How versatile are the Red Wing Beckmans?

[LittleWing]

I found a good deal on a pair of Beckmans, but I'm on the fence about them. I mainly want to wear them casually, maybe smart casual occasionally. Would this work with these boots, or should I look elsewhere?

Update: hey y'all, I decided to pull the trigger on getting the Beckmans! Appreciate the feedback and I'm completely stoked to get them

 

[Zoro]

That would totally work, especially nowadays when business casual can mean New Balance sneakers.

 

[Jerry_3999]

I know it’s a slightly different model but I’ve been wearing my iron rangers with just about anything and they look great so I’d imagine the Beckmann would definitely look better for a smart casual

 

[Bfd70]

Very.

 

[LittleWing]

That would totally work, especially nowadays when business casual can mean New Balance sneakers.

Very true haha. I am just a little worried that the boot itself reads too formal for most casual attire

 

[sonofmt]

I have a pair in black cherry. They go great with a cordovan highwayman I have. I think they can work casual to more ‘business casual’ well.

 

[Edward]

I know it’s a slightly different model but I’ve been wearing my iron rangers with just about anything and they look great so I’d imagine the Beckmann would definitely look better for a smart casual

Agreed. The Iron Rangers would be my favourite pattern, but the Beckman's are a slightly sleeker look *and * they can take a shine (as opposed to the oiled finish of the IRs), which would give them an edge. I can't imagine wearing them to a formal event, but for business casual / blazer and trousers type stuff they'd slot in well (especially at the level of 'no tie required').

I have a pair in black cherry. They go great with a cordovan highwayman I have. I think they can work casual to more ‘business casual’ well.

Those are the ones I have my eye on. I like all of them, but I have really plenty of black and brown boots already; the burgundy shade is the gap in my wardrobe. If I was starting looking for footwear now, or an "only pair of boots", I'd go with the dark cherry every time. It's the only shade of footwear I've found that goes equally well with whatever - earthtones, blacks, blues, greys.... I'm living in hope I'll eventually find somebody doing affordable spade soled Oxfords in a nice, dark cherry colour.

 

[Tom71]

They do, and this is the reason I took them on a multi day hiking trip where I had to dress up to smart casual at the end of the trip. They are really versatile, especially in the cherry variant.

 

[Leathergato]

I agree with others that they can be worn casually, especially after the leather breaks in and develops a patina.
I had bought a pair as factory seconds with a small scuff at a good price and was planning to resole them with a lug sole but my cobbler doubled his prices so I ended up selling them.

 

[handymike]

Beckmans are great looking boots! I had issues with the feel of them

 

[01flhr]

And heres me wondering what "smart" casual even is. The beckmans remind me of the whites cruisers, and i feel those would go well in any situation deoending on state of cleanliness.

 

[Pandemic]

I bought a pair 20 years ago as my introduction to quality American boots. Back then they were called The Gentleman Traveller model and I always thought it a good description. They are the sort of boots you can wear with chinos and a sport coat while traveling to exciting places while looking like a well put together gentleman ready for any adventure.

The do run narrow and didn’t offer wide fittings back then