Pecos

The Pecos represents Red Wing's entry into the traditional cowboy boot market, developed after the company established operations in Texas in 1923. Over decades of production, the Model 1155 Pecos has achieved cult status among construction workers, oil industry professionals, and ranchers nationwide. Red Wing trademarked the Pecos name and expanded the line into multiple variations, though many models have since been discontinued and are now offered only in limited quantities.

Red Wing Shoe Company began its expansion into cowboy boot production in the late 1930s as part of a strategic initiative to penetrate the Texas and Southwest market. The company had established a branch office in Dallas, Texas in 1923 to better serve the unique needs of ranchers, cowboys, and oil drilling roughnecks in the region.

By 1959, Red Wing had refined its cowboy boot design and introduced the "Pecos" boot, named after a town in Texas. The company trademarked the Pecos name and developed multiple variations of the design. The boot quickly gained popularity among ranchers and farmers nationwide, extending its appeal far beyond its original Texas market.

The Pecos boot was designed to combine the durability and work-boot functionality that Red Wing was known for with the traditional styling preferences of Southwest workers. This approach differentiated the Pecos from decorative cowboy boots, focusing instead on practical performance in demanding work environments.

The Pecos boot incorporates Red Wing's traditional manufacturing processes, which involve over 230 individual handcrafting steps performed across facilities in Missouri, Arkansas, and Red Wing, Minnesota. The boots feature Goodyear welt construction and triple-stitched quality, methods that provide durability and repairability.

The Pecos gets its name from the distinctive nail construction technique, where full-grain leather boots use nails that cinch over to firmly lock the heel in place. This construction method provides structural integrity while allowing for resoling when the outsole wears down.

Red Wing manufactures Pecos boots using leather sourced from their own S.B. Foot Tanning Company subsidiary in Red Wing, Minnesota. The leather undergoes specialized processing techniques developed by Red Wing to enhance durability and performance in work environments.

The Pecos line is currently available in limited quantities after many years of being unavailable to consumers. Red Wing describes the 1155 as a limited release, with the company stating that no additional stock will be produced beyond current inventory. This limited availability has increased demand among heritage boot collectors and workers seeking authentic cowboy boot construction.

Over decades of production, the 1155 Pecos has established cult status as a work boot for various job environments including construction, the oil industry, and ranching. The boots are manufactured in Red Wing, Minnesota, and can be resoled at any Red Wing Shoe Store location, extending their usable lifetime.

Several discontinued Pecos models were previously available, including European and Japanese exclusive versions that featured different leather types and construction details. These discontinued models have become highly sought after in the heritage footwear market.