Red Wing Shoe Store — Local services in Los Angeles

I found this place after searching for Red Wing shoe stores. I spend 14 plus hours a day on my feet. Rain or shine; concrete, expanded steel and dirt. After my colleagues said Irish Setters are the most comfortable boots I started my hunt. I bought a pair online during a sale and they didn’t fit. My colleague said , “Go into a store, find your size and then order online.” That was my strategy going into this place.

I came in on a busy Saturday at noon with my infant son. I waited outside for 15 minutes in a light drizzling rain as it was busy inside and the door was locked. When the customers left and the door opened I was greeted by Walter. I immediately told him I was looking for an irish setter waterproof in size 11 or 10.5. Within a minute he had a pair for me to try on.

He stated that these times are very limited with inventory. He keeps a handwritten log of people that are waiting for specific styles and sizes that he already has on order from the Red Wing. He is acutely aware of the supply chain.

As I tried on a pair of 11’s I noticed immediately that they were a touch to big but he didn’t have a 10.5. Within minutes he found another pair of 10.5 elk trackers but they were mismatched colors from customers grabbing things off the shelves from the craziness.

The 10.5’s fit perfectly but I didn’t want a mismatched pair even though he offered me a significant discount on them. Finally he devised a fitting solution of red wing custom insoles combined with the stock insoles and he created a footbed spacer solution to fit my foot into a half-size larger boot.

It was amazing how crafty and samurai-like this guy Walter was in historical and practical knowledge of these boots. He literally services grunt workers to the Japanese and Hip Hop fashion elite. He pulled out a 50 year old Redwing commemorative pair of boots that were $900. He listened to every thought I had and came up with a solution. On top of that we had deep discussions of machining, welding and electrical work. This was the most profound experience I’ve ever had buying foot wear.

After stacking two footbeds together I made the decision to just get the boots right then and there. I couldn’t be happier. I took a 2 mile walk up the LA River Trail that evening and felt so good. This master shoe dealer Walter provided me with exactly what I needed in the latest color with a custom fitting right then and there….now.

I went online after my purchase and searched for the model and color I didn’t know existed (before he showed me) and found a pair online. They were $25 less and would arrive a week later. Meh!

This is place is like walking into the Kill Bill Hattori Hanso scene. If you just want a quick boot and randomly find this shop with forgettable signage and tagged chains you will be guided to the best. If you want the rarest of classic american made leatherwork Walter can put you on a list and with patience you will be served.

Plus there is a mini parking lot and it’s a block from La Buena Noche on Olvera Street. Boots and tacos = good trip.

I like Walter so much now that I’d like to buy him a beer. So I’m gonna swing by in a month or so...

Extremely helpful service, also with unusual overseas inquiries.

I had been looking for a Red Wing franchise to procure a new pair of my trusted old Pecos, which has been totally discontinued in their European sales program.

Three U.S. shops, plus the official Red Wing Mfg. (using their website contact form) didn't even bother to return my calls and mails.

Not so Walter: he was very cooperative beginning with the first mail contact and went to great lengths to have my boot in my size custom-made on order. He wasn't fazed by an international request and communicated perfectly via e-mail. Direct overseas shipping, understandably, is not offered by the shop, given the rarity of the case and the complexity of customs, billing and postal fees, but I was aware of that.

Eventually, a friend of mine picked up the merchandise and will forward the boots to me in Germany.

Thx, Walter for to shying away from this...

If you're looking for a new pair of Red Wings or are wanting to collect vintage deadstock Red Wings, this is the place to go. The shop looks small, but their walls are covered in boots, and they'll most likely have your size. Walter, who runs the shop with his father, does not only recite Red Wing model numbers off the top of his head, but he'll chat with you about pretty much anything. He's not trying to sell you boots, he's there to make sure you get what you're looking for and that your boots fit perfectly on your feet. You can tell he has a passion for Red Wings, and his welcoming demeanor shows that. I left with a pair of Iron Rangers that fit perfectly and a wonderful memory of my visit. Believe me, the drive is worth it. I'm looking forward...