Parkhurst Allen vs Red Wing Blacksmith
104 facts in comparison
Based on 190 Reddit opinions. Parkhurst AllenParkhurst Allen leads by 10 points.
190 opinions
Parkhurst Allen leads by 10pts
VS
Reddit's Pick
PA
Parkhurst Allen
81%
B+
Based on
279 Redditors
Winner
Parkhurst Allen
102 opinions
tldr; Small batch American maker. Excellent materials, handmade quality. Allen model is beloved.
Check pricesVS
71%
B-
Based on
264 Redditors
Red Wing Blacksmith
88 opinions
tldr; Iron Ranger's sleeker sibling. Same quality, no cap toe. Easier to dress up slightly.
Check prices⭐LEA
⭐CON
❤️COM
🔧DUR
📐FIT
85
Points
65
Points
Score by Category
Leather Quality
100%100%
Construction
82%57%
Comfort & Break-in
88%36%
Durability
100%71%
Fit & Sizing
38%23%
Why is Red Wing Blacksmith better than Parkhurst Allen?
- Briar Oil Slick leather classy with conditioning
- Resolable, but 430 mini-lug stiff
- Size down 0.5 from Brannock
Based on 543 Reddit opinions
Slight Edge
Reddit prefers the Parkhurst AllenParkhurst Allen
Winning by 10 points (81% vs 71%)
Better fit
Better comfort
Better construction
High confidence (543 mentions)
💬Reddit Sentiment
Based on 543 Reddit mentionsOverall Rating
Parkhurst Allen
8.1/10
279 mentions
Wing Blacksmith
7.1/10
264 mentions
FIT
Parkhurst Allen3.8/10
Wing Blacksmith2.3/10
LEATHER QUALITY
Parkhurst Allen10.0/10
Wing Blacksmith10.0/10
COMFORT
Parkhurst Allen8.8/10
Wing Blacksmith3.6/10
VALUE
Parkhurst Allen10.0/10
Wing Blacksmith10.0/10
CONSTRUCTION
Parkhurst Allen8.2/10
Wing Blacksmith5.7/10
DURABILITY
Parkhurst Allen10.0/10
Wing Blacksmith7.1/10
⚔️
Head to Head
| Topic | Parkhurst Allen | Wing Blacksmith |
|---|---|---|
Fit | 38% | 23% |
Leather Quality | 100% | 100% |
Comfort | 88% | 36% |
Value | 100% | 100% |
Construction | 82% | 57% |
Durability | 100% | 71% |
Category Wins
Parkhurst Allen: 4|Wing Blacksmith: 0
Head to Head
Parkhurst Allen: 4|Wing Blacksmith: 0
FitParkhurst Allen
Parkhurst Allen38%
Wing Blacksmith23%
Leather Quality
Parkhurst Allen100%
Wing Blacksmith100%
ComfortParkhurst Allen
Parkhurst Allen88%
Wing Blacksmith36%
Value
Parkhurst Allen100%
Wing Blacksmith100%
ConstructionParkhurst Allen
Parkhurst Allen82%
Wing Blacksmith57%
DurabilityParkhurst Allen
Parkhurst Allen100%
Wing Blacksmith71%
Parkhurst Allen
81%
71%
Wing Blacksmith
Parkhurst Allen81%
Wing Blacksmith71%
Parkhurst Allen wins by 10 points
Key Specs
| Spec | Parkhurst Allen | Red Wing Blacksmith |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Goodyear Welted | Goodyear Welt |
| Last | 602 last | No. 8 Last |
| Upper Material | Full-grain leather | — |
| Sole | Dainite studded rubber sole | — |
| Lining | Leather lining at the vamp area | — |
Key Highlights
Parkhurst AllenWinner
🇺🇸 Made in Pennsylvania
🪡 GYW construction
👞 Service boot silhouette
💰 Great value at $350-400
📏 Runs TTS
Red Wing Blacksmith
👍 Briar Oil Slick leather classy with conditioning
🔄 Resolable, but 430 mini-lug stiff
📏 Size down 0.5 from Brannock
🪡 No midsole - harder underfoot
🇺🇸 Made in USA heritage
Topic Battles
Parkhurst Allen: 4|Tied: 1|Wing Blacksmith: 0
⭐Leather Quality
Parkhurst Allen
100%
Wing Blacksmith
100%
⭐Construction
Parkhurst Allen winsParkhurst Allen
82%
Wing Blacksmith
57%
❤️Comfort & Break-in
Parkhurst Allen winsParkhurst Allen
88%
Wing Blacksmith
36%
🔧Durability
Parkhurst Allen winsParkhurst Allen
100%
Wing Blacksmith
71%
📐Fit & Sizing
Parkhurst Allen winsParkhurst Allen
38%
Wing Blacksmith
23%
Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories
📈Where They Rank
💬What Redditors Actually Say
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Parkhurst Allen
Top Criticism
+3 pts“**Parkhurst - The Allen - Dune Roughout (Read Notes!)** **Size: 9 - 9.5D** **Price:** **~~$300~~** **$205 shipped via USPS Ground Advantage to CONUS** **Pictures:** [HERE](https://imgur.com/a/URGRzGW) **Notes on Sizing**: This pair does not have a size label on it. I am speculating that they are 9 or 9.5D. For context, I typically wear 9.5EE in Red Wing and Grant Stone. This pair has a slightly low instep and is too narrow for me. Based on the [Parkhurst FAQ](https://www.parkhurstbrand.com/pages/faq), I believe these are 9-9.5D. In the photo album, I tried my best to provide measurements from the outsole of the boot. **Due to the uncertainty in sizing, I will allow returns (you will have to pay for return shipping)**. **Other Notes:** I have confirmed with Parkhurst (see end of photo album) that these are Dune Roughout boots. As far as I can tell, they are in new condition, if not tried on a few times as there is no wear on the sole and the leather seems untouched. I'll note that the waxed cotton laces seem too short and may need replacement. Otherwise, nothing else seems wrong with the boots. **All transactions will be through PayPal. The price will drop with every BST thread! Please message with any questions or photo requests.**”
r/goodyearwelt
View3 more quotes available below
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Red Wing Blacksmith
Best Praise
+8 pts“I love my 3340. The blacksmith is very classic to me, and I agree that the model should be pictured in the dictionary definition of heritage styled boot, no question. CRT is pretty iconic, but Briar Oil Slick takes the cake for me as all-time favorite from SB Foot/Red Wing.”
r/goodyearwelt
ViewTop Criticism
+16 pts“Blacksmith/Iron Ranger are classic. I just hate the lack of a midsole. It's a nonstarter for me. I love your review, and thanks for sharing. I'm glad you enjoy them so much. That's the beauty of a good fitting pair of footwear.”
r/goodyearwelt
View3 more quotes available below
Sentiment Over Time
Parkhurst Allen
Red Wing Blacksmith
📈Historical Price Data
Red Wing Blacksmith
Red Wing Blacksmith
Which is Better?
Parkhurst Allen Wins
81%
Allen
vs
71%
Blacksmith
Parkhurst Allen leads by 10 points based on 543 Reddit opinions.
Why Parkhurst AllenWinner
- 🇺🇸 Made in Pennsylvania
- 🪡 GYW construction
- 👞 Service boot silhouette
Why Wing Blacksmith
- 👍 Briar Oil Slick leather classy with conditioning
- 🔄 Resolable, but 430 mini-lug stiff
❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown
Sentiment Breakdown
30%Positive
Positive
30%Neutral
64%Negative
6%Based on 279 Reddit opinions
Sentiment Breakdown
23%Positive
Positive
23%Neutral
67%Negative
10%Based on 264 Reddit opinions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Parkhurst Allen or Red Wing Blacksmith?
Based on 543 Reddit comments, Parkhurst Allen is the preferred choice with 81% positive sentiment vs Red Wing Blacksmith's 71%. Parkhurst Allen leads by 10 percentage points.
Should I buy Parkhurst Allen or Red Wing Blacksmith?
If you want the safer choice based on community sentiment, Parkhurst Allen has stronger approval ratings (81% vs 71%). However, Red Wing Blacksmith may still be better depending on your specific needs, budget, or use case.
What do Redditors love about Parkhurst Allen?
Reddit users highlight: Made in Pennsylvania. GYW construction. Service boot silhouette. With 279 mentions and 81% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.
What do Redditors say about Red Wing Blacksmith?
Reddit users highlight: Briar Oil Slick leather classy with conditioning. Resolable, but 430 mini-lug stiff. Size down 0.5 from Brannock. With 264 mentions and 71% approval, it remains a popular alternative.
How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?
This comparison analyzed 543 Reddit comments: 279 about Parkhurst Allen and 264 about Red Wing Blacksmith. Data was sourced from Quality Boots community discussions.
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.
Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?
Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.
190 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 5/16/2026