About
The Beckman is a heritage ankle boot manufactured by Red Wing Shoes. Named after Red Wing's founder Charles Beckman, the boot was designed as an urban-appropriate version of the company's traditional workwear boots, originally intended for the muddy streets of early 20th century Minnesota. First introduced in the early 2000s as the "Gentlemen Travelers," the model was later renamed Beckman before being discontinued in 2018 and reintroduced in 2024 with updated materials and construction.
About
The Beckman is a heritage ankle boot manufactured by Red Wing Shoes. Named after Red Wing's founder Charles Beckman, the boot was designed as an urban-appropriate version of the company's traditional workwear boots, originally intended for the muddy streets of early 20th century Minnesota. First introduced in the early 2000s as the "Gentlemen Travelers," the model was later renamed Beckman before being discontinued in 2018 and reintroduced in 2024 with updated materials and construction.
The Beckman features Goodyear welt construction, premium full-grain leather from Red Wing's own S.B. Foot Tanning Company, and a Vibram Gro-Cord outsole. Built on the company's No. 224 last with a 6-inch height, the boot is manufactured in Red Wing, Minnesota using more than 230 handcrafted steps.
History
Charles Beckman, a German immigrant who founded Red Wing Shoe Company in February 1905, originally conceived the urban boot design for city wear. The actual Beckman model wasn't introduced until the early 2000s under the name "Gentlemen Travelers," constructed with Horween Chromexcel leather. The boot was soon renamed to honor the company's founder and became part of Red Wing's Heritage collection.
After years of production using the company's Featherstone leather, the Beckman was discontinued in 2018. Red Wing reintroduced the model in 2024 with several updates, including a switch to softer Excalibur leather and the addition of the Gro-Cord sole system.
Design and Construction
The Beckman boot uses Goodyear welt construction, a method that allows for resoling and provides long-term durability. The boot is built on Red Wing's No. 224 last, which has been updated with a slight toe bump and enhanced comfort features including a heel pad and leather insole with fiberglass shank support.
The current Beckman model features Excalibur leather, a smooth full-grain leather with a softer hand and waxier finish compared to the previously used Featherstone leather. All leather is sourced from S.B. Foot Tanning Company, Red Wing's wholly-owned subsidiary tannery located in Red Wing, Minnesota.
The outsole system combines a leather midsole with a Vibram Gro-Cord rubber outsole, originally developed in the 1920s as one of the first non-leather outsoles. This combination provides both durability and traction while maintaining the boot's heritage aesthetic.
Specifications
The Beckman is available in three color options: Black, Cigar, and Black Cherry. The boot retails for $399.99 as of 2024 and is manufactured exclusively in Red Wing's Minnesota facility.
For sizing, the Beckman fits true to size on the updated No. 224 last, though Red Wing generally recommends sizing down half a size from standard athletic shoe sizing. The boot requires a break-in period of approximately two to three weeks as the leather conforms to the wearer's foot.
References
"Beckman". Red Wing Shoes. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
"History". Red Wing Shoe Company. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
"News - Red Wing Beckman is back". Shoegazing. September 4, 2024.
"Red Wing Heritage Men's Beckman Round 6\" Boot". Amazon. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
