i'm a wimp when it comes to breaking in boots and yet despite many comments about the Iron Ranger i had no issues at all during break in phase. they were comfortable from day 1 and for that, thank you Red Wing.
they're "baby's first heritage boots". the break in isnt bad at all, but they're bought by a lot of guys who have never worn (or broken in) this type of boot before so they dont know what theyre getting into
I love my 1907 copper rough & tough. As who mentioned the break-in was a nightmare. After a good break in they very comfortable, heavy but comfortable. I did have a problem with the sole wearing out in the very front, almost down to the leather. With almost no wear anywhere else in about one month after buying them. Red Wing did replace them due to a defective sole. They have been going strong for 2 years now.
One of the most detailed breakdowns between the Blacksmith and Iron Ranger, thanks! It's been frustrating that their size range keeps shrinking, they used to go down to a 4 but now there's only a handful left below a 7 (copper iron ranger and russet moc toe to 6, hawthorne ranger and oro moc toe to 6.5) with the others in the same grey out state a few models were in before being discontinued. I think the same think might have been happening with their size 14 and 15s too?
Minnesotan here. So cool the small town of Redwing has such a global following. Im going on 3 years in Blacksmiths. Love them, they are so comfortable. Cant wait for fall to come so I can wear them daily. The soles arent great for MN ice though😊. I just bought a pair of 1907 Mocs for a bit more casual times. Embrace the break in grind....its worth it.
Such a likeable fellow, and great content to boot (pun intended). I have the 3343 Blacksmiths and once owned a secondhand pair of 8111s. I hope to ‘move up’ to Nicks in the near future so Bootlosophy’s videos are right up my street - thanks!
Another great video. Have the Iron Ranger 8111 and 875s. Both half size down from true. I find the 8111 way more comfortable than the 875 which still rub my heels and seem to slip and blister even after a few hours wear.
Well. It doesn’t help my urge to buy more boots. I’m considering getting a pair of Moc toe, I had the 1907 but sold it. Now I want a pair of Mocs again. I should at least one pair of Red Wings in my collection
hey! thanks for the great video.. loved the content! just wanted to mention that @7:29 you called CRT to be a full grain.. as far as I know, redwing CRT isn't full grain (probably the only leather from redwing that's not, at least in the heritage line)
I love my Iron Rangers in amber harness and my black pair. In addition, I really wanted the Blacksmith and tried many sizes to overcome the “d width only”issue. I wear the E2 in the Iron Ranger and they are perfect. I am an engineer by trade and do not always understand all business decisions. The fact that the Iron Ranger and Blacksmith and said to be made on the same last, I am totally baffled why ANY company that has the choice, would not offer both boots in D and E2 sizes. I know that the IR comes in a broader length of sizes but that shouldn’t statistically impact the decision to offer the same widths in both boots. Sorry for the rant but but I truly believe Red Wing is making some very poor business decisions. Also, I know I am not alone. At one point I called their customer service and asked why this was so. Their response was “The employees here also totally agree with you and no good reason is given to them either.” Hmmmm, not good guys, they are really loosing repeat business, doesn’t help their reputation. Hello Grant Stone? As for you sir, you are a class act and I love all your efforts! 👍🏼
Some companies don’t offer multiple widths because it’s pretty expensive for them to buy multiple copies of multiple sizes/widths in lasts. But a company like Red Wing is big and should be able to afford the investment so the decision to restrict width is strange.
It's not a last issue its an inventory one. If you want to stock E2 in every size and color you have to significantly increase production. In the end its a math game. Red Wing doesn't believe that it's worth it to make those widths so they don't. The Blacksmith already moves less units so they probably figure if people really want a E2 they'll buy an IR. Same thing as value engineering. The best product isn't the one that will get produced, it will be the one that generates the most profit.
something not often mentioned is the redwing #8 last (used in the IR and blacksmith) is derived from the famous Munson last, designed by an Army officer in WW1, which was one of the first shoe lasts made with care for the health of the anatomy of the foot. even though i love the Moc Toes, for me, the fit on the 8 lasted boots is miles away better and more comfortable
Had a pair of IR. I think RW is no longer the go to brand in their price range anymore. Parkhurst, Grant Stone, Boulet, etc I think offer better boots or better value.
Great summary Teik! I have the IR in copper rough n tough, blacksmith in black prairie and the roughneck version of the moctoe in briar oilslick. I would say that the external counter cover is superior for comfort; the internal on both moctoe and blacksmith isn't so great anytime you squat down or have to rotate your ankle, I've had hotspots on a couple of occasions long after the break in period. Also, i got moctoe and IR in the same size and have found the moctoe to have way too narrow a toe box, so narrow im not even sure a half-size up would be enough. I do wish they'd come up with a more shock absorbing sole on the two service boots; the boots will last but your knees won't. I do love them though and the leathers just get better with age.
I have both the moc toes and iron rangers. For me the size was a half down, width was true. Both are comfortable. I’m from the Cuyuna range and these are standard casual and even dress casual wear here.
I started my collection with all the Iron Ranger and Blacksmith models/colors and some moc toes. Moved into Alden, and then PNW boots. Also, Viberg, Truman and a few Grant Stone. Still love the RW boots as they are the lightest wearing boots. After all the different companies I have bought from, Red Wings could have been the only ones, and I would have been just as happy. Except for engineer boots. Never like the RW ones.........
Pecos boots are nice. Have the modern ones but wished I had picked up some of their older Pecos models. Truman makes a good boot as well and they are better than the Iron Ranger but cost around 100 or so more. They are slightly heavier but not PNW heavier.....lol Engineers are great boots but there are different varieties. Some are clunky but ones like the Wesco Mr. Lou have a more refined toe and slimmer profile. @@JC-kv1vn
The blacksmith is the most versatile. The toe cap of the iron ranger can lock you into an aesthetic, just like the moc toe. The moc toe certainly stands out here in Australia and is a bold fashion choice for many people.
If you do think about getting a pair of Red Wings I suggest you get your sizing down at a local shop of theirs and look online for pre owned or factory seconds if you'd like to save money! Just got me a pair of their discontinued Beckman 9016s for $184.
@@Gabaghoul0000 Definitely. I’ve got a red wing store nearby I’ve been meaning to swing by when I have time since I don’t actually know my true brannock. I know my shoe size but I’d rather get be safe and get the correct fit and if I can get a deal even better.
@@awdtw I hear you, I feel the same way. I like to be a bit more subtle as far as my styling and fashion so I feel like it fits what I’m looking for. Full disclosure I’m in Southern California so I don’t know if certain styles carry the same connotations but I think what you said still applies. Thanks for the response!
Just be weary of the location. Some retailers focus on the workwear so they can mess up your sizing. I wore Iron Rangers that fit me a tad bit snug for 7 months before giving up because either my feet grew or I couldn't take it anymore. Unless you have less than a D width you should just stick to half size down. Better a little to roomy than a little stumpy. You'll also be saving almost $400 after tax.
I got both the Iron Rangers and the Moc Toes from Redwing. I like both of them however the Moc Toe has a narrower toe box than the Iron Rangers even in the Wide sizing which made them a fair bit less comfortable the first few times I wore them even though they have a fair amount of vertical room just something to note for people with wide feet. In contrast the Iron Rangers have been quite comfortable from the very beginning.
You picked it (almost)! I spent the first 6 years of my life in Australia, then lived in Singapore for 13 years, then 9 years in England before returning to Australia in 1985, so my accent is all over the place to avoid getting beaten up as the kid who talked funny 🤣 🤣🤣
After doing some research, I bought my first pair of Iron Rangers 8111 yesterday from my local Red Wing store. They measured me on the digital device but not the Brannock. I was a 12 which is consistent with my normal shoe size. I tried on an 11.5 first and it felt comfortably snug but too long. Next was an 11. It felt better lengthwise but for some reason still a tad long. I would have never imagined that I would even consider trying on a 10.5 in any shoe but since I was there, might as well. The 10.5 felt the best, still snug but the length felt just right at the time. The only pressure that was a bit uncomfortable was where the boot was stitched together on the sides. I made sure to walk around in them as much as I could in the store before making my purchase. They are D width, by the way. As usual when I got home , I started to wonder if I should have went with the 11. I haven’t worn them outside yet just to make sure. How much should they stretch and is it common for some people to go down a size and a half in Iron Rangers? Should I stick with the 10.5 or maybe give the 11 another try? Sorry for the long comment, I just want to make sure that I make the right decision as these are an investment for me. I’d appreciate anyone’s feedback!
@@Bootlosophy thank you for taking the time to reply. I’m going to go back to the store and try on an 11 again just to make sure. ***update*** I went back to the Red Wing store and measured 12.5 D on the Brannock device. I tried on an 11 and sure enough, it felt a bit too long. Even the sales associate agreed. 10.5 it is!
@@m4lk3s I’m glad that I stuck with the size 10.5. The length is perfect and they are breaking in nicely. The only minor “hot spot” that I have is on the inside lateral edge of the right boot where the leather is stitched together. I’ve been massaging that area and it’s loosening up nicely. Although they’re not my work boots, I’ve been wearing them to work and I can go 10-11 hours in them before my feet start to ache a bit. Hope this helps you in your decision!
Hi @@redeemed2517, thanks a lot for your fast and nice reply. As there are no Brannock devices available here in Germany, I let my feet measured and converted the metric results to a Brannock size of 12 C, while wearing my Darn Tough Midweight Socks. After reading your comment, it seems I should order the Blacksmiths in size 10,5 and size 11 for comparison, as 11,5 seems to be to long - and I don't want to order three sizes, to be honest.;) Thanks a lot, now I just have to find out if I want the Blacksmiths in Black Prairie or Copper Rough & Tough… ;)
That is one great blue jacket you have there! Great comparison. I have the CRT blacksmiths and really like them. Broke down and just got the 8828 alpine portage moc toes. Fit is similar so I got the same size but the moc toe has alot of volume (both toe box and instep), more than the blacksmiths. Adding a thin insole fixes that for me. Cheers!
Thanks for the video! I recently got a lovely Blacksmith 8340 in briar. I'm thinking of getting also the Iron Ranger in Copper Rough and tough, to change color since briar and amber harness are both similar dark colors. Is it worth it to own both IR and Blacksmith or would it be a bit redundant?
I have to be honest and say it’s on the edge of being redundant unless you can justify having a cap toe v a plain toe and in different colours for different outfits. Do you think you can?
@Bootlosophy hum that's a good question. Got the Blacksmith with a great 30% discount. My thought was to get also the iconic more casual IR in CRT, taking advantage of another 20% discount, and to rotate it with the dressier Blacksmith in oil slick briar depending on the occasion and outfit. But I can see there is not much difference in between them apart from the toe box and the color, coming both from the same 8 last. Still pondering if I can justify to get the IR too. I think it's always a matter of wanting vs needing 😄
Hi I love your videos, I’ve now subscribed. I would like you expert advise I purchased recently a pair of 3340 Blacksmith’s. Now I want to to get another pair of RWs would you go 8111, 875 or 8146 having a Vibram foot sole. I’m not sure if many guy’s have blacksmiths as well as Iron ranger’s being so similar. Thanks I’m confused 😅
New sub here! Just one question sir. I just recently got my IR in copper rough and tough size 9us D. I'm planning to get the moctoe 875. Should i take the same size with my IR or idk. Please give me a solid one I'm confused here lol I'm afraid it goes longer and will look like a boat, currently my IR now is..i feel its kinda long
