Red Wing Heritage, the American footwear brand defined by 120 years of uncompromising craftsmanship, announces a global capsule collaboration with HUMAN MADE, the Japanese lifestyle and apparel brand founded by NIGO. The limited-edition collection launches January 3, 2026 exclusively through HUMAN MADE, with Red Wing’s global release to follow on January 10-12, 2026.
Guided by the shared philosophy “The Future Is in the Past,” the collaboration pairs Red Wing’s heritage of American workwear with HUMAN MADE’s contemporary cultural lens. The result is a capsule that respects the originals while introducing a refined evolution of two iconic silhouettes and three apparel pieces.
A Collaboration Rooted in History and Reinvention
NIGO’s relationship with Red Wing began in high school, when he purchased his first pair of beige Irish Setters — a moment that sparked a lifelong connection to the brand. For decades, Red Wing boots have naturally complemented HUMAN MADE’s Americana-inspired wardrobe, a synergy he acknowledges directly: “I think they’re the perfect shoes to pair with HUMAN MADE’s Americana-inspired clothing. They complete the look.” — NIGO
This personal history informed the collaboration’s creative direction. Rather than reinventing Red Wing’s classics, the teams focused on elevating them through HUMAN MADE’s point of view — adding function, cultural context, and subtle modernity while preserving authenticity.
“I’ve been wearing Red Wing boots for years, long before this collaboration,” says NIGO. “At HUMAN MADE, we believe the future is in the past — that the best ideas come from studying history and giving it new life. Working with Red Wing allowed us to explore that idea in a real way. These boots are built for now, but they also carry the spirit of something meant to last forever.”
Design Decisions with Cultural Weight
To bring the design vision to life, Red Wing’s product creation team blended elements of the #875 and #877 patterns to accommodate a long-standing functional wish: a zipper. The integration required technical precision while ensuring each silhouette retained its recognizable character. Equally significant is the choice of Hawthorne Abilene leather, deeply rooted in Red Wing’s Japan story and long regarded as one of the brand’s most culturally resonant materials. The color became a defining element of Red Wing’s earliest lifestyle collections introduced to Japan, and it surged in popularity among young men through the late ’80s and early ’90s — a nostalgia that continues to echo today in the way stylists, creatives, and cultural figures gravitate toward the leather for its distinctive look and heritage appeal.
“This collaboration allowed us to reimagine some of our most iconic silhouettes through a new lens while staying true to what makes them timeless,” says Amy Peck, Director, Red Wing Heritage Product Creation. “Adding a zipper — something we haven’t done in decades — brought both function and a fresh attitude to the 8” Classic Moc and Pecos. Using our Hawthorne Abilene leather honors Red Wing’s heritage while making these pieces feel truly distinct.”
Across all pieces, the intention was consistent: create footwear and apparel that feel contemporary without losing the integrity of the originals. The result is a collection that could have existed decades ago — yet feels unmistakably built for now.
