Customer Reviews Red Wing Heritage 6" Iron Ranger

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.

I got the wide version because I recently discovered that I have wide feet (per my podiatrist). For the record I wore a 10 in the normal width, before deciding to go with a wide size 9. Ordering from Zappos was a breeze. Ended up with three pairs to get accurate fit and sent two back with absolutely no hiccups. Quick to refund. In my opinion, more people should consider trying the wide version of this boot. Being able to comfortably wear thick socks in the winter, without your toes being squished, is a great feeling. Break in period was a couple/few weeks, I waited to treat them (Sno-Seal) until I thought all of the creases had formed so that the beeswax would really get in to the leather where it stretched a bit. I don't know if that's how it should be done, but it made sense to me. They will darken with treatment. A lot of compliments, people do (somehow) recognize that they are Red Wing Iron Rangers. I will add that the insole offers little-to-no cushion or arch support. Perhaps another reason to try on a few sizes and throw an insole in there with your thick socks, to make sure they'll be able to handle those moments when it is really cold. I love lacing these up, make sure you get the right size and enjoy! Zappos makes that as easy as possible.

I ordered 3 pair of these shoes to get the right fit. I'm a 12 in tennis shoes. I tried an 11 and 11.5 Med and an 11 wide. Ultimately the 11 fit right. A little snug on the sides which is why I tried a wide, but the wide was too loose. They look slick and are breaking in nicely. I put some flat laces on them. I haven't tried Obenaufs yet because I don't want to darken the shoes.

Best boots ever made! 30 minutes into a new pair they felt like I'd owned em for years. Worth every penny.

These are fantastic boots. They require a little break but well worth it. My last Red Wings lasted 20 years. Great service and fast! I would recommend to anyone. I have very wide feet and was leery but I read other reviews about them loosening up and took a chance. I am very glad that I did.

Took about a week of wearing them every day to break in. After that truly amazing boots I wear them every where even walking around downtown for hours. Definitely worth the price I do wear a size 10 in Frye boots. But got these in a size 9.5 and they fit perfect.