Customer Reviews Red Wing Heritage 6" Iron Ranger

I bought my current pair in 2010 and have worn them hard over the last five years. While these boots cant compete with custom Whites or Nicks, they are well made handsome boots. I would concur that they run a half to full size larger than marked. The construction and durability is outstanding. However, as has been noted, the soles have no traction and are terrible in ice and snow. What I advise is locating a good cobbler and having the boot re-soled right off the bat. I had mine re-soled with a double leather mid sole and Vibram half sole mini lug with a stacked heel. (Like a beefier version of the Beckman) I cannot advise this enough and do not know why Red Wing does not make them that way to begin with...

Gentlemen, These boots permanently changed the way I think about footwear. I ordered them just over three years ago, and I wear them all the time (easily 500 days total); they look fantastic and are indescribably comfortable. Yes, they are expensive (by far the most I'd ever paid for shoes/boots). Yes they take a LONG TIME to break in (I was still crying after a month). But they were absolutely worth it because I know these are truly heirloom quality. I have zero doubt that my son will wear these some day (he is 11 now). After you order yours, be sure to get the Red Wing Boot Oil (pine pitch and mink oil), and treat them a few times a year. Also, be sure to order at least a full size down.

As everyone seems to say, this is a true, high quality boot. I have had three pair of them over the past ten years or so. They are great on my semi-narrow foot. They are indeed treacherous on snow and ice. I don't know why Red Wing doesn't put some texture in the heels but they seem to have everything else under control.

i was looking for a boot that I could wear with jeans or khakis. These were exactly what I was looking for! I ordered 1/2 size smaller, 10 1/2, and they fit perfectly. I was concerned about the break in period from other reviews I read, but they were like any other boot to break in. The "mule skinner" color is a rough textured finish and does scratch, but that adds to the rough look of the boot. I did order 2 pairs, the mule skinner and the brown. I sent the brown pair back, as I found them cheaper elsewhere. Sorry Zappos! I asked and you wouldn't match prices.

Absolutely awesome boots. Take some breaking in. These will last a lifetime. Get more comfortable each time you wear them. Not great on icy, snowy surfaces. Well worth the money.

This is a three-year delayed review. I've been wearing my Iron Rangers since December 2013, and they've held up like tanks, through less than ideal conditions. They've seen Oklahoma winters, months of Seattle damp, swamplike summers in Rome and Tulsa, and I've (shamefully) polished them twice over the course of those adventures. They're my daily boots, and they're on my feet 95% of the time I walk out the door. The boots themselves: bombproof. No splitting leather, dry portions, delamination, or stitching failures. And every time you put them on they fit a little better (your toes slip right back into their little divets in the cork, and it feels perfect). They're pricey, but I'm only here writing this because I'm coming back for my second pair; I've never had a pair of boots hold up so well for so long. I'm on the original laces, but they're starting to fray, so they'll be getting swapped out soon. Be warned they do take some time to break in completely, and it's very much a process. Once you get the footbed set, the rest of the boot has to mold to your stride and how you break from the ground. I was getting chafing on top of my big toe about three weeks in, but it passed pretty quickly and now they couldn't feel more natural.

Exceptionally constructed. The hawthorne muleskinner leather looks great. All the RW boots I own definitely run big, about one full size. Also, I recommend a thicker sock. Do not wear these with some threadbare ankle sock. With that said these Iron Ranger boots are very comfortable. At least as comfortable as my 875s. Overall, a quality boot that is beautiful too. Very pleased with this addition to my RW line up.

Great pair of boots, very well crafted. Only had a few weeks, I'm guessing the break in will take about a month. These will last forever if you take care of them. I had to go a full size down, usually wear a 10/10.5 but I'm wearing a 9 for the Iron Rangers.

A great boot; strongly made and quite comfortable. Ordered a full size smaller than my normal size and it fit perfectly. Breaking in time much less than my Wolverine 1000 which surprised me. Boot did not disappoint me.

Loving these 8113 boots so far. Well made in the US, and looks like they'll hold up to whatever I throw at them. Sizing was tricky, started at my usual size just to make sure they would indeed be too big. Ended up going a whole size down in the end. Zappos made the process very easy. The laces are not the best, so I swapped them out for a different set. No biggie there. Looking forward to seeing how they evolve as they take on wear!

Second pair of Iron Rangers I purchased for the man in my life. He has a brown pair he loves; these in black are no different. Worth every penny and they look better the more distressed they get from wear. He has had many other guys at work asking where he got them. I would buy them again for sure. True to size.

I purchased these shoes in hopes to have something that would last a while. The jury is still out on this, but I can tell you that the quality seems to be pretty good so far. Break in, while not brutal, was fairly extensive. I've worn them pretty much every other day for a month and the comfort level is getting there. The only problem they have is the silly laces. The laces simply won't stay tied. I will be replacing them soon with something a little longer and flat. The boots feel substantial and appear that they will wear well. The soles provided decent grip on the few snowy/icy days we had this spring. Now as the weather heats up, the plain leather seems like it will be very comfortable. This is my first pair of Red Wing boots and seems to be worth the price paid.

Awesome pair of boots. I wouldn't walk on ice every day with these soles but everything else is great from snow to mud to rain. They're tough, look great and kick ass.

I can't decide if these or my Wolverine 1000 Mile boots are my favorites. They both have great style and both garner compliments. These are probably more durable, have a more versatile sole you can wear in the rain, have rugged good looks, and are a little less dressy. On the other hand, the leather isn't as soft and pliable, took a little longer to break in, and I don't think they go well with a suit. Just get both, and be happy!

Great looking boots. The more your wear them the better they look. I am glad I took zappos review advice and went half size smaller.

First of all these are the best boots that I have ever owned. They may be a little pricey, but when it comes to handmade, I will gladly pay extra. Also, I am now a life long Zappos customer after they completely went above and beyond to make sure that I was taken care of and happy. I had ordered a size too big, which is quite common with Red Wings. I tried to make them work with bigger socks and what not, but I just was not feeling it. I let Zappos know, and before we were done with our conversation, I already had a new pair in the correct size being overnighted to my house. How rad is that? Needless to say I let everyone know about my experience, and from now on will only get my boots from Zappos. Good on you Zappos! Seriously this is the best customer service experience that I have ever had!

These are awesome quality boots. I have narrow feet, and ordered one full size down from my usual size. Perfect fit, and gets even better as the boots break in.

Great boot, get compliments every day wearing them. Order 1 full size smaller and you will be happy after the first week of break in. Gave the boot 4 on comfort just because they really have no cushioning. The leather and build quality is superb. I have had the boots for one month now and wear them everyday all day in the desert and they are the best looking/feeling boots I have ever owned. Expensive but worth it.

Zappos is the best. Free shipping and free returns is just about the greatest thing ever. These boots are also the greatest things ever. Got them as a gift for my boyfriend. These are a 1/2 size down from his usual size and they fit well. (His regular size was noticeably too big). They take a bit of wearing in--the first few times wearing them for a long day, he came home with achy knees, as expected. But as everyone says, give them some time and they'll be the best boots you've ever owned--and you'll own them forever.

They arrived perfect and in amazing time. As predicted they run large so I'm glad I went to a Red Wing store and got sized. With the sizes from there the Rangers fit perfectly. A little FYI: They are very slick on ice. Here in MN we see a lot of that and it's something to think about. I might get a lugged sole replacement for the cork one day. Still a beautiful boot.

Absolutely love these boots. Very solid feel, short break in period, rich leather and foot-hugging comfort. Plus, with my woodblock feet, the wide version allows me the space I need. I definitely recommend ordering a pair at one full size below your normal, and one half size below that (1.5 below normal) to see which fits better. I normally wear 9.5 or 10; on these I'm comfortable in an 8.5! The first three days were rough, and my ankles were worn a bit raw. Now, though, the boots hug my feet and feel great. I haven't put them through hell yet, but I'm going to be wearing them on an Alaska to Argentina motorcycle ride, so I'll perhaps be able to update this post later with regards to durability. I can say they seem to be well constructed with good, heavy stitching and a strong welt. I recommend these boots without reserve.

Once again, I'm blown away by these Red Wings. I purchased a brown pair 5 years ago, and they still look almost brand new. My black boots of other manufacture wore out, so it was a no-brainer to upgrade to the Iron Ranger. I don't think I've ever come across an item that is so blatantly superior to other options. Build quality, styling, made in USA... even the laces are nicer than most. As indicated by others, they do run a bit large – and be sure you have ample time to break them in. I typically wear a 10 – these fit perfectly in a 9. You do want them a little bit tight and uncomfortable for the first wear or two – they'll break in like good pair of jeans.

Ridiculously sturdy shoes. Look great, understated class. Feel like they'll last for 20 years. One thing I'd point out is there not really winter boots - the bottom of the soles are totally flat, as there really floor work boots. Hardly an issue, since I'm still wearing them all the time anyway. Don't balk at the price - think about the fact that you'll get many, many more years of use out of these shoes then you will their less expensive counterparts. The cost is not the design or the brand, it's the quality.

Awesome boots that reminded me a lot of my Military boots. Tough in the beginning but getting better and better over time! This is not the kind of shoe for those who expect cushioning, But they become very comfortable over time. You will have to get used to actually feeling the ground under your feet so you know where you are standing. Treat them with a couple of layers of good oil or wax to saturate the leather. This will make them waterproof, softer and darken the color. Oh, and they look great as well, my wife has a pair and looks really cool in them. These boots run wide. My normal size is 11EEE and these 11EE fitted well perhaps a bit to spacious. But not enough to go one more size down.

It took them a little while to get broken in but after I wore them for a solid week they really loosened up. If these shoes last as long as people say they do, then these will be the best pair of boots I've ever bought.