What kind of boots does Daryl Dixon Wear?
In the TV Show The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon wears the 8-inch Classic Moc Boot from Red Wing’s Heritage Collection. Originally built as a hunting boot, it makes sense that Dixon, a professional hunter and Southerner, sports a rugged American outdoor shoe. He likely wears the darker copper variation.
Some guys want to be Batman and some guys Superman.
Maybe you’re the Sergeant Murtaugh to your best bro’s Sergeant Riggs, the Jordan to his Dennis Rodman.
In the face of a zombie apocalypse, any guy would either want to be Rick Grimes, or Daryl Dixon. Sure Grimes is hard-working and loyal. But Dixon, often surly and always resourceful, has an edgy cool factor about him.
We don’t all exude the renegade toughness of The Walking Dead’s rebel protagonist, but we can definitely take on his rugged style.
We found those handsome boots that Daryl Dixon is always sporting throughout the show’s 10 seasons. We also found two alternatives, one for the budget-conscious and one for the fashion-forward.
Daryl Dixon Boots
Throughout his adventures and near-death experiences on The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon sports a pair of leather lace-up boots with a moccasin-style toe, the stitching visible around the front of the boot. It’s definitely a classic outdoor work boot, which makes perfect sense since Dixon is a professional hunter.
The design crew’s attention to detail on this show is impressive. Remember that Dixon is a Northern Georgia native, who grew up in less than ideal social and financial circumstances—classic tough guy back story. He very likely, if not definitely, wears a pair of Red Wing Heritage 8-inch Moc boots.
Famously worn by Daryl Dixon of the hit TV series, The Walking Dead, the 8-inch Moc is one of Red Wing’s most famous models from their Heritage Collection. The moc toe design, dark gunmetal eyelets, and the Traction Tred rubber outsole are all trademark features.
Not only do they look the part, but Dixon is surely the kind of guy to go for old-school ruggedness and protection over contemporary comfort technology. He’s a skilled bowman after all. Not to mention that there are two huge Red Wing stores in Northern Georgia.
The 8-inch Moc is one of Red Wing’s most famous models from their Heritage Collection. They first came out in 1952, built specifically for hunters just like Dixon. The moc toe design, dark gunmetal eyelets, and the Traction Tred rubber outsole are all trademark features.
Dixon’s flat-bottomed, shallow-lugged outsoles are a dead giveaway to his boots’ Red Wing identity. As an outdoorsman, you want stability and slip-resistance, but you don’t want aggressively deep lugs that’ll pick up everything you step on.
Dixon’s boots can obviously take a beating. The Nubuck leather 8-inch Mocs are built with Red Wing’s Puritan triple stitching, a long-patented technique in which latex is melted into the sewing thread for more water resistance. Of course, they’re also Goodyear welt constructed.
Since they’re always covered in dirt, debris, and zombie brains, it’s difficult to tell which colorway he’s wearing. Red Wing’s brown version is a warmer and lighter hue, with a reddish tint. The copper version is much darker, and actually looks more like a brown tone.
Daryl Dixon Boots Alternatives
More Stylish Alternative: Thursday Diplomat
If you’re leaning more into the fashion aspect of Dixon’s rough-and-tumble look, give the Thursday Boots Diplomats a go.
Not that they aren’t tough boots, far from it in fact. They’re equipped with steel shanks for support and protection and are Goodyear welted, just like the Red Wings. These guys will last you years.
What makes the Diplomats so popular is that they feature lower toe boxes and are more tapered than average moc toe boots. Since they’re less block-like, you can dress them up in ways you can’t with the Red Wings. Many men love the idea of a moc toe, but fear the clown-foot effect, or wish they were more versatile. The Diplomats solve both of these problems.
The Vibram outsole sports the same white wedge aesthetic as the Traction Tred. Color-wise, the burnt copper Diplomat looks similar to the Red Wing 8-inch Moc’s copper variation. Meanwhile, the Diplomat in harvest is an almost exact color-match to the Red Wing’s “brown” color.
They’re also cheaper than the Red Wings, which is a plus, but they aren’t the cheapest. That award goes to our next entry.
The Thursday Boots Diplomat is a one-of-a-kind moc toe. Most comparable boots have a huge toe box that doesn’t work well with a pair of fitted jeans or chinos. Combine a slim design with high quality materials like a Vibram Christy wedge sole, steel shank, and Thursday’s excellent oil-tanned Rugged & Resilient leather, and you’ve got a winner here.
Best Budget Alternative: Golden Fox Moc Toe Work Boots
For just around, and often under, $100, you get a lot with the Golden Fox Moc Toe Work Boots. They’re Goodyear welted and come with shock-absorbing polyurethane cushion insoles.
On the style front, they’re actually a bit more robust than the Red Wings. The moc-stitching is woven vertically, with the two upper pieces sticking out, for a thicker junction line. At six inches, they’re also shorter, adding a hiking boot-like stoutness.
They wouldn’t be good Red Wing alternatives without the wedge soles, and the Golden Foxes feature similar, not exact, tread patterns as the Heritage Classic Mocs. These plastic slabs absolutely won’t last you as long as the Red Wings or the Thursday Boots, but this is hardly offensive for the price you’re paying.
The Rebel’s Boot
Who doesn’t want to be as fearless and defiant as Daryl Dixon? Our favorite rebel zombie killer stomps around in the 8-inch Moc Boots from Red Wing’s Heritage Collection.
Famously worn by Daryl Dixon of the hit TV series, The Walking Dead, the 8-inch Moc is one of Red Wing’s most famous models from their Heritage Collection. The moc toe design, dark gunmetal eyelets, and the Traction Tred rubber outsole are all trademark features.
If you’re looking for more fashionable and modern footwear, the Thursday Boots Diplomats take the moc toe concept and repackages it into a sleek and sophisticated urban shoe.
If you’re on a budget, or even if you want something bulkier, the Golden Fox Moc Toe Work Boots are a third of the price, with a taller silhouette.
Whether or not you’re an outdoorsman, a good pair of moc toe boots is definitely a style staple. Just don’t pair them with your crossbow if you’re wearing them to brunch.
FAQs
Are the boots that Darl Dixon wears waterproof?
The Red Wing Heritage Moc Boot isn’t perfectly waterproof, but they’re highly water resistant.
What knife does Daryl Dixon use?
Daryl Dixon uses a Busse Team Gemini fixed blade knife.
What kind of shirts does Daryl wear?
Daryl Dixon is often seen wearing work shirts or utility shirts, sometimes with the sleeves torn off. The closest match is the Dickies polyester-cotton big-tall work shirt.
