went to a redwing store today and tried on iron rangers. always been an 11.5 wide and they put me in a 9.5 E. it was straight up painful, not just uncomfortable, and they looked hilariously small. but the clerk was adamant and wouldn’t entertain any other sizes. this video helped confirm he was out if his mind.
I actually ended up going with the Origin Coronado. It’s a good boot but the toebox is kinda tight. As I understand it they are changing the last to solve that issue. @@KT.81
. These boots are a complete fail. They never "fit" correctly. Buy them tight and hurt, they may stretch, but they always hurt. Buy them snug and they stretch to the point of being sloppy. The soles are dangerously slick. They are so slippery on a warehouse floor. The boots are less functional than a screen door on a submarine. Just trying to save you $350.00 in buyers remorse.
For those with LOW insteps and NARROW feet (I have both), I had to get 1.5 size smaller from my sneakers to my Iron Rangers. They still have a lot of room in the toebox but any size smaller may cause me discomfort. If I use thin socks they fit very loose. Like so people see. I wish someone had told me before I returned them twice.
Shit. I have wide (but not overly wide) feet, with a highish arch but a low instep. I got some 1907s a size down, and they were tight, worryingly so, but I got them anyway. And now they're just too big. I have to lace them tight to brace them against my instep, and there's too much heel volume. They only had them in D but said they should work for me, and it felt like it initially, but the issue is I think I got an even bigger size to accommodate my width, when I needed an even smaller size but in E or EE. Godamnit. They're still wearable, but they slip and aren't what I wanted from such a pricey boot. Here's hoping by some miracle I can exchange them with someone, or sell them without taking too big a loss.
Crazy, experiences will most definitely vary. I normally wear a size 10 in sneakers but when I went to the redwing store to purchase my 8111s I ended up getting a size 8.5. 4 years later and its my everyday boots, I literally do everything from walks with the family to hiking/hunting. The only time I don't wear my iron rangers is when I go on trail runs, that's what my On running shoes are for.
That is closer to my experience. I have most shoes in 43 (sneakers, vans etc) but with the moc toe I would go with either 41.5 or 42. I was really torn in the store with 42 being way more comfortable but maybe a tad big lately.
10.5 in sneakers, 9.5 in thorgood, and a 9 in iron rangers. I think most people will find the iron rangers too big if they only size down a half size from their sneaker size.
Great video!! Regarding Iron Rangers, it’s been painstakingly laborious to say the least for me to nail down the right size. I’m new to the heritage world, so I’ve put all my trust into the employees… Brannock US 10. Originally the store tried to get me into 8.5’s. I use Superfeet orthotic inserts (for arch support)with thin (zero cushion) wool blend socks which I brought and wore to store and tried on boots with. They said it was my size although it felt pretty darn tight. Purchased, wore at home… 30 minutes in, hot spots showed up to the party. Removed inserts, relief. Tried again the following day, same thing. No good. Returned to store and exchanged for 9’s (one full size down from brannock). Felt better but toes were still scrunched where I could barely wiggle them. Again, I go back feeling embarrassed that I’m there again after being “measured/ assessed” multiple times… But something just wasn’t right and I didn’t want to invest in a painful future with ill fitting boots. A manager sits me down and did more elaborate fit testing and confirmed I was definitely a 9.5 with inserts. He measured me again on the brannock and did a heel to ball of foot measurement as well as identified where my arch was. Low and behold he was spot on. I told him privately that no one had fitted me like this before in any Red Wing store. And why that was? He says that since covid and new hires, policy changed and customer service was less personalized. But he said that he’s been training his staff the old tried and true manner. I thanked him but also wished I would’ve gotten this service the first time I came in. It would’ve saved me a lot of anguish and uncertainty with the multiple miss sizing I went through. In summary, I went 1/2 size down with inserts. Had I not needed inserts, then 1 full size would’ve worked just fine. On the bright side, I went all in on RUclips and learned so much from all of the videos and comments from people’s personal experiences. 🙌🙌Thought I’d share mine… Thank you. 🎉🎉🎉
I went and got my first pair of RW’s today at their store, my feet measured out at 9.6 and 9.2 EE with extremely high insteps. The best fit for me was an 8.5 EE in the 1907’s without the added insole. Everything else felt too long or too narrow. I suggest getting to a store if you can, it is worth the drive.
I went with 1 size down in my iron rangers and regretted it. They are too short in my toes. When new it seemd fine but after first creased happend they got to short. Sides and heel were perfect and it got me
Can't thank you enough for this William! I have been wanting a pair of Iron Rangers for a very long time, and picked up a paid of 11's at my local boot shop. I felt they fit pretty good (they didn't have other close sizes in store to try on) and I went with it. It slowly crept in my head that maybe I should have gone with another size. Called the store up as I sat on my living room floor with them on, and asked the chances of finding a 10.5 to bring in. Thankfully they were able to and I tried them on. Like I said, the 11's felt pretty good and maybe could have worked but wow - the 10.5's are like an absolute glove. Did the swap and life is good. Thanks!
If you're able, try them on in person at a store. Try a half size and full size smaller. Walk around in the store with both pairs laced up the same. Once you wear them outside, you can't return them. Once you get the right size and break them in, they're worth EVERY penny.
Redwing store by me let you return work/heritage up to 30 days regardless of what kind of wear because realistically they aren’t reselling anything that leaves the door. They’re usually pretty cool about it they understand the struggle
I've got somewhere around 25 pairs of redwings. Iron Rangers, Beckman, BlackSmith, IronSmith...so, for what it is worth...here's my advise. Start with a sizing of both your feet in a Brannock device (that silver and black metal thing in shoe stores, that has been around since about 1927.) This will let you know what your actual sizes of your feet are (length and width). NOTE: If you've never done this, your actual size(s) are likely NOT what you have always worn. After doing this, you will know what they actually are. For me one foot is 9 and the other is closer to a 9.5. Start with this step. As noted in this video, Red Wing #8 lasts sizing are at least a half size smaller than your Brannock size...but I've found that I'm a full size smaller...at least. And, unlike what this video said about foot width, my width is a D width, rather than a narrow width...and Brannock minus one is perfect, for me. Once you know what size feet you are dealing with, then look at what kind of socks you plan on wearing. I'm a merino wool guy, on the thinner/less padded side. So, for me, with my normal sock choice, most of my boots are size 8s. As I was collecting some of the more unique variants, I strayed into some 8.5s, and to my pleasant surprise, they are a good fit too...if I simply go with a slightly thicker sock.
I sound the same as you - 9.5 D brannock, and 8.5 in most boots. I also wear lightly cushioned merino wool socks from smart wool. With red wing mocs I find the size and a half down 8s the best fit but then they're so narrow they grim my foot really firmly so I may have to take an 8.5. The 8.5 I felt had a bit of heel slip and a little much volume on top of the foot but more snug than tight on the width. What would you do? Go for the tight width or go for the bigger overall boot? I ended up returning both as I couldn't decide how they should fit. 8.5 felt good with a 4mm insole to lift the heel but then they might get bigger and more loose over time. Many boots I see people are hanging over the welt to the edge of the outsole - if mine did that they would be good for width.
Great advise Greg, thanks. I am a Brannock 9D in one foot and just a bit shorter in the other. Mi IR are 8D and they feel great, I think the amber harness leather helps because is very supple. Now that I am considering getting the 875 Moc Toe, I am having doubts. Should I go 8D, 8EE or 8.5 D 😅? What do you think
The more research I do, the more I realize the salesman at a redwing store sold me my moctoes a half size too big. They’ve always been loose. My Beckmann were a full-size smaller than normal and fit perfectly. Thanks for making this video!
I order a full size down from my Brannuck Device size. I do not wear sneakers much, anymore. Most boot manufacturers reference your “sneaker size.” But, sneaker size can vary widely from one brand to the next. The comparison is meaningless for me. I also measure at size 14, so going up/down a half size is also pretty meaningless for me. I measure 14C, and a 13D in Red Wing Heritage footwear is perfect for me. This works out for any of their shoe lasts. Red Wing says a new boot should fit a little snug around the ball of the foot, which is the widest part of your foot. That is good advice, because that is wear the most “break-in” needs to occur. Just remember this, your body heat is the best thing to break in a new pair of boots. YMMV.
Same here full size down from branuck. They are tight but I know from years of experience finding the right size boot that my foot will both sink in and stretch the leather to the perfect fit. I do not agreed with the sneaker comparison at all.
Another great video, William. The number 8 and 45 lasts seem, to me, the same in terms of length and width. I know some people say to size down and then go wider in mocs, but I wear a 9D in the Blacksmith, IR, and 1907 Moc. For reference, my foot is 10 and a quarter inches from heel against wall to end of big toe and just over 3.5" at the widest point. Much wider or longer and think I'd need a 9.5D. I have a very thin foot (sole to top, low volume) and a normal arch, so I wear an old insole (or heavyweight socks if it's cold) to take up the extra thickness and get a snug fit without cramping my toes or lifting my heel out of the cup. That insole fits the same in all of my Red Wings. I don't use the 1907's insole because the wedge is plenty cushioned and I don't like overly squishy boots. I guess I'll have to get a 23 last for "research." Better tell my wife...
For me last 23 is one half size up. I have pictures of the footbed as reference. True to size for me is 11.5D heel to ball and heel to toe and 11D is way too small! Part of this is last 23 came about with a brannock device and was made for a medium weight wool sock not a thin sock. The laT was made for the 8" model which you are supposed to fold and get your heel to cup. Look up "S" or "W" fold or how to fold a tongue on Nick's boots. The 877 or 10877 both have ample room to do that with the gusseted tongue. I advise when trying on the last 23 use the thinnest sock you can to feel the boot and not buy too small or too big. Start small and then try on the next size. Your foot should flex at the widest part of the boot. If it doesn't it is too short. Heel to Ball is just if not more important than heel toe toe when being measured. Be sure to measure at the end of the day too and wear the sock you plan to dominantly wear with the boot when being measured. I carry two pairs with me when trying on boots as odd as that may say. Where as the Iron Ranger ie the last 8 is a true boot last. I'm an 11D as a result. It is a modified Munson last, just less wide and a bump toe added for the environment in the mines. The Munson fits half a size below brannock and was made to accommodate up to a thick heavyweight sock once fully broken in. You have to remember people changed their socks for the weather. Red Wing's version tends to be higher volume overall.
Bought my first pair of iron rangers amber today. On the Brannock device I measured 13.5 length, 14 ball to heal and landed in the D width. I tried on both 13 and 14 sized boots. 13’s were snug with heal planted. 14’s my heal lifted up when walking and the boot just looked too big. So I went with the 13’s. The break in process begins. Thanks for all your information. My advice is you have to try them on and get measured with a Brannock device to get some info on your feet.
After spending ludicrous amounts of money and time and pain sizing incorrectly, this is the #1 video that could be made for an entry level boot guide. A more advance guide could do with arch, volume, heel to ball, heel to toe, sock weight, and in-step. Overall awesome video and I look forward to what you come out with next! As for myself I’m currently trying to find myself a factory first 8085 11D in stock somewhere…
My experience: Nike (AF1/Air Jordan) - US11.5 but I can and do wear 11s as well as once they stretch a bit I prefer the fit. Dr. Martens UK Made - UK11/US12 Red Wing - 875 US12 EE/UK11 (with enough room for double wool socks in winter and single wool socks in summer) Hans Wagner (HanWag) - EU46.5/UK11.5/US12.5 Wide Fit (same sock deal as above) As for Adidas, I find them all too narrow.
I just got mine which is a half size smaller than normal. However I did notice that if you smooth out the tongue around your foot before you lace up then you get a better fit, otherwise it just bunches up. Making sure that the laces are tighter at the front and your heal does not slip. So far so good, looking forward to wearing my first pair.
I am firmly against sizing down! My feet do measure size 11 D on the Brannock device. And that's the size I take for both Iron Ranger as well as the 877, I have learned to ignore the Red Wing employees advice to size down. Sizing down hurt my feet and after breaking in, the boots are not really comfortable. Turned out I was mostly standing on the welt as the footbed does not stretch. I always take the larger option as you can always reduce the boot volume with inserts or thicker socks.
I am 9.5 d near e in brannok. Went with halfsize down for my iron rangers, feels a little long though, but the width was perfect. Tried Full size down from brannok my toes touched the front of the boot.
It might also depends how you wear them, I often add inner soles , also riding motorbikes in winter I sometimes use thinker socks. I normally wear 8 and went for a 7.5 that fits perfectly but forget plush inner sole or thick socks. Ideally I’d need two pairs! 😊
Sizing across shoe brands and types is crazy. I wear 12.5 Salomon trail shoes for recreation/fitness but a 10.5 EE for my iron rangers. Tried the 11’s but felt like I was walking in dive fins.
Brannock 8.5. The Red Wing machine pegs me at 8.2 and 8.3. They put me into a 7d Iron Ranger. Fits perfect but... wtf. Makes me wish I went smaller with my Grant Stones. I wish the world of footwear sizing wasn't so enigmatic.
So fortunate to have had a Red Wing store near me cause I wear a 13/14 in sneakers and turns out an 11.5 boot(!!). I woulda wasted so much time ordering and sending back... or more than likely just accepting a "good enough" fit that I ultimately would have regretted for being too big... rather than going and getting precise foot measurements and getting to try on a bunch of sizes and width variants until I found the perfect fit
I have wide feet, I wear size 9uk in all my trainers and have to to be careful on what I buy. Generally converse are way to narrow for me for example. I bought uk 8.5ee going with the half size down idea, the width was good but they were too long in the toe box. My feet measure bang on 27.5cm which is what the 8.5 say they are but still too long. Going down to an 8ee was perfect, only a 5mm difference but they now give the firm handshake fitment I’ve read about and I was after. My feet measure 11cm wide for reference and the 8ee my feet rest comfortably against the side wall. I think the 8d would’ve been a bit narrow
I'm a 9uk in trainers, bought the 8.5, think I didn't go small enough. Not breaking in well, didn't have the wider options so I needed the room. Not sure how to remedy and can't return now.
As someone with a 4E foot I wanted to say that wide sizes, at least in Red Wing, don't always work. For me they are great in the ball of the foot, but the ankle/heel is just way, way too loose. In my case I have to go up an entire size from my true size (9.5 4E) to get the right width while still getting a good heel lock. Example, 10.5D in Iron Ranger. (I have a high instep too.)
IR 8085 and Rover 2953 8D, Pecos 8168 8.5E, 877 Moc toe 8.5D The IR, Rover and Pecos fit like a glove. The 877 is a bit narrow. Had a pair of steel toe Engineers and 1907 in 7.5D recommended by RW employee but they were to small and sold them. 20 years a go I bought a pair of 988’s motorcycle engineers in 7.5D which I could only wear with slightly thicker socks. A Red Wing employee once told me that all heritage sizes should fit the same. RW and their sizes 🤯
Measured 10.5, Reebok sneaker 10 an Red Wing Iron Ranger 9.5 I went to a RW store and the space for my toes in 9 was so little that ich went with D 9.5, really happy with the shoes so far.
O man Red Wing and sizes 😳. Nike’s 9, Brookes 🏃♂️ 9.5, Iron Rangers and Rovers 8D, Pecos 8.5 E, 988 motorcycle boots 7.5 D and 877 8.5D. Guy in the store said all Heritage boots should be the same size 🥴, other guy said to go up halve a size and put an insole in. 🤪
It seems experiences really do vary when it come to RW sizing. I wear a 10.5 sneaker but an 8.5 in the Iron Ranger. The folks at the RW store told me that the RW lasts are still numbered using sizing from like a century ago, which was, apparently, quite different. But if some people have IRs that are only a half-size off from their sneaker size, then that means some batches are just sized using a different set of numbers? I dunno. It's weird and confusing.
This was my exact experience. I wear probably a 10.5 on average in regular shoes, occasionally an 11 and we just kept going down on sizes until we made it to an 8.5, everything above that had too much heel slippage.
So, I went to the RW store stepped on their proprietary 3-D modeler. My right foot is a 12C and my left was 11.7D. The picture the modeler made looked identical to my actual foot! It gave a ton of information regarding my arch, heel/ball length, heel/toe length, etc. It was suggested taht I try the 11D. I tried a 12 D, 11.5D, and an 11D. The 12 was WAY too large, the 11.5D was also just a bit too large. The 11 fit fairly snug. The sales associate also looked at how the boot fit and where the toe broke when I walked and the position of the ball/arch of the foot. The 11 seemed to fit better. Having said that, it is a B**ch to break in. I am on day 3 and can only wear for a few hours at a time. The leather is loosening a bit and my foot is starting to make an imprint. It looks like my foot is exactly where it is supposed to be in the boot itself. Hopefully, the boot will be fully broken in in the next few weeks. The one thing that I noticed is that when you wear a sneaker or another type of shoe, you realize how poorly fitting those shoes really are. You really have to get used to wearing a shoe or boot that fits securely. It is a different feeling. Edit. I returned the 11d and switched to 11.5 d. The 11 over time just did not loosen up and my toes started rubbing the inside of the bump toe. I could not move my toes and I just couldn’t wear them. The manager of the store gave me a one time change. The 11.5 was better. My toes are not cramped. Arch felt better. To some degree I’d rather have the boot slightly larger than smaller. We will see how they break in over time.
Thank you for the update!! I’m having the same type issue. Haven’t broken my IR’s yet, but I wonder if they’re too small. The tips of my toes aren’t touching the tip of the boot, but they’re close. And I’d like to use an insert hurts after an hour because it’s too tight a fit all around.
My first pair of redwings were the 8” moc toe. I wear a 10 in sneakers. The 9.5D moc toe pinched the ball of my foot when I tried them on so I purchased a size 10D. They fit well without insoles but hurt the bottom of my feet even after months of break in. They don’t fit with insoles so I just stopped wearing them and eventually bought a pair of thorogoods which come with an insole and are more comfortable. I finally decided to pull the plug on iron rangers and bought a 9.5EE. I was worried the EE toe would look bulbous but it doesn’t. I had them fitted with insoles and they were super comfortable first day of wearing them. I highly recommend just getting them fitted with insoles if you have foot issues and ignore the fuds who tell you you’re not supposed to wear insoles with heritage boots.
I’m a 10.5D on most shoes and boots since my feet are closer to 11D than 10D loafers I’m usually a 11, but for my Redwing IRs I’m actually a size 9. Love them btw my only regret is getting them a few weeks ago vs a few years ago.
I am a brannock 11 and sneaker 11. Used to own 875s size 10.5d and they were definitely too big. My feet are average width. Sharing this story because I highly recommend going full size down from brannock/sneaker size.
I’ve had my feet measured properly and they are UK10 G. With Iron Rangers however I buy UK9 D and even then I use a leather insole and they fit great. My friend is a UK9 and buys a UK8 in Iron Rangers so in my experience they fit a full size smaller.
I wear a Nike 11 uk (air max 90) with normal sock and they are perfect.with my boot socks they are tight on the width.I’m thinking a size 10 might be best.do you agree?
people tend to think they have to downsize and end up wearing tight shoes thinking that is normal. my foot is 28.5cm and i took beckman that has length of 28.5 written on it. everything is perfect. so just measure your foot and buy exactly the length that is same as your foot. if you fall between numbers just go with the one that is officially smaller than your foot. people have problems breaking in because they buy too small...
I just picked up my first pair of Origin boots and I've run into a similar issue. Same thing with Danner Bull run other than the Chelsey. Redwings have always worked for me.
I am planning to buy a pair of Iron Rangers but i would like to know how does it feel in the cold season with snow and very cold weather? I am asking this because i know they don’t have lining inside. Right now i have a pair of Levis Jax and they do have full lining inside and feels very warm and comfortable in the cold season but the quality is not that great compared to the Red Wings.
I went to the Red Wing store and stepped onto their machine, and they recommended 10D. I tried it on, it felt snug and secure, but it didn't feel quite right, I wanted maybe a bit more length. My foot is closer to 11C according to Brannock. So a bit longer and narrower. They didn't have 10.5D to try, so I just ordered it online. It came in, and they felt like clown shoes, just swimming in them. The length actually did feel nice, but just baggy and loose. So I ordered the 10D, same as I tried in store, but this time trying them side by side at home. The 10D are definitely snug, but I didn't want to need thick hiking socks to wear my boots. So I returned the larger ones, kept the smaller ones. Took them for a quick spin, a 1.5 mile walk to try them out. Wow, ouch.. that's the reason I came here to this video. Afraid I chose too small. But I'm hopeful that you're right about narrow feet folks. I'll keep wearing them and hope they stretch out.
And did they? I Just picked up a pair yesterday - Like you I went with the smaller option based on the recommendation of two different store clerks. I’m currently in the ‘hope these will stretch a bit’ phase…
@@Goodfella_815 I actually returned the smaller ones too. I have a long arch length, heel to ball, and although the smaller ones felt ok just sitting there, I felt they were flexing in the wrong place. Iron Rangers have notoriously large toe boxes, so I think my correct size was actually the “clown shoes.” Maybe with thick socks. I ended up realizing Iron Rangers aren’t for me. I got two pairs of Whites Boots in 10.5D. The Perry Select and the 350 Cruiser. They both fit awesome.
"Sneaker size" is not very helpful. Chuck Taylors are meant to be snug, and run pretty long, but haven't been on a court in decades. Merrill are my go-to for casual comfort shoe(I've worn out 4 pair). My Iron Rangers at my "normal" size 8 1/2 are perfect; toe doesn't touch, and width had new shoe squeeze which broke-in to perfection. Look forward to 877s.
What about the Iron Ranger Chukka work boots? They use a different last that is narrower in the toe box, and I have read that you should not downsize but go with your usual shoe size (not sneakers).
I usually wear US 7 and in case of Moc Toe 7 seems to be the best fit for me. However I have short and wide feet and what's worse my right foot is ~5mm wider than my left. So I feel a tight (yet not uncomfortable) fit on my left, but right feels really uncomfortable. Many recommend to try EE, but I'm afraid it's going to be too loose on my left. Would you recommend going with EE in my case or D will break-in in time? I wasn't able to find any store in my country that would stock EE and so I have to order blindly.
Bought a pair of iron rangers in 10.5 D about two years ago and I figured they would “break in” by now but I can barely move my toes inside the boots. I typically wear a 12 in Nike shoes for reference. The boots aren’t uncomfortable but I feel like maybe they are a half size too small?
At 5:07 you mention that "it is a number 23 last, so its a little bit different, its a little bit smaller, a little bit shorter, the toe box is a little bit lower." Then at 5:33 you said, "the number 23 last again is built a little bit larger as larger than sneaker." They seem ambiguous. So, which is the correct information in this regard?
Great video!! Just got my 8111's last week I'm usually a 10EE in Thorogoods and sized down to a 9.5Ee in the IR they don't hurt as bad as I thought on the sides and was wondering if I should have gotten the D width?
I literally just walked out of redwing with a pair of moc toes. The 10.5e felt a lot snugger the heel felt tighter i couldn’t get a finger back there. But felt good without the insoles. The 11e felt similar with the insoles. I wear 11 e in all my boot from thorogood moc toe to tecovas cowboy boot. So i went with the 11e. Did i make the right choice ??? @bootspy
I want to buy red wing iron ranger boots and i need your advice about size.I wear all my shoes and sneakers in us 9 (Dr. Martens, converse, nike, adidas, catterpilar, salomon).My foot length is 27 centimeters.Can you tell me which size fits me?People sizing down half or full size down?My foot is somewhere between a D width and an E width.I used the printed branock measurements and the foot length is somewhere around 10.5 which is 27 cm or European shoe size 42.Should I order US 8.5 or simply take them in my regular size US 9. I don't have the opportunity to try the boots on in the store. I plan to order them through a friend from Germany. That's why I need your help.Greetings from Serbia.
I actually went in to Redwing to get measured for my Iron Rangers. I wear a size 12 sneaker and was measured a 10.5EE for Iron Rangers. For comparison I am a 11.5E in my Nick's Builder Pro's.
Oliver you pay for quality boots. If you like buying cheap boots every year then you are more then welcome to do that. I am very hard on boots and can go through a pair in a year. My oldest pair of Nick's are 4 years old and still have along way to go before a resole or rebuild is needed. My Iron Rangers are 2 years old and will need to get a resole soon along with a leather midsole.
Oliver sorry but you just don't get it and probably never will. Nick's offers more styles the just work boots and until you own a pair you really have no idea what you are talking about.
Hi from me here in Germany. I had quite some problems with a full size down and the lenght in my first pair of iron rangers. after the break in, when the boot became a bit looser, i had not enough room in the tip of the toebox and that was super uncomfortable. sold the 9,5, picked up a pair in 10 and everything is fine now….
Which is so weird that my nike jordan 1 high US9, and i bought my iron ranger 8111 in US 8D, i still doesn't feel snug enough. I'm thinking should i return them and get "1 and half "size down to us7.5, but which sound so crazy becoz since i grown up, i never wear any US7.5 shoes, like 25 years ago. 😵💫 red wing is a boots that make 99% of guys headache.
My heel to ball (10) is larger than my heel to toe (8.5) Should I size for heel to ball? I was told in the red wing store I have a rare case and would be more comfortable going half down from heel to ball
If size 9.5D feels a little small and 10D feels a little big, which size would be better? Both sizes are okay in terms of length. In 9.5D, i can wiggle toes, and in 10D, the front of your foot can move slightly side to side. Right now, 10D definitely feels more comfortable.
I wear a US9.5 in most sneakers like vans and I went US8.5 in my 1907s and I’m still getting heel slippage. I feel like they might be too big. I have to lace them tight
I find this reference to "sneaker size" to be very misleading. Sizing is mysterious enough. I think it's clearer to refer to Brannock Device size. But I appreciate all your videos!
I haven't tried the iron rangers yet but I think they would be perfect for me because in size 8 mocs they're perfect but too narrow - in size 8.5 moc they're too long and roomy on the volume.
Really are very comfortable boots, be carful and don’t get them too small though. Right size no break in required, very surprised after all I have heard about the Iron Rangers, the oils in the leather making the difference, also tried the blacksmith boots, also good but the leather is a bit tougher though, most probably my next order. . The moc toe is not for me as the tongue is extremely uncomfortable, can imagine that they require considerable break in.
Please, what should I get. My barefoot is 26cm/10inch, and I believe I have narrow feet. Should I get 8.5D or 9D. I've read a lot of reviews on YT and Reddit, but I'm getting different suggestions and experience from others. Unfortunately there's no RW shop in my place.
Went to the store and got measured for a pair of Iron Rangers in Copper Rough & Tough 8085s. Their digital device measure me at a 10.9 and 11 E. I tried on 10 EE, 10.5 D, and 11 D. I usually wear a size 10.5 in most sneakers and other boots. With the high arch insoles, the 10 EE fit perfectly. Like someone else said, definitely try to get to the store or order different sizes to try on!
I really want a pair of Blacksmiths . I have a pair of Thursdays captions now . I went down half a size . They were really tight at first, but after a year they fix great . I think it's the same with all these boots .
I was lucky enough to have a Red Wing store near me. I've bought service boots from Thursday and found that a size 10.5 was just right. I even bought Red Wing 1907 at a 10.5. Both a good size snug. However when I went to the Red Wing store the associate specifically said that the Iron Rangers run big. Sure enough after a few different tries I found that a size 9 fit perfect.
Hi,,i bought redwing iron ranger, i loved this models,but because i am from asia there is no official redwing store here, so i ended up buying wrong size :(. my feet is rather wide and short from heel to toe. i bought USA 10.5 D, as my regular size for other shoes. there is still alot of gap for my toe to the end of the shoes. and making my toe joint hurt everytime i walk, because the flexing point is way behind it supposed to be. can i ask about your opinion, should i continue wear it until it break off. or just buy another size? Thank you
I have a question! I own 7 pairs or redwing boots and in all of them I use 9 size. If I want to order the redwing Oxford shoes 8106 should I order the same size as the boots or should lower one size? Thanks a lot!!!
Can someone please making a sizing guide above 12 since they don’t make half sizes? I’m a 13, so I need a 12.5D. 12D is too small, and 13/12EE is too big. Don’t know what to do. A 12E would be fine but they don’t make it…
Considering their price and what we aiming for - a few pairs of boots that will last us a lifetime if looked after, why is it so difficult to get a decent fit when going into their store?!
Having 2 Differently sized feet is annoying especially with Leather shoes that dont have alot of padding. Mine fit perfect on my right foot but my left foot touches the front
Great video as always. In the UK I cannot get Red Wings as I take a US 13EE. Red Wing US will not ship to UK as they have a London store and a good network of independent shops. However, they will not ship any wide or any size over US12 even on special order to these retailers. William - can you tell RW about the frustration we British guys have.
went to a redwing store today and tried on iron rangers. always been an 11.5 wide and they put me in a 9.5 E. it was straight up painful, not just uncomfortable, and they looked hilariously small. but the clerk was adamant and wouldn’t entertain any other sizes. this video helped confirm he was out if his mind.
How are your Red wing? I think about buying one and kind of reluctant to go size down.
Hey there. I was also planning to get one IR soon. How was the break-in period bro?
I actually ended up going with the Origin Coronado. It’s a good boot but the toebox is kinda tight. As I understand it they are changing the last to solve that issue. @@KT.81
True. I wear a sneaker size 13. I got the blacksmith in a 12. It’s perfect.
. These boots are a complete fail. They never "fit" correctly. Buy them tight and hurt, they may stretch, but they always hurt. Buy them snug and they stretch to the point of being sloppy. The soles are dangerously slick. They are so slippery on a warehouse floor. The boots are less functional than a screen door on a submarine. Just trying to save you $350.00 in buyers remorse.
For those with LOW insteps and NARROW feet (I have both), I had to get 1.5 size smaller from my sneakers to my Iron Rangers. They still have a lot of room in the toebox but any size smaller may cause me discomfort. If I use thin socks they fit very loose.
Like so people see. I wish someone had told me before I returned them twice.
I have HIGH Insteon& NARROW feet but ordered one full size down toe in the MT. Will receive it tomorrow!
Shit. I have wide (but not overly wide) feet, with a highish arch but a low instep. I got some 1907s a size down, and they were tight, worryingly so, but I got them anyway. And now they're just too big. I have to lace them tight to brace them against my instep, and there's too much heel volume. They only had them in D but said they should work for me, and it felt like it initially, but the issue is I think I got an even bigger size to accommodate my width, when I needed an even smaller size but in E or EE. Godamnit. They're still wearable, but they slip and aren't what I wanted from such a pricey boot. Here's hoping by some miracle I can exchange them with someone, or sell them without taking too big a loss.
I have super high arch and narrow feet, my Nikes and hey dudes are 10.5/11. My iron rangers are 9 and moc toes 9.5
Same 8.5 feet, 7.0 Iron Rangers
Crazy, experiences will most definitely vary. I normally wear a size 10 in sneakers but when I went to the redwing store to purchase my 8111s I ended up getting a size 8.5. 4 years later and its my everyday boots, I literally do everything from walks with the family to hiking/hunting. The only time I don't wear my iron rangers is when I go on trail runs, that's what my On running shoes are for.
Same experience for me. I'm Brannock device measured 9.5e on my left and 10d on my right, and my 8111s are perfect in 8.5.
That is closer to my experience. I have most shoes in 43 (sneakers, vans etc) but with the moc toe I would go with either 41.5 or 42. I was really torn in the store with 42 being way more comfortable but maybe a tad big lately.
Please tell me you guys are referring to UK size, and not US
I usually wear US10, 43eur. Wide feet. I left the Red Wing store with 8.5US EE.
10.5 in sneakers, 9.5 in thorgood, and a 9 in iron rangers. I think most people will find the iron rangers too big if they only size down a half size from their sneaker size.
Great video!! Regarding Iron Rangers, it’s been painstakingly laborious to say the least for me to nail down the right size. I’m new to the heritage world, so I’ve put all my trust into the employees…
Brannock US 10.
Originally the store tried to get me into 8.5’s. I use Superfeet orthotic inserts (for arch support)with thin (zero cushion) wool blend socks which I brought and wore to store and tried on boots with. They said it was my size although it felt pretty darn tight. Purchased, wore at home… 30 minutes in, hot spots showed up to the party. Removed inserts, relief. Tried again the following day, same thing. No good.
Returned to store and exchanged for 9’s (one full size down from brannock). Felt better but toes were still scrunched where I could barely wiggle them. Again, I go back feeling embarrassed that I’m there again after being “measured/ assessed” multiple times… But something just wasn’t right and I didn’t want to invest in a painful future with ill fitting boots. A manager sits me down and did more elaborate fit testing and confirmed I was definitely a 9.5 with inserts. He measured me again on the brannock and did a heel to ball of foot measurement as well as identified where my arch was. Low and behold he was spot on. I told him privately that no one had fitted me like this before in any Red Wing store. And why that was? He says that since covid and new hires, policy changed and customer service was less personalized. But he said that he’s been training his staff the old tried and true manner. I thanked him but also wished I would’ve gotten this service the first time I came in. It would’ve saved me a lot of anguish and uncertainty with the multiple miss sizing I went through.
In summary, I went 1/2 size down with inserts. Had I not needed inserts, then 1 full size would’ve worked just fine.
On the bright side, I went all in on RUclips and learned so much from all of the videos and comments from people’s personal experiences. 🙌🙌Thought I’d share mine…
Thank you. 🎉🎉🎉
I went and got my first pair of RW’s today at their store, my feet measured out at 9.6 and 9.2 EE with extremely high insteps. The best fit for me was an 8.5 EE in the 1907’s without the added insole. Everything else felt too long or too narrow. I suggest getting to a store if you can, it is worth the drive.
I went with 1 size down in my iron rangers and regretted it. They are too short in my toes. When new it seemd fine but after first creased happend they got to short. Sides and heel were perfect and it got me
Can't thank you enough for this William! I have been wanting a pair of Iron Rangers for a very long time, and picked up a paid of 11's at my local boot shop. I felt they fit pretty good (they didn't have other close sizes in store to try on) and I went with it. It slowly crept in my head that maybe I should have gone with another size. Called the store up as I sat on my living room floor with them on, and asked the chances of finding a 10.5 to bring in. Thankfully they were able to and I tried them on. Like I said, the 11's felt pretty good and maybe could have worked but wow - the 10.5's are like an absolute glove. Did the swap and life is good. Thanks!
You da man, Barry! So glad I could help
If you're able, try them on in person at a store. Try a half size and full size smaller. Walk around in the store with both pairs laced up the same. Once you wear them outside, you can't return them. Once you get the right size and break them in, they're worth EVERY penny.
Redwing store by me let you return work/heritage up to 30 days regardless of what kind of wear because realistically they aren’t reselling anything that leaves the door. They’re usually pretty cool about it they understand the struggle
I've got somewhere around 25 pairs of redwings. Iron Rangers, Beckman, BlackSmith, IronSmith...so, for what it is worth...here's my advise. Start with a sizing of both your feet in a Brannock device (that silver and black metal thing in shoe stores, that has been around since about 1927.) This will let you know what your actual sizes of your feet are (length and width). NOTE: If you've never done this, your actual size(s) are likely NOT what you have always worn. After doing this, you will know what they actually are. For me one foot is 9 and the other is closer to a 9.5. Start with this step. As noted in this video, Red Wing #8 lasts sizing are at least a half size smaller than your Brannock size...but I've found that I'm a full size smaller...at least. And, unlike what this video said about foot width, my width is a D width, rather than a narrow width...and Brannock minus one is perfect, for me. Once you know what size feet you are dealing with, then look at what kind of socks you plan on wearing. I'm a merino wool guy, on the thinner/less padded side. So, for me, with my normal sock choice, most of my boots are size 8s. As I was collecting some of the more unique variants, I strayed into some 8.5s, and to my pleasant surprise, they are a good fit too...if I simply go with a slightly thicker sock.
I sound the same as you - 9.5 D brannock, and 8.5 in most boots. I also wear lightly cushioned merino wool socks from smart wool. With red wing mocs I find the size and a half down 8s the best fit but then they're so narrow they grim my foot really firmly so I may have to take an 8.5. The 8.5 I felt had a bit of heel slip and a little much volume on top of the foot but more snug than tight on the width. What would you do? Go for the tight width or go for the bigger overall boot? I ended up returning both as I couldn't decide how they should fit. 8.5 felt good with a 4mm insole to lift the heel but then they might get bigger and more loose over time. Many boots I see people are hanging over the welt to the edge of the outsole - if mine did that they would be good for width.
Great advise Greg, thanks. I am a Brannock 9D in one foot and just a bit shorter in the other. Mi IR are 8D and they feel great, I think the amber harness leather helps because is very supple. Now that I am considering getting the 875 Moc Toe, I am having doubts. Should I go 8D, 8EE or 8.5 D 😅? What do you think
@@Theheritagetributewhat did you go with?
@@shakebake2680 Hi there! I haven’t bought yet, but I will go either 8.5D or 8E. Cheers
@@Theheritagetribute thank you.
The more research I do, the more I realize the salesman at a redwing store sold me my moctoes a half size too big. They’ve always been loose. My Beckmann were a full-size smaller than normal and fit perfectly.
Thanks for making this video!
Just wonder any issue caused with extra half size?
@@lin84001 they were always a little too big and could never get snug. My foot is 10in on the dot so I’m really in between sizes.
I order a full size down from my Brannuck Device size. I do not wear sneakers much, anymore.
Most boot manufacturers reference your “sneaker size.” But, sneaker size can vary widely from one brand to the next.
The comparison is meaningless for me. I also measure at size 14, so going up/down a half size is also pretty meaningless for me.
I measure 14C, and a 13D in Red Wing Heritage footwear is perfect for me. This works out for any of their shoe lasts.
Red Wing says a new boot should fit a little snug around the ball of the foot, which is the widest part of your foot.
That is good advice, because that is wear the most “break-in” needs to occur. Just remember this, your body heat is the best thing to break in a new pair of boots. YMMV.
Same here full size down from branuck. They are tight but I know from years of experience finding the right size boot that my foot will both sink in and stretch the leather to the perfect fit. I do not agreed with the sneaker comparison at all.
Another great video, William. The number 8 and 45 lasts seem, to me, the same in terms of length and width. I know some people say to size down and then go wider in mocs, but I wear a 9D in the Blacksmith, IR, and 1907 Moc. For reference, my foot is 10 and a quarter inches from heel against wall to end of big toe and just over 3.5" at the widest point. Much wider or longer and think I'd need a 9.5D. I have a very thin foot (sole to top, low volume) and a normal arch, so I wear an old insole (or heavyweight socks if it's cold) to take up the extra thickness and get a snug fit without cramping my toes or lifting my heel out of the cup. That insole fits the same in all of my Red Wings. I don't use the 1907's insole because the wedge is plenty cushioned and I don't like overly squishy boots. I guess I'll have to get a 23 last for "research." Better tell my wife...
For me last 23 is one half size up. I have pictures of the footbed as reference. True to size for me is 11.5D heel to ball and heel to toe and 11D is way too small! Part of this is last 23 came about with a brannock device and was made for a medium weight wool sock not a thin sock. The laT was made for the 8" model which you are supposed to fold and get your heel to cup. Look up "S" or "W" fold or how to fold a tongue on Nick's boots. The 877 or 10877 both have ample room to do that with the gusseted tongue.
I advise when trying on the last 23 use the thinnest sock you can to feel the boot and not buy too small or too big. Start small and then try on the next size. Your foot should flex at the widest part of the boot. If it doesn't it is too short. Heel to Ball is just if not more important than heel toe toe when being measured. Be sure to measure at the end of the day too and wear the sock you plan to dominantly wear with the boot when being measured. I carry two pairs with me when trying on boots as odd as that may say.
Where as the Iron Ranger ie the last 8 is a true boot last. I'm an 11D as a result. It is a modified Munson last, just less wide and a bump toe added for the environment in the mines. The Munson fits half a size below brannock and was made to accommodate up to a thick heavyweight sock once fully broken in. You have to remember people changed their socks for the weather. Red Wing's version tends to be higher volume overall.
Bought my first pair of iron rangers amber today. On the Brannock device I measured 13.5 length, 14 ball to heal and landed in the D width. I tried on both 13 and 14 sized boots. 13’s were snug with heal planted. 14’s my heal lifted up when walking and the boot just looked too big. So I went with the 13’s. The break in process begins. Thanks for all your information. My advice is you have to try them on and get measured with a Brannock device to get some info on your feet.
After spending ludicrous amounts of money and time and pain sizing incorrectly, this is the #1 video that could be made for an entry level boot guide. A more advance guide could do with arch, volume, heel to ball, heel to toe, sock weight, and in-step. Overall awesome video and I look forward to what you come out with next!
As for myself I’m currently trying to find myself a factory first 8085 11D in stock somewhere…
Thank you so much for the kind words!
My experience:
Nike (AF1/Air Jordan) - US11.5 but I can and do wear 11s as well as once they stretch a bit I prefer the fit.
Dr. Martens UK Made - UK11/US12
Red Wing - 875 US12 EE/UK11 (with enough room for double wool socks in winter and single wool socks in summer)
Hans Wagner (HanWag) - EU46.5/UK11.5/US12.5 Wide Fit (same sock deal as above)
As for Adidas, I find them all too narrow.
I’m an 11d brannock and 11d on red wing’s machine and my size 11d iron rangers fit perfectly 👍
I just got mine which is a half size smaller than normal. However I did notice that if you smooth out the tongue around your foot before you lace up then you get a better fit, otherwise it just bunches up. Making sure that the laces are tighter at the front and your heal does not slip. So far so good, looking forward to wearing my first pair.
Full size smaller for me on the rangers. Always wear a size 11 in sneakers and a 10 was perfect for me.
Same for me. I have a fairly low volume foot but my foot shape fits the No. 8 last pretty closely.
I am firmly against sizing down! My feet do measure size 11 D on the Brannock device. And that's the size I take for both Iron Ranger as well as the 877, I have learned to ignore the Red Wing employees advice to size down. Sizing down hurt my feet and after breaking in, the boots are not really comfortable. Turned out I was mostly standing on the welt as the footbed does not stretch. I always take the larger option as you can always reduce the boot volume with inserts or thicker socks.
What brand of shirt are you wearing and where did you get it. Very cool.
In the red wing store I got sized as a 10.5, I got my iron rangers in a 9.5. They fit perfect
😅 they didn’t even measure me foot they just let me buy a $350 pair of boots.
@ what size did you get and are you happy with it?
@@joegoldstein286 9.5 & yea so I’ll shut up now.
@@TruckingTendencies lmao nah you’re good, I spent a long time stressing over what size to get so make sure you get it right
I am 9.5 d near e in brannok. Went with halfsize down for my iron rangers, feels a little long though, but the width was perfect. Tried Full size down from brannok my toes touched the front of the boot.
It might also depends how you wear them, I often add inner soles , also riding motorbikes in winter I sometimes use thinker socks. I normally wear 8 and went for a 7.5 that fits perfectly but forget plush inner sole or thick socks.
Ideally I’d need two pairs! 😊
Sizing across shoe brands and types is crazy. I wear 12.5 Salomon trail shoes for recreation/fitness but a 10.5 EE for my iron rangers. Tried the 11’s but felt like I was walking in dive fins.
Brannock 8.5. The Red Wing machine pegs me at 8.2 and 8.3. They put me into a 7d Iron Ranger. Fits perfect but... wtf. Makes me wish I went smaller with my Grant Stones. I wish the world of footwear sizing wasn't so enigmatic.
So fortunate to have had a Red Wing store near me cause I wear a 13/14 in sneakers and turns out an 11.5 boot(!!). I woulda wasted so much time ordering and sending back... or more than likely just accepting a "good enough" fit that I ultimately would have regretted for being too big... rather than going and getting precise foot measurements and getting to try on a bunch of sizes and width variants until I found the perfect fit
I have wide feet, I wear size 9uk in all my trainers and have to to be careful on what I buy. Generally converse are way to narrow for me for example. I bought uk 8.5ee going with the half size down idea, the width was good but they were too long in the toe box. My feet measure bang on 27.5cm which is what the 8.5 say they are but still too long. Going down to an 8ee was perfect, only a 5mm difference but they now give the firm handshake fitment I’ve read about and I was after. My feet measure 11cm wide for reference and the 8ee my feet rest comfortably against the side wall. I think the 8d would’ve been a bit narrow
I'm a 9uk in trainers, bought the 8.5, think I didn't go small enough. Not breaking in well, didn't have the wider options so I needed the room. Not sure how to remedy and can't return now.
I'm wering European 42. I bought red wing 1907 boots in that size. They fit perfectly. Maybe i Could go down half size but I don't think is necessary.
Great review, I have a pairr of the Thursdays .. Off topic.. where did you get that shirt?
As someone with a 4E foot I wanted to say that wide sizes, at least in Red Wing, don't always work. For me they are great in the ball of the foot, but the ankle/heel is just way, way too loose. In my case I have to go up an entire size from my true size (9.5 4E) to get the right width while still getting a good heel lock. Example, 10.5D in Iron Ranger. (I have a high instep too.)
IR 8085 and Rover 2953 8D, Pecos 8168 8.5E, 877 Moc toe 8.5D The IR, Rover and Pecos fit like a glove. The 877 is a bit narrow. Had a pair of steel toe Engineers and 1907 in 7.5D recommended by RW employee but they were to small and sold them. 20 years a go I bought a pair of 988’s motorcycle engineers in 7.5D which I could only wear with slightly thicker socks. A Red Wing employee once told me that all heritage sizes should fit the same. RW and their sizes 🤯
Measured 10.5, Reebok sneaker 10 an Red Wing Iron Ranger 9.5
I went to a RW store and the space for my toes in 9 was so little that ich went with D 9.5, really happy with the shoes so far.
O man Red Wing and sizes 😳. Nike’s 9, Brookes 🏃♂️ 9.5, Iron Rangers and Rovers 8D, Pecos 8.5 E, 988 motorcycle boots 7.5 D and 877 8.5D. Guy in the store said all Heritage boots should be the same size 🥴, other guy said to go up halve a size and put an insole in. 🤪
It seems experiences really do vary when it come to RW sizing. I wear a 10.5 sneaker but an 8.5 in the Iron Ranger. The folks at the RW store told me that the RW lasts are still numbered using sizing from like a century ago, which was, apparently, quite different. But if some people have IRs that are only a half-size off from their sneaker size, then that means some batches are just sized using a different set of numbers? I dunno. It's weird and confusing.
I had same experience. 9 in sneakers and 7 in IR.
I had similar experience. 11 sneakers but 9.5 IR. Had a pair of 10 IR’s but after a few weeks my foot slid around a lot and the heel lifted a bit.
Same here. I am a 12 in Nikes and got fitted at the Munich store and wear a 10 D in Iron Rangers and fit great
This was my exact experience. I wear probably a 10.5 on average in regular shoes, occasionally an 11 and we just kept going down on sizes until we made it to an 8.5, everything above that had too much heel slippage.
So, I went to the RW store stepped on their proprietary 3-D modeler. My right foot is a 12C and my left was 11.7D. The picture the modeler made looked identical to my actual foot! It gave a ton of information regarding my arch, heel/ball length, heel/toe length, etc. It was suggested taht I try the 11D. I tried a 12 D, 11.5D, and an 11D. The 12 was WAY too large, the 11.5D was also just a bit too large. The 11 fit fairly snug. The sales associate also looked at how the boot fit and where the toe broke when I walked and the position of the ball/arch of the foot. The 11 seemed to fit better. Having said that, it is a B**ch to break in. I am on day 3 and can only wear for a few hours at a time. The leather is loosening a bit and my foot is starting to make an imprint. It looks like my foot is exactly where it is supposed to be in the boot itself. Hopefully, the boot will be fully broken in in the next few weeks. The one thing that I noticed is that when you wear a sneaker or another type of shoe, you realize how poorly fitting those shoes really are. You really have to get used to wearing a shoe or boot that fits securely. It is a different feeling.
Edit. I returned the 11d and switched to 11.5 d. The 11 over time just did not loosen up and my toes started rubbing the inside of the bump toe. I could not move my toes and I just couldn’t wear them. The manager of the store gave me a one time change. The 11.5 was better. My toes are not cramped. Arch felt better. To some degree I’d rather have the boot slightly larger than smaller. We will see how they break in over time.
Thank you for the update!! I’m having the same type issue. Haven’t broken my IR’s yet, but I wonder if they’re too small. The tips of my toes aren’t touching the tip of the boot, but they’re close. And I’d like to use an insert hurts after an hour because it’s too tight a fit all around.
Really need to try them on. A size 8 in three different models on the 8 last fit differently in my experience.
so you have size 7 feet
Went from a 10.5 in shoes to 9.5 iron ranger. It was tight and uncomfortable for a few wears and they're now perfect.
My first pair of redwings were the 8” moc toe. I wear a 10 in sneakers. The 9.5D moc toe pinched the ball of my foot when I tried them on so I purchased a size 10D. They fit well without insoles but hurt the bottom of my feet even after months of break in. They don’t fit with insoles so I just stopped wearing them and eventually bought a pair of thorogoods which come with an insole and are more comfortable. I finally decided to pull the plug on iron rangers and bought a 9.5EE. I was worried the EE toe would look bulbous but it doesn’t. I had them fitted with insoles and they were super comfortable first day of wearing them. I highly recommend just getting them fitted with insoles if you have foot issues and ignore the fuds who tell you you’re not supposed to wear insoles with heritage boots.
I’m a 10.5D on most shoes and boots since my feet are closer to 11D than 10D loafers I’m usually a 11, but for my Redwing IRs I’m actually a size 9. Love them btw my only regret is getting them a few weeks ago vs a few years ago.
For European, my Nike size is 42.5. My Iron Ranger and Moc toc are 41 (8 US D). My feet aren't very wide, nor too narrow.
I am a brannock 11 and sneaker 11. Used to own 875s size 10.5d and they were definitely too big. My feet are average width. Sharing this story because I highly recommend going full size down from brannock/sneaker size.
I’ve had my feet measured properly and they are UK10 G. With Iron Rangers however I buy UK9 D and even then I use a leather insole and they fit great. My friend is a UK9 and buys a UK8 in Iron Rangers so in my experience they fit a full size smaller.
I wear a Nike 11 uk (air max 90) with normal sock and they are perfect.with my boot socks they are tight on the width.I’m thinking a size 10 might be best.do you agree?
@ yep - Red Wings are definitely oversized.
people tend to think they have to downsize and end up wearing tight shoes thinking that is normal. my foot is 28.5cm and i took beckman that has length of 28.5 written on it. everything is perfect. so just measure your foot and buy exactly the length that is same as your foot. if you fall between numbers just go with the one that is officially smaller than your foot. people have problems breaking in because they buy too small...
I just picked up my first pair of Origin boots and I've run into a similar issue. Same thing with Danner Bull run other than the Chelsey. Redwings have always worked for me.
I am planning to buy a pair of Iron Rangers but i would like to know how does it feel in the cold season with snow and very cold weather? I am asking this because i know they don’t have lining inside. Right now i have a pair of Levis Jax and they do have full lining inside and feels very warm and comfortable in the cold season but the quality is not that great compared to the Red Wings.
I went to the Red Wing store and stepped onto their machine, and they recommended 10D. I tried it on, it felt snug and secure, but it didn't feel quite right, I wanted maybe a bit more length. My foot is closer to 11C according to Brannock. So a bit longer and narrower. They didn't have 10.5D to try, so I just ordered it online. It came in, and they felt like clown shoes, just swimming in them. The length actually did feel nice, but just baggy and loose. So I ordered the 10D, same as I tried in store, but this time trying them side by side at home. The 10D are definitely snug, but I didn't want to need thick hiking socks to wear my boots. So I returned the larger ones, kept the smaller ones. Took them for a quick spin, a 1.5 mile walk to try them out. Wow, ouch.. that's the reason I came here to this video. Afraid I chose too small. But I'm hopeful that you're right about narrow feet folks. I'll keep wearing them and hope they stretch out.
And did they? I Just picked up a pair yesterday - Like you I went with the smaller option based on the recommendation of two different store clerks. I’m currently in the ‘hope these will stretch a bit’ phase…
@@Goodfella_815 I actually returned the smaller ones too. I have a long arch length, heel to ball, and although the smaller ones felt ok just sitting there, I felt they were flexing in the wrong place. Iron Rangers have notoriously large toe boxes, so I think my correct size was actually the “clown shoes.” Maybe with thick socks. I ended up realizing Iron Rangers aren’t for me. I got two pairs of Whites Boots in 10.5D. The Perry Select and the 350 Cruiser. They both fit awesome.
Definitely go to store and try on different sizes.
One and a half size down in EE works perfect for moc toes, in my experience. Pretty regular feet and regular arch.
"Sneaker size" is not very helpful. Chuck Taylors are meant to be snug, and run pretty long, but haven't been on a court in decades. Merrill are my go-to for casual comfort shoe(I've worn out 4 pair). My Iron Rangers at my "normal" size 8 1/2 are perfect; toe doesn't touch, and width had new shoe squeeze which broke-in to perfection. Look forward to 877s.
What about the Iron Ranger Chukka work boots? They use a different last that is narrower in the toe box, and I have read that you should not downsize but go with your usual shoe size (not sneakers).
I’m a 12.5 wide or 13 in most sneakers and a size 10EE in Red Wing 875’s don’t be afraid of the shocking small sizes.
I am getting one of these! so excited!
Heck yeah brother! You'll love them
I usually wear US 7 and in case of Moc Toe 7 seems to be the best fit for me. However I have short and wide feet and what's worse my right foot is ~5mm wider than my left.
So I feel a tight (yet not uncomfortable) fit on my left, but right feels really uncomfortable. Many recommend to try EE, but I'm afraid it's going to be too loose on my left.
Would you recommend going with EE in my case or D will break-in in time? I wasn't able to find any store in my country that would stock EE and so I have to order blindly.
Bought a pair of iron rangers in 10.5 D about two years ago and I figured they would “break in” by now but I can barely move my toes inside the boots. I typically wear a 12 in Nike shoes for reference. The boots aren’t uncomfortable but I feel like maybe they are a half size too small?
At 5:07 you mention that "it is a number 23 last, so its a little bit different, its a little bit smaller, a little bit shorter, the toe box is a little bit lower." Then at 5:33 you said, "the number 23 last again is built a little bit larger as larger than sneaker." They seem ambiguous. So, which is the correct information in this regard?
Great video!! Just got my 8111's last week I'm usually a 10EE in Thorogoods and sized down to a 9.5Ee in the IR they don't hurt as bad as I thought on the sides and was wondering if I should have gotten the D width?
I have wide feet and redwing moc toes are the only boots that is wide enough for me. Thank you Red Wing!
I literally just walked out of redwing with a pair of moc toes. The 10.5e felt a lot snugger the heel felt tighter i couldn’t get a finger back there. But felt good without the insoles. The 11e felt similar with the insoles. I wear 11 e in all my boot from thorogood moc toe to tecovas cowboy boot. So i went with the 11e. Did i make the right choice ??? @bootspy
I want to buy red wing iron ranger boots and i need your advice about size.I wear all my shoes and sneakers in us 9 (Dr. Martens, converse, nike, adidas, catterpilar, salomon).My foot length is 27 centimeters.Can you tell me which size fits me?People sizing down half or full size down?My foot is somewhere between a D width and an E width.I used the printed branock measurements and the foot length is somewhere around 10.5 which is 27 cm or European shoe size 42.Should I order US 8.5 or simply take them in my regular size US 9. I don't have the opportunity to try the boots on in the store. I plan to order them through a friend from Germany. That's why I need your help.Greetings from Serbia.
I actually went in to Redwing to get measured for my Iron Rangers. I wear a size 12 sneaker and was measured a 10.5EE for Iron Rangers. For comparison I am a 11.5E in my Nick's Builder Pro's.
and pay 2x time more
Oliver you pay for quality boots. If you like buying cheap boots every year then you are more then welcome to do that. I am very hard on boots and can go through a pair in a year. My oldest pair of Nick's are 4 years old and still have along way to go before a resole or rebuild is needed. My Iron Rangers are 2 years old and will need to get a resole soon along with a leather midsole.
@@aztlanahauc yes, some people wear boots in the city not hard work or hunting so why pay $ 600 buck for clodhoppers.
Oliver sorry but you just don't get it and probably never will. Nick's offers more styles the just work boots and until you own a pair you really have no idea what you are talking about.
@@aztlanahauc I'm talking about casual boots that look good, not over price for heavy hiking boots with wide double sewn welt.
Hi from me here in Germany. I had quite some problems with a full size down and the lenght in my first pair of iron rangers. after the break in, when the boot became a bit looser, i had not enough room in the tip of the toebox and that was super uncomfortable. sold the 9,5, picked up a pair in 10 and everything is fine now….
I would say your heel to ball length might be different than your heel to toe. It does make me curious 🤔
Which is so weird that my nike jordan 1 high US9, and i bought my iron ranger 8111 in US 8D, i still doesn't feel snug enough. I'm thinking should i return them and get "1 and half "size down to us7.5, but which sound so crazy becoz since i grown up, i never wear any US7.5 shoes, like 25 years ago. 😵💫 red wing is a boots that make 99% of guys headache.
💯💯💯 What did you end up going with??
My heel to ball (10) is larger than my heel to toe (8.5) Should I size for heel to ball?
I was told in the red wing store I have a rare case and would be more comfortable going half down from heel to ball
I wish they made the iron ranger in a single E. I have the Mocs in a 10E. The E2 was super sloppy.
If size 9.5D feels a little small and 10D feels a little big, which size would be better? Both sizes are okay in terms of length. In 9.5D, i can wiggle toes, and in 10D, the front of your foot can move slightly side to side. Right now, 10D definitely feels more comfortable.
My moc toes are 1 size down from my running shoe size. My IRs are another 0.5 smaller than those.
I wear a US9.5 in most sneakers like vans and I went US8.5 in my 1907s and I’m still getting heel slippage. I feel like they might be too big. I have to lace them tight
I find this reference to "sneaker size" to be very misleading. Sizing is mysterious enough. I think it's clearer to refer to Brannock Device size. But I appreciate all your videos!
I was recommended to get the moc toe a half size bigger than my Iron Ranger because they are narrower
That worked for me. I take a size 9 sneakers, got a pair of Iron Rangers in 8, but the mock toe in a size 8.5. They both fit perfectly.
I haven't tried the iron rangers yet but I think they would be perfect for me because in size 8 mocs they're perfect but too narrow - in size 8.5 moc they're too long and roomy on the volume.
Great video and nice shirt. Brand?
Really are very comfortable boots, be carful and don’t get them too small though. Right size no break in required, very surprised after all I have heard about the Iron Rangers, the oils in the leather making the difference, also tried the blacksmith boots, also good but the leather is a bit tougher though, most probably my next order. . The moc toe is not for me as the tongue is extremely uncomfortable, can imagine that they require considerable break in.
I have the red wing iron ranger and they fit like convers i got the same size as my convers
Please, what should I get. My barefoot is 26cm/10inch, and I believe I have narrow feet. Should I get 8.5D or 9D. I've read a lot of reviews on YT and Reddit, but I'm getting different suggestions and experience from others. Unfortunately there's no RW shop in my place.
Always always start with your Brannock size. Then work down or up.
Really wish boot/shoe makers would be more consistent. I range from an 8.5 to 10 US depending on the brand, that’s nuts.
Went to the store and got measured for a pair of Iron Rangers in Copper Rough & Tough 8085s. Their digital device measure me at a 10.9 and 11 E. I tried on 10 EE, 10.5 D, and 11 D. I usually wear a size 10.5 in most sneakers and other boots. With the high arch insoles, the 10 EE fit perfectly. Like someone else said, definitely try to get to the store or order different sizes to try on!
I own redwing moctoe size 8.5d which is a perfect fit and I planning to buy ironranger what size should I go for?
I had 9.5 size for my Iron ranger and blacksmith, should I get the the same size for the mocs? or better 10?
I really want a pair of Blacksmiths . I have a pair of Thursdays captions now . I went down half a size . They were really tight at first, but after a year they fix great . I think it's the same with all these boots .
Hello , is there a way to know if a pair of red wings 8881 is mens or womans
I was lucky enough to have a Red Wing store near me. I've bought service boots from Thursday and found that a size 10.5 was just right. I even bought Red Wing 1907 at a 10.5. Both a good size snug. However when I went to the Red Wing store the associate specifically said that the Iron Rangers run big. Sure enough after a few different tries I found that a size 9 fit perfect.
Hi,,i bought redwing iron ranger, i loved this models,but because i am from asia there is no official redwing store here, so i ended up buying wrong size :(. my feet is rather wide and short from heel to toe. i bought USA 10.5 D, as my regular size for other shoes. there is still alot of gap for my toe to the end of the shoes. and making my toe joint hurt everytime i walk, because the flexing point is way behind it supposed to be.
can i ask about your opinion, should i continue wear it until it break off. or just buy another size? Thank you
I have a question! I own 7 pairs or redwing boots and in all of them I use 9 size. If I want to order the redwing Oxford shoes 8106 should I order the same size as the boots or should lower one size? Thanks a lot!!!
I'm a size 12D in most shoes but with American made high quality boots, it's always 11.5D.
I’m mostly a 13 or 12 if I’m lucky, I went and got sixes for an Iron Ranger and was shocked when they sized me at an 11.5 Iron Ranger.
How to blacksmiths fit compared to say, a Thursday Captain?
i size 2 full size down from my sneaker size even 2.5 from my nike size dont know whats wrong with my feet
I was worried 9s were half size small, I think I was mistaken.
Moral of the story, try them on. I have wildly different shoe sizes for everything. Nike: 11. Thorogood: 11. Danner: 10.5. Iron ranger: 9 wide.
Can someone please making a sizing guide above 12 since they don’t make half sizes? I’m a 13, so I need a 12.5D. 12D is too small, and 13/12EE is too big. Don’t know what to do. A 12E would be fine but they don’t make it…
Considering their price and what we aiming for - a few pairs of boots that will last us a lifetime if looked after, why is it so difficult to get a decent fit when going into their store?!
They don’t make the 8849 moc toes in EE…only in D…should I size up? I have really wide feet
I want a pair of navy moc toes but their site doesn't have them in EE
so, for red wing 9096, I am 25.5cm long and 10cm wide, any suggestion?
My iron ranger are 7 uk I’m normally a 8 in most , timberland 8 Cat 7.5 , merrell.8.5 adidas. 8.5
Having 2 Differently sized feet is annoying especially with Leather shoes that dont have alot of padding.
Mine fit perfect on my right foot but my left foot touches the front
Nice info….need to look at red wing 1907
Great video as always. In the UK I cannot get Red Wings as I take a US 13EE. Red Wing US will not ship to UK as they have a London store and a good network of independent shops. However, they will not ship any wide or any size over US12 even on special order to these retailers. William - can you tell RW about the frustration we British guys have.
I'm sorry for you wankers! There are lots of English made options are there not?
Hi, I’m I Australia, and we can get 13d an sun sure 13ee. I can find out for you. What are you after.
@@Ethan-ww5ig Thanks. Only just seen your comments. I'd need Iron Ranger 13EE US in black preferably or copper.
where can i get that moc toe colorway?
It’s called Muleskinner Slate. It’s a roughout leather (sueded).
is it true that a size 10 is basically the same size as a 9 1/2 wide?
I swear sneakers in 9.5 and for my 875s I got an 8.5 and they fit great. Also when is the boot giveaway results gonna be announced?