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

SwiftLearner · Mar 4, 2011

I found Red Wings to be similarly difficult to size. I wear a 9 generally. The 9s are longer than normal, but fit in terms of width. I tried the 8.5, and they squeezed my right foot in an uncomfortable way.

I went with the 9s. If I'm going to be really moving a lot, I just lace them up tight. But, I've always been fine with having extra room in the toe.

Also, the 8.5 were the floor model. Oy.

fpr4 · Mar 4, 2011

Originally Posted by SwiftLearner

I found Red Wings to be similarly difficult to size. I wear a 9 generally. The 9s are longer than normal, but fit in terms of width. I tried the 8.5, and they squeezed my right foot in an uncomfortable way.

I went with the 9s. If I'm going to be really moving a lot, I just lace them up tight. But, I've always been fine with having extra room in the toe.

Also, the 8.5 were the floor model. Oy.

Yea, mine fit pretty well throughout. A little extra room in the toe but they don't even slide (for the most part) even when I have them unlaced. The arch is slightly high and snug but not in an uncomfortable way. Just in a "hugging my feet" kinda way. Probably just feels a little off because I'm not used to a shoe that conforms to the foot.

spaceballs · Mar 4, 2011

Also, as these boots break in, they tend to get slightly shorter and wider.

lesamourai · Mar 4, 2011

Do these fare well at all during the spring/summer?

eczerwonka · Mar 4, 2011

Originally Posted by lesamourai

Do these fare well at all during the spring/summer?

I wore them everyday last summer to ride my motocycle to work. The toebox is pretty big allowing your toes room to breathe. I also felt like the cork soles diffused some of the blistering heat on the Florida pavements as well as giving really good traction in wet weather. I really thought they worked pretty well in really hot weather, but I only wore them on the bike as I have better options for casual summer shoes/boots. If you "need" boots for summer these work well.

ManofKent · Mar 4, 2011

Originally Posted by fpr4

Yea, mine fit pretty well throughout. A little extra room in the toe but they don't even slide (for the most part) even when I have them unlaced. The arch is slightly high and snug but not in an uncomfortable way. Just in a "hugging my feet" kinda way. Probably just feels a little off because I'm not used to a shoe that conforms to the foot.

Providing the foot doesn't slide forward when laced andthey don't bend at an uncomfortable point extra room in the toe box is a non-issue on any shoe/boot.

lesamourai · Mar 4, 2011

Originally Posted by eczerwonka

I wore them everyday last summer to ride my motocycle to work. The toebox is pretty big allowing your toes room to breathe. I also felt like the cork soles diffused some of the blistering heat on the Florida pavements as well as giving really good traction in wet weather. I really thought they worked pretty well in really hot weather, but I only wore them on the bike as I have better options for casual summer shoes/boots. If you "need" boots for summer these work well.

Sounds good. Looks like I'll probably be picking up a pair in the near future. Thanks for the input.

spaceballs · Mar 4, 2011

Well poop.

I had ordered one pair of Iron Rangers that had to be returned for a rear counter that wasn't sewn on straight. Had another quality problem with a pair of 877s. Red Wing, of course, took them back and replaced them both.

The two new pair that I received today ALSO had some quality defects. There was a big leather pinch that was uncomfortable on the heel of the Iron Rangers and the 877s were lasted crooked. I really hated sending them back again. The dealer I go to really does have amazing service and they really don't mind doing what it takes to make me happy. For what these boots cost though - nearly $450 between the pair - they ought to be near perfect.

Sometimes it just seems like the quality control is a bit poor on these. They are great at accepting returns but I really wish they had gotten it right on the front end.

SwiftLearner · Mar 4, 2011

^^^^^ that sucks but one aspect of Red Wings that I love is that they really feel made by hand. Something about the slight imperfections let me know a human and not a machine made the shoes.

Funny that some clothes cost more with imperfections (LVC), others get sent back...

fpr4 · Mar 5, 2011

Wow. These boots are awesome. Dare I say they get more comfortable later in the day?

Anybody resoled a pair? I'm wondering how easy/cheap it is to replace the sole once it wears out...

I'm gonna put some mink oil on them here tonight since it is projected to rain here where I live the next week or so.

spaceballs · Mar 5, 2011

Originally Posted by fpr4

Anybody resoled a pair? I'm wondering how easy/cheap it is to replace the sole once it wears out...
My Red Wing dealer can do it for $70 - which includes shipping and a factory resole.

fpr4 · Mar 7, 2011

Any sock suggestions? I'm looking for some navy/khaki/charcoal boot socks mid-weight.

I also learned that I have a pretty collapsed right arch. Wore the boots for a couple of days and the left one fits like a dream but the right one was absolutely killing me through the ankle and arch. Kinda self-diagnosed just by really studying how the right foot sat on an extremely flat/hard surface. Put an orthotic arch insert into both boots and they feel a ton better... Would love to go au naturale with the leather sole but it just wasn't working for me...

spaceballs · Mar 8, 2011

Originally Posted by fpr4

Any sock suggestions? I'm looking for some navy/khaki/charcoal boot socks mid-weight.
I like the merino socks you can get at REI. If they don't hold up for at least a year, I return them.

Orvis also sells some socks that they call Invincible Extra Socks for $39/3pr. I might give them a try next.

fpr4 · Mar 8, 2011

How long did you all's tongue tags last? I've been wearing mine a couple of days and they are already starting to fray and come apart from the stitching. Not a big deal, really. Just me being OCD.

Roguls · Mar 8, 2011

Originally Posted by spaceballs

My Red Wing dealer can do it for $70 - which includes shipping and a factory resole.

I had a pair (not IR, though) done for 55 just a few months ago...has it gone up that much?

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

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