Nigo’s Affinity for Red Wing Started in High School — Now His Human Made Label Is Teaming Up With the Heritage Brand

Red Wing Heritage is kicking off 2026 with a new collaboration with Japanese lifestyle and apparel brand Human Made.

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 of two footwear silhouettes and three apparel pieces.

The new footwear styles include the 8” Classic Moc, a hybrid silhouette merging Red Wing’s signature #877 and #875 Classic Mocs. The style features a medial zipper, Human Made emboss, and two Taslan lace options. The second is the Pecos, a reinterpretation of the classic white wedge Traction Tred outsole featuring a heel zipper and Human Made emboss.

Both silhouettes utilize Hawthorne Abilene leather, 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.

As for the apparel range, the capsule includes a varsity jacket, sweatshirt and T-shirt.

“This collaboration allowed us to reimagine some of our most iconic silhouettes through a new lens while staying true to what makes them timeless,” Amy Peck, director of product creation at Red Wing Heritage, said in a statement. “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.”

For Nigo, who created Human Made, his 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,” the designer said. “They complete the look.”

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.

“I’ve been wearing Red Wing boots for years, long before this collaboration,” Nigo added. “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.”

The limited-edition collection, which retails between $74.99 and $450, is now available exclusively through Human Made, with Red Wing’s global release to follow on Jan. 10 and U.S. availability starting Jan. 12.