Customer Reviews

Red Wing Men's 8111 6" Iron Ranger Boot,Amber,9.5 D US

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once a loyal customer to another popular bootmaker, my wife approached me last year about giving Red Wing a trial run. She'd found some handsome looking boots shortly before Christmas. They were not insulated (unlike any other boot I'd ever owned) and expensive -- about three times what we usually paid for boots. I was initially apprehensive. Snow and brutally cold winters are a trademark for almost 1/2 the year here, so uninsulated boots seemed impractical. These boots, however, she pointed out had one prime quality luring us into our local Red Wing store: they were handmade in Minnesota, USA. Subjective Red, White and Blue pride aside, these boots exemplify the supreme superiority of American craftsmanship vis-a-vis foreign footwear. They're now a year old. Wore them all last winter, through the spring, even some days in the summer and now back to day-in and day-out wear. They are worth every nickel. After a coat of mink oil polish this weekend in preparation for the upcoming snows, the boots look brand new but feel even better. That's because the leather is supple. Think of that baseball glove from your youth, worn in from years of love. These boots are already there. The waterproof leather keeps the water out and your feet are never too warm or too cold. Rule Number One: Always Listen To Your Wife. Rule Number Two: See Rule Number One, and while you're at it, get your feet into the right pair of boots. Yes, Virginia, there is a vast ocean of difference between the American hand-crafted, sewn leather Iron Ranger at $250-$300 that I'll wear for years to come and the run-of-the mill $100 overseas, machine-glued together hiker I'd once found serviceable, albeit for a year or two. That difference in quality, craftsmanship, wearability, comfort and American pride is worth the extra 150 bucks or so...and then some.

Bought mine at the Red Wing Store in Red Wing, MN. Retail minus $30.00. Very handsom, classic and good looking boot. The craftsmanship and leather is all top quality.

First week I struggled with the typical expected boot break in discomfort. After 30 days I was ready to give up on ever acheiving comfort. After about two months and two times with mink oil(they have never been water wet) I finally broke the leather.

The leather is as soft as can be and a pleasure to touch with the hand. I will be wearing these as my "good" boots for meeting and job site review days and Friday night casual jean boots. My reasoning is that the leather is SO soft and beautiful that it would be a shame to really tear them up just yet.

It's a fine boot, probably more suited for casual use, not construction. I will stick with my absolutely fantastic Red Wind 2414's for really gettin' down in the trenches!

They run large. I bought 1/2 size smaller with the intention of adding RW insoles. If I did it again I would go a full size under because the insole as not really required.

Purchased these boots in Amber Harness brown in a Red Wing store in Oklahoma City. I want to love these boots. Unfortunately, I don't.

First of all: GO DOWN AT LEAST 1/2 SIZE FROM YOUR "NORMAL SIZE"!!! A lot of other reviewers have said this, and they are exactly right. These boots run BIG.

THE GOOD:

These are awesome looking boots. They look with amazing with jeans, and go with any other casual outfit you can come up with. They are substantial boots - not too big, not too small. They don't have the ridiculously chunky "frankenstein" look of some work/hiking/motorcycle boots. The leather is very high quality with a uniform color and oil finish. Construction is VERY high quality. Triple-stitched seams and welted outsole of this quality are rare in a boot at this price point. Best of all, they are made in USA. Nice.

THE BAD:

NOTE**I was measured by a Red Wing salesman, and I spent about an hour trying on multiple sizes and widths. I am absolutely sure that any of the issues reported below are NOT due to an improper fit!**

My main issue has to do with the (lack of) contour on the back of the boot, the heel counter, and the lack of arch support.

If you look at a true side view of the Iron Ranger, notice that the seam from the heel to the top of the boot is basically straight. That is, there is very little curve up and over the top of the heel. Compare pics of the Iron Ranger side by side with the Red Wing Beckman (or Red Wing Gentleman Traveler) or White's semi-dress and you will see what I mean. The Beckman/Gentleman traveler has much more of a contour over the heel and along the back of the ankle/achilles. Now look at your foot - it naturally curves inward from the top of your heel, over the achilles tendon, then curves back outward as you move up your ankle/leg. This lack of curve over the heel results in excessive vertical heel slip in the Iron Ranger. I do realize that a small amount of vertical heel slip is normal (desireable, actually) when boots are brand new. However, this vertical heel slip should all but disappear as the soles start to loosen up. On my Iron Rangers, the vertical heel slip continued to increase the more I wore the boots. I was almost "walking out" of the boots after a week of daily wear. After two weeks, I was actually able to pull them off while they were still laced (it was really hard, but I did it).

A heel counter is the stiff leather part of a boot or shoe directly behind your heel. This is the part of a well-made boot that keeps your heel from moving laterally (side-to-side) inside the boot. The Iron Rangers felt great in the store. Minimal lateral heel slip. After two weeks of wear, my heels are moving freely from side to side inside the boot. Not good. The heel counter leather in the Iron Ranger is just not stiff enough for a "real" work boot. Let me stress that this is the way the boots are designed, definitely not a construction error or a bad piece of leather.

These boots have almost no arch support. When I tried them on in the store, there was an acceptable amount of arch support. Not as much as I would have liked, but enough that I bought the boots. These boots have a cork footbed with a leather insole. Any arch support that was there out of the box has basically been "squashed flat" as the soles compress/break in. Maybe this is good if you have flat feet. I don't know - I have "normal" arches. If you plan on standing for long periods of time, do not buy Iron Rangers. Buy something with good arch support. Your feet and your back will thank you. Some reviewers have suggested after-market insoles. Only problem is, if you buy properly fitting boots, there is not really enough room for additional insoles in these boots.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS:

Some reviewers have said that these boots require a serious break in. In my opinion, they do not. If you have never worn high-end all leather shoes or boots before, I can understand why you might think these boots need to be broken in. If you HAVE worn high-end work boots, hiking boots, or cowboy boots, the Iron Rangers will feel like tennis shoes after about an hour. Everyone's feet are different and some people may like this. To me, this is a negative. Boots should not be painful when new (if they are, it means they don't fit properly). However, boots should not give/stretch/soften up as quickly (or as much) as my Iron Rangers did (especially in the heel). They are only going to get softer over time, and I was hoping for a boot with significantly more support.

Red Wing has a 30 day unconditional comfort guarantee, even if the boots have been worn. I took my boots back to the Red Wing store, and the salesman agreed to exchange the Iron Rangers for a pair of Beckman/Gentleman Travelers. He didn't have them in stock, so he special ordered the boots in several sizes and widths. That kind of warranty is unheard of these days.

BOTTOM LINE:

Iron Rangers are NOT work boots. They are actually a VERY well-made casual boot that is made to look like a true work boot. These boots look great (that's why I bought them). If you want a casual boot for going out, or just wearing around for a few hours at a time, the Iron Rangers will work great for you. If you plan to use these for ANY amount of work, or if you plan to stand in these boots for long periods of time, look for a different boot.

Red Wing's unconditional 30 day comfort warranty is incredible. Even though I don't like the design of the Iron Rangers, Red Wing definitely earned a repeat customer, and I absolutely recommend their high-quality boots to anyone.

These boots are great. They run large, I bought a size down from what I wear in regular dress shoes. They have no real foot insert for support but this is deceiving. Once you lace them up, they feel surprisingly comfortable and they just wrap around your foot providing the support. Great looking boot, too. The first time I wore them, I received complements on how nice they look.

Update: These boots have a smooth sole so I can not wear them in the winter, i.e. icey conditions. I'm using a pair of Red Wing Gentleman Traveler boot for the winter.

When I purchased these shoes my first thought was: 'a pricy pair of shoes.' But all stiched leather, I probably could'nt go wrong- If they fit. I ordered them a half size smaller than I normally would (as per the ording suggestion) And wore them until I thought my feet were going to break- about a day and a half. At first they were tough and uncomfortable, I wore them in the rain, and until they dried. I wore them on unimproved nature trails; I even wore them without socks. Finally after about three weeks- they now fit like a glove. the perfect shoe, I'll prefer no other. I would get another pair... but they are pricey. But worth every cent. Oh, I do wear them with socks now. If the mood strikes me.

As guys often we have this need for like the perfect boots or perfect jacket and then we keep them for years.

I was due for a new pair of everyday work/casual dress boots. I went through a few different options. Frye, Timberland, Dr. Martens etc. The Fryes were nice (I own a pair of dress boots and brogue dress shoes from them) but their specialty is more in leather soled or cowboy styles. Timberland felt too light and not durable and styling was a little too modern. Dr. Marten felt like inferior quality compared to when I was growing up and a little too "young." Then I bought these. I usually take a 10.5 in boots or shoes or an 11 in sneaker. I own british shoes, Grenson's ,that run a full size or size and a half big so based on that experience I bought a full size down and got a 9.5 to be safe. Thinking they would fit perfect without any insole help. Result. A little snug around the middle part but not so much in the length and toe room. But the leather was stiff and needs to be worn in. Not really that comfortable to walk in with that fit and they felt just barely too small. I tried some insoles to soften the feel of the newness thinking maybe it wasn't a size thing. Now they were def. too tight. But the fact is I could tell these were awesome boots and the ones I wanted so I'm returning them for a 10. I think they will be perfect. My advice: They do run big but do not go more than a half size down. And in terms of comfort you will probably want some insoles anyway so even if they are a little bit too big they will be perfect after you put the insoles in. They are such cool looking boots by the way. Subtle and classic

UPDATE: Size 10 fits perfect. Awesome.

These are great, everyday boots for anything but snowy or really hot weather.

I bought them after having a mixed experience with a pair of Beckmans that were too long and too narrow for my feet. These fit perfectly (which is a good reason to go to a Red Wing store and try on different sizes and styles before dropping a few hundred bucks!).

The leather is stiff at the start. I gave them a generous once-over with mink oil before wearing them and was able to break them in in a week or two with no blisters. (The Beckmans, on the other hand, punished my feet for an entire month!)

You should know that the leather insoles are hard and provide no cushion. They do mold to your feet over time, sort of like Birkenstocks (though not THAT comfortable), which makes walking and standing for long periods fine. I usually like after-market insoles but have not felt the need in these. I wouldn't want to run in them, though.

They are lighter than the Beckmans and don't seem as sturdily built or well finished. The backs of the top eyelets on mine, for example, hadn't been completely flattened and started to tear up the top of the tongue. I was able to flatten the rough edges with a pliers, but you'd think Red Wing could have seen that problem coming. The soles on these also don't grip as well as those on the Beckman's. I haven't fallen on my butt yet like some other reviewers and have used them in rain, but I'd be wary in snow.

Overall, great boots.

I bought these boots because I am tired of second rate foreign quality. These boots are basic all leather boots that look good and I know will last a long time. It has taken me about a month to break them in, but I know the longer I have them the better they will be. I had to use some moleskin to protect my feet for a few days because this leather is very stiff at first. But once they are broken in they are great.They breath great and are surprisingly warm with a heavy pair of socks. The soles are smooth and can be slick in the snow or mud. I use them as a casual boot to wear around town in the cooler and colder months. It is not a hiking shoe by any means, nor would I use it as a work shoe because of it's price. I would also recommend buying the Red Wing Boot oil which should be applied monthly to keep your new friends healthy and water resistant. The only drawback I have is they do not come in E width. Only D and EE. And E would be perfect for me. They are a great boot and great American product! Highly recommended.

Great Boot - well made, comfortable, durable, good for work and good for city streets. Very versatile and my second pair after wearing my other pair for years.

What can I say, it's the most manly vintage pair of boots you can own, They look great when you first strap them on and the leather is built to last. Even after years of wear they hold up well. I've had the same pair since senior year of highscool and now I'm in my senior year of college and they look amazing. The leather is broken in, I treat it with mink oil everytime I feel the leather needs a good ol' spruce and I replace the sole and laces whenever they are worn out. This boot has loads of character and I'm on to my second pair now in Hawthorne because the suede holds up very well as well. My friend has had his Hawthorne suede for about 5 years now and they look beautiful. Highly recommended for any man. It's honestly an investment.