Thorogood vs Irish Setter work boots

Who makes each brand

Thorogood is made by the Weinbrenner Shoe Company in Wisconsin. Its listings describe the boots as American made with USA and globally sourced components. The American Heritage moc toe is its signature boot. See our Thorogood guide.

Irish Setter is owned by Red Wing Shoes. It started as a hunting boot name and now also covers a full work boot line, including the Ashby, Ely, Mesabi, Kittson and Wingshooter ST work models in our guides. If you are deciding between the two Red Wing owned names, see Red Wing vs Irish Setter.

The moc toe question

Thorogood's American Heritage moc toe is the boot most people have in mind when they search this matchup. Its listings describe full-grain leather, the MAXWear Wedge traction outsole, a removable footbed, EH resistance and safety toe options in steel and composite.

Our guides do not include an Irish Setter moc toe work boot listing, so we cannot confirm whether a comparable safety toe moc is available, or what its toe, sole and ratings would be. The Irish Setter boots we can compare use lug or Traction Tred outsoles with a heel rather than a moc toe wedge.

If a moc toe wedge is what you want, start with our moc toe guide, which covers Thorogood, Red Wing, Danner and others.

See our moc toe picks →

6-inch safety toe: American Heritage vs Ashby

The Thorogood American Heritage 6-inch Steel Toe listing describes a steel safety toe meeting ASTM F2413-18, EH resistance, the MAXWear Wedge outsole meeting ASTM F3445-21 slip standards, and a removable Poron comfort insole. The title calls it a moc toe with a heel outsole.

The Irish Setter Ashby 6-inch Aluminum Toe listing describes an aluminum safety toe, oiled full grain leather, a Goodyear welt that allows resoling, a removable polyurethane footbed, and an HRO Traction Tred rubber-EVA outsole that is heat resistant to at least 475 degrees Fahrenheit. It meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C EH and ASTM F3445-21 SR.

The Ashby's aluminum toe makes it the lighter metal toe choice. Our alloy toe vs steel toe page explains that trade-off.

Logger: Logger Series vs Mesabi

The Thorogood Logger Series 9-inch Steel Toe listing describes waterproofing with Aztec lining, a Vibram midsole, steel shank, steel toe and Goodyear storm welt construction, and the title states EH.

The Irish Setter Mesabi 8-inch Steel Toe Logger listing describes full grain leather, UltraDry waterproofing, a steel shank, a removable EVA footbed, Goodyear welt construction and an HRO logger outsole heat resistant to at least 475 degrees Fahrenheit. It meets ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C EH and F3445-21 SR.

Both are welted, waterproof, steel toe loggers. The Thorogood is taller with a Vibram midsole. The Mesabi adds a heat resistant sole and a lower listed price. See our logger boot guide.

Specs side by side

This table uses listing facts only. Not stated means the listing does not mention it. Prices are the listed prices at the time of writing and will change.

Which brand to choose

Choose Thorogood if you want the American Heritage moc toe wedge style, which suits flat concrete and long standing, or a taller Vibram logger. Choose Irish Setter if you want a lower listed price, a heat resistant HRO sole for hot surfaces, or an aluminum toe.

Whichever you pick, check the size. Thorogood often sells wide widths such as 2E. Our work boot width chart and steel toe boot guide can help.

• Moc toe wedge for concrete: Thorogood American Heritage
• Hot surfaces and lower price: Irish Setter Ashby or Mesabi
• Lighter metal toe: Irish Setter Ashby aluminum toe
• Tall Vibram logger: Thorogood Logger Series

Frequently asked questions

Is Irish Setter made by Red Wing? Irish Setter is a brand owned by Red Wing Shoes. Its work boots are sold under the Irish Setter name.

Does Irish Setter make a moc toe like Thorogood? No Irish Setter moc toe work boot is in our current listings, so we cannot confirm one or its specs. The American Heritage remains the moc toe we can compare in detail.

Are Irish Setter work boots resoleable? The Ashby, Mesabi and Wingshooter ST listings state Goodyear welt construction that allows resoling. The Ely listing describes a direct attach sole instead.

Which is cheaper? In our listings, the Irish Setter boots were priced well below the comparable Thorogood boots at the time of writing.