2:30 I kept getting made fun of for using the Rose Anvil Kilties on my iron rangers , but I also had those eyelets really dig into the leather as well as the laces show some abrasion early on. The kilties are awesome even tho I hit mine before they started carrying matching SP foot leathers to match the boots more closely. Thanks for sharing your video 👍
@@MemphisCorollaS I don’t live / work in an area where people are even wearing RW, so I haven’t gotten any haters yet lol. But yeah it’s nice they added the specific colors to match. I’m of the opinion that if people are hating, they might just be jealous lol 😆
I've had the Blacksmiths for just under a year. The most I've ever spent on shoes (~€400 - Europe is expensive) but also the most satisfied I've ever been with a clothing purchase. Excellent shoes
Great boots. I've had mine for many years. My one big complaint is with the smooth soles. Zero grip when its wet out or if you are on gravel. Had them re-soled. Now my favorite daily wear.
Nice boots! I also own a bunch of Thursdays which I still love. But like you I finally picked up a pair of copper IRs and man they blow the Thursdays away. You can feel the redwing history with these things on. A special connection develops over time with each wear. Tough as nails and bad ass looking boots!
Great boot. Got my first pair of these in black harness back model 8114 in 2014! They used to have a smooth cork sole, I kind of miss that. The mini vibram is an improvement in traction though. Id recommend going a half size down for best fit unless you have wide feet. Remember boots will stretch width wise but not length wise, so the more you wear them the more they widen out a bit. Great boots, I’ve owned 6 pairs over the years!
One always hear that you should size down. Did Red Wing recommend you size up to 14? If not, then what's the real value of being fitted in person by them? BTW, your foot and size choice is exactly mine. It's a struggle for me too to get adequately sized shoes. I just ordered a pair of 8828 alpine portage moc toes. I have the 877s and they fit me good, although they have a single piece of leather wrapping the entire boot which seems more forgiving and flexible than the 875 which has several panels stitched together. I'm hardly never on pavement living in western NC mountains. Gravel, fields, woods, hills. Which is why I haven't gone with iron Rangers yet. I thought the sole would be too slippery and stiff for my needs. I know they came out with a wedge sole IR, but it's only available in their new 3 piece insole and I've seen many reviews that the top leather layer wrinkles and buckles. I wish Red Wing would allow selecting the foot bed one prefers. Anyway, great looking boots. I'm jealous.
@@user-zy4cq6vo3q when I did the foot scan, they tell you which size you should purchase in red wings. I had been purchasing size 13 for years and was always uncomfortable but them showing my actual foot measurements convinced me to size up to 14. If you are wanting to purchase an insole, it does help you determine which one you would need. The scanner is free so there’s no cost involved. I personally enjoyed getting my 3-D foot scan emailed to me and being able to see everything from my arch height, to instep. Totally understand your footwear needs are definitely different from mine. For some reason the wedge sole on the iron Rangers just looks weird to me. I do buy boots off of aesthetics and function so it’s hard to separate the two for me.
I have the exact same pair, and I am not a fan of them. for me it's the sole. it's like walking on a block of wood. I am toying with the idea of having a cobbler add a midsole, and a sole with more cushion. I think this would help a lot. I love the look and the sizing, but they are uncomfortable to walk with for long periods of time. I do still wear them when I know I will be in the office all day not walking around too much outside.
@@jonathanmarquise422 Understandable. Curious as to how long you’ve had these? It did take a few weeks of hard wear (10 hour walking / driving days) for me to get comfy. But now they are great
@dakotajamesspicer I've had them for a couple of years. It's honestly just the sole. I think the insole has broken in nicely, and the leather has become pretty supple. It's just the lack of midsole and the outsole. If I was wearing them more casually, I would not mind. But I tend to walk a lot during the day, and mostly on hard surfaces. I'm looking at some blown rummer lugged soles. I do like the look of the boot, I just want some underfoot comfort.
yep. the leather is nice. I had amber harness. but the lack of a midsole and heel stack makes them feel flat and like you're walking on a hard surface. I switched to Truman several years ago and never looked back
2:30 I kept getting made fun of for using the Rose Anvil Kilties on my iron rangers , but I also had those eyelets really dig into the leather as well as the laces show some abrasion early on. The kilties are awesome even tho I hit mine before they started carrying matching SP foot leathers to match the boots more closely. Thanks for sharing your video 👍
@@MemphisCorollaS I don’t live / work in an area where people are even wearing RW, so I haven’t gotten any haters yet lol. But yeah it’s nice they added the specific colors to match.
I’m of the opinion that if people are hating, they might just be jealous lol 😆
I've had the Blacksmiths for just under a year. The most I've ever spent on shoes (~€400 - Europe is expensive) but also the most satisfied I've ever been with a clothing purchase. Excellent shoes
@@xntumrfo9ivrnwf ooohh I need a pair of those! Definitely worth the investment imo
Such a lovely looking pair of boots. Quality.
@@barryking3714 💯
Great boots. I've had mine for many years. My one big complaint is with the smooth soles. Zero grip when its wet out or if you are on gravel. Had them re-soled. Now my favorite daily wear.
@@Talon6551 Interesting! I think the stock version has a new sole that is much better at gripping. I’ve not had any issues so far
Nice boots! I also own a bunch of Thursdays which I still love. But like you I finally picked up a pair of copper IRs and man they blow the Thursdays away. You can feel the redwing history with these things on. A special connection develops over time with each wear. Tough as nails and bad ass looking boots!
@@vertigo2112 They really do! It’s hard to beat that long history RW has. I’m really looking forward to the resole down the road.
they look amazing
@@vitohogantara221 Agree! They are really developing nicely
Great boot. Got my first pair of these in black harness back model 8114 in 2014! They used to have a smooth cork sole, I kind of miss that. The mini vibram is an improvement in traction though. Id recommend going a half size down for best fit unless you have wide feet. Remember boots will stretch width wise but not length wise, so the more you wear them the more they widen out a bit. Great boots, I’ve owned 6 pairs over the years!
@@NDB469 great tips!
One always hear that you should size down. Did Red Wing recommend you size up to 14? If not, then what's the real value of being fitted in person by them? BTW, your foot and size choice is exactly mine. It's a struggle for me too to get adequately sized shoes. I just ordered a pair of 8828 alpine portage moc toes. I have the 877s and they fit me good, although they have a single piece of leather wrapping the entire boot which seems more forgiving and flexible than the 875 which has several panels stitched together. I'm hardly never on pavement living in western NC mountains. Gravel, fields, woods, hills. Which is why I haven't gone with iron Rangers yet. I thought the sole would be too slippery and stiff for my needs. I know they came out with a wedge sole IR, but it's only available in their new 3 piece insole and I've seen many reviews that the top leather layer wrinkles and buckles. I wish Red Wing would allow selecting the foot bed one prefers. Anyway, great looking boots. I'm jealous.
@@user-zy4cq6vo3q when I did the foot scan, they tell you which size you should purchase in red wings. I had been purchasing size 13 for years and was always uncomfortable but them showing my actual foot measurements convinced me to size up to 14.
If you are wanting to purchase an insole, it does help you determine which one you would need. The scanner is free so there’s no cost involved. I personally enjoyed getting my 3-D foot scan emailed to me and being able to see everything from my arch height, to instep.
Totally understand your footwear needs are definitely different from mine. For some reason the wedge sole on the iron Rangers just looks weird to me. I do buy boots off of aesthetics and function so it’s hard to separate the two for me.
@dakotajamesspicer thanks
What’s your favorite colorway of the Iron Ranger?
These copper are sick ❤ 3:22
5:03 idk why the video just stops here 😭 there was like 3 more clips, 🤦🏻♂️
I have the exact same pair, and I am not a fan of them. for me it's the sole. it's like walking on a block of wood. I am toying with the idea of having a cobbler add a midsole, and a sole with more cushion. I think this would help a lot. I love the look and the sizing, but they are uncomfortable to walk with for long periods of time. I do still wear them when I know I will be in the office all day not walking around too much outside.
@@jonathanmarquise422 Understandable. Curious as to how long you’ve had these? It did take a few weeks of hard wear (10 hour walking / driving days) for me to get comfy. But now they are great
@dakotajamesspicer I've had them for a couple of years. It's honestly just the sole. I think the insole has broken in nicely, and the leather has become pretty supple. It's just the lack of midsole and the outsole. If I was wearing them more casually, I would not mind. But I tend to walk a lot during the day, and mostly on hard surfaces. I'm looking at some blown rummer lugged soles. I do like the look of the boot, I just want some underfoot comfort.
@@jonathanmarquise422 Gotcha. Hopefully getting that added will help. Do you have a preferred cobbler?
yep. the leather is nice. I had amber harness. but the lack of a midsole and heel stack makes them feel flat and like you're walking on a hard surface. I switched to Truman several years ago and never looked back
@@MetalBootGuy I need to look into some Truman!
Iron Ranger is a classic and a decent boot, but, if I was shopping for something like this today, I'd buy the Jim Green 719. Better and cheaper.
@@fessendenful i’ve heard good things about that company! Will definitely check it out
@@dakotajamesspicer the wax application for the toe area is great on your IRs. Really nice.
@ Thanks! I’ve been using that horsehair brush a lot. Definitely helps the shine
Great video! Did you have to put something on the boot before you started wearing them? Something to waterproof them?
@@kimberleespicer710 You can if you prefer! They do resist water naturally since they are Goodyear welted and the leather is high quality