Will Your Wings
MADE TO LAST, MEANT TO BE HANDED DOWN
Since 1905, Red Wing Shoe Company has made boots with an attention to quality, craft, and premium materials. In a world of fast fashion and disposable trends, they are built to stand the test of time. Over the years, we've heard countless stories from people who have received boots passed down from a loved one. These boots, often worn and weathered, serve as more than just footwear. They carry memories, strengthen bonds, and become lasting symbols of timeless relationships. It’s a simple act, but significant.
Whether they’re handed down as heirlooms, symbols of courage or tools of the trade, each pair’s unique story builds a legacy that echoes in every step. That’s why we’re helping the world leave their boots for others by stitching tiny wills into them.
LEAVE BEHIND MORE THAN YOUR STORY
We are honoring the legacy of every person who pulls on a pair of Red Wings by offering a unique opportunity to leave behind something special — the ability to personalize your boots with your name and the name of someone you hope will one day wear them. This tag, this small addition, transforms your boots into a keepsake, a part of your story that lives on.
Simply order your Will Your Wings tag at the link below, or stop into your local Red Wing Store to get a tag and more information on how to affix it properly.
If you'd like to share why you're handing your boots down, and to whom, submit your store here.
Molly + Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen is renowned for his legendary stunts on and off-screen, and his impeccable and timeless style echo decades later. Red Wing boots were more than just a preference of Steve’s; they were a statement. He carried himself with a fearless determination that defined his life, and an unwavering commitment to doing things your own way. That same legacy lives on through his granddaughter, Molly McQueen, and her family.
Together with Molly, we created a limited-edition Classic Moc inspired by Steve McQueen’s original Red Wings, infusing what he wore with a contemporary design. We used Oro Legacy Leather to represent his original boots and then customized them with added speedhooks, leather laces, a black Traction Tred outsole, a triangle stitch on the backstay and unique embossing of his signature and race number. We wanted it to be something he’d still wear today.
My grandfather had the unique ability to make everything he did look effortlessly cool. He was self-assured and confident, which is why people are still drawn to him today. But beyond the surface, he stood for something deeper—values that went beyond his style or his roles on screen.
The Will Your Wings campaign isn’t just about passing down a pair of boots—it’s about passing down a legacy. Just like the boots, it’s about handing over something meaningful and built to last. It’s about receiving a piece of history to cherish, uphold, and make your own. And that’s what makes this campaign so special: it’s not just about what’s worn, but about what’s carried forward.
– Molly McQueen
Brelen + Max
<p>Brelen is a horseshoer from California, a master of a timeless craft. Through countless hours spent trimming and shoeing horses’ hooves, he's relied on Red Wings to get the job done.</p>
<p>In his profession, and in his choice of boots, he values the tradition, the legacy of the craft. As he has worked with his apprentice Max, he’s also worked to impress those same values on him. To that end, Brelen handed down a pair of his Iron Rangers—the same pair that were handed down to him—to instill the same appreciation of expertise and skill in his young friend. </p>
<p>They say that a horseshoe brings luck, but Brelen believes luck is put into that shoe from the horse, from its life and its story. He hopes he has infused a little luck into these boots, so that Max can write his own chapter. </p>
Yuki + Shino
<p>Yuki loves her Red Wing boots. She wears them almost every day because, she says, they bring her confidence. As a single mother looking to instill confidence and independence in her daughter, that’s important. So one day, when a young Shino asked to try them on, it was heartwarming to see that she was inspired to be just like her mom. </p>
<p>Yuki gave Shino her first Red Wing boots when she was 9, so she could always carry that confidence with her. It is a mindset she has embraced as she travels the world with her mother, excited to meet new people, fearlessly facing new experiences.</p>
<p>Yuki hopes that the calm determination she sees in Shino will grow as she learns to push against expectations imposed upon her, accepting no limit for what she can do in the future. </p>
