RED WING SHOES BRINGS MARIO’S BOOTS TO LIFE IN CELEBRATION OF NINTENDO + ILLUMINATION’S THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

by John Russel Jones

What’s up with the trend toward boots that look like they’re made for the Metaverse? First, these Astro Boy-looking boots from MSCHF hit the market last month. Now, in celebration of Super Mario Bros. leap to the big screen in Nintendo + Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie (in theaters April 5), Red Wing Shoes brings Mario’s iconic shoes to life in a one-of-a-kind prototype. The only pair created was unveiled at Nintendo New York, Nintendo’s flagship store at Rockefeller Center in front of a crowd of excited fans last Friday, March 10th, also known as MAR10 Day.

Red Wing’s master craftspeople worked with the film’s creative team to translate every on-screen pixel into a real-life stitch. Durable, natural leather and slip-resistant treads prove these are the boots of the super plumber, and mushroom-based, mycelium heel pads provide a welcome power-up to help Mario take on Bowser and his army.

“At Red Wing Shoe Company we’ve been supplying long-lasting, durable, and comfortable footwear that protects trades workers on the job site for 118-years. We were excited to deliver that same ambition and energy to Mario’s Boots as one of the most famous plumbers in the world!”  Dave Schneider, CMO, Red Wing Shoes

Mario’s Boots will remain on display for public viewing at Nintendo New York at Rockefeller Center throughout the month of April. (But this editor, for one, won’t be surprised to see them showing up on some IRL [In Real Life] celebrity before too long.)