The construction and materials in Iron Rangers are excellent. If you treat them well, they'll treat you well. When you think of it, no leather should really be exposed to water. IR's are an oil treated leather that like any leather, should be treated with regularity throughout it's life time. If you are talking about exposure to a rare rain and that exposure is something like running from a car to a building or vice versa then I don't see that there would be any problem at all. If you are talking about regularly slogging through ankle deep puddles where the boots will become totally saturated, then that's another thing.
Red Wings Iron Ranger boots?
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That's exactly where mine live. I get them oiled every few months, and they shed water fairly well. The soles are flat, so they can get a little slick, but I've never had a problem.
I get go to the brick and mortar Red Wing store every Fall and Spring for oiling and replacement laces. Great service. Mine are 3 yrs old, worn 3x per week, and look great. I'm probably about 2 years from sending them back to Red Wing for recrafting and new soles.
I'd say yes, but it would depend on the khakis and the overall look you're going for.
Yes they will. They go very well with a sport coat and tie too. I get compliments on them frequently, even though mine are now pushing 4-5 years. (think social worker/professor, not lawyer/banker) I do polish mine every couple of months though to take care of the scuffs and such.
I have their 'shoe' version (Beckman oxford). Very nice! Only issue is to get the proper size. 
With the Daughter being a HS SR I am planning on using some of my IRS refund for a pair since I will not be paying for Varsity Cheer leading any more.
Thread revival...
Before and after a long overdue trip to the Red Wing store:
Before and after a long overdue trip to the Red Wing store:
Looking nice, good for another thousand kilometers.
Going on 6 years and still getting compliments on them.
Lost a bunch of weight and oddly enough can actually get my orthodics in them without an issue. Thinking about a sole replacement here soon, but that's $130 or so for a genuine red wing factory replacement
Still love the look and comfort. Awesome shoes but man do they scuff easily.
I think I have enough polish and mink oil in them that they are now permanently water proof (knock on wood)
Lost a bunch of weight and oddly enough can actually get my orthodics in them without an issue. Thinking about a sole replacement here soon, but that's $130 or so for a genuine red wing factory replacement
Still love the look and comfort. Awesome shoes but man do they scuff easily. I think I have enough polish and mink oil in them that they are now permanently water proof (knock on wood)
I actually wore mine on an opening day dove hunt here in Texas. I normally hunt in either LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoes or a Cabela's Upland boot, but decided to give the IR's a run in the field for their first hunting trip. They looked pretty scuffed up and dirty when finished, but a treatment of mink oil and they're back to the land of the living. 4 years old and PERFECT.
Just got a pair in the Copper color.
The 11E2 fit so nice(I have real wide feet) I measured a 3-4E.
The Copper color wasn't my favorite but it has the rugged sole instead of flat leather.
I didn't have them oiled at store because I use Huberds shoe grease and I knew they would turn them the color I was looking for.
There a beautiful warm copper brown with a reddish hue.
Can't wait to start breaking them in.
The 11E2 fit so nice(I have real wide feet) I measured a 3-4E.
The Copper color wasn't my favorite but it has the rugged sole instead of flat leather.
I didn't have them oiled at store because I use Huberds shoe grease and I knew they would turn them the color I was looking for.
There a beautiful warm copper brown with a reddish hue.
Can't wait to start breaking them in.
Nice. Congrats on your acquisition!
For me Iron Rangers are a casual dress boot. I like the look and they go well with just about anything in my wardrobe. i also wear them when I have to walk or be on my feet for a long time. They are extremely comfortable and supportive.
To me theory, they are not work boots. I have a pair of gore-tex lined Danner Quarrys for actually working - waterproof and tougher than the Iron Rangers.
I am eyeing a pair of Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill.
To me theory, they are not work boots. I have a pair of gore-tex lined Danner Quarrys for actually working - waterproof and tougher than the Iron Rangers.
I am eyeing a pair of Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill.
Getting better with age and regular care.
In the modern context, I agree. These are more the "work boot" worn decades and decades ago ... back in the day when a working man might own only one pair of footwear that had to see him through his daily grind, be it work, leisure, Church, whatever.
As decades passed, footwear became both more specialised and more affordable for the common man, so having a dedicated "work" boot became a reality. In 1957 these Iron Rangers might have been a great option for working on the docks or truck driving or whatever ... and a '57 Chevy might have done well in NASCAR ... but neither would be a good first choice nowadays ... but both would look really great in more casual settings!
Trying to recall when did Red Wing, Alden, Allen Edmonds, etc became premium brands. They were always higher end but I recall back in the day most dress shoes were decent enough to have their heels and soles replaced many times before the uppers gave out. Lot more cobblers around too.
Guess many manufacturers decided to focus on cost back in the 80s and 90s and shifted manufacturing overseas with less expensive and more disposable manufacturing techniques.
Depends what you call "premium". IMHO for dress shoes & boots, none of those brands are "premium" ... that term is reserved for English shoemakers who are several notches above them. Or maybe those brands are "ultra-premium" and we can knock "premium down to Alfred Sargent and Alden?
I agree, though, there was a shift from all shoes being "repair-able" to being irreparable. I think it was less about manufacturers making conscious decisions and more about the development of new technology: "back in the day" the only way to make shoes resulted in a product that could be resoled and repaired. At some point ... and no doubt linked to the ever-changing world of running shoe manufacture ... we reached the technological point where we could churn out shoes that looked "okay" and were not capable of being resoled. Those are cheaper to make, significantly so, and there you go.
