The Red Wing APEX is listed with a BOA M4 dial, so start by checking for an M4 marking before you order a replacement. [1] A kit labeled IP1 is a different named dial kit, and you should not assume it fits the APEX. [2] You may also find this useful: . Red Wing Apex BOA vs Traditional Laces: Which Fits Your Workday?.
That distinction matters because a replacement that looks similar may still be the wrong part for your boot. Check the model name on the boot and any markings on the dial, then confirm the match with BOA or Red Wing before buying. BOA describes the APEX M4 dial as designed for easy operation with gloved hands and micro-adjustment. [1]
For example, if you find “IP1” on a listing but “M4” on the APEX product information, treat that as a reason to verify compatibility—not as proof that the kit will work. [1][2] The available sources identify the APEX dial as M4 and show an IP1 replacement kit, but they do not provide a compatibility chart or a complete parts list. [1][2] Share the boot model and dial marking when you contact BOA or Red Wing so they can confirm the correct replacement part.
Could the replacement dial be the wrong type?
Check the dial system on your Red Wing Apex boot against the exact replacement kit listing before you order. The Apex product page identifies its dial as an M4 [1], while the replacement listing in the supplied example is for an IP1 right dial [2]. Those labels differ, so don’t assume that a kit will fit just because it says BOA or is described as a shoe replacement. For more detail, see . Red Wing Apex BOA Price: What to Check Before You Buy.
Compare the details before buying
Start with the name or type of dial shown for your boot, then look for the same type in the kit description. For example, if your boot is identified as M4 and a listing says IP1 right dial, treat that as a mismatch to check—not as proof the parts are interchangeable. The example listing also specifies a right dial, so confirm the side if your repair is on the left.
Check the kit’s product title and description, including any stated dial type and side. A general label such as “BOA shoe replacement” does not, by itself, confirm compatibility with the Apex. The supplied listing calls out IP1 and right, while the Apex page names M4 [1][2].
Get confirmation if the listing is unclear
If the product description does not clearly identify the dial type or side, ask BOA or Red Wing to verify the match before you order. Share the boot model and the exact kit listing, and ask whether that kit is intended for the Apex dial you have. This is more reliable than choosing by brand name, appearance, or the fact that the part is made for footwear.
If you already have a candidate kit, compare its stated type with the boot’s dial information and pause if the labels do not match. The available product information identifies the Apex dial as M4 and the example kit as IP1 right; it does not establish that those parts are compatible [1][2].
What part is damaged or not working?
Start by identifying whether the dial, lace, or another visible part of the BOA fit system is damaged or not working; describe what you see before requesting replacement-parts guidance. The available product information identifies the Red Wing APEX system as using an M4 dial, designed for operation with gloved hands and micro-adjustment. [1]
Check the dial
Look closely at the dial for cracks, missing pieces, or other obvious damage. Without forcing it, see whether it turns and whether your adjustment stays in place. If the dial will not turn, or the fit loosens after you adjust it, note that specific symptom rather than assuming the dial itself is the only part at fault.
The product information describes the M4 dial as allowing micro-adjustment with a stable fit. [1] That description does not confirm what has failed on your boot, so treat your inspection as a way to report the problem—not as a diagnosis or a guarantee that a replacement dial will fix it.
Check the lace and its path
Inspect the lace where you can see it, including the sections that run through the guides. Look for visible fraying, a break, or a lace that appears out of place. Do not pull hard on the lace or take apart the mechanism just to find the fault; record what is visible and leave uncertain repairs for parts guidance.
For example, you could report, “The dial turns, but the lace looks frayed near a guide,” or, “The dial is visibly cracked and will not turn.” Those descriptions separate what you observed from what you suspect, which makes your parts question clearer.
Record the boot details
Write down the boot model and the symptom before contacting Red Wing or asking for parts guidance. If you are unsure of the exact model name, use the identifying information on the boot or its paperwork rather than guessing. Include whether the dial is damaged, whether it turns, whether the adjustment holds, and what you can see along the lace path.
The product page identifies the Red Wing APEX fit system with an M4 dial. [1] Use that as a reference when describing the system, but do not assume every visible problem calls for a dial replacement; report the symptoms and ask which part, if any, is appropriate.
Is the correct replacement kit available?
The available listing for a BOA IP1 right dial kit does not confirm that it fits the Red Wing Apex, so check the exact system and side before ordering. BOA identifies the Apex as using an M4 dial, while the retail listing names an IP1 right dial kit.[1][2] Those are different system labels in the sources; the listing alone is not evidence that the kit is compatible with your boot.
Check the dial before ordering
Look at the dial on the boot that needs repair and note its system marking, if present, along with whether it is on the left or right boot. Compare those details with the kit description, rather than relying only on a product name such as “BOA replacement dial.” BOA’s Apex product page describes an M4 dial, so an IP1 listing should not be treated as the correct Apex part without confirmation.[1][2]
For example, if your Apex dial is damaged and the only listing you found says “IP1 Right,” pause before buying—even if the color looks close. The listing identifies the kit as an IP1 right dial kit; it does not say that it is for the Apex or for an M4 system.[2] A similar appearance or the BOA name by itself does not establish fit.
Ask about the correct repair route
Contact BOA or Red Wing with the boot model and the system and side you observed, and ask which replacement kit or repair route they recommend. The available source identifies the Apex’s M4 dial but does not specify a replacement-kit part number or repair procedure.[1] Current availability and the right route therefore need to be confirmed directly.
The retail listing says its IP1 right dial kit is backordered and will ship when back in stock, but that status applies to that listing—not necessarily to an Apex-compatible part.[2] Ask whether a suitable M4 part is available before placing an order, and confirm that the kit matches the affected side. If you cannot identify the dial marking, share a clear photo and ask support to verify it rather than guessing.
How to handle a faulty Apex BOA dial
If your Apex BOA dial no longer holds your foot securely, stop using that boot for work and confirm the correct part before attempting a repair. The BOA Fit System is designed to tighten with a dial and lock your foot in place, so a closure that slips or will not stay adjusted may not provide the fit you expect. [3]
Stop and check the fit. If the boot loosens while you walk or the closure will not keep your foot in place, do not rely on it for work. Set the boot aside until you can confirm what has failed; do not compensate by forcing the dial or continuing to wear a boot that does not secure your foot.
Identify the exact boot and dial. Check the boot label, paperwork, or product information for its model, then confirm whether it uses the M4 dial. Red Wing APEX product information identifies an M4 dial, but that alone does not confirm that every Apex boot or every BOA issue uses the same replacement part. [1]
Document what you see. Take clear photos of the dial and the area where the lace runs through the closure. Note whether the dial is visibly damaged, the lace appears affected, or the adjustment will not hold; for example, describe whether the dial turns but the boot still feels loose.
Ask BOA or Red Wing support what to use. Share the model details and photos, and ask them to confirm the replacement part and the repair instructions for your specific boot. The available product information describes the M4 dial’s intended use, but it does not provide a replacement-part number or a repair procedure. [1]
Follow the applicable manufacturer instructions. Install a replacement only if the instructions match your boot and part. If you cannot confirm that they apply, pause and ask support or a Red Wing store for guidance rather than guessing at the repair. The BOA system is intended to tighten evenly and lock the foot in place, so check that the closure works as directed before putting the boot back into work. [3]
When should you contact BOA or Red Wing?
Contact BOA or Red Wing when you cannot confidently identify the right replacement part, or when a basic inspection does not resolve a faulty dial, lace, or closure. The Red Wing APEX product page identifies its dial as an M4, but that detail alone does not confirm that a particular replacement kit fits your boot. [1]
Check what is failing
Before contacting support, look at the dial, lace, and the points where the lace runs through the closure. Note what happens when you turn the dial: for example, whether it turns without tightening, catches, or leaves the closure loose. These observations can help you describe the problem, but they do not identify a compatible replacement part by themselves.
If your boot is the Red Wing APEX model, mention that when you ask for help and say that the product page lists an M4 dial. [1] You can also explain whether the lace appears damaged or the dial seems unable to tighten evenly; BOA describes the system as tightening with a quick turn of the dial. [3] If you are unsure which BOA system or component is on your boot, ask support to confirm before ordering.
Avoid a mismatched repair
Do not assume a kit is suitable just because its dial looks similar. If you cannot match the part clearly, pause and contact BOA or Red Wing rather than relying on an unrelated replacement kit. Avoid forcing a dial that feels stuck or a lace that will not move; a damaged mechanism may need guidance beyond a visual check.
When you reach out, describe the boot as specifically as you can and share what you observed. For example, say, “The dial turns, but the closure stays loose,” rather than asking only for a replacement dial. If the dial, lace, or closure still does not work after inspection, ask support what part or repair route is appropriate instead of guessing.
Common questions about Apex BOA parts
Check the dial system on your Red Wing Apex before ordering a replacement: the Apex product page identifies its dial as M4, while a listing labeled IP1 does not confirm compatibility. [1][2] Match the exact system and part rather than choosing a kit just because it is made by BOA.
Does a generic BOA dial fit the Red Wing Apex?
Not necessarily. The Apex page describes an M4 dial, so a generic listing is not enough to establish that the part will fit. [1] For example, if a replacement listing says IP1 but does not identify M4 or the Apex, confirm the part with the manufacturer or seller before buying. [2]
Is an IP1 replacement kit the right part?
The available listing identifies the product as a BOA shoe replacement IP1 right dial kit, not as an Apex M4 kit. [2] That listing alone does not show that it fits the Apex, so do not treat “BOA replacement dial” as a match. Check the system named on your boot or its product information and compare it with the exact kit description.
Can you replace the dial yourself?
Use the manufacturer’s guidance for the confirmed replacement part, and do not assume that instructions for another dial system apply. The Apex product page identifies its system as M4, but the supplied information does not provide replacement steps. [1] If you cannot confirm the part or procedure, ask BOA or Red Wing for guidance before removing anything.
What should you check before ordering?
Confirm that the replacement is for the correct side and system, then check the kit description against your Apex. The example IP1 listing is specifically for a right dial, which is another detail to verify rather than assume. [2] Keep the boot’s model information handy when you contact the seller so you can ask whether the part is intended for the Apex M4.
Confirm the part before you buy
The product listing identifies the Red Wing APEX dial as an M4, but confirm the exact replacement kit with BOA or Red Wing before ordering. [1] A dial that looks similar may not be the right part for your boot, so use the model and product details to ask for a match rather than relying on appearance alone.
What to check before ordering
Have your boot’s exact name and any model or style information available when you contact BOA or Red Wing. Tell them the dial needs replacement, and ask them to confirm that the kit is intended for the Red Wing APEX and its M4 system. The available product listing describes the dial as M4, but it does not establish which replacement kit or individual parts fit every APEX boot. [1]
If the dial is difficult to turn, has come loose, or no longer tightens the boot, describe what you see instead of guessing at the cause. The BOA collection page says the system tightens with a turn of the dial; it does not provide troubleshooting steps or identify which part to replace for a particular failure. [3] A clear description can help you get a specific answer before you buy.
Use the maker’s repair guidance
Once you have the part confirmed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that kit. Don’t pry, cut, or substitute parts based on a repair video or a kit meant for another BOA system; the sources here do not give repair steps or confirm that other kits are interchangeable. For example, if a seller lists a dial without naming the APEX or M4, pause and check with BOA or Red Wing before ordering.
The practical takeaway is to treat M4 as the starting point, not the final confirmation. Contact BOA or Red Wing with your boot details, verify the exact kit, and use the instructions provided for that replacement rather than improvising a repair.