Red Wing’s Best Shoe (In Its Most Gorgeous Leather) Gets a Rare Discount

Back in 2023, Red Wing fanatics like myself lost our minds when we heard that an ultra-rare Classic Moc style, exclusive to the Japanese market except for a few rare appearances, was becoming available globally.

It was the Classic Moc in Hawthorne Abilene roughout leather, and it might be the most beautiful boot ever created.

J.Crew

A year later, Red Wing doubled down on the gorgeous sandy tan leather by offering it in the Shop Moc Oxford, essentially the Classic Moc cropped at the ankle.

One of the many appealing attributes of Hawthorne Abilene roughout leather is that it looks good with everything from jeans to formal trousers. This effect is magnified in the Oxford version because you aren’t limited to outfits that complement boots.

J.Crew

Just over a year after hitting the market, J.Crew is offering a shockingly generous 30 percent discount on the Shop Moc Oxfords in Hawthorne Abilene roughout leather.

It appears that the American retailer is trying to unload its supply before the holiday season, setting up a rare opportunity to catch a break on one of Red Wing’s finest creations.

Hawthorne roughout leather

As with every leather used in Red Wing shoes, Hawthorne Abilene roughout comes from the S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing, Minnesota.

J.Crew

It is roughout leather, which has a soft, hairy texture like suede, but is much stronger because the hide is not split like with suede. Instead, it is the underside that is typically hidden inside a shoe.

In fact, roughout leather like Hawthorne Abilene is even stronger than standard leather because it retains the full thickness of the hide, where standard leather loses some bulk as the grain side is smoothed out in the tanning and dying process.

Red Wing Shoes

Having owned a pair of Classic Mocs in Hawthorne Abilene roughout leather for two years, I can speak to how it only improves with age. Steady wear has created a toasted hue, and the leather is remarkably easy to clean with a boot brush.

Half a moc

Red Wing’s Shop Moc Oxford is built exactly like its flagship boot from the ankle down. The vamp and upper are connected with a Puritan triple stitch, the heel counter is reinforced with a backstay and the midsole is connected to the outsole via a Goodyear welt.

Red Wing Shoes

A leather insole molds to the owner’s foot over time and sits over a cork footbed. It even has the same blown rubber Traction Tred Outsole as the Classic Moc.

The only issue to be aware of before buying this shoe is that the tough-as-nails roughout leather requires some breaking in. While that is tolerable with a boot, it can be hard on the skin around your ankle with an Oxford.

Just make sure to use heavyweight socks for the first five to seven wears.

Availability and price

The Red Wing Shop Moc Oxford in Hawthorne Abilene roughout leather is available now from J.Crew for a discounted price of $217 when you use the code “saletime” at checkout.

It is unusual for J.Crew to offer discounts on third-party merchandise, and rarer still for a coveted Red Wing model to be marked down. J.Crew’s supplies are limited, so get ’em while you can.

J.Crew

Red Wing Heritage Shop Moc Oxford in Hawthorne Abilene Roughout Leather

• $217 at J.Crew
  $310 (30% off)

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