Red Wing’s First New Premium Bag in Years Is Stunning and Strange

The famed Minnesota boot maker has quietly introduced a new heritage-inspired bags that as intriguing as it is perplexing.

Two brown leather crossbody bags with flap closures on a yellow background.

By Ben Bowers

Published 3 hours ago

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Red Wing Heritage has a knack for crafting beautiful bags and EDC accessories that make enthusiasts swoon, then frustratingly pulling back just when momentum builds.

The brand’s latest move could be an exception or more of the same.

The new Explorer Bag is Red Wing’s first new heritage-inspired EDC bag released by the brand in years, that at first glance, is equal parts striking and puzzling.

Past Baggage

Person holding a large brown leather tote bag with cutout handles, wearing rolled-up black jeans and brown leather boots. — Red Wing has history of occasionally producing leather bags like the limited-run of upcycled leather totes shown here. Unfortunately, most of these past experiments were expensive, hard to buy and never added to the company’s permanent product line.

Red Wing’s leather bag legacy is all about the slow burn—just look at the Wacouta backpack from seven years back.

Fans instantly swooned over its throwback looks and authentic Red Wing leathers, with many heralding it as the gold standard for what a Red Wing bag should be. But it was never elevated to a staple within the brand’s product lineup.

In 2022, Red Wing teased bag lovers yet again with a tightly limited drop of upcycled leather totes made from tannery offcuts. Each was one-of-a-kind, made in a run of just 500, and released via a one-off collab aimed at sustainability. Snagging one? Nearly impossible.

Both bag experiments were also priced at a premium, making them a difficult purchases decision even when stock was available.

Prestine and Perplexing

Brown leather crossbody bag with a matching luggage tag against a yellow background. — It’s been several years since the brand has introduced a new leather bag option. In fact, the new Explore Bag is only one of two bags the brand currently sells online, with the other being a standard canvas tote.

The new Explorer Bag seems to follow Red Wing’s previous leather bag playbook, for better or worse.

Currently, it’s Red Wing’s only leather bag, sitting alongside a branded canvas tote. At first glance, it feels like a celebration of everything that fans love about the iconic Minnesota-based footwear brand.

It’s a visually stunning, heritage-inspired EDC carryall that’s made in the USA from the brand’s signature Oro leather,

Features like ample slots for credit cards indicate the Explorers Bag is designed to be more of a murse or purse than a typical satchel or briefcase.

But here’s where things take a turn—the bag’s dimensions (9.5″ W x 10.5″ H x 3.5″ D) place it awkwardly between categories. It’s not quite big enough to be considered a messenger bag or briefcase and measures too small to hold a regular laptop, large tablet, or most popular insulated water bottles. Yet it’s bigger than a standard hip pack.

Feature-wise, it’s also clearly intended to function more like a murse or purse, thanks to organizational touches including six card slots, a zip compartment for cash, a key ring, and an outside snap pocket—all highly functional, but definitely not fit for every type of carry.

Close-up of a brown leather bag with a brass clasp and detailed stitching on a yellow background. — A key hook and slots of pens and pencils are present to keep small awkward items secure and in-reach.

For fans of heritage leather goods, the Explorer Bag’s classic design, refined build, and tactile feel will hold strong appeal. Still, some may wonder why Red Wing—a brand built on rugged, practical gear—chose to debut a bag that feels more like an upscale accessory than a do-it-all commuter.

That said, it’s worth remembering how Red Wing’s leather ages. Just as their boots develop rich character with time, this bag is likely to gain a handsome patina and become even more distinctively rugged as it’s used.

Pricing and Availability

Like Red Wing’s previous leather bags, the Explorer Bag also comes with a premium price tag – in this case $500.

Between its cost and form factor, the heritage EDC bag feels destined to be yet another Red Wing experiment aimed more at collectors, which is a shame.

Because I’d love to see the company invest in a larger heritage bag line to compete with the likes of Filson, Duluth Trading Co. and others.