Red Wing Apex Review

These lightweight, waterproof work boots are excellent but have a few significant downsides

The Red Wing Apex Work Boots

The Red Wing Apex is an ultralight 6” hiker-style work boot with several innovative features. The whole thing that made me want to check out these specific boots was the lacing system. The offset design coupled with the BOA Fit System looked to be a unique solution to typical work boot lacing, which has never been great. The fact that these boots weigh under three pounds also makes them much different than the typical armored tank boots I usually cover here.

How I Reviewed These Boots

I originally wore these boots doing some renovations on my 1880s farmhouse, but I wanted to really put them to the test. So, I handed them off to our old pal Tyler. If you don’t remember, I had Tyler test out three pairs of boots for my Good, better, best work boots video. The poor guy had to suffer through one month of the hateful Brunt Marin boots, some Red Wings, and Nicks Moc Toe Pro- which were, unsurprisingly, his favorite. Tyler is a fourth-year electrical apprentice on the project I’m working on, and basically does all the jobs the older guys don’t want to do. He’s a great worker and puts several miles on his boots each day on asphalt, concrete, steel decking, and dirt. He wore them for 30 days and gave me a full report.

Construction

                -Leather: waterproof and oiled nubuck

                -Cemented construction

                -EVA foam footbed

                -Bontex (brand name) insole – which is basically a cellulose board

                -TPU Shank (thermoplastic polyurethane)

                -Weight: 2lbs 10oz

                -Offset lace design

                -BOA Fit System

Outsole

The outsole is a Vibram ReGrip DLT made from recycled rubber and has been tested to perform on high heat surfaces up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. The lugs aren’t huge, but they provide a ton of traction. Keep in mind however, that these soles are cemented (or glued) on to the boot. While this helps keep the weight down, it means that they can’t be re-soled when they eventually wear out.

Sizing and Fit

 I found these boots fit true to size, and ordered my typical brannok size with no issues.

Safety Features

1. Aluminum toe which meets ASTM Safety Standards
2. ASTM Slip resistant.
3. ASTM Electrical Hazard rating
4. Waterproof using the 3-layer Red Wing waterproofing system. The first layer is a lining to help move moisture away from the foot, a second layer of foam cushioning, and the third layer is a waterproof sock or “bootie” to keep water out.

In Use

My first impression of these boots wasn’t unexpected. The light weight made them feel more like sneakers than work boots, and that weight really adds up at the end of a long day. They don’t breathe particularly well, which is to be expected with any waterproof boot with a multi-layer system. Even while wearing my vented Darn Tough Vermont work boot socks, I found the Red Wing Apex to run hot.

                Tyler, on the other hand, loved these boots so much that he’s alternating between these and his Nicks Moc Toe Pro. He said the weight was a big factor, but that they maintained their comfort throughout the month he wore them. He didn’t have the same issue I had with breathability, though everyone is different, and I tend to run hot all the time, so that could have been a contributing factor. The Apex is a nice alternative to heavy work boots with thick leather like the Nicks Boots Tyler usually wears.

The BOA Fit System

The real hero of these boots is the BOA System, however. It’s difficult to describe the way it feels compared to traditional laces, but I’ll do my best.

First off, the tighten and release system is brilliantly simple- just push the knob in and turn clockwise to tighten and pop the knob out to release. This means micro adjustments are super easy on the fly and putting them on and taking them off takes only seconds.

The BOA lacing system is a very thin coated wire that weaves through specially designed keepers rather than traditional eyelets. I found that this provides more “give” in the boot since the lace wire is continuously flexing along with your steps. Imagine a rope going through a pulley and you have the general idea. The fact that the Apex took this a step further and moved the knob to the side is a huge benefit. I noticed with other boots I’ve worn with the BOA system that it can interfere with working off an A-frame ladder. More than once I’ve had the knob get stuck beneath the ladder rung and pull out, releasing the ratchet system. This might not concerning atop a 4-foot ladder, but on a 12-footer, it gets a little more treacherous.

Despite all these benefits, I had one big concern: repair. See, in the field it’s common to break a boot lace which requires a quick relacing and trip to the store after work. If the BOA system gets damaged, how (if at all) can it be repaired? Thankfully, the BOA fit system has a lifetime warranty, and they’ll send you a repair kit with all the components, instructions, and tools needed. Even better, their web page says they’ll fulfill requests within 24 hours and next day service. So that put my mind at ease, knowing BOA stands behind their system.

Price and Value

At $270, these boots are expensive. With the amount of synthetic material within them, the fact that they’re not welted, but cemented which is cheaper to manufacture adds up to a boot that feels like it costs about $50 too much. If these were $225, I think they’d be a far better deal.

                The non-BOA equipped model costs $239, but that savings eliminates the best feature of the Apex. Without which you might as well consider other boot models.

The Bottom Line

The Red Wing Apex is a very interesting boot, and for guys like Tyler they’re a perfect lightweight option. The BOA Fit System is awesome, the light weight is refreshing amongst a sea of super heavy duty leather work boots, and I applaud Red Wing for trying something new.

However, if you tend to have sweaty feet or just run hot these may feel stifling. Not just these, but any boot with a waterproof lining. Water resistance is a double-edged sword for boots, so make sure it’s a feature you need, because the tradeoff is breathability.

                The price is also concerning since these boots are within the range of some very good, welted boots. The Apex is cemented, which means that when they wear out, it’s very difficult (if not impossible) to resole them. Welted boots on the other hand can be rebuilt several times extending their lifespan and providing you with a better return on your investment. In many cases I’d argue that the new Traction Tred Lite is a better boot.

                For some, the Red Wing Apex will be the answer to their boot prayers, but for others, it will miss the mark.

Brands Mentioned: Red Wing