Red Wing Heritage has updated one of its most recognisable boots for 2026, introducing the 8809 Classic Moc in Tidal Blue Muleskinner leather.
The new release takes one of the brand’s most familiar silhouettes and gives it a rich blue finish inspired by denim, giving the Classic Moc a new look.
Made exclusively at Red Wing’s SB Foot Tannery in Minnesota, the Tidal Blue Roughout leather is the centrepiece of the release. The textured finish gives the boot its own character while keeping the strength and durability expected from Red Wing.
Roughout leather is often compared to suede, but the construction is very different. Rather than using a split hide, it keeps the full-grain structure of the leather, making it tougher, more resistant to water and better suited to regular wear. The surface also naturally hides marks, meaning the boots develop character as they are worn.
First introduced in 1952, the Classic Moc has changed very little over the decades. Originally created for sportspeople before becoming a staple for workers in farms and factories, the Classic Moc remains one of the brand’s best-known styles.
The 8809 keeps the details that have made the Classic Moc a classic, including Puritan triple stitching, a Goodyear leather welt and the brand’s Traction Tred rubber outsole.
For the launch campaign, Red Wing has worked with Austin-based artist and photographer Laura Rostad, whose cyanotype artwork draws on the same deep blue tones found in the new leather. Created using traditional photographic techniques and natural materials, the work adds another layer to the launch.
The Red Wing Heritage 8809 Classic Moc in Tidal Muleskinner Roughout leather launches globally on Tuesday 28 July 2026, priced at £349.
