Red Wing’s Flagship Boot (and My Favorite) Looks Better Than Ever in This Deceptively Soft Leather

Dubbed Chocolate Mulseskinner, it is as soft as suede, but a heck of a lot tougher.

Close-up of the back portion of brown suede boots with white stitching, a light tan welt, and thick off-white rubber soles. The boots have metal eyelets with yellow and red laces visible at the top left. The background is a light blue surface.

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By Brad Lanphear

Published August 27, 2025

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Updated August 27, 2025

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Just when I thought that my favorite boot had reached perfection, Red Wing Heritage said, “Hold my beer,” and dropped the best Classic Moc I’ve ever seen.

It is made with a proprietary buttery soft roughout leather in a rich chocolate brown, with a name that may lead to a big misconception.

Pair of brown suede moc toe boots with yellow laces, white stitching along the toe, and cream-colored wedge soles. — The Classic Moc in Chocolate Muleskinner Leather.

Over the past year, I’ve gotten more mileage out of my Classic Mocs in Hawthorne Abilene Leather than any other boot in my closet. The sandy roughout leather matches everything and cleans up with a light brushing.

I thought it was the pinnacle of Red Wing’s design, and it knocked my ten-year-old Briar Rough Necks out of commission.

But that was before the Minnesota shoemaker released its flagship boot in the new Chocolate Muleskinner Leather, a luscious dark brown with a soft texture that resembles suede, but is a heck of a lot tougher.

Brown suede ankle boot with yellow laces, white stitching, and a thick off-white rubber sole. The boot has metal eyelets and a black trim around the top edge. — Red Wing Heritage uses leather from the brand-owned S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Minnesota.

This Classic Moc is equipped with the brand’s signature creamy white blown rubber wedge Traction Tred Outsole, secured to the upper through a natural tan leather midsole.

It has brown and yellow woven laces synonymous with American work boots and features Red Wing’s tell-tale Puritan triple stitch, which connects the vamp to the upper.

No mules were harmed…

Contrary to what the name suggests, this Classic Moc is not made with mule leather.

Close-up of a brown suede shoe heel with visible white stitching along the top edge and around the sole, highlighting the texture of the suede and the craftsmanship of the stitching. — Mulseskinner leather is a type of roughout cowhide leather.

Muleskinner leather is a proprietary version of roughout leather created by the Red Wing-owned S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Owning its own tannery provides Red Wing with exceptional quality control and efficiency, allowing it to offer the best dollar-for-dollar value in the industry.

S.B. Foot Tanning Company provides all of the leather used by Red Wing Heritage and develops exclusive finishes like Muleskinner.

Brown suede boots with white stitching details and cream-colored thick rubber soles. The boots have a black trim around the top edge and yellow and red laces visible on the side. The image shows the back and side view of the boots. — The Classic Moc in Chocolate Muleskinner Leather uses a black leather collar liner.

The rough side of the leather is treated to have a suede-like texture and softness without splitting the hide, as is done to produce suede, retaining its full strength.

Return of the moc

Muleskinner has been used in other Red Wing boots like the Iron Ranger, but this is the first time I’ve seen this chocolate brown in a Classic Moc.

Brown suede moc toe boots with white contrast stitching, yellow laces, and cream-colored rubber soles, worn with off-white pants. — The Chocolate Muleskinner Leather has a luxurious appearance that elevates any outfit.

It offers the same styling versatility as my beloved Hawthorne Abilene Leather Classic Mocs, but with a luxurious vibe from the suede-like texture.

If you switch in a set of dark brown laces, this $320 boot would look like a pair from Crockett & Jones or Viberg that costs twice as much.

Pair of brown suede lace-up boots with yellow laces, white stitching, and thick off-white rubber soles. The boots have a moc toe design and a pull tab at the back. — The Chocolate Muleskinner Leather is the most elevated Classic Moc available.

Red Wing Heritage has once again raised the bar for the Classic Moc. The new Chocolate Mulseskinner Leather makes a strong case for the moc-toe boot as a dress shoe, and is absolutely capable of handling decades of daily wear.

Availability and price

The Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc in Chocolate Muleskinner Leather is available now from Red Wing for $320.

The classic Goodyear welt construction means that any local shoe repair shop can repeatedly replace the wedge outsole when it wears out, ensuring many years of service.

Pair of brown suede moc toe boots with yellow laces, white stitching, and cream-colored wedge soles.

Red Wing Classic Moc in Chocolate Muleskinner Leather

$320 at Red Wing

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.