Red Wing 875 vs Classic Lifestyle

what's the difference between these two?

I know the lifestyle has leather laces.

Originally Posted by synovoid

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what's the difference between these two?

I know the lifestyle has leather laces.

bump

I'm interested too.

Links
Classic lifestyle - http://zapp.me/7371513

875 - http://www.redwingshoes.com/productd...px?prodid=1043

Different colors

Also, zappos has a RWI-Inspired boots which looks similar - http://zapp.me/7343118. Maybe a little sleeker?

the "classic lifestyle" looks to be the 8138 model, which is the same as 875 except for the leather. Both are great. Imo, stay away from the "inspired". Get the "real deal" instead.

Are the inspired knockoffs? Zappos lists them under redwing shoes.

I was leaning towards them because of the price...but I understand Red Wings last for years in real work settings. I just need something to wear in cold weather with jeans.

Also, J crew has a variety of classic boots:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Mens...8346/88346.jsp

It looks like the only differences are price and the black soles.

Hows Red Wing sizing? I've heard to size down, but not sure how much. Of course - if I'm ordering from zappos I can just order 2-3 pairs and send back what doesn't fit.

^ Not knock-offs as such, but not the classic boots RW are known for.

I size down one, and get a wide width, but you will probably want to size down atleast .5.

The RWI inspired is from Red Wing's crap range. They make a lot of bad shoes. It's cheaper b/c it's an imported "interpretation" of the classic RW boot. Not that it's totally worthless, but don't buy it thinking you're getting a RW work boot.

I'm looking to get a pair of 875's right now...I'm not sure what the differences are besides the color/texture of the leather..

there is a thread for this...

Originally Posted by SuperBobo

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the "classic lifestyle" looks to be the 8138 model, which is the same as 875 except for the leather. Both are great. Imo, stay away from the "inspired". Get the "real deal" instead.

Just picked up the 'Inspired' (as linked) and I have to argue this point. The leather is supple as hell, but is a lighter weight. The detailing and quality are top-notch. These are more of a summer/fall/spring boot, and definitely not a work-boot. The light weight makes them great walking city boots, but I'm still looking for a waterproof winter pair.

IMO, I wanted a boot, other than my Docs, that I could wear in more seasons than late fall/winter.

They also look to be breaking in really well.

Originally Posted by captainmo

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Are the inspired knockoffs? Zappos lists them under redwing shoes.

I was leaning towards them because of the price...but I understand Red Wings last for years in real work settings. I just need something to wear in cold weather with jeans.

Also, J crew has a variety of classic boots:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Mens...8346/88346.jsp

It looks like the only differences are price and the black soles.

Hows Red Wing sizing? I've heard to size down, but not sure how much. Of course - if I'm ordering from zappos I can just order 2-3 pairs and send back what doesn't fit.

RWI are Chinese-made, but the quality is very good, in many ways better than the 875s. The RWI leather is softer but supposedly waterproof, where the 875 leather is thicker and stiffer, but is not waterproof. The detailing is better on the RWI: cabretta leather upper tongue lining and padded leather collar at the top of the boot, and the RWI has a nice quality quilted fabric liner and comes with a padded insole (the 875 is unlined and has no insole--you have to buy that additional). The 875 is U.S.-made, with a stiffer and heavier leather and the stitchwork is less cleanly done than the asian imports, at least in the examples I have. The white wedge soles seem the same between the two. Out of the box, the RWIs are much more comfortable and hardly need breaking in. They also come in 4 colors and are priced at about half that of the 875. For your money, unless you need the boot for worksite duty, where abrasion resistance is a consideration, the RWI is the way to go, value-for-money-wise.

I was thinking of purchasing these a while back, but the MIC factor turned me off. If quality isn't an issue, I would definitely prefer these to 875s. I've always disliked the bulbous moc toe on the legit Red Wings, and these are a cheaper alternative with the look I would prefer. Right now it's between the RWI and some Eastlands. Do the RWI have a vibram sole as well?

Not Vibram in the RWI, but neither are the 875s.

Originally Posted by CHenry

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Not Vibram in the RWI, but neither are the 875s.

If they come in black I'm definitely copping in the spring.

Are the Inspireds the same thing as the 8138's or am I just missing something? For whatever it's worth the 8138's are made in the USA, my buddy has some 877's and they are the same quality, just different construction because of height.