comment about yesterdays article

HOW ABOUT THIS RESPONSE TO YESTERDAYS ARTICLE

Jerry.

I just read your email about your Addison order.I showed your boots to a good friend of mine who manages a Redwing store who is a well-respected member of the Redwing community.He asked me if he could send a picture of your boots to Redwing to show them what they were missing out on.I remember explaining the Lamilite lining to him but I don't know if he understood the significance. His focus was on the quality of the boot and in serving customers like me for whom Redwing no longer builds footwear as every Redwing boot/shoe I've worn Redwing has discontinued.From what I see, they're cheapening their product so my buddy's concern was, maybe Redwing should consider making some of the footwear they used to make as there are still consumers looking for it.

I don't yet know what if anything he communicated to corporate and I don't believe his comments would have caused you this trouble but if enough people brought your boots to corporate's attention, no doubt the pressure from Gore on Redwing and Redwing on Addison caused or contributed to your situation.I'll ask my buddy what he communicated to corporate and let you know.My opinion is Redwing is another manufacturer that's on the way out.My buddy vehemently disagrees with me that their quality is slipping but I'm not a complete idiot and can see for myself.If times weren't so good for the construction industry out here on the west coast, he wouldn't have half the sales he currently enjoys.There's no comparison between a $210 Redwing boot and your boot as the quality and value of your boot exceeds that of a Redwing by $100.

As sad as this is, you don't appear to me to be a guy who gives up so I'd bet you will keep looking for another manufacturer.I won't suggest you invest $1M in equipment and training and build a boot yourself but I would suggest you poll your customers and ask them if they'd pay $300 for a pair of boots.You might be surprised by their answers.You can probably guess I tried to buy a couple of pair of 11W-s before I finished reading your email but you're sold out.Fortunately I have another pair on the shelf.

Thanks for everything you do for those of us who use your products.

Very truly yours,

Mike W

My response to Mike was to tell his friend that he had carte blanc to show whomever at Red Wing whatever he wanted that I have written as well as pictures of my boots.

The following men are ceo’s of Wolverine Worldwide: Blake W. Krueger, Red Wing: David Murphy and Timberland: Jeff Swartz. Do you think any of these boys (I am older than all of them so I think of them as boys) has the guts or b***** to go to their product developers, marketing people, buyer or whomever to ask for proof positive that goretex actually does what gore has claimed for 40 plus years. Do you think any of them will bring gore hopefully bobby into their office and ask for proof positive that goretex does what has been claimed? Or will they simply ignore the facts of reality and just allow their companies to continue promoting the greatest lie ever to take hold in the textile industry?

Or will they become mealy mouths executives as Ayn Rand portrayed in Atlas Shrugged saying “but what can we do” not knowing what to do next once goretex is removed from their boots. The information i.e. knowledge is out there it does exist so they can make boots that do work. But will the take the bull by the horns and tell those who are responsible to get what does work so they again can make boots that do not fail the consumer. I agree with Mike there are an enormous number of consumers who want a good boot and specifically one that does not have goretex or any other like material in it.

Years ago when 3-m came out with their lightloft fiberfill I bashed it and they called and said they might sue me, my response was go for it, since I knew insulation and they didn’t. I told the ceo that his component would cause the public to buy foreign sleeping bags because those made in the USA with his fiber were destined to die quickly. As an example back then, about 1990, I said look in your parking lot and not that foreign cars out numbered American cars because they were better. If the Chinese start sending their non-goretex boots to the USA that could mean the death knell for USA brands.

Like I said the information is out there waiting for them to discover it!

And now a word from a new customer using his new Wiggy’s bag.

Ultra Comfy

I picked up my Ultra Light coyote brown mummy style on sale months ago but used it last night. Under it was my Sea to Summit R5 mattress.
Granted was only 56° low but I never had a hot spot in the +20° bag nor was I ever chilled even the slightest. Thank You.

– David

David

Thank you.