Comments on: Red Wing Iron Ranger

By: Chee

Chee — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:22:45 +0000

In reply to Jon.

Thanks for your reply!
I appreciate the information about Dainite soles, which I’ve never tried.
You’re right about the harshness of the Iron Rangers, they can feel hard indeed. All Red Wing insoles are hard, come to think of it, regardless of the outsole. I’ve found that additional insoles help with that (as well as with durability, which is why I use them in most shoes), but it can mess up with your sizing.
Best regards.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:11:53 +0000

In reply to Chee. Hi Chee, Thanks for you comments, it's good to know that some people prefer the nitrile cork sole. Since writing the above post I've also had the opportunity to use the dainite sole in all weather conditions. I discovered I quite dislike dainite due to slipperiness in the wet. It seems simple, but what I'd prefer is a low profile commando sole made of a durable, non-slip compound. I thought given the popularity dainite would be close with a different lug style, but it's super slippery on metal in the rain. It's not rocket surgery, the compounds exist, companies just don't seem to care. Also, I should mention that a big part of my gripe with the Iron Rangers sole is the harshness on the feet. I find my Allen Edmonds to be far more comfortable on equal length walks in the city. I assume it's due to a superior sole construction with thicker cork fill and layers of leather. Regards, Jon

By: Chee

Chee — Fri, 05 May 2017 14:45:49 +0000

I seem to have missed a couple of typos there…
Sorry for that too!

By: Chee

Chee — Fri, 05 May 2017 14:42:57 +0000

Very nice read (though I’m a bit late to the party!).
It’s really funny, almost all the reviews/articles I’ve read on the Iron Rangers mention the sole as a drawback, and countless people wish the boots came with the Beckman “Roccia” sole (or compare the Iron Rangers with the Wolverine 1000 mile boots and cite the latter’s leather sole as a step-up from the nitrile cork ones). I couldn’t disagree more.
For one, the Beckman sole, as well as the 1000 mile boots’, are mainly leather (with a rubber pad added to the Beckmans). Every single shoe I’ve owned that came with a leather-constructed outsole has ended up squeaking terrible, with nothing to be done about it. No exception. I’ll take rubber over it every time, especially on boots.
Similarly, leather stacked heels are no good for me: because of the way I walk (with a strong emphasis on heels) they always start “fraying” just above the rubber part.
And then there’s the issue of traction. Most people seem to have experienced slipping with the nitrile cork sole. Admittedly the smooth surface is an issue in mud and snow. But most soles would be useless in those conditions as well, short of actual commando or logger soles. More surprisingly I’ve heard people say the Iron rangres were slippery in the rain, which is a mystery to me. Quite the opposite: I find that they are absolutely great on most surfaces, whether it be pavement, stone, bricks and even metal. I’ve actually gone hiking in Ireland with Iron Rangers (wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I could only fly with one pair of shoes and it had to be versatile), and apart from one or two muddy spots, they did wonders on the rocky paths and trails. The same can’t be said of my Beckmans, the rubber material of which turns to banana peel when the streets get wet and I have to walk on smooth pavement.
In the end my favorite boot soles turn out to be the Vibrams on my Chippewa service boots, which offer a tiny bit of traction that I find more than enough and keep a low profile. But the nitrile cork soles rate almost as high.
Sorry about the rant… I only mean to share my experience, and certainly not to undermine that of others! And thanks again for the article.

By: George

George — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 13:33:15 +0000

Hello.

I would like to ask a question as the left boot I see in the pictures has a different crease than the other. The crease it had is EXACTLY the same like mine , that makes the leather pinch on my big toe . I noticed that this happens on the boot I have that the CAP toe is longer slightly … . Do you have the same issue ?

Many thanks

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 18:55:45 +0000

In reply to Glendon.

Hi Glendon,

Thanks for the heads up, I don’t believe I’ve seen that boot before. I’m about to get going on another boot comparison, so I’ll look into it and perhaps include it in the next Boot Shoot.

Thanks,
Jon

By: Glendon

Glendon — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 01:09:35 +0000

Have you considered the Thorogood 1892 Dodgeville line at all? They seem to suit your ideal boot description listed at the top also.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 19:41:34 +0000

In reply to Qin.

Yes, the original laces were short. It was possible to tie them, but only in a little bow.

As for sizing, they’ll pack out a bit, but I’d just match your Beckmans if you’ve worn those a bit and find them comfortable.

By: Qin

Qin — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 03:43:04 +0000

In reply to David. Seems like we are still not seeing the VIBRAM soles on 8111?

By: Qin

Qin — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 03:39:42 +0000

Did you find the original laces too short?
Following your advice of buying one or half size smaller, I found my foot wrapped at the arches and the laces is short that can only tie a small tie.

Also the question is, how should i decide if it’s the right size for me?
The fact that red wing boots leathers are so stiff makes it hard for me to judge the comfort. I already own two pairs (Moc and Beckman) and still can’t decide the size to go to for iron ranger.