generally i bought this boot just to complete my boot & shoe collection with one of the icon RED WING SHOES par excellence: the #899. i was searching for a classic oro-russet colored one. hard to find, because the 899 is not built anymore. since about two years you can buy the oro-iginal colored #2945 and the dark brown #4585 with the same shape and sole – nice boots but not the classic #899. awkward to say: i owned a 899 about 20 years ago. it was my second RWS, but i sold it to buy another one when i was a student – no money to own several paris of RWS. a big mistake! but times change … now i own a classic vintage 899 RWS IRISH SETTER. i bought it more than a year ago at ebay. it is really rugged but in good condition. when i got it, i changed the soles because i decided to wear the boot. the plan to complete just my collection was cancelled. this #899 is still much to nice just to be placed in the closet. and it is so comfortable with the original RWS white crepe sole. pics | LTG