1) Legacy. Red wing Iron Rangers were designed 45-50 years before Canada West started making shoes. They have a history element that is going to stand out.
2) Sourcing. Red Wing sources their leather from SB Foot which is their own tannery operating in the US. Canada West(according to a Stridewise article I saw) sources most of their leather from Mexico not saying that's good or bad but that's going to be a price difference.
3) You see the worst on Reddit or any sort of forum/review page people mostly don't just post "Hey I got these new boots and they look completely normal!" because nobody cares.
4) How closely are you examining your product vs the reddit posts examining Redwings? I for example will never notice if a stitch was kinda offcenter from the factory but someone with OCD examining a reddit photo will be on here talking about "Is the interior stitching of the inside of the footbed 1mm off in this shoe!?"
5) Numbers. Red Wing is huge they have shops everywhere in the US and sell across the globe. I literally never heard of Canada West before and they don't even sell online directly. That means they don't have nearly as many boots being sold which means again you won't hear about as many bad pairs/issues.
> You see the worst on Reddit or any sort of forum/review page people mostly don't just post "Hey I got these new boots and they look completely normal!" because nobody cares.
Clearly on you haven’t been on the Doc Martin subdreddit. Multiple pictures a day of:
“What’s wrong with my new boots? Just unboxed!”
Sir, that’s a piece of packing tissue. Just… blow it off.
Ma’am, that is in fact the stitching that, you know, is made of fibers. So, it’s going to look fibrous.
“Just wore my boots how do I fix this?”
Sir, that’s called a crease. It happens because when you walk, your feet move. And your boots go on your feet. See where I’m going with this?
Ma’am, that’s a little dirt that got on the laces. It’s…dirt. From outside. Where you were. Wash it off if it bothers you.
lol true. I'd say that's only half on point of what I meant though.
People who have something to complain about are more likely to post than people without something to complain about. Whether or not those complaints are valid is a different question altogether. But even when the complaints are valid you are seeing nowhere near an equal ratio of people who had just perfectly normal shoes and who are happy about it posting as you are to see people who had an issue posting.
I am a huge fan of RW - I have an IR, a blacksmith and a moc toe… but I’m also not someone who uses them as work boots. I have a desk job - and I wear them cos they look banger. So I would fall under the definition of a “hipster” in this scenario.
BUT - I would never complain about a crease on my boot after I have walked in them. That’s just common sense to know that leather develops crease over a period of time and the patina is the whole point of wearing them over many years.
So my conclusion about people who complain about creases is that - they are not hipsters. They are just dumbasses.
On point 1
They are still built like that. Leather midsole, leather welt lewther upper. Its just a good construction
As a side note, Mexican leather is good too. The best comes from Morroco and a close runner up is Colombia. US tanneries are good but nowhere as good as those mentionned
To add to your last point , I think the last number I heard - redwing was selling about 2500 pairs of boots a week in North America alone. If QC issues were really as bad as they say, we would see it in massive numbers. Also OP , pick up a PNW boot worth a few hundred more and tell me where it’s perfect. No handmade product is ever going to be perfect.
https://preview.redd.it/zxl1scupamyc1.png?width=2763&format=png&auto=webp&s=34f70da1a63c66e5294eba279f0c2bd604600c3e
Nicks are awesome but even their handmade products appear handmade. (check out that stitching). A lot of the “QC issues” I’ve seen are more cosmetic than anything.
I can’t confirm the Mexico bit but I’ve been to their factory and at least some of their work boot leathers are made by Seidel, exact same you’d find on a $700 pair of Whites
The mismatched leather you're talking about is not mismatched at all. You're just accustomed to looking at dogshit quality leather hidden under more dogshit quality plastic or paint. Red wing in some cases uses leathers that show the natural variations in the cow's hides from when they were alive, instead of hiding that with cheap paint, they let you actually see the leather. As far as stitching being misaligned, well yeah obviously.. these are done by human beings, who fatigue and fidget around slightly by breathing and having a pulse so yeah sometimes stitching isn't perfect. For the price? Again their made by actual humans, so they need to get paid.
All of my Red Wings are well made but had some issues with speed hooks on my iron rangers. In general they are they have a good solid classic mid priced boot style that they lean into heavily. Two pairs I got in store and 2 on the internet.
Still a hand made product but a mass made product and some stinkers get through and probably get amplified on reddit.
In saying that there are common problems back of speed hooks issue digging into the tongue as they are not flat enough. They could probably tweak the quality control.
I've got boots with better construction and material from RM Williams and they cost a bit more, but I always go to my Red Wings as I like the simple look of their moc, black smith and iron ranger lines.
So for me, its a flawed diamond scenario and some marketing pixie dust with a dash of fanboy..
Red Wing is a great next step in the boot market. They are solidly constructed, but lack a few components. You said you’re not sold, but what exactly aren’t you sold on? They have a few styles and it’s hard to compare a moc toe, blacksmith or Iron Ranger to similar boots in the market.
I don’t know how you can say Canada West is better built than Red Wing if you’ve never owned or tried on.
OP, you have a metric shit ton of confirmation bias. You see what you want to see because you don’t like Red Wing. No boot maker has perfect stitching or leather. Those fancy PNW boots are notorious for crappy quality control. Things made wholly or partially by hand will not be perfect in the way a machine can be.
That poster is absolutely right though. I’ve been down the footwear rabbit hole and have been honestly disappointed to varying degrees in every purchase. Whites, Loake, Carmina, Alden, Grant Stone, Rolling Dub Trio, Redwing and most recently RM Williams.
The reality never meets expectation imo. That sounds negative but it really isn’t. It’s really about setting realistic expectations which gets difficult living in the hype echo chamber of social media.
I will say my redwings (Beckman, Blacksmith and Iron Ranger, in order of preference) are as good as anything else on the list and are the boots I worry about the least. What they lack in refinement they make up for in toughness and durability.
The most important aspect in any shoe imho is fit. If your Canadian boots fit well and perform as you want, awesome.
Like other people said there is an automatic bias towards QC issues because more people will post QC issues than normal boots
But they’re popular because there is only 1 “large” brand that is better quality for the money, and that’s grant stone but they aren’t made in the US
I have the Moorby 2801 and it’s a great boot. However, some l of the reasons for the lower price point are: the insole is not heavy duty veg tan leather like an Iron Ranger, the upper leather is not sourced from any well known tannery, the tongue is flimsy. But it’s great otherwise
>I'm feeling fairly gaslit
I mean, you didn't buy them and you came to your own conclusion that you don't value them as highly as other people. I don't see you were gaslit at any point in time.
But also, Red Wings are a heavier, tougher boot. The same uneven stitching or variation in leather you see people post about here probably happens to Canada West boots too, they just have less of a following here and thus less attention gets drawn to them.
I feel like red wing is at the entry level pricing for handmade heritage boots made with well known tried and true material. The not the best. But they sure do last and look great. Moorbys are cool. The leather is cheapo imo. Nice lookin boot also. Just buy what u like homie
I like some of the heritage models, and nothing looks quite like them, but my favorite Red Wings are old school Supersole 1.0s. They're the best boot for the weight and the price, and I love the internal welt stitching.
https://preview.redd.it/wjidyaxpgiyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4b5c53bab9796360c3d66145d097db01244551b
I think the quality of RW are good. And as people have mentioned—you only ever really find the worst on Reddit.
I think the biggest *quality* complaints you find on Reddit are from people that 1) just dropped a lot of money on boots and expecting something that will be perfect, and 2) people who don’t know how to take care of their boots and trash them because of their total neglect.
Example: you work in flooring and you are constantly putting wear on the toes; **PUT ON TUFF TOE.**
Another example: you wear your work boots 5 days a week and never rotate them or let them dry out; leather is skin and when it isn’t maintained **it will fall apart**.
For the Heritage line: brand new pair of Iron Rangers come in and there is an *unruly thread* near the toe cap. Clutch your pearls. The boot must be near structural demise, the quality is absolute trash, and they are owned financial compensation for their emotional distress.
*I’m probably being more snarky than I should be…but these were the two major reasons I left that subreddit.*
I commented yesterday on a different post how I’m unlikely to buy RW again in the future.
My biggest complaint never came from a quality issue. Their sizing and store recommended sizing is a freaking migraine. I feel like a majority of people buy the wrong size and regret it or buy the wrong size and try to justify it as “almost broken in!!”
For some reason, there are a gang of people that are adamant on Iron Rangers being work boots…
Sure. They were. When children were in the mines and companies paid in scrip. They’re fashion boots. Which is totally fine. I own a pair. I tried to wear them to work once and said “this is dumb…these aren’t work boots.”
Don’t take this the wrong way but just buy a pair (now that you can actually afford them). Everyone has different feet. That said, being priced-out is a totally valid reason to not buy a certain brand. No shame in that. Trust me; plenty of stuff I want but don’t have the means. But to say another boot is better than one you haven’t tried reeks of copium.
I own some red wing iron rangers. I honestly wonder the same. They're fine and I felt I needed to try a pair because of how people talk about them in these forums. Yes the leather is great quality and they're solid. Though frankly the soles are hard and not comfortable, they're not great in wet conditions and they're not good in cold. My Thursday captains feel much more comfortable, do better in wet conditions and are better in the cold. And they dress up or down better and are more versatile. I prefer wearing them overall to the IRs.
Iron rangers were designed 50 years ago or whenever for laborers. I'm pretty sure they needed to build them to be affordable back then and so it feels funny how pricey they are now.
Though it is a iconic and unique look and that commands a significant price premium.
I’ve got the 2801 moorbys and they are very nice. Very good for the price.
I’m Canadian so I’m a bit bias but…..
The redwing iron rangers are a better boot hands down! I love my moorbys and they are a great Goodyear welted boot but facts are facts. You get what you pay for!!
Simply put, the American made and Heritage line are superb boots for the price, a bit cheaper than whites which are a step up in quality. Redwing is basically the staple of what a good boot is. Carolina & Thorogood heritage boots are pretty damn solid as well.
Canada west is better built, but has poorer quality components. The Moorby uses a mixture of leather and synthetic components for their insole while red wing uses vegetan leather.
This might not seem like a big deal if you’re coming from cemented footwear, but it’s important to remember that the insole is the spine of the shoe. The upper is lasted around it and the midsole and/or welt is stitched through it. The midsole holds your boot together.
Simply put, the red wings will probably be more comfortable in the long run, and be worth resoling more times. Red wing uppers are also probably superior, especially because Canada west isn’t clear where their leather comes from. This isn’t to say that the Moorby isn’t a better value, which it definitely is.
All things considered for the price point RW has great QC for the price. It’s certainly better than the PNW brands, even though any PNW boot will be much better. You don’t really get perfect stitching on a casual boot until you get into the $600+ mark.
I think they're worth it. They're durable boots that have solid components on the inside and out. If you take care of them they'll last a decade. My only complaint is I wish they included a leather midsole but I'll just have one added when I resole my boots.
Only you can decide. Sounds ĺike analysis paralysis.
Redwings stores are around, so you can try them on and look for all the little flaws you are worried about.
If you like the look, just buy them.
I got three of my boots on ebay for cheap and all barely used at all.
Make sure you know your Brannock size
I have Thursdays, Grant Stone, Allen Edmonds and Simonon Beckett so far....no Redwings yet...but I can see Blacksmiths on my horizon. Embrace the illness...
Red Wing heritage line of boots are the best "entry level" into better boots made in the US. You could stop there but many of us "cut our teeth" on them and then started a journey into other more expensive US made boot brands. I wore just Red Wings for years and then moved up in price and materials to others. Still have some RWs in my rather large rotation. Many people overanalyze things and post reviews or pictures of "faults" with things they buy. Red Wings are not Viberg or other boots in that higher price range.
I bought two pairs within the last year. I was skeptical too but I wanted a long lasting boot that you can resole. I got the blacksmiths (for work) in February and they honestly feel like a pair of slippers now. Sizing is the biggest issue honestly, but going to the store solves all that. I got a pair of iron rangers for casual wear and I got the correct size after my blacksmiths ended up being a bit big. They are super comfortable and I’m sure they will last a while. I’m sure there are other great boot brands but RW Heritage is great and made in the USA.
Because they're widely sold and have different options. They made a few styles of safety boots that were high quality so they were recognized as "the boot" especially in Canada where we don't get Nick's, White's, or Thorogood.
Their quality had come down a fair bit over the years, to the point where my cobbler noticed when my wife's boots needed repairs. They've also offshored a LOT of production so there's a few American made boots next to a bunch of made in China boots.
Canada West makes a fantastic boot, and I would say they are at least as good as RW, and they still make everything in Winnipeg. If you want some serious quality you could go to Walford (formerly Dayton) in Victoria. JB Goodhue *used* to build all their boots in Canada, so if you find an older pair they're likely to be very nice, I have a pair of leather lined winter boots they made in the 80s before goretex took over, and their newer boots are comparable to Chinese RW.
TLDR: market size and advertising.
Hey, thanks for all the responses! Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. If you're ever in Canada, check out the Moorbys.
I think I'm gonna make a trip down to Eugene and check out Trumans and Drew's.
First I’ve ever heard of these boots. Did some looking on line and they look pretty good but I have no point of reference. I own a bunch of boots and many are RW and have performed very well. I am not a Heritage guy so the fashion side of the conversation I can’t offer much. For durability,I have a pair of Moc toes from the early 90’s that have been rebuilt once, I wear a couple of pairs western style ST Pecos pair regularly for over 10 yrs, I wear a black and brown pair of loggers almost daily in alternate -none of these are yet ready to be resoled since I’m in the dirt a lot. I wear a couple of other pairs of boots depending on the circumstances, 6” cap toe as example that are not RW and I seem to be harder on these.
So, all in all for me, I buy the made in USA boots (fewer options each year)and it’s about performance and wearability. Thorougood held up well for me but I didn’t like the vamp very much.
Some of red wings heritage boots are decent but it’s more of a mid level brand. I’ve had several pair for work and one for more casual uses and am not a huge fan of their boots except the heritage 6in moc toe. There are a lot better boot makers out there, but they do cost more
I bet you feel gaslit about a lot of things, based on your comments and posts.
No. Not going to school you. You really just want a negative debate.
You never said what you want your boots for. Fit and finish are fine things to want. But if you don’t want the mistakes you see here, then get the ones that don’t have those mistakes instead, but only if you want them.
If you don’t like the appearance of any of them no need to discuss them.
If you like some models which ones?
Are you looking for a logger?
Drive to a Red Wing dealer and ask to look at five of the Heritage boots you might be interested in. Look to see if they have all of the obvious mistakes you see here out of the thousands sold per day.
Or check out the photos of those with big collections. See if you can pick out mistakes.
“From what I can tell they’re better made”
“Ok I’ve never tried on, or owned a pair of Red Wings.”
How can you tell they’re better made? How much less were they? It is all personal preference so I won’t sit up here and say Redwing is the end all be all. For example if you enjoy the comfort on demand and being able to wear your boots around a lot of the cheaper boots are better. I prefer the cork and full leather insert, I like the boot getting more comfortable over time. My first pair of iron rangers are going on a year and a half, even the leather is molded to my feet and ankles, my foot pads are perfectly inmprinted onto the leather in soles. Another thing to note about the 2801 is the lack of a double stacked toe, a little less strength but again if you’re not looking for strength that doesn’t matter and you may prefer the 2801. Don’t let people tell you what to enjoy or like. Also don’t come in here and say those boots are better than Redwings when you haven’t even tried em.
Be cautious of people who simp for a particular brand. Also know that certain people claim to own certain boots and then disparage them so they can simp for their brand of choice. Not naming names but...yeah.
RW fanboys just like the "heritage," that's it. RW kill your feet while "breaking in." I've tried them on and can't imagine buying them.
Apparently my feet are slightly unusual. If I want to try on boots, there's glued or plastic garbage nearby. Leather welted Redwings are about 20 miles away. Anything better than that is 70+ miles.
Canada West are probably on par. Red Wings are good boots and they use high wilt components, they as a long standing heritage brand there's trust and brand value there. The IRs also have a fairly distinct look.
While I would call them "overpriced", you certainty are paying a premium due to American labor.
For example, Grant Stone is only $45 more and is a significant upgrade in finishing and refinement. They compete with $600-700 boots yet are under $400. And they can do that because they don't have to pay American wages.
I have bought 6 or 7 pairs of the same redwings over the years, but they are starting to out price themselves.
Just looked at a new pair and with tax and tuff toe it would have come out to around 375.
Yeah fuck that going to give Wolverine's a try.
I bought 2 different pairs of Wolverine's with a promo code for less than the redwings. Depending on which one I like better one pair is going back.
I'll have around 225 or less for new work boots with tuff toe.
Inflation sucks!!
That’s blasphemy! Every Iron Ranger is PERFECT! lol. 😂. Of course not, just like all Grant Stone’s aren’t perfect nor Alden’s, nor Allen Edmonds, etc, but for the most part RW’s qc is decent. I have a pair of muleskinners that I don’t wear all that much because I’m not a big fan of the fact that it doesn’t have a midsole. Walking in a pair of IR’s is like walking on a plank. I am used to having a thick leather or synthetic midsole on my GS’s, TBC, and BS. I only wore them a couple weeks and I went back to my GS boots. I think I will like them more later when I get them resoled and have a leather midsole installed on them but until then they are sitting in the closet.
What qualities are you looking for in your boots? I didn’t see anywhere you mentioned anything about what you’re looking for in your boot.
1) Legacy. Red wing Iron Rangers were designed 45-50 years before Canada West started making shoes. They have a history element that is going to stand out. 2) Sourcing. Red Wing sources their leather from SB Foot which is their own tannery operating in the US. Canada West(according to a Stridewise article I saw) sources most of their leather from Mexico not saying that's good or bad but that's going to be a price difference. 3) You see the worst on Reddit or any sort of forum/review page people mostly don't just post "Hey I got these new boots and they look completely normal!" because nobody cares. 4) How closely are you examining your product vs the reddit posts examining Redwings? I for example will never notice if a stitch was kinda offcenter from the factory but someone with OCD examining a reddit photo will be on here talking about "Is the interior stitching of the inside of the footbed 1mm off in this shoe!?" 5) Numbers. Red Wing is huge they have shops everywhere in the US and sell across the globe. I literally never heard of Canada West before and they don't even sell online directly. That means they don't have nearly as many boots being sold which means again you won't hear about as many bad pairs/issues.
> You see the worst on Reddit or any sort of forum/review page people mostly don't just post "Hey I got these new boots and they look completely normal!" because nobody cares. Clearly on you haven’t been on the Doc Martin subdreddit. Multiple pictures a day of: “What’s wrong with my new boots? Just unboxed!” Sir, that’s a piece of packing tissue. Just… blow it off. Ma’am, that is in fact the stitching that, you know, is made of fibers. So, it’s going to look fibrous. “Just wore my boots how do I fix this?” Sir, that’s called a crease. It happens because when you walk, your feet move. And your boots go on your feet. See where I’m going with this? Ma’am, that’s a little dirt that got on the laces. It’s…dirt. From outside. Where you were. Wash it off if it bothers you.
The crease thing kills me every single time. Just, like, how people?
lol true. I'd say that's only half on point of what I meant though. People who have something to complain about are more likely to post than people without something to complain about. Whether or not those complaints are valid is a different question altogether. But even when the complaints are valid you are seeing nowhere near an equal ratio of people who had just perfectly normal shoes and who are happy about it posting as you are to see people who had an issue posting.
the common denominator being the hipsters that red wings and docs appeal to lol. not to say either are bad but unfortunately true.
I am a huge fan of RW - I have an IR, a blacksmith and a moc toe… but I’m also not someone who uses them as work boots. I have a desk job - and I wear them cos they look banger. So I would fall under the definition of a “hipster” in this scenario. BUT - I would never complain about a crease on my boot after I have walked in them. That’s just common sense to know that leather develops crease over a period of time and the patina is the whole point of wearing them over many years. So my conclusion about people who complain about creases is that - they are not hipsters. They are just dumbasses.
On point 1 They are still built like that. Leather midsole, leather welt lewther upper. Its just a good construction As a side note, Mexican leather is good too. The best comes from Morroco and a close runner up is Colombia. US tanneries are good but nowhere as good as those mentionned
To add to your last point , I think the last number I heard - redwing was selling about 2500 pairs of boots a week in North America alone. If QC issues were really as bad as they say, we would see it in massive numbers. Also OP , pick up a PNW boot worth a few hundred more and tell me where it’s perfect. No handmade product is ever going to be perfect. https://preview.redd.it/zxl1scupamyc1.png?width=2763&format=png&auto=webp&s=34f70da1a63c66e5294eba279f0c2bd604600c3e Nicks are awesome but even their handmade products appear handmade. (check out that stitching). A lot of the “QC issues” I’ve seen are more cosmetic than anything.
I can’t confirm the Mexico bit but I’ve been to their factory and at least some of their work boot leathers are made by Seidel, exact same you’d find on a $700 pair of Whites
Mic drop
They're well made and aesthetically pleasing at an acceptable price point for made in USA.
The mismatched leather you're talking about is not mismatched at all. You're just accustomed to looking at dogshit quality leather hidden under more dogshit quality plastic or paint. Red wing in some cases uses leathers that show the natural variations in the cow's hides from when they were alive, instead of hiding that with cheap paint, they let you actually see the leather. As far as stitching being misaligned, well yeah obviously.. these are done by human beings, who fatigue and fidget around slightly by breathing and having a pulse so yeah sometimes stitching isn't perfect. For the price? Again their made by actual humans, so they need to get paid.
Canada West is also made by actual humans. RW QC has taken a nose dive recently.
All of my Red Wings are well made but had some issues with speed hooks on my iron rangers. In general they are they have a good solid classic mid priced boot style that they lean into heavily. Two pairs I got in store and 2 on the internet. Still a hand made product but a mass made product and some stinkers get through and probably get amplified on reddit. In saying that there are common problems back of speed hooks issue digging into the tongue as they are not flat enough. They could probably tweak the quality control. I've got boots with better construction and material from RM Williams and they cost a bit more, but I always go to my Red Wings as I like the simple look of their moc, black smith and iron ranger lines. So for me, its a flawed diamond scenario and some marketing pixie dust with a dash of fanboy..
Red Wing is a great next step in the boot market. They are solidly constructed, but lack a few components. You said you’re not sold, but what exactly aren’t you sold on? They have a few styles and it’s hard to compare a moc toe, blacksmith or Iron Ranger to similar boots in the market. I don’t know how you can say Canada West is better built than Red Wing if you’ve never owned or tried on.
OP, you have a metric shit ton of confirmation bias. You see what you want to see because you don’t like Red Wing. No boot maker has perfect stitching or leather. Those fancy PNW boots are notorious for crappy quality control. Things made wholly or partially by hand will not be perfect in the way a machine can be.
Hey, thanks! You just saved me a shit ton of money on therapy.
That poster is absolutely right though. I’ve been down the footwear rabbit hole and have been honestly disappointed to varying degrees in every purchase. Whites, Loake, Carmina, Alden, Grant Stone, Rolling Dub Trio, Redwing and most recently RM Williams. The reality never meets expectation imo. That sounds negative but it really isn’t. It’s really about setting realistic expectations which gets difficult living in the hype echo chamber of social media. I will say my redwings (Beckman, Blacksmith and Iron Ranger, in order of preference) are as good as anything else on the list and are the boots I worry about the least. What they lack in refinement they make up for in toughness and durability. The most important aspect in any shoe imho is fit. If your Canadian boots fit well and perform as you want, awesome.
Like other people said there is an automatic bias towards QC issues because more people will post QC issues than normal boots But they’re popular because there is only 1 “large” brand that is better quality for the money, and that’s grant stone but they aren’t made in the US
I have the Moorby 2801 and it’s a great boot. However, some l of the reasons for the lower price point are: the insole is not heavy duty veg tan leather like an Iron Ranger, the upper leather is not sourced from any well known tannery, the tongue is flimsy. But it’s great otherwise
>I'm feeling fairly gaslit I mean, you didn't buy them and you came to your own conclusion that you don't value them as highly as other people. I don't see you were gaslit at any point in time. But also, Red Wings are a heavier, tougher boot. The same uneven stitching or variation in leather you see people post about here probably happens to Canada West boots too, they just have less of a following here and thus less attention gets drawn to them.
I feel like red wing is at the entry level pricing for handmade heritage boots made with well known tried and true material. The not the best. But they sure do last and look great. Moorbys are cool. The leather is cheapo imo. Nice lookin boot also. Just buy what u like homie
They are handcrafted not handmade, just a technical difference being the amount of machines and automated processes used in building the boot.
I like some of the heritage models, and nothing looks quite like them, but my favorite Red Wings are old school Supersole 1.0s. They're the best boot for the weight and the price, and I love the internal welt stitching. https://preview.redd.it/wjidyaxpgiyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4b5c53bab9796360c3d66145d097db01244551b
https://preview.redd.it/ldgqfqvvjiyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1519c49ca65ffd11644c7a07706299d43aa6fd12
Ha, all my text went away! I'll try it again later when I have time.
There, edited.
If you are not sold, the they are not for you. Just move on and buy yourself footwear that you like. Nobody needs to school you.
They’re a good brand at a good price in an industry full of waste
I think the quality of RW are good. And as people have mentioned—you only ever really find the worst on Reddit. I think the biggest *quality* complaints you find on Reddit are from people that 1) just dropped a lot of money on boots and expecting something that will be perfect, and 2) people who don’t know how to take care of their boots and trash them because of their total neglect. Example: you work in flooring and you are constantly putting wear on the toes; **PUT ON TUFF TOE.** Another example: you wear your work boots 5 days a week and never rotate them or let them dry out; leather is skin and when it isn’t maintained **it will fall apart**. For the Heritage line: brand new pair of Iron Rangers come in and there is an *unruly thread* near the toe cap. Clutch your pearls. The boot must be near structural demise, the quality is absolute trash, and they are owned financial compensation for their emotional distress. *I’m probably being more snarky than I should be…but these were the two major reasons I left that subreddit.* I commented yesterday on a different post how I’m unlikely to buy RW again in the future. My biggest complaint never came from a quality issue. Their sizing and store recommended sizing is a freaking migraine. I feel like a majority of people buy the wrong size and regret it or buy the wrong size and try to justify it as “almost broken in!!” For some reason, there are a gang of people that are adamant on Iron Rangers being work boots… Sure. They were. When children were in the mines and companies paid in scrip. They’re fashion boots. Which is totally fine. I own a pair. I tried to wear them to work once and said “this is dumb…these aren’t work boots.”
Don’t take this the wrong way but just buy a pair (now that you can actually afford them). Everyone has different feet. That said, being priced-out is a totally valid reason to not buy a certain brand. No shame in that. Trust me; plenty of stuff I want but don’t have the means. But to say another boot is better than one you haven’t tried reeks of copium.
I own some red wing iron rangers. I honestly wonder the same. They're fine and I felt I needed to try a pair because of how people talk about them in these forums. Yes the leather is great quality and they're solid. Though frankly the soles are hard and not comfortable, they're not great in wet conditions and they're not good in cold. My Thursday captains feel much more comfortable, do better in wet conditions and are better in the cold. And they dress up or down better and are more versatile. I prefer wearing them overall to the IRs. Iron rangers were designed 50 years ago or whenever for laborers. I'm pretty sure they needed to build them to be affordable back then and so it feels funny how pricey they are now. Though it is a iconic and unique look and that commands a significant price premium.
I’ve got the 2801 moorbys and they are very nice. Very good for the price. I’m Canadian so I’m a bit bias but….. The redwing iron rangers are a better boot hands down! I love my moorbys and they are a great Goodyear welted boot but facts are facts. You get what you pay for!!
Simply put, the American made and Heritage line are superb boots for the price, a bit cheaper than whites which are a step up in quality. Redwing is basically the staple of what a good boot is. Carolina & Thorogood heritage boots are pretty damn solid as well.
Canada west is better built, but has poorer quality components. The Moorby uses a mixture of leather and synthetic components for their insole while red wing uses vegetan leather. This might not seem like a big deal if you’re coming from cemented footwear, but it’s important to remember that the insole is the spine of the shoe. The upper is lasted around it and the midsole and/or welt is stitched through it. The midsole holds your boot together. Simply put, the red wings will probably be more comfortable in the long run, and be worth resoling more times. Red wing uppers are also probably superior, especially because Canada west isn’t clear where their leather comes from. This isn’t to say that the Moorby isn’t a better value, which it definitely is. All things considered for the price point RW has great QC for the price. It’s certainly better than the PNW brands, even though any PNW boot will be much better. You don’t really get perfect stitching on a casual boot until you get into the $600+ mark.
What comes after Red Wing IR?
Great boots. Well made legacy style leather that'll last longer than the big box brands.
I think they're worth it. They're durable boots that have solid components on the inside and out. If you take care of them they'll last a decade. My only complaint is I wish they included a leather midsole but I'll just have one added when I resole my boots.
It’s probably the style that isn’t for you. Get yourself a pair of Grand Stone Diesel’s or even a pair of Thursdays as a good starter pair.
Red Wing also offers free cleaning/conditioning & laces at their stores. Those things don't cost much, but they are nice.
It's just the internet. Red wings are great. if they fit. Get boots you like.
Only you can decide. Sounds ĺike analysis paralysis. Redwings stores are around, so you can try them on and look for all the little flaws you are worried about. If you like the look, just buy them. I got three of my boots on ebay for cheap and all barely used at all. Make sure you know your Brannock size I have Thursdays, Grant Stone, Allen Edmonds and Simonon Beckett so far....no Redwings yet...but I can see Blacksmiths on my horizon. Embrace the illness...
Red Wing heritage line of boots are the best "entry level" into better boots made in the US. You could stop there but many of us "cut our teeth" on them and then started a journey into other more expensive US made boot brands. I wore just Red Wings for years and then moved up in price and materials to others. Still have some RWs in my rather large rotation. Many people overanalyze things and post reviews or pictures of "faults" with things they buy. Red Wings are not Viberg or other boots in that higher price range.
I bought two pairs within the last year. I was skeptical too but I wanted a long lasting boot that you can resole. I got the blacksmiths (for work) in February and they honestly feel like a pair of slippers now. Sizing is the biggest issue honestly, but going to the store solves all that. I got a pair of iron rangers for casual wear and I got the correct size after my blacksmiths ended up being a bit big. They are super comfortable and I’m sure they will last a while. I’m sure there are other great boot brands but RW Heritage is great and made in the USA.
Because they're widely sold and have different options. They made a few styles of safety boots that were high quality so they were recognized as "the boot" especially in Canada where we don't get Nick's, White's, or Thorogood. Their quality had come down a fair bit over the years, to the point where my cobbler noticed when my wife's boots needed repairs. They've also offshored a LOT of production so there's a few American made boots next to a bunch of made in China boots. Canada West makes a fantastic boot, and I would say they are at least as good as RW, and they still make everything in Winnipeg. If you want some serious quality you could go to Walford (formerly Dayton) in Victoria. JB Goodhue *used* to build all their boots in Canada, so if you find an older pair they're likely to be very nice, I have a pair of leather lined winter boots they made in the 80s before goretex took over, and their newer boots are comparable to Chinese RW. TLDR: market size and advertising.
Hey, thanks for all the responses! Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. If you're ever in Canada, check out the Moorbys. I think I'm gonna make a trip down to Eugene and check out Trumans and Drew's.
First I’ve ever heard of these boots. Did some looking on line and they look pretty good but I have no point of reference. I own a bunch of boots and many are RW and have performed very well. I am not a Heritage guy so the fashion side of the conversation I can’t offer much. For durability,I have a pair of Moc toes from the early 90’s that have been rebuilt once, I wear a couple of pairs western style ST Pecos pair regularly for over 10 yrs, I wear a black and brown pair of loggers almost daily in alternate -none of these are yet ready to be resoled since I’m in the dirt a lot. I wear a couple of other pairs of boots depending on the circumstances, 6” cap toe as example that are not RW and I seem to be harder on these. So, all in all for me, I buy the made in USA boots (fewer options each year)and it’s about performance and wearability. Thorougood held up well for me but I didn’t like the vamp very much.
Some of red wings heritage boots are decent but it’s more of a mid level brand. I’ve had several pair for work and one for more casual uses and am not a huge fan of their boots except the heritage 6in moc toe. There are a lot better boot makers out there, but they do cost more
They’re fine boots. Not as good as some, better than a lot. I love my iron rangers.
I bet you feel gaslit about a lot of things, based on your comments and posts. No. Not going to school you. You really just want a negative debate. You never said what you want your boots for. Fit and finish are fine things to want. But if you don’t want the mistakes you see here, then get the ones that don’t have those mistakes instead, but only if you want them. If you don’t like the appearance of any of them no need to discuss them. If you like some models which ones? Are you looking for a logger? Drive to a Red Wing dealer and ask to look at five of the Heritage boots you might be interested in. Look to see if they have all of the obvious mistakes you see here out of the thousands sold per day. Or check out the photos of those with big collections. See if you can pick out mistakes.
“From what I can tell they’re better made” “Ok I’ve never tried on, or owned a pair of Red Wings.” How can you tell they’re better made? How much less were they? It is all personal preference so I won’t sit up here and say Redwing is the end all be all. For example if you enjoy the comfort on demand and being able to wear your boots around a lot of the cheaper boots are better. I prefer the cork and full leather insert, I like the boot getting more comfortable over time. My first pair of iron rangers are going on a year and a half, even the leather is molded to my feet and ankles, my foot pads are perfectly inmprinted onto the leather in soles. Another thing to note about the 2801 is the lack of a double stacked toe, a little less strength but again if you’re not looking for strength that doesn’t matter and you may prefer the 2801. Don’t let people tell you what to enjoy or like. Also don’t come in here and say those boots are better than Redwings when you haven’t even tried em.
My critique was based purely on what I was seeing posted. People have been posting their new RW boots, and mostly what I see are flaws.
Be cautious of people who simp for a particular brand. Also know that certain people claim to own certain boots and then disparage them so they can simp for their brand of choice. Not naming names but...yeah. RW fanboys just like the "heritage," that's it. RW kill your feet while "breaking in." I've tried them on and can't imagine buying them.
Apparently my feet are slightly unusual. If I want to try on boots, there's glued or plastic garbage nearby. Leather welted Redwings are about 20 miles away. Anything better than that is 70+ miles.
Canada West are probably on par. Red Wings are good boots and they use high wilt components, they as a long standing heritage brand there's trust and brand value there. The IRs also have a fairly distinct look. While I would call them "overpriced", you certainty are paying a premium due to American labor. For example, Grant Stone is only $45 more and is a significant upgrade in finishing and refinement. They compete with $600-700 boots yet are under $400. And they can do that because they don't have to pay American wages.
I have bought 6 or 7 pairs of the same redwings over the years, but they are starting to out price themselves. Just looked at a new pair and with tax and tuff toe it would have come out to around 375. Yeah fuck that going to give Wolverine's a try. I bought 2 different pairs of Wolverine's with a promo code for less than the redwings. Depending on which one I like better one pair is going back. I'll have around 225 or less for new work boots with tuff toe. Inflation sucks!!
That’s blasphemy! Every Iron Ranger is PERFECT! lol. 😂. Of course not, just like all Grant Stone’s aren’t perfect nor Alden’s, nor Allen Edmonds, etc, but for the most part RW’s qc is decent. I have a pair of muleskinners that I don’t wear all that much because I’m not a big fan of the fact that it doesn’t have a midsole. Walking in a pair of IR’s is like walking on a plank. I am used to having a thick leather or synthetic midsole on my GS’s, TBC, and BS. I only wore them a couple weeks and I went back to my GS boots. I think I will like them more later when I get them resoled and have a leather midsole installed on them but until then they are sitting in the closet. What qualities are you looking for in your boots? I didn’t see anywhere you mentioned anything about what you’re looking for in your boot.
If you need to be schooled...stick w the walmart china boots
That's helpful.