Beginning of the Beckman Journey

Last Thursday, I made the trek down to Red Wing Shoes’ factory sale.  After trying on multiple pairs of boots and waiting in line for an hour, I left with a pair of Beckman boots.  There were several lasts I sought out during the sale, and while I had my eye on Red Wing’s postman shoes and chukka boots as well, the former wasn’t there and the latter didn’t float my boat in the way I hoped.  Since I’ve wanted a pair of Beckmans for the last two years, this was the perfect occasion to snag them.

I’ve worn my new Beckmans nearly every day since I picked them up.  Though they’ve yet to break in, I couldn’t be happier with my choice.  The Beckman is dressier than other Red Wing models and since I like a refined (yet rugged) look and need a sleek shoe for work, the Beckman offers me more formality than my Iron Rangers do.  This is due to their narrower silhouette and lack of a cap toe, which breaks up a boot’s continuity.  When I’m looking at it from the side, it looks more like a pair of leather Aldens than part of Red Wing’s lineup.

Breaking in the boots is a difficult feat for my feet.  I went half a size down from my Iron Rangers in my Beckmans because I used to overestimate my shoe size, and it took me a while to realize my Iron Rangers - while much beloved - are a touch too large for me.  My Beckmans a little tight next to the pinkie toe, but have become less so over the course of five days.  The initial stiffness of the leather is also giving way, and I spotted my first crease on the shoe yesterday.  Though the fastidious side of me shed a tear, each wrinkle makes the boot my own, worn in my way.

Though I’ll wear my Beckmans less as the winter months come around, this is the beginning of a new boot journey, a boot journey which I’ll document along the way.  That gives me incentive to treat my Beckmans nicer than my Iron Rangers, but each pair of boots has their own story told through the experiences of their wearer.  Welcome to the family, new boots.