Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots - what's the dilly yo?

[pingsc]

^
I have the exact same pair. I ordered them online and was actually going to return them because I was unhappy with the seller; however, once I saw them, I instantly decided to keep them. They really are amazing looking boots. They also felt like they were made for my feet from the second I put them on, which surprised me based on what I've read about them and past experience with all leather boots. The only advice I can give to those who are having a painful break-in period (and keep in mind I use this method on military issue combat boots) is to get them soaking wet and walk/run around in them. Once they're dry the leather is molded to your foot, not sure about doing this with such a relatively expensive boot though...

 

[SJTrance]

That's interesting advice and I can see how getting the boot wet can do that, but I think that treating it with some type of conditioner or snow seal will soften them up and protect them at the same time.

 

[Islander]

I have wanted a pair of Iron Rangers for a long time and was wondering what an application of Obenauf's would look like on the Hawthorne suede leather. I couldn't find pictures anywhere so I finally got a pair during the Cabela's sale and did it myself. Here's the results: out of the box on the left, and with Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP on the right. Sized down 1/2 size and they are a perfect fit... can't wait to break these in.

 

[Gagno905]

I bought a pair of these from papashoe.com back when they had them in stock. They took a while to arrive, but they came in the right size and fit perfectly. I think I sized down 1/2 a size.

Unlike most people I didn't get any blisters or find the shoe too narrow.

Overall I'm totally happy with them and love wearing them.

 

[styleandsubstance]

saw the GT's in Chestnut which I haven't seen anywhere but here at Sundance http://www.sundancecatalog.com/PRODU...ear/50519.html Saw them in the store and they are a sweet boot. I have the GT's in the black cherry and while it took them a bit to break in, they are fantastic boots.

 

[burningbright]

Yeah I just grabbed these in an 11.5 in the Amber (8111) on ebay for $140. Sized down half a size and they fit great. I also have pretty wide, flat feet and was worried about all the talk of the narrowness of them. So, just for kicks I went over to the local Red Wing store where they sell them for $280 to try on the 11.5 2EE size instead of the D's that I just bought.

For what it's worth I could practically pull my foot out of the 11.5 2EE while they were fully laced up. Sizing down a whole size from a 12 to an 11 helped a little bit but the 2EE still felt like too much room. Plus the store manager was saying that these will stretch about a quarter of an inch (which is a lot) if you took them to a shoe place that does stretching.

The other comments I've been reading about pertain to the insert/no insert argument. These do not come with inserts of any kind and when I tried to put some of the Red Wing inserts in that they had in the store, my foot was in pain because there was no room whatsoever. Frankly, I don't think they need them.

That said, they are a little painful to break in. It's over 70 degrees today in Chicago so I took about a 2 mile walk in these over my lunch break. I am now barefoot in my office with the boots and socks hiding under my desk as I type this; there is also a strange odor of feet, new leather, and boot oil that seems to be causing co-worker's eyebrows to furrow because they don't know where the smell is coming from. I don't plan on volunteering any information to them concerning the matter.

Anyway, I am hoping that, given what all the other Iron Ranger owners have said, this won't be an issue in another week or so but I'll give you an update then. I'm heading down to Alabama tomorrow for some fishing with the father-in-law and plan on wearing them daily while I'm there so I'm hoping they'll break in a little more. I'll give a brief report when I get back.

Hope this info helps. Good luck everybody.

 

[modagg]

I have been wanting the iron rangers for a while now and when i noticed karma loop stocks them I got super excited because of there crazy coupon codes. Has anyone been able to find these for under $200 because thats the price they can be had on karma loop

 

[Stylin-1]

I got mine for 170 from papashoes.com

 

[modagg]

Originally Posted by Stylin-1

I got mine for 170 from papashoes.com

Thanks I will check it out

 

[Matte Male]

After 10 months of regular wear

What are you guys cleaning rough-out leather with (if at all)? I have some black stains I can't seem to get rid; a suede bar didn't touch them.

 

[jaydc7]

They look better with the stains.

 

[accent1220]

incredible what Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP can do to a pair

 

[Matte Male]

Originally Posted by jaydc7

They look better with the stains.

Probably, the black just bothers me for some reason

 

[srendam]

Does anyone have pics of these with jeans tucked in?

Like this
http://www.cultizm.com/images/produc...ages/623_0.jpg

 

[burningbright]

Originally Posted by Matte Male

After 10 months of regular wear

What are you guys cleaning rough-out leather with (if at all)? I have some black stains I can't seem to get rid; a suede bar didn't touch them.


This:

http://www.90thidpg.us/Equipment/Pro...ing/index.html

Not sure if you had been using anything on them throughout their duration but I'd be interested to see what result this process would yield on boots as worn as those. If you do it, definitely post some before and after shots.