The Iron Ranger is made from full grain leather, a type that many consider the highest quality grade leather on the market. One of the first things I noticed is how thick the leather is, certainly more than two millimeters. That means that while they’re not safety tested for factory work and they don’t have lining on the inside, they’re still made from the company’s beloved thick, full grain leather and have become a favorite of fashion conscious men across the globe. The boot has left Red Wing’s line of work boots and is now only available in their more fashion-focused Heritage line. Nowadays, the Iron Ranger is no longer worn in mines. This makes for a more classic, understated look but it also means they’re not the warmest boots on the market. The leather is full grain - more on that below - and thick, but there’s no inner lining like you’ll find in some of Red Wing’s more dedicated work boots. (Some folks complain about the speed hooks dressing down the boot, but any cobbler can swap those out for a pittance.) The tongue of the boot, meanwhile, is attached to the inside of the leather upper, which could help to keep it from fraying over time. The first four pairs of eyelets are nickel and the top three are nickel speed hooks. Outside of the toe cap, the rest of the boot is triple stitched with wax threads, and I found no loose threads. With that said, I’d consider the boot to fit just fine with a well-put together smart casual outfit or with work jeans. While it’s great with a button down or a t-shirt, I don’t think it dresses up very easily - they’d look ludicrous with a tie. The toe cap lends it a rounder, more bulbous toe than competing models like the Wolverine 1000 Mile. While it’s certainly slimmer than a Timberland or construction boot, you wouldn’t call the Iron Ranger sleek. The defining feature is the toecap, which is attached over the shoe’s body with a dual double stitch along the foot’s break. It’s beautiful but simple, tough but subtle. The word “classic” is overused when talking about men’s leather boots, but damn if that isn’t the first word that comes to mind when looking at a pair of smooth, understated, undeniably masculine boots like Iron Rangers. Red Wing Iron Ranger: To Buy or Not to Buy?.
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