In 1950, Red Wing Shoes introduced a new boot – style 854. Crafted by experts out of the beautiful Red Russet leather, Irish Setters were born. The name would go on to be synonymous with quality, durability, and comfort for generations of hunters and workers by proving itself in the field and on the job site.

Their work boot lines and other brands they make (Irish Setter Boots, Vasque, and Worx) are made outside the USA in Asia, primarily China, Korea, and Vietnam.

Irish Setter became the brand for generations by proving itself in the field and on the job site. Today, more than 110 years of Red Wing work boot experience, combined with the over 60-year legacy of Irish Setter outdoor footwear, results in purpose-built Irish Setter footwear for work and hunt.

The Wingshooter waterproof leather hunting boot has dominated the field since 1950. This is the original Irish Setter boot and it gets better with every upgrade. The beautiful full grain leather wraps around the UltraDry™ waterproof membrane that keeps you dry in wet conditions.

The boot, style 854, was made with leather tanned using extracts from the bark of sequoia trees, which gave it a distinctive deep reddish-orange color known as "Oro Russet." It was so similar in color to the coat of Irish Setter dogs that it was named "Irish Setter" in the company's 1950 catalog.

IrelandIrish Setter / Origin Irish setter, breed of sporting dog renowned for its elegant build and its bright, mahogany-coloured coat; it was developed in early 18th-century Ireland to locate birds for the hunter.

The Irish Setter is believed to have developed from an English Setter-Spaniel-Pointer-Gordon Setter mix. The earliest ancestors of the Irish Setter were not solid red but red and white.

hunting Irish Setters excel in canine sports such as hunting, agility, dock diving, rally, tracking, and flyball, and their sensitive nature makes them a natural as therapy and assistance dogs.

In addition to being used by stalking hunters who needed boots that could go all day in rough terrain, the 877 soon found its way to American job sites, as hunters began wearing their hunting boots to build homes, maintain industrial plants, and drive 18-wheelers. Irish Setter boots changed little throughout the 1960s.

The Irish Setter is a high-spirited gundog known for grace, swiftness, and a flashy red coat. They are famously good family dogs: sweet-tempered companions for the folks, and rollicking playmates and tennis-ball fetchers for the children.

In 1950, Red Wing introduced style 854, crafted with Red Russet leather which inspired the Irish Setter name. Irish Setter became the brand for generations by proving itself in the field and on the job site.

1950 In 1950, the first of many boots known simply as “Irish Setter” were designed specifically for hunting, and featured the distinctive Oro-Russet leather, the same color as an Irish Setter hunting dog. Originally a sportsman's boot, it was quickly adopted by American workers in the 1960's.