Red Wing Heritage

6" Iron Ranger Lug

Men's

Ok here is the trick - buy one-half size down and buy a quality insole like the Superfeet Greens and these will be a lifelong friend. And see below for my break in trick... If you don't use an insole you should probably buy a full-size down but be ready for a hard sole with significant foot fatigue. I hear after substantial break in the sole becomes a bit softer, but let's be clear, you really want to buy an insole for these boots. And don't be discouraged if your angle or even lower shin is sore or bruised as these are a heavy leather that needs broken in over several days or even a few weeks. My advice - wear them for a half-day to break in the leather a bit, and then give a good coat of Redwing Mink oil after warming the leather with a hair dryer. The warm leather will soak the mink oil right up. Wipe off excess oil. Leave sit overnight, wipe off any seepage in the morning and then wear a half day again. Wear it in half-day increments until they are comfortable to you. Note that you should NEVER use cheap shining products or oils on these. No synthetics!! Mink oil is best and if you warm up the leather and give these a good oil after a day of wear they will soften up faster.

This is an update to my last review. I want to love these boots, they look great, are really well made, heavy leather etc. Just good old school boots. Problem is that there was a extra fold of material in the right boot right where the tongue meets the shoe upper. I can't break it in at that point and it's painful enough that I can't wear them. Brought them to a Red Wing store and the owner confirmed that there's a problem with this pair. Wore them too much for Zappos to take back so I'm trying to deal with Redwing. Way too much money to have this problem. Next time I'll buy from the local store to avoid this. Oh well.

I don't understand how they can be charging so much for these. Leather is high quality but the construction is terrible. Speed hooks were completely uneven making the leather bind in weird ways when you laced them, even the cap toe was about an inch different between the boots. Immediately returned and won't be bothering with Red Wing again.

I own many boots from Red Wing and this is my 4th pair of Iron Rangers. Just order a half or one size down than your regular sneakers/shoes. The break in for IRs will be very painful , wear them with thick wool socks. You will not want to wear another boots once these have broken in and molded to your feet shape.