room in the forefoot and instep. It also sports a Goodyear welt construction, allowing it to be resoled for a lifetime of usage.

The upper is crafted from full-grain, oiled Oro Legacy leather, made by Red Wing’s S.B. Foot Tanning Company. As such, it will age beautifully over time.

Red Wing Heritage

Clearly, this shoe has style and substance to spare. However, in a world where golf shoes are increasingly adopting sneaker-like comforts, I do wonder if there’s something to be said for how stiff these shoes may be. Work boots are not, after all, classically associated with times of leisure.

Perhaps, if you’re a golfer who values style and quality over comfort, this can be overlooked. And maybe if you tough it out, they’ll break in enough to offer genuine comfort for all 18 holes. Only one way to find out.

Red Wing Heritage

Availability and pricing

The Red Wing Heritage x Malbon Moc Oxford is now available on Malbon’s site for $400 per pair.

Red Wing Heritage

Red Wing Heritage x Malbon Moc Oxford

• $400 at Malbon

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics