Building the Boots that Build the World: Nick Sparby

On weekends, you’ll find Nick Sparby working on the CrossFit gym that he and his wife own in Red Wing, Minnesota. As the couple more than doubles the existing footprint of the gym, Nick is leading the construction efforts. And he’s doing it in his Red Wing Traction Tred Lite boots.

“It was my wife’s dream to own a CrossFit gym,” said Nick. “We bought the gym about 30 days before the pandemic pushed everyone into lockdown. We pivoted and borrowed equipment to our members and led virtual classes.”

Now that their community has grown, Nick is leveraging his construction skills to build out the gym further. 

“About two years into college, I quit,” said Nick. “I loved working with my hands and seeing how things come together. I had the opportunity to learn a ton and work for home builders across Minnesota.”

The housing market crash of 2009 changed things for Nick. With a baby on the way, he pivoted from building homes to building boots.

“I started as a sole stitcher in plant 2. I had wonderful trainers,” reflects Nick. “For months, they were by my side working, until I could almost do it blindfolded. I never imagined myself being in manufacturing but to see the boots that are made in the U.S. and to know that I was part of that – I didn’t realize the pride that came with making Red Wing Shoes.”

As the housing market began to repair itself, Nick began repairing boots in the repair shop. “I learned all about how the shoe comes together and how to recraft them to look almost brand new. Each boot that came in reminded me of my uncle Jerry, who was a farmer and dump truck driver. I always thought ‘what if this was his boot’ and repaired it like it was.”

With Nick’s experience in building and repairing shoes, he was approached by the product development group at Red Wing Shoes to join the team. “I never thought that I would work in a corporate office. I never thought that I would have that opportunity.”

Nick joined the development team, learning the process of working with designers, vendors, and bringing a boot to life. After working on the Heritage brand for a couple of years, Nick followed his roots and became a developer for the Irish Setter and Red Wing lines. “When we’re brainstorming about a new boot, I think back to what I wore when I was doing construction. I try to bring the best of everything together to innovate a new boot.”

In his 12-year career, Nick has worked on most Red Wing Shoe brands. “The only brand I haven’t worked on is Vasque,” chuckles Nick.

“When I see our boots at construction sites, I know that we make some of the best work boots in the world. It’s something that I am proud of.”