In 1952, Red Wing introduced the white, flat, cushioned Traction Tred sole to men's work and hunting boots for the first time, launching the 8-inch #877 boot. This boot was an instant success upon its release, and within a few years, various variations emerged, including the 6-inch #875 boot.

The boots feature a comfortable moccasin-style toe (Moc Toe) and a Traction Tred sole, providing ease of walking and lasting comfort. The high-quality leather and sturdy construction offer functionality and durability, making the #875 and #877 popular choices for American workers, representing iconic Red Wing boots.

Initially, the #875 used brown oil tanned leather called Oro Russet from the 1950s to the 1990s. Throughout its long history, the color of this leather has changed several times, sometimes taking on a bright gold tone and other times becoming more reddish. In 2014, Red Wing decided to return the leather to its original, oil-rich, orange-brown hue, resulting in the current Oro Legacy leather. Selected for its especially smooth grain side, the leather is only dyed after tanning, without any additional coating on the grain side, resulting in a natural, full-grain leather finish. As the boots are worn over time, their appearance becomes more expressive, and their character deepens.