Wolverine Hiking Boots Get a Red Bull-Themed Makeover
Updated: May 09, 2024
Will these Red Bull x Wolverine hiking boots give you wings? Maybe, if you're able to grab them before they fly off the shelves.
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First, Red Bull gave us wings. Then, Red Bull gave us sports and hours of programming on ESPN 8: The Ocho (Google “Paper Wings competition,” and you’ll know what I mean). Now, Red Bull is giving us their very own pair of Wolverine hiking boots, which may be one of the best I’ve ever worn.
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot was recently released as a limited edition boot, so you’re probably wondering if they’re worth buying before they’re gone. I’d say yes. They’re lightweight enough to be used by athletes yet durable enough to be used as a work boot (though I don’t think you’d want to dirty these sick-looking boots).
This is a collaboration that none of us asked for, but for reasons I’ll explain in my Wolverine hiking boots review, it’s one that we need more of from camping companies.
What are the Wolverine x Red Bull Boots?
Everyone who’s shopped for heavy-duty working or hiking boots knows about Wolverine. For the uninitiated, Wolverine makes men’s and women’s hiking and work boots, clothes and other outdoor equipment. Their parent company, Wolverine Worldwide, owns several footwear and camping companies, such as Merrell, Saucony and Chaco.
A collaboration with an energy drink might sound weird until you remember that Red Bull is heavily involved in the athletic world (they sponsor athletes, own several soccer clubs and host Fulltag, the “sport” that involves launching human-powered planes off a ramp).
For those reasons, the Wolverine X Red Bull boots are more lightweight than Wolverine’s other options. And to be honest, this boot wasn’t intended as a hiking boot. A press release says the boot was created for skilled trades workers who need a work shoe inspired by the Red Bull racing team—hard-working, athletic and durable. That said, I think the boots have all the makings of a good hiking shoe.
The six-inch boot offers ample ankle protection, is waterproof, has a durable upper, a lugged rubber outsole that grips all terrains and is breathable for those longer walks. I also think these are too nice for those who have their boots stuck in mud or cement all day. Not that they won’t get dirty on hikes either, but I’m also the type who cleans my shoes as soon as I get back to my car.
VIA MERCHANT
I Tried It
Wolverine X Red Bull Scramble Series Rush Ultraspring Boot
A limited-edition, lightweight boot made for durability
Wolverine x Red Bull Hiking Boot Features
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot is modeled after Wolverine’s classic work and hiking boots while still paying homage to Red Bull’s sports culture.
Lightweight
Aside from the Red Bull design, there seems to be only one thing that differentiates the Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot from other Wolverine hiking boots: it’s lightweight. Unfortunately, I don’t own a scale, so I couldn’t weigh the Red Bull-themed boot. Wolverine doesn’t list the weight, but they claim it’s “one of the lightest shoes” made by the company.
I guess they made it that way to give it a semi-athletic flare to match the Red Bull theme. These feel much lighter than other hiking and working boots I’ve worn, and while I’m not going to run marathons in them, I feel a little more secure increasing my pace or making sharp turns in these than I am a Keen footwear boot.
Again, with no listed weight, it’s hard to tell if there’s much of a difference between these and other Wolverine hiking boots.
Red Bull Colorway
I’ll be honest: I love the Red Bull design. Wolverine did a great job using the iconic energy drink brand’s colors and logo to create a stylish work boot. As a bonus, it’s just as functional as it is fashionable.
UltraSpring Cushioning
Wolverine uses its own “UltraSpring cushioning” in its work boots, which it claims provides the best comfort and “energy return” for people on their feet for long periods of time. For reference, energy return refers to the amount of bounce or “spring” a shoe gives, like a dedicated running shoe.
Do I think they’re more comfortable than a classic pair of Timberlands? Yeah, I do. I wore these on multiple surfaces, including dirt, concrete and mud and in every situation, I felt supported and noticed a “spring” in my step compared to other work boots.
Toe Guard
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot has an ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C EH-rated CarbonMax composite toe. In English, that means it meets the highest safety standards to protect the wearer’s toes from impact up to 75 pounds and compression up to 2,500, that the rest of the foot is well protected from impact and that it’s made of non-conductive materials (so it’s safe for electricians).
We read one customer review that said these shoes were not approved by their job (the commenter didn’t specify why), but if you work for a company that would permit it or work for yourself, you’d be well protected no matter your trade or profession.
I wouldn’t drop a 75-pound bar on my foot like they did to test this boot, but I did drop some decent-sized stones on them and felt protected. I also kicked some hard surfaces and felt no pain in my toes.
Waterproof upper
Like any good hiking or work boot, the Wolverine x Red Bull boots have a waterproof upper. I couldn’t find any customer reviews attesting to this factor of the boots, but I never experienced wet socks after stepping in puddles or while walking in the rain (though, to be fair, the few times I wore them in the rain, it was a light shower).
Breathable
Work and hiking boots should also be breathable so your feet don’t get sweaty when you wear them for many hours. The longest period I wore these was four hours, and my feet didn’t smell any better or worse than when I wore other breathable shoes. In other words, yes, it’s a breathable shoe, but it’s on par with other shoes.
Sizing
This Wolverine boot review almost didn’t happen because the Red Bull boots only go up to size 14, and I wear a 15. I decided to risk it, and, to my surprise, the Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot fit comfortably, even while I was wearing my Darn Tough hiking socks.
Most Wolverine customer reviews said their boots are cut true to size, but the fact that a size 14 fits me well makes me think they’re cut a little larger than usual.
How We Tested It
If you’ve read any of my shoe reviews, you know I come from New York City, where people often walk 20 miles a day. I still like to hit that number, but it now has to be done via walking trails and mountains in my new home state of North Carolina.
I used the Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot on my nature walks for a month, noting how they felt at the beginning and end of my 30-day test run. I looked for things such as how comfortable it felt, the protection it gave me, if it was genuinely waterproof and how it felt after wearing it for extended periods.
I’m a longtime hiker and nature lover who’s explored hundreds of miles in the Adirondack, Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains.
Pros
- Ankle protection
- Waterproof
- Breathable
- Looks cool
- Extra-wide boots available
- Cushioning keeps feet comfortable for hours
- Lugged rubber outsole grips to just about every terrain
- Lightweight
- 30-day comfort guarantee
Cons
- Only goes up to size 14
- Only available for a limited time
FAQ
Are the Wolverine x Red Bull boots limited edition?
Yes, the Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot is a limited edition boot. There’s no indication of how long they’ll be available, so grab a pair while you can.
Can these boots be worn for hiking or work?
They’re intended for work, but they have many of the features you’d want in a hiking boot. In other words, you can use them for both.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot has an average rating of 4.3 on Wolverine’s website, with 15 of the 20 reviews being five-star.
“I’ve always had great results with Wolverine boots,” writes five-star reviewer J. Schue. “These particular boots have been the most comfortable, well-fitting pair yet. I work on my feet 10+ hours a day and these are like wearing your favorite gym shoes.”
Wolverine Hiking Boots vs Merrell Hiking Boots
Wolverine Worldwide owns both Wolverine and Merrell, so there are some similarities between the two brands. For example, Merrell has also done crossovers with the Jeep Moab 3 hiking boot and their collaboration with Unlikely Hikers. But there are just as many, if not more, differences between the two.
If you’re looking for value, I’d go with Wolverine. The brand has multiple hiking boots under $100, whereas Merrell’s are more expensive. In terms of style, Merrell wins this one easily. Their shoes have fun and modern colorways that are still durable and functional, while Wolverine’s colorways look more like what your father might wear.
Merrell also has a broader selection of hiking boots, such as running and barefoot-style shoes.
So, which one should you choose? Most hiking-related Reddit threads tend to side with Merrell because they’re more durable and efficient when hiking in rough conditions. I can’t say whether that’s true because I haven’t tried a Merrell hiking shoe, but from my research, I think they’re better for the more hardcore hiker.
Family Handyman Editor Mary Henn is our in-house Merrell expert. She’s tried countless Merrell hiking shoes and loves the overall quality, comfortability and affordability Merrell offers.
Hobbyists and casual hikers would probably do well with Wolverine.
Final Verdict
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boot won’t be around for long, so if you’re a fan of the energy drink brand’s sports teams or just want a good-looking pair of work/hiking boots, I’d recommend picking them up before it’s too late. The stylish boots are comfortable and functional and can be used for just about any activity.
On top of that, they have a toe guard approved for any trade (such as electricians, construction workers and more) and are easier on the feet than your typical boots.
Although customer reviewers say they fit true to size, I could fit into a size 14 boot despite usually wearing a 15.
Where to Buy the Wolverine x Red Bull Hiking Boots
VIA MERCHANT
I Tried It
Wolverine X Red Bull Scramble Series Rush Ultraspring™ Boot
A limited-edition, durable boot made to provide cushion with every step
The Wolverine x Red Bull Scramble Series Rush UltraSpring Boots are available on Wolverine’s website for around $175 while supplies last.
Originally Published: May 09, 2024
