The Story Behind Steve McQueen's Red Wing Boots
To know Steve McQueen is to know that the man loved motor racing.
“An actor is a puppet, manipulated by a dozen other people,” he once said. “Auto racing has dignity. But you need the same absolute concentration.”
McQueen’s role in The Great Escape famously saw him riding a 1961 Triumph (disguised as German BMW R75s) as he escapes a POW camp, while scenes of him drifting on four wheels arrived via Le Mans.
Off-screen, McQueen purchased his first off-road Triumph in the early 1960s, eventually going on to race the bike throughout the decade and into the seventies, often finishing in the top ten of the Baja 1000, the Mint 400 and the Elsinore Grand Prix.
In 1971, it led to him fronting the cover of Sports Illustrated, pictured topless and jumping a Husqvarna off-road bike. Below his beige chinos you'll find a pair of Red Wing boots.
While McQueen has been synonymous with a few brands during his lifetime, Red Wing was probably the most practical. His chosen style, the Prairie 877, was first worn by American workers throughout the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, a durable choice for the off-road terrains he traversed. While pap pics of his riding gear often highlight the Barbour or Persol sunglasses he wore, the distressed, over-worked shoes repeatedly found on his feet can often be dismissed.
“My grandfather had the unique ability to make everything he did look effortlessly cool,” says grandchild (duh) Molly McQueen. “He was self-assured and confident, which is why people are still drawn to him today.”
In honour of the soles that the King of Cool stood upon, his granddaughter has partnered with the all-American brand to design a pair of shoes inspired by his original pair. Made of Oro Legacy leather and featuring Dull Gilt brass eyelets/speedhooks and tan leather laces, these boots nod to McQueen's, yet are finished with a modern flair via a black Traction Tred outsole and custom embossments with Steve’s signature and ‘278’ racing number on each boot heel.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to be working with Steve McQueen’s granddaughter, Molly McQueen,” said Aaron Seymour-Anderson, head of brand and creative at Red Wing. “Telling Molly’s story and creating these custom boots together is an incredible way to honour and uphold Steve’s legacy.”
In true McQueen fashion, don't be afraid to put your pair through its paces. Even if that's just a winter walk through a particularly muddy field, rather than a long-distance motorbike race.
The limited edition Red Wing Classic Moc are available from November 16th in-store and November 21st on their website.
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