Red Wing Iron Ranger boots or LLbean Iron Works Engineer boots?

[blary54]

So im in the market for a pair of boots. Really like the Red Wing Iron Ranger boots that I saw on a different thread on here. I was on another forum and the LLbean Katahdin Iron Works Engineer boots were mentioned too. They look pretty much like the Iron Rangers and are made by a company called Chippewa(which im sure most of you have heard of).

I found a pair of the Hawthorn IR boots at Nordstrom on sale for $179. Id prefer the amber but I dont want to pay $300.00. I think once these started to show a little wear they would be really cool.


The LLbean Engineer boots are: 179.00.


Any opinions or comments? I like that the LLbean boots have a vibram sole. Doesn't look like the IR provide that much traction.

View attachment 266801
View attachment 266801

 

[camjr]

Each have their advocates. I have the Iron Rangers (amber), and you can find them for much less than $300. I paid $210 at my local Red Wing store (they matched another store's 20% off offer). You can find it. I like the Katahdin from LLBean as well, but the oiled leather of the Red Wing was the thing that sold me on that one.

The sole, while without tread, actually is very solid because of the cork and rubber compound. Others say they have a little difficulty in snow and ice, but then again, most shoes and boots do. They don't slip in wet or dry conditions for me.

I've worn my Red Wing's more often than any other shoe or boot since I purchased them in January. They were comfortable for me when breaking them in, and have become my most comfortable pair of leather shoes or boots.

Cheers!

 

[Robert45]

I have had a numbeer of Red Wing boots over many years. In May I stopped in Red Wing, Minn. There I visited the Red Wing boot musuem and store. I was very, very impressed with the workmanship and pride that goes into the manufacturing of Red Wing products. You would never go wrong with Red Wing.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I don't have the LL Beans, but wear the Red Wing IRs atleast twice a week. Couldn't recommend them more highly. Mind you, they may run half to a full size big. It's best that you either try them on in an authorized retailer's store or buy them from an online vendor with a great return policy in case they don't fit.

 

[Trouthunter]

Red wing. No doubt.

 

[Isaac]

I think I would go with the Red Wings myself.

 

[SAFETYpin]

I love my IR's, I've been daily wearing mine for ~1 year and the uppers are holding up great. I have worn through the threading around the perimeter of the sole near the ball of my foot, mot sure if I'll be needing a resole soon. I got my local store to match the Amazon pricing of $240. The break in process was long and tough for me, I think I purchased the wrong size, but now that the leather has stretched and softened I love em.

 

[camjr]

I would definitely recommend going to a RW retail store for a proper fitting. You can then see if the RW store will match the online price -- They'll often work with you. If not, you have the proper size to order them online. You can take your boots back to the shop for re-oiling anytime, and RW will send you free replacement laces when you need them.

 

[blary54]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Pretty much sold on getting the Iron Rangers. I do have a Red Wing store about 35 miles from my house...but unfortunately nothing closer. I might just take a chance on the size I think I need. Shipping and returns are free at the site I want to buy from.

These IR Hawthorne boots look like a rougher leather or suede. How would one care for them?

 

[eelhc]

You didn't mention what you intend to do with the boots?

I've had Timberland's, Red Wings, LL Bean... but now I only buy Danner Boots. Comfortable, tough and completely waterproof. You can send them back to Danner and have them completely recrafted them once too worn to wear.

http://www.danner.com/boots/
http://stumptown.danner.com/

 

[MoonshineXXX]

If it were me and I was getting the boots for the same price, I would go with the RW. Nothing wrong with the LL Bean boot (it's actually built by Chippewa for LLB), but I think the quality of the RW is just a bit better. Now if I was paying full price for the RW I could probably be swayed by the LLB boot due to the big difference in pricing. The quality of the RW is better IMO, but not THAT much better! Good luck with your purchase!

 

[Commander Quan]

The IRs provide ZERO traction on ice. I shoveled the sidewalk in them a couple times last winter before work, and while I never fell, I did do the **** I'm going to crack my head open dance a couple of times.

 

[Talltexan]

Do Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots have removable insert for orthopedic inserts? What is a good boot with heel and arch support?

 

[jlanger]

Sole in the iron ranger does not come out. though I've heard a number of people getting them a bit bigger for a insert. I personally haven't needed one...yet anyways.

 

[camjr]

My RWIR leather insole has completely formed to my foot, making the boots extremely comfortable.

Cheers!

 

[JoshuaNY]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Pretty much sold on getting the Iron Rangers. I do have a Red Wing store about 35 miles from my house...but unfortunately nothing closer. I might just take a chance on the size I think I need. Shipping and returns are free at the site I want to buy from.

These IR Hawthorne boots look like a rougher leather or suede. How would one care for them?

I have the Hawthorne, probably got the same deal you are looking at. It is suedeish, but not quite. They just put the rough side of the leather out. I didn't want to change the color or the texture fo the leather so I spoke with the dude at one of the RW stores and he said to use the spray on waterproofer. So I bought the RW Leather Protector spray, and it seems to be working well.

He said, if you didn't care about it darkening a bit and losing some of the nap then to use mink oil. Since you wanted the amber to begin with then the mink oil may be an option for you. You could also get Obenaufs which will protect it very well, but that will definitely darken the leather on these.

I ordered a half size down and they fit great.

 

[blary54]

I have the Hawthorne, probably got the same deal you are looking at. It is suedeish, but not quite. They just put the rough side of the leather out. I didn't want to change the color or the texture fo the leather so I spoke with the dude at one of the RW stores and he said to use the spray on waterproofer. So I bought the RW Leather Protector spray, and it seems to be working well.

He said, if you didn't care about it darkening a bit and losing some of the nap then to use mink oil. Since you wanted the amber to begin with then the mink oil may be an option for you. You could also get Obenaufs which will protect it very well, but that will definitely darken the leather on these.

I ordered a half size down and they fit great.

I never pulled the trigger on the Iron Rangers, I settled on a pair of Chippewa boots I found on sale(same company that makes the LL Bean Engineer boots in this thread). Some day I'll get a pair of RW but the Chippewas were too good of a deal to pass up (50% off).

 

[JoshuaNY]

I never pulled the trigger on the Iron Rangers, I settled on a pair of Chippewa boots I found on sale(same company that makes the LL Bean Engineer boots in this thread). Some day I'll get a pair of RW but the Chippewas were too good of a deal to pass up (50% off).

That works, my bad I didn't realize the OP was in August.

 

[Silky Glide]

I have the LL Bean Iron Rangers and they provide a lot of boot for the $. Plus, they come in EEE width which is fairly difficult to come by in men's boots. I am definitely satisfied - they were comfortable from the start except for the ankle portion which requires some break-in before they got comfortable. As previously mentioned by Mickey 7, LL Bean's customer service is top notch.

 

[Don Barbiere]

Danner, one of the best!