Customer Reviews Red Wing Heritage 6" Iron Ranger

I love these boots. I normally wear a size 10 so I ordered them in a 10. Had to send them back for a 1/2 size smaller. With a thin insole, these bad boys fit perfectly now! They're a bit of a pain to break in (just ask my feet), but I can already tell it'll be worth it. Such a great look and the leather is smooth as butter. Compliments for days! Can't wait to break them in and rock them for years to come...

This is a great boot. I looks good with jeans or dress pants. Being a project manager at a construction company I needed a boot that would look good in the office and perform well when visiting a job site. These fit that category, plus they look awesome.

I have had these boots for over two years now. I cycle these with another pair of Red Wings for work as an insurance broker. I spend time in the office but also spend a lot of time in the field. I love these boots. Yes they were expensive. But the good thing about red wings is that they are worth the money if you take care of them because they last so long. I wore a hole in the tongue that needs fixing, but other than that they are holding up great. Take care of them with saddle soap/boot oil and they take care of you. I cannot convey enough how much I love my Red Wings. I have other pairs that I have had for almost 10 years. Buy these boots. I buy mine from a great local dealer.

These shoes have been great! Be sure to buy a full size smaller than what you wear, they really are that big. These broke in within a week. I could not ask for anything more from them!

Order full size smaller, awesome shoe, great look. I know I'll own these for at least a few years.

My previous pair of Redwing boots had lasted almost 2 decades when I retired them. Good old fashioner American made products are harder and harder to come by, and these do not disappoint. While not really a "work" boot for a construction site they do fill the niche between a dress shoe and the true work boot. The soles are not lugged which make them slippery on a muddy work site but more than sufficient for some other trades such as finish carpentry tin knocking or electrical work. These boots can take on a nice patina after a few wearings and a very light coat of neutral wax gives them some pop. They look great with jeans for banging around in the cooler weather. I have worn mine to sporting clays, the hardware store and casual nights on the town. Are they going to improve your love life and make you the toast of the town? They wont hurt! Overall, I could not be more pleased.

Amazing boots. Built very well, solid. Breaking them in wasn't as bad as I anticipated, very comfortable and looks good with my jeans and khakis. Looking to the chukka next, love the Heritage collection.

Great boot. Took a while to break in but worth it. I bought a whole size smaller. I usually wear a 13 but they were too big. Size 12 with a little help from a shoe stretcher and some mink oil are perfect. I get lots of comments on this boot.

Excellent made boot with top notch materials (in every detail). Break-in period is very nominal. I purchased a half size smaller than actual/normal shoe size (normal shoe size = 8 1/2; purchase size = 8), which incidentally was measured at a Red Wing store (store manager also recommended to go a half size smaller for this style #). You will not be disappointed with this boot in so far as feel, style and function. Only wish I had discovered Red Wing (and this boot) years ago.

I purchased this boot for my husband, who was looking a well-made, black basic boot. The purchase of the boots was our first time dealing with Zappos.com and we couldn\'t have been more pleased. The service we received from Zappos.com was easy to order, quick to process and ship, and friendly letter from customer service. My husband loves these boots and says they are extremely comfortable. So, we are very happy with Zappos.com and the service we received. We will shop on Zappos.com again.

These run half to a full size larger than marked, compared to other Red Wings I have owned. They are top notch in quality – heavy and heavy duty. They look and feel like old-fashioned boots. I anticipate further break-in will allow me to walk more than a couple miles without blistering my feet, but it only took a couple days before they went from really uncomfortable to pretty comfortable.

Classic black boot - I've been eyeing the Iron Ranger line for over a year, when I saw that they introduced a version in black I had to jump on them. Great boot, but like most RW boots, order a half size down, they run big. One note: Zappos seems to be the only retailer that has this all black version of this boot. Most others, have a cork colored upper part of the sole (where the stitching is), the pictures are accurate, just be aware that this is different than other sellers.

I'm still working on working these in. It's been just over a month and I wouldn't say they're totally worked in yet. They're still pretty stiff. But they look great and feel really solid. I usually wear an 11 so I originally ordered a 10.5 based on some reviews. The 10.5's felt pretty good but I had a sneaking suspicion that the 10s might fit as well, and not being that tall I'm always trying to get the smallest shoes possible so it doesn't look like I have clown feet. I ordered the 10s and they actually fit pretty well so I returned the 10.5s. However, I decided I needed insoles because these basically provide nothing in terms of support, and with the insoles even though the 10s fit both in length and width, once I got the insoles in there there was just not enough room. So they are currently really tight on my feet. I'm hoping they'll stretch, but if I could go back and do it over again I'd get the 10.5. So, long story long, if you want insoles go .5 size down. No insoles go 1 size down.`

I love them! I've worn 'em every day since they showed up. They took a few days of wear to get them working in the right spots on the feet, but never a blister or hot spot. They lace up fast and come off easy. They're fantastic boots.

Ultimately I returned these for a few reasons. First, the sizing is wildly inconsistent among shoes of the exact same labeled size. The 10.5's I tried on at the store fit perfectly (but I didn't want to pay CA sales tax on a $280 pair of boots), but the 10.5's from Zappos felt way too big on my feet. Second, I feel that there are some quality control issues as well. The pair I received from Zappos had a permanent dark line (a scar on the cow probably) running down the middle of the toe cap, not something I wanted to see every time I look down to admire my $280.00 boots. I'm going back to the store to choose the perfect pair for my feet. If you can afford to, I would recommend ordering a few pairs from Zappos (1/2 to a full size smaller than your usual size) and keeping the pair that fits you best. Good luck.

I spent far too much time (according to my wife, anyway) deciding which pair of Made in USA leather work-style boots I wanted to buy. I had three basic criteria: 1. Made in USA 2. Classic styling (either moc or cap toe) 3. Black leather I chose the IRs based on their huge cult following, and I was certainly impressed with the quality of these up their arrival. The leather is thick and will last a long long time. The insoles just ooze of old world quality. The hardware is nearly indestructible. If this is the sort of boot you’re looking for, you would be very well served with these boots. The style perspective of these is truly unmatched. They are the epitome of “cool” without being overly trendy or too “hipster-y”. In the end I opted to return these for really one reason - the sizing. I have had other boots, even other Redwing Heritage line boots, and the IRs definitely run a good bit narrower. I am a solid 8M and have never needed a EE width, but with these I definitely do. I was ready to go all in and just swap the 8Ms I ordered for 8EEs, but the Harness Blacks in 8EE were out of stock. So, I did some more review reading and decided to check out a very similar, and equally fan loved, cap toe boot (the Chippewa Homestead in Odessa Black). I kept the Chippewas, but I am getting ready to order the IRs again, but in the Muleskinner leather/color – the IRs are that nice. If you are considering them – DO IT. Just keep in mind the width issue and enjoy!

Much has been made of the awesome craftsmanship and undeniable style of the Iron Ranger. There is little to add on that front. I will say, however, that I ordered a EE boot for the first time in my life with these, as well as sizing down a half size from my normal boot size. I wear a 9.5 in every other boot I own, even the Red Wing 1907. For these, a 9 is perfect in length. The regular medium was much too narrow, especially considering an insert is required to avoid plantar fasciitis. The foot bed is a solid slab and is skinnier in width than any footbed I've ever come across. A size 9EE is perfect with a Dr. Scholl's insert. So that it is clear. I am a 9.5D in every boot except the Iron Ranger, where I am 9EE. If you have flat feet, you can probably stick with the D. If you need any arch support, go for the wide and slip an insole in there. You'll be on cloud nine and the compliments won't stop.

While I'm a guy that loves and buys a lot of shoes, I never would have dreamed of spending this kind of money on a pair of boots. But long story short, I got tired of other options being uncomfortable and/or falling apart, so I thought I'd give these a try. I actually started out with the Beckmans, but they were too dressy for me. Too refined of lines, too shiny (not to mention the bulbous toe box). I switched to the Iron Rangers and after a few sizing issues, I ended up with the best article of clothing I've ever spent money on. The Fit. I have relatively small but wider-than-average feet. Going up a half size (to get the width right) made the boot too long, allowing way too much slop and movement. I ended up with a 7.5, a full size if not size and a half smaller than normal, in an EE width (never had that size before!). This seemed like an odd size for me, but trust me and do yourself a favor: spend the time to find the right size. It makes all the difference in the world. The boots were tight, at first, but over time have wrapped themselves to my feet perfectly. I've never had this good or comfortable of a fit from any shoe. Ever. The Looks. It's obviously subjective, but I love the look of these boots. They're easy to dress up with some chinos and a dress shirt, but can just as easily be dressed down with some jeans and a T-shirt. Very versatile! I get compliments on them all the time, from men and women alike. The Zappos photos make the boots look very muted in color with a matte finish. And while they're not far off, do know that the color is slightly richer with a bit more luster. I suppose that also depends on how you care for them, though. And on that note...Protecting your Purchase. I do 3 simple but relatively time consuming steps (an hour total?), about once per month: 1. Clean - Don't mess around folks. Just use Red Wing's cleaning product. It doesn't cost more than other stuff and I think they'd know the best formula for their own product. It's a liquid cleaner, goes on easy. 2. Nourish - Use Red Wing's boot oil. It looks like it darkens it, at first, but it doesn't. Once it totally dries, it's back to normal. Boot oil should be used for this leather. While it contains some amount of mink oil, it's not sure mink oil so it doesn't permanently darken the leather. This step moisturizes the leather, brings the color back out and leaves a beautiful finish to the surface. 3. Protect - I use a clear leather protector (also Red Wing's). Kind of like spray paint, try to get a light, even coating. If it gets on too heavy, you'll have visible (though "clear") runs. I often mist it on as evenly as possible and dab at it to remove excess. Doing this regularly keeps the leather in tip-top shape and these boots should last a few decades, with a resole every 6-8 years. Overall. As you can tell, I love these boots. But it was also a to of money for me. So hear that they are worth every penny! Looks, comfort, durability and value. Wear them on a lazy day, wear them out on a hot date. You won't regret it! Side Notes. For whatever reason, the sole will stain your socks for like 5 months. The rust-colored stains don't wash out, so wear cheap socks for a while? These aren't great on ice. The cork soles are comfortable and actually great on wet / oily surfaces, but the bottoms are very smooth and therefore don't get great traction on smooth surfaces. The surface does scuff up relatively easily, since it's such a supple leather. But don't worry! Do the cleaning process I described above and every mark comes out (marks and scuffs, not scratches).

I just bought these shoes yesterday, but I wanted to say that they are made incredibly well. The quality of leather is not something you see a lot in shoes now days. I am usually a size 12 or 13 and I bought an 11 (which has room to spare, but not too much). I have fairly wide feet, and got the EE width. This does make the shoe look slightly bigger than the D, as can be expected, but it is still a fairly slender and stylish looking shoe for a "work boot." I'm excited to break these in. Supposedly they mold around your feet and become incredibly comfortable. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars simply because they are quite stiff at first. The store that sold them to me gave me "Red Wing Mink Oil" and "Red Wing All Natural Leather Conditioner." I put one coat of Mink Oil and two Coats of Conditioner, and supposedly that keeps the leather in good condition and protects you from water and eventual dryness and cracking. These oils darkened the leather by quite a bit (I bought the "Amber" color), but I like how it looks even better.

These boots are great provided that you know how to wear them. First of all, these are unlined work boots that should be worn on a medium-to-thick sock. If you want great lined boots, check out Alden and pay the price difference in price. Secondly, they run about one size larger in length. Go down a size and then go up in width if you feel pressure in the foot. Note, only a few Red Wing Heritage boots come in wider sizes. Do not try to squeeze into a longer, narrower boot. At this price, why bother? Finally, do not ruin the shoes by putting excessive amounts of water on them as suggested in these reviews. You should not be doing things like that to boots that fit properly from the very beginning.

Definitely order a 1/2 to full size down. I am an 11 with a narrow foot, ordered 10, and they are spot on. They are a fairly supple leather, I can't envision a terribly long break-in period. Great style vs. many of the other boots out there, and they look stylish with jeans or chinos.

I cannot speak to the all day comfort of these shoes as I have only received the pair this evening. That being said, they seem to run at least a full size larger than their work boots. I generally wear a 11½H or 12EE in Redwings, and a consistent 11½EEE in Allen Edmonds. These were ordered in 12EE. They were way too big. I will return them for a smaller size. Overall they look like nice boots.

Best boots I bought in a long time. Very well made and extreme comfortable from the first minute.

These boots are very good quality, no flaws in workmanship. I ordered 1/2 size smaller than I normally buy and they fit perfectly.