The Red Wing Shoe Company was built on America's great promise at the end of the 19th century that if one worked hard enough, one could achieve anything. The founder, Charles Beckman, was a big believer in this promise and when he couldn't find work boots that were both comfortable and durable, he decided to make his own.
In 1905, working ten hours per day, his Red Wing Show Company was turning out 110 pairs per day. Word of the quality and comfort built into every pair of Red Wing boots spread quickly and the company prospered and prospers to this day.
To honor Red Wing Shoe Companies’ 100 year anniversary, over 60 volunteers worked 13 months to design, engineer and build a 16 foot tall (4.9 m) replica of their ‘877 Classic’ work boot. Size: 638 ½ (US), 638 (UK), 850 (EUR) Length: 20 feet (6.096m), Width: 7 feet (2.133m), Height: 16 feet (4.876m), Weight: 2,300 lbs (1043.28k).
In considering how to construct the piece, artisans searched for materials that were easy to use, lightweight, durable and low cost. After experimenting with several, they chose Flex-Foam iT!® X expandable flexible urethane foam to cast the flexible sole of the giant boot.
The Flex-Foam iT!®X sole measures 20 ft long x 7 ft wide x 20 inches thick (6.096m x 2.133m x 50.8cm) at the heel.
Fun fact; the giant boot took 4,000 hours to design, engineer and fabricate.
To learn more about this super-sized Red Wing Classic, visit their website at www.redwingshoe.com/bigboot/bootfaq.pdf
The sole of the work boot required 60 gallons (227.124 L) of Flex-Foam iT! ®X.
The boot was built using this custom made last. The same process used in the regular production of boots.
The leather upper is set onto the Flex-Foam iT! ®X foam sole.
The bootlace is 2 1/4 inches (5.71cm) in diameter and 104 feet (31.69m) long.
Completed 16 foot (4.87m) work boot with original human size 877 work boot on front.
Over 60 volunteers worked 13 months to design, fabricate and build the boot.
