Irish Setter Wingshooter XD Work Boots Provide All-Day Comfort in the Toughest Environments
For the last 70 years, Irish Setter has played a significant role in the hunting and sporting industries for their comfort, performance, and iconic look. Over the years, the Wingshooter design made its way onto construction sites and other building projects for these same reasons. Now, Irish Setter is taking it to the next level with the new Wingshooter XD work boots, promising improved performance and durability in the toughest conditions.
Pros
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Sturdy leather construction
- Fit is true-to-size
- Goodyear welt construction
- Innovative protective TPU toe-cap
- Reinforced stitching at key stress points
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Irish Setter Wingshooter XD Work Boot: First Impressions
I’ve been a big fan of Red Wing boots for years for their durability and comfort during long work days. However, this is my first time trying anything from Red Wing’s more affordable Irish Setter brand, and my hopes and expectations are high.
Opening the box, I was immediately greeted by the smell of real leather—a good sign! The Wingshooter XD sports the same classic moc-toe style as the Wingshooter ST. This design is very approachable and adapts well to both jobsite terrain and even office settings.
With all-metal hardware, premium laces, and a removable PU footbed, these boots have been an easy choice as I’ve walked out the door every morning since they arrived. While I like the level of support from the stock insole, if you’re someone who struggles with lower back pain, a premium insole would improve the overall experience. I’m honestly finding it hard to find any significant drawbacks.
Irish Setter Wingshooter XD Work Boot Design Notes
- Model: Irish Setter 83676
- Safety Toe: Non-metallic Nano safety toe
- Safety Ratings: EH, SR, NT
- Connection Type: Full Goodyear welt
- Upper Material: Full-grain leather
- Waterproof
Construction
The Wingshooter XD series is built for those who demand the very most from their work boots. They are designed with double and triple stitching around key stress points, and the full-grain leather upper is completely waterproof. The design team also opted for all metal lace hooks and eyelets for increased durability.
These boots feature Goodyear welt construction, one of the most durable methods currently available. I tend to prefer this for its excellent durability, water resistance, and overall longevity. It typically requires some breaking in, but it holds up much better than less expensive cement construction.
Looking down at the sole, the team stuck with their iconic wedge design, but the XDs now feature co-molded construction. This process involves two or more materials being molded together simultaneously, creating one cohesive material rather than two pieces that are simply bonded together. This increases the boot’s longevity and decreases the chances of de-lamination on the outsole.
The EVA rubber tread provides excellent traction and is oil, chemical, heat, and abrasion-resistant. Additionally, the non-metallic nano safety toe meets ASTM standards for electrical hazards and slip resistance.
Keep in mind that this boot is primarily designed for hard surfaces rather than bare ground, and the shallow tread pattern confirms this. In light of this, you may notice that the outsole wears out faster than a deep-lugged heeled boot.
Comfort and Fit
These boots felt great out of the box—albeit a little stiff. I typically wear a size 11 regular, and these boots are spot on as far as sizing is concerned. They include a removable insole that provides all-day comfort on hard surfaces. Personally, I think this insole provides ample support without feeling too squishy.
The initial stiffness didn’t last long. It only took about three full days for them to start feeling broken in, and even those days weren’t unbearable.
In a past life, I almost exclusively wore 8-inch rise boots, but as a Central Florida native, these 6-inch boots are a bit more comfortable on warmer days. In fact, these boots come with a military-grade lining that wicks away sweat and dry very quickly for all-day comfort. Keep in mind that the Wingshooter XDs are not insulated, so if you’re working in colder climates, these might not be the best option.
Author’s Note: If you’re looking for an insulated boot, be sure to check out the Irish Setter Edgerton XD Work Boots!
ArmaTec Toe Cap
In my experience, the toe is one of the first parts of a work boot that starts to show wear and tear. Not only is it unattractive, but it’s disheartening to see my new boots get scuffed or scratched. While toe caps aren’t new to the work boot industry, Irish Setter took a unique approach to their design.
The one-piece ArmaTec TPU toe cap is directly integrated into the leather upper. The rugged diamond-plate pattern is designed to withstand the daily drags, kicks, scuffs, and scrapes associated with kneeling and other ground-based work. Unlike the Brunt Toe, found on the Marin Work Boot, the ArmaTec cap covers the entire toe box, including the top!
Irish Setter Wingshooter XD Work Boots Price
Irish Setter is releasing four different models of the Wingshooter XD work boot, with prices ranging from $229.99 to $249.99. All regular width (D) models are available in half sizes from 6 to 12, and whole sizes from 13 to 15. For wide models (EE), half sizes run from 7 to 12, with whole sizes up to 14. Here’s a quick look at all four options:
| Model | Height | Color | Toe | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83676 | 6 in. | Brown | Safety | $239.99 |
| 83668 | 6 in. | Black | Safety | $239.99 |
| 83667 | 6 in. | Brown | Soft | $229.99 |
| 83884 | 8 in. | Brown | Safety | $249.99 |
The Bottom Line
Irish Setter Wingshooter XD work boots deliver a solid blend of comfort, durability, and performance that Pros demand in tough working environments. While the construction choices favor higher reliability, these aren’t full-fledged Red Wings, so the build has some trade-offs. That said, I haven’t run into any issues that make me worry about retiring them prematurely.
With their traditional wedge outsoles, Wingshooter XDs do their best work on hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt. If you’re primarily on bare, uneven ground, you’re better off with the higher traction of deep-lugged outsoles.
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