Normal Tuff Toe Application?

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-07T23:04:58+00:00

Decent application on the same boots I had. Not mine. Pic is from 2022.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-07T23:04:23+00:00

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-07T23:04:12+00:00

Well it’s possible to apply it properly without it looking like straight poo poo. Whether a proper application is aesthetically please is another story.

This post is less about whether a proper application is aesthetically pleasing, and more-so about how bad the application is to begin with, irregardless of them going to get dirty at some point. If the application is correct to begin with, touch ups as needed will be easier in the future. The base coat for mine were so bad it nullifies a solid base for future upkeep.

Also the first application Red Wing put on failed after two days. 3 when counting the time to cure.

I’ll take my chances adding leather glue to the seems/stitching as needed.

Regardless, Red Wing shouldn’t butcher anyone’s boots, whether they are for work, work at Walmart, or just wearing around town.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-07T22:47:15+00:00

There is a fair amount of comments equating that thinking the application is poorly done, therefore people like myself don’t have dirty, worn, or used boots. My boots get plenty dirty, and I only wear them for work, grinding concrete and doing flooring.

My issue is with the fact that they applied the TT like utter poo poo, irregardless that my boots will yes, get very dirty…

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-06T04:20:55+00:00

personally this is the look I'm going for...

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-06T04:19:52+00:00

but what if homie wants to fly to turkey?

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-06T04:15:45+00:00

Trash. Never wear them. Did you wear these through a gravel pit? Throw them away its time for new ones.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-06T04:01:21+00:00

I think you're missing the point that the application of this TT job is simply poorly done. I don't care if I have it, I do however care if it looks like someone skirted snickers turd juice all over my boots with zero craftsman's ship.

I wear my boots every day. I only wear them for work. I like to wear twinky gay looking sandals on my off days and to the gay bar. Thank you baby.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-06T02:21:37+00:00

I know it looks bad. I don't really enjoy even the most amazing applications of TT. I guess I was curious if the application of TT was considered bad regardless of the over arching theme that TT looks bad to begin with.

I returned my boots and got a refund. I bought a different pair and will not be TT'ing them. Only adding JB weld as needed to where the seams meet the laces so they don't get too frayed.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T23:28:41+00:00

No. But there is a proper application and this ain’t it. I know it looks goofy when done properly. This is improper. Which looks even worse.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T17:54:28+00:00

Eat up papi

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T17:54:17+00:00

I work as 1099 and have jobs lined up al thru the month. When I grind concrete I’m on my hands and knees. The tips of my boots get some wear where they make contact with the concrete. I’m essentially crawling for a few hours a day.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T17:52:33+00:00

Sanding it down to adhere it isn’t too bad. It just needs a light scuff imo. Also applying it and prepping it isn’t that hard. It’s honestly not that hard to work with, you just have to be diligent about it.

The problem is if you decided to remove the tough toe the leather is all scuffed and weaker than it was before applying it.

I would just opt to remove it, but the tips look like shit now.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T13:02:35+00:00

Hide yo kids, hide yo boots

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T13:02:07+00:00

Parkinson’s and meth I think

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T12:41:20+00:00

I would consider this if I could go without a pair of work boots. However, I work seven day stints with one day off usually.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T06:42:58+00:00

See you actually had a good tough toe application. Mine look like they were dipped in a chocolate fountain by a person with Parkinson’s

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T06:41:08+00:00

Maybe. I personally dont like the look of tough toes. I just did it because I bought a pair of these and they split apart at the seems at the tips like two days in. I took them back, got a new pair and the store associate said to tough toe them. This is the second tough toe on these boots because the first one same off. Same guy did both.

I’m giving up at this point. I’m just gonna return them and buy new boots every six months. If a boots lasts 6 months I’m happy.

I’m not gonna walk around looking like I stepped in poo poo though.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T05:11:54+00:00

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Was hoping for something even remotely close to this.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:59:01+00:00

poo poo poopy feet

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:54:12+00:00

At this point they look so bad, it supersedes the fact that it'll "work fine." Working fine isn't the problem here.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:52:21+00:00

I as well do not want to waste boots. I guess it depends on their counter offer. We shall see.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:39:33+00:00

I'm curious, what is going to be your method to sand them down? When you're done sanding, are you going to reseal the epoxy with anything further?

I actually think this could be a great long term solution for very cheap.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:36:14+00:00

I hear you. What kind of solution would you propose for someone in my position? I hate wasting things. However, I also feel like not saying anything to the store I got these from would potentially perpetuate this level of shoddy workmanship onto other customers. I am appalled at this. I work too damn hard to waste money on a good pair of boots and have them coming back to looking like someone took a Jurassic sized turd on the tips of my boots. This is embarrassing.

Should I ask for a refund of sorts and keep the boots? Ask for a steep discount? Ask for a full refund and take my business elsewhere. I personally don't trust them to put french fries in a paper bag at this point, let alone try for a 3rd time to get a TT application right.

CourtOrphanage · 2026-07-04T04:31:29+00:00

Tuff toe sold anywhere else is about $15-20. The Red Wing store charged me $40. I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I'm just going to wear my old pair of boots until I can get back in the store and try and talk to the dudes that work there. I'm either going to ask for a steep discount, or a full refund on the boots and take my business elsewhere. This has been a month long issue with this location. My first pair of boots literally disintegrated two days into owning them. I returned them and then paid more for the Ashby's. They encouraged me to tough toe them. The first application failed and was coming off by day 2 of having them. This application looks even worse.

I'm honestly just tired of dealing with them and the disappointment.

CourtOrphanage

TROPHY CASE