Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[DanielCoffey]

How are you finding the soles on the Iron Rangers?

I see from the UK site that they say they are nitrile cork soles so I wondered about their durability and whether they can be resoled if needed?

 

[Shiloh John]

don't use anything to soften up the leather, they're comfy out of the box and will break-in pretty quickly.. enjoy!

Thanks!!

 

[Vic]

Inspired by this pic in some japanese magazine:

I decided to take out the trusty 'ol tins of Kiwi and give it a try.

Here's the result:

Looks good!

 

[Doublegun]

How are you finding the soles on the Iron Rangers?

I see from the UK site that they say they are nitrile cork soles so I wondered about their durability and whether they can be resoled if needed?

They are fine on dry surfaces and they wear like iron BUT, the slightest bit of snow and you have NO traction. Even in wet grass things can get tricky unless you are just walking in them.

I looked into getting mine resoled - it's a pretty expensive change. My cobbler glued on a thin sole with a small tight tread design and problem solved and you can't see they have been modified unless you look at the soles.

 

[mattfink]

Like the polish job! I only use an occasional dab of Pecards on my IR's. Sturdy and comfortable pair of boots!

 

[Dav]

They are fine on dry surfaces and they wear like iron BUT, the slightest bit of snow and you have NO traction. Even in wet grass things can get tricky unless you are just walking in them.

I would have to agree with that, the other day I wore mine into a shopping centre (mall) when it was raining outside, it suddenly felt like I was walking on ice.

 

[DanielCoffey]

Thanks for the soles experiences, folks. Looks like the 9011/9016 might be better suited to the Scottish winters then. At least it has a slightly gripped sole.

 

[kiltie]

IR are WORK boots. They are made as they always have been - to be worn hard and used for their intended purpose. They are not copies of work boots they are the real deal. I doubt Redwing expects many of the customers to own more than one pair at at time and most will wear them every day and wear them hard. Keep em clean, keep em oiled and they'll look better every day and will last a life time.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap ^^^^^^^^^^

I've had these** Red Wings going on ten years now - obviously not the model in the OP, but I'm sure the construction is similar. I wore them every day for about two years, and they still get very regular wear. Couple that with, as often as not, I take them off outside and leave them there. When the drought finally ended here, they baked in a coat of mud out on the back deck for about two weeks. When I finally got around to taking care of them, I washed them inside and out with the garden hose and oiled them up. They look the same as they did nine years ago.
Often, when I'm going anywhere for more than a day or two, I'll take these as my only pair of shoes because they'll take a shine and do a good job with a bit of dressing up and they're good for just about any eventuality. A good pair of US made Red Wings don't need to be babied.

**

 

[kiltie]

Oh - and I also accidentally set them on fire once...

 

[Dav]

Definitely agree with that, as I said earlier I was having some sock staining issues. So the other day I put them under a tap to let them fill up with water, leaving the tap runnung for about five minutes each, I let them dry for a couple days then applied a coat of saddle dressing. All the sock staining has stopped and they have become the comfortable boot I always thought they should be.

 

[vintageghost]

Thorogood engineer motorcycle boots

I found a pair of Thorogood engineer boots size 12 in a thrift store /The same place I found a pair of 1953 Chippewa engineer boots. My question is did Thorogood make a horsehide engineer boot. These boots have the look and feel of horsehide as well as no steel toe. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[AngryNJ]

I just got my Iron Rangers today! They are really great looking, and to me, they feel comfortable right out of the box. I was considering getting insoles, but they might make the fit a bit too tight. I have pecards, plus pecards sent me some boot oil for free a while back.

Do you all recommend me using the boot oil right away before the snow gets here? Or should I wait? These are the first real quality boots I have owned. Want to do this right so that they last me a long time.

Thanks

 

[Dav]

I would give them a bit of wear first and only apply the oil after they have got wet. Mine get wet on a daily basis as I walk the dog in long grass, and I have to say for that purpose they're the best boots I've ever owned, feet always nice and dry when I get back. So because of the dampness I coat them with saddle dressing or mink oil about once a month.
Here's some pics of them at three months old after one coat of saddle dressing and one coat of golden mink oil.

I did post this elsewhere but thought it would be better here

 

[AngryNJ]

Just started wearing my new Iron Rangers yesterday. I was worried they were too narrow, but after wearing them, they are perfect. I don't use insoles, and found them comfortable to wear all day. I did buy insoles, but I think they might make the boot too tight for me. Maybe after more break in and IF I need them... So far them seem very comfortable without the insoles. I love these boots.

 

[cookie]

It is worth mentioning, though, that I wear these boots every day, all day. The only time I give my boots a rest is when I vacation somewhere warm and switch to PF Flyers.

Overall, I believe these will make a fine everyday boot, and they don't look to shabby with my cuffed 501s. Pictures will follow sometime around 5-6pm EST. To anyone looking to purchase these for a classic-styled work boot, I'd give it serious consideration. The free service guarantee on Red Wing's website was the deal-breaker for me.

Wearing them everyday is precisely what you are not supposed to do with boots. Apart from wearing them out you should not wear boots or shoes everyday as it does not allow them to dry out and recover. Shoes and boots are supposed to be worn in rotation with other footwear thus preserving you investment and your feet.

 

[dragonaxe]

Those boots look awesome!
I've got a pair of old pair of workboots, which are the same colour as these in the link (http://www.brantano.co.uk/Shop/bran... Casual/2730420643.aspx?category=029901090302), but are a cheap alternative to Caterpillars.

Is there a product I can use to stain them to a similar colour to the RWI Rangers?

 

[Dav]

Is there a product I can use to stain them to a similar colour to the RWI Rangers?

If they're only a cheap pair of boots why not try a coat of oxblood polish with a coat of black over the top and leave to soak in for a few days? Might work.
I've not tried this myself though.

 

[JOHN TITCOMBE]

I recently purchased from Allen Edmonds Factory Outlet Store in Port Washington,a pair of Ramsey model Spectator shoes for $108. Just had to share my joy with someone !!!

 

[Dav]

Is there a product I can use to stain them to a similar colour to the RWI Rangers?

How about this stuff.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TOP-OF-THE-SHOP-CRAFT-SUPPLIES/_i.html?_fsub=15413330

 

[dragonaxe]

How about this stuff.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TOP-OF-THE-SHOP-CRAFT-SUPPLIES/_i.html?_fsub=15413330

Cheers Dav. That might be worth a go. The only thing that I'm unsure about..is that my boots are nubuck, rather than full blown leather