CBusCoffeeAddict
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2018
- Messages
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Finally reached the 1 year mark on these Iron Rangers. Thought about them long and hard for about a year before biting the bullet. They were an Ebay find as factory seconds for only $185 from a guy in Minnesota. This made me feel much better about the purchase since I found this deal. Could not find a single flaw, defect, errant stitch, etc. even though there was a hole in the tongue to denote seconds.
I wore them approximately twice a week all fall, winter, and early spring. Very stiff all over but I know this is an investment. After a year I can tell a significant suppleness to the leather upper. Care boils down to simply Lexol conditioner and old fashioned "grandpas" Kiwi black to polish up the toe scuffs.
The single best thing I've done to these was to have a Red Wing retailer put them on a stretcher for an entire weekend. When I first bought them...the break in was as expected in these, no blisters but a very rigid boot. I'm a 12 in Nikes but 10.5 was what two salesman said fit my foot. Fine. But pinky toe was still cramped after 6 months and I contemplated selling them. The toe box was cramped, but I couldn't tie them tighter without pain. Well after the stretch, they fit my feet perfectly! I highly recommend performing this before giving up on these boots if you are in the same boat. (narrow width) I'd say the stretch added 1/4 inch to the width. Best part - the service is FREE!
Another good trick I learned from the Red Wing shop is to learn the heel lock shoe tie. Keeps the heel from slipping without having to over tighten the crap out of the laces. I can see how these can grow on a person. Get a comfy insole and start walkin!
I wore them approximately twice a week all fall, winter, and early spring. Very stiff all over but I know this is an investment. After a year I can tell a significant suppleness to the leather upper. Care boils down to simply Lexol conditioner and old fashioned "grandpas" Kiwi black to polish up the toe scuffs.
The single best thing I've done to these was to have a Red Wing retailer put them on a stretcher for an entire weekend. When I first bought them...the break in was as expected in these, no blisters but a very rigid boot. I'm a 12 in Nikes but 10.5 was what two salesman said fit my foot. Fine. But pinky toe was still cramped after 6 months and I contemplated selling them. The toe box was cramped, but I couldn't tie them tighter without pain. Well after the stretch, they fit my feet perfectly! I highly recommend performing this before giving up on these boots if you are in the same boat. (narrow width) I'd say the stretch added 1/4 inch to the width. Best part - the service is FREE!
Another good trick I learned from the Red Wing shop is to learn the heel lock shoe tie. Keeps the heel from slipping without having to over tighten the crap out of the laces. I can see how these can grow on a person. Get a comfy insole and start walkin!
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