Redwing Heritage Iron Ranger

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
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Did a search and didn't see much mention of these and thought to do it.

Another BFC member had posted some Wolverine 1,000 mile boots for sale. I thought they looked cool, but the reviews around the interwebz were less than complementary.

Was hanging out with a friend a few weeks ago and liked the shoes he was wearing, he commented that they were Redwings. These boots are made in the USA.

Went to the Redwing store in my neighborhood and found these Iron Rangers. They are a "greasy" leather. I use paste wax on the toe caps and heels. Dyed the mid-sole from tan to darker brown using Fiebing's Dark Brown Oil Dye and a couple q-tips.

My wife was not with me when I ordered them, when I put them on she said they "look like the unholy love child of dress shoes and Doc Marten's, and I like the look very much!"

Haven't had to work as hard to break in a boot since Navy boondocker days, but these do feel much better with each wearing. Went with my normal size of 8 1/2 D. Using a 1/2 length insert with a necessary high arch, these boots have no arch support or any orthotics to speak of.

It's a cork/latex sole, with no lug. That said, haven't slipped on anything yet, they are oddly grippy.

Showed them my first responder card and got a 10% discount....fwiw. They were not in stock and sent to my house. Took less than a week.

Happy camper so far. Interested in what you all think of these, or what you might like better. They were about $310.00.

I have plenty of Magnum boots and a pair of Thorogood's, but like these better for every day wear....specifically the lacing setup, with the nickel hardware and also the quality of the leather. It's excellent leather. Redwing will resole the boots(this includes just about everything for refurbishment, fyi) for $125.00.
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Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I have a pair of Red-wing boots. Best boot I've ever had. After six years of use I finally took them in this past week to get them resoled. Should have them back tomorrow.
 
I have a pair. Not that you'll need to worry about it much in SoCal, but they're VERY slippery on packed snow/ice. Other than that, I really like mine.
 
I wear redwing steel toes with the translucent comfort soles. These are comfortable out of the box. I have them put the tough toe coating on. When your working 7 12s you can appreciated a good pair.
 
budthachud said:
I have a pair. Not that you'll need to worry about it much in SoCal, but they're VERY slippery on packed snow/ice. Other than that, I really like mine.
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No, I'd likely wear the Magnums on ice....most of my family is up in Seattle, and when I visit in winter, that's what I wear. Have a still-wearable pair of shrunk-shoulder Timberland boots from 1983 when they made them in the USA with a black Vibram sole as well, as I grew up in upstate NY....that said, it did rain down here briefly while wearing the Redwings, and they were slip resistant on the wet asphalt.

These Heritage boots are what they consider their "dress casual" range....not steel toed, not really for industrial use, although they style them like they are.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I think they look like fine boots! I always wanted to get a pair of custom made boots/shoes. Maybe some Whites or Nicks. Something like them.
 
Never had a custom made pair of boots or shoes....imagine that they might fit more comfortably out of the box.

If you do get a pair made, plz pm and inform me of your thoughts!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Red Wing boots rule! I have a couple pairs of the Heritage flavors. Made in the USA and the only shoe company that still owns their own tannery.
 
Never owned their boots, but one of the very first things I bought when I got a grownup job was a pair of Redwing work shoes. One of the wisest investments I ever made. I favor New Balance sneakers for kicking around at home (not too many hrands make quadruple wide sizes, so New Balance it is), but the Redwings last me pretty literally 4-5 times as long.

I'm all about high value knives, generic food at the store, economy cars and secondhand furniture, but I've learned never to skimp about what you stand on or what you sleep on.

Almost forgot, I actually still have the first pair of Redwings I bought and they're still completely functional, they just now look too ratty for me to wear around customers. They're still the shoes I wear when doing dirty jobs sround the house and such, though.
 
Redwings are notoriously hard to break in, but once broken in they're good to go. I actually have a pair of Wolverine 1ks and two pairs of Redwing Beckmans amongst many other pairs of boots in a fairly modest rotation of boots. Your absolutely right about the 1ks, but I was pretty lucky as I purchased prior to a lot of the more recent QC issues, although the Chromexcel or leather on these are fairly thin. The best part about them however is that they are real quick on and off and real comfortable. But as far as real good performers Redwing for the money is by far the better deal for the money.


Great choice, Congrats!!
 
Hard to beat a good pair of Redwings!:thumbup::thumbup: My 877s have always served me well and when (if...;)) they ever need replacing it'll be with another pair.
 
i have the same pair, although in brown. Had em for about 2 years now and they are going strong! love em
 
I wear red wings for work, and irush setter (a sub brand) to school, I'm in college. My dad taught me to buy good boots, and red wing certainly doesn't disappoint!
 
Kohai999 said:
Never had a custom made pair of boots or shoes....imagine that they might fit more comfortably out of the box.

If you do get a pair made, plz pm and inform me of your thoughts!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Finances are a little tight for the moment so it may be awhile . When/if I get some I will let you know.
 
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