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The Iron RangerThe Iron Ranger was originally built for iron miners in the 1930s. In the decades since, it has grown indispensable for owners from all walks of life thanks to its iconic style and longevity. The six-inch boot’s signature feature is a leather toe cap that is as distinctive as it is durable. Each pair develops a personalized fit and custom comfort over time thanks to leather insoles and a cork midsole that form to feet. The boots are built with a Goodyear welt and Puritan triple-stitch construction, and brass speed hooks provide precision lacing and a visual hit of hardware. The Iron Ranger is anchored with a Vibram® 430 Mini-lug outsole. FIT INFORMATIONA new pair of Red Wing Heritage footwear should fit comfortably tight on the foot, with enough room to freely wiggle toes. We recommend trying on footwear in store to ensure proper fit. NO. 8 LAST
Boot sizes on this site are in the U.S. sizing. Care – Protect your investment.
It’s not just the toecap. While they’re made on the same last so they fit the same way, there are more differences than you might think between Red Wing’s flagship boots, the Iron Ranger and the Blacksmith. Red Wing is everyone’s first Goodyear welted boot. My own was their moc toe, and I swiftly followed up with Iron Rangers as my second “grown up” boot purchase to help me navigate New York winters. Note that I conditioned those Iron Rangers with some too-thick conditioner a few years ago, so they’ve darkened considerably, but these are the classic 8111 Amber Harness Iron Rangers I’m wearing in these photos, contrasted with the 3340 Blacksmith boots in the famously reddish Briar Oil Slick leather. [SHOP THE IRON RANGER] [SHOP THE BLACKSMITH]
Iron Ranger and Blacksmith SimilaritiesWhat are the similarities between these iconic boots?
The differences are something a lot of people wonder about, so let’s start with the obvious one. 1. The ToecapThe Iron Ranger has a toecap, the Blacksmith doesn’t. Pretty simple stuff, though it’s worth emphasizing the Iron Ranger’s toecap is real: it’s an actual extra layer of leather over the toe of the boot, secured with four stitches. So while it’s not a steel toe boot, the toecap does offer a modicum of extra protection relative to the Blacksmith, which is probably why there’s a difference in… 2. The PriceIron rangers are $30 dollars more expensive.
[Related: The Best Boots for Under $200] 3. The LacesIron Rangers come with these round, parachute cord, nylon laces, the Blacksmiths are flat waxed cotton. The waxed cotton laces are stickier and a little more annoying to work with, but less likely to come undone, plus they’re just a little bit dressier. That’s the main bullet point when comparing these boots: while they’re both very casual, the Blacksmith dresses up ever so slightly better. Another reason why is… 4. The EyeletsThey’re shiny nickel on the Iron Ranger and dull gilt on the Blacksmiths. Unlike Red Wing’s moc toes, both of these boots have three pairs of speed hooks, which makes them easier to get on and off. 5. The CollarThe collar — that’s the opening at the top of the boot where you slide your foot in — has a few differences, but I wanted this to be a list of ten and not eleven differences, so I’m lumping them all into this entry! They are:
“Rolled” means there’s another piece of leather rolled over the top of the edges on the top of the shaft. That takes a bit more labor to do, but over time the edge is less likely to get frayed if it’s rolled. While we’re talking about the shaft… 6. The HeightThe iron ranger is about a half inch taller before it starts to swoop downward. I measured the Iron Ranger at ~6.25 inches high at its highest and the Blacksmith at ~5.75 inches. 7. The BackstayThat’s the name for the strip of leather running up the back of the heel.
So the backstay is broader on the Iron Ranger and offers a bit more protection to the heels, since it results in two pieces of leather covering them. [Related: 5 Things You Don’t Know About Red Wing] 8. The Triple Stitching
One could argue the extra stitch makes the Iron Ranger more heavy duty, but it’s very unlikely that there’s any practical advantage as far as durability goes, at least with regard to the stitching. (The argument is stronger if you believe the Iron Ranger offers more protection because it has more leather covering the heel and the toe.) 9. The FitsThe fit is exactly the same between both boots, as they’re both made on Red Wing’s No. 8 last with a nice roomy toe. But only the Iron Ranger is available in wider widths. This No. 8 last is fairly roomy in the toes, and many find they fit D (normal) and wide (E) feet, but if you’re any wider, only Iron Rangers come with the option for EE. As a side note: you should size down half a size from your true size and a whole size from your sneaker size when ordering Red Wings. [Related: The Ultimate Guide to How Boots Should Fit] 10. The LeathersWhile all of Red Wing’s leather uppers come from their own tannery, SB Foot Tanning Company, you don’t get the same options for both shoes.
Black Prairie actually isn’t the same as the Black Harness Iron Ranger: Black Harness leather is black all the way through, whereas Black Prairie is a black overcoat over brown. So when the Iron Ranger scuffs it’s still black, but when the Black Prairie scuffs you’ll see brown come through. There it is! Ten differences between Red Wing’s most beloved boots. For more info on these classics, be sure to check out my Iron Ranger review and Blacksmith review. 11 Ways to Save Money on Boots!Enter your e-mail for an exclusive article to help you find the best deals on quality footwear.The following two tabs change content below.
By day: Manhattan-based journalist with reporting experience on four continents, published in Vice, Men's Health, Popular Science, and a bunch of other places.By night: ravenous consumer of anything and everything related to high end men's boots.Stridewise is where I nurture a maniacal obsession with footwear and share my findings. Say hey: [email protected] Do Iron Rangers have a steel toe?The Iron Ranger has a toecap, the Blacksmith doesn't. Pretty simple stuff, though it's worth emphasizing the Iron Ranger's toecap is real: it's an actual extra layer of leather over the toe of the boot, secured with four stitches.
How long do Red Wing Iron Rangers last?How long will Iron Rangers last? It depends on how well you care for them and how you use them. If you're using them for everyday wear, they can easily last several decades if you condition them two-three times a year, add shoe trees, and resole them when needed, too.
Are Red Wing Iron Ranger boots waterproof?Boot 8111, the Red Wing Iron Ranger, is premium 6 inch boot built from S.B. Foot Tanning Company's Amber Harness Leather. This oil-tanned leather is stain proof, waterproof, sweat resistant, and features an extremely natural aesthetic that makes it one of our most popular boots.
When did Red Wing Iron Ranger come out?The Iron Ranger was originally built for iron miners in the 1930s. In the decades since, it has grown indispensable for owners from all walks of life thanks to its iconic style and longevity. The six-inch boot's signature feature is a leather toe cap that is as distinctive as it is durable.
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Red Wing Iron Ranger steel toe
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