Ranking my RED WING BOOTS Collection from WORST to BEST

I'm ranking my Red Wing boots collection from worst to best, or from my least favorite to my most favorite. I'm comparing the Red Wing Iron Ranger, Blacksmith, Classic Moc Toe, Sawmill, and the Classic Chelsea.

Over the years, I've started a Red Wing boots collection, including five of the brands most popular heritage boots.

I wear some much more often than others, and I have a few clear favorites.

If you're thinking about getting a pair of Red Wings, make sure you watch this video to the end, because I'm putting my collection in order of worst to best. If you're looking for the best Red Wing boots, I've got your list here.

0:00 Intro
0:21 Best Red Wing Boots Overview
1:15 Red Wing Classic Chelsea
3:04 Red Wing Classic Moc toe
4:45 Red Wing Blacksmith
5:45 Red Wing Sawmill
8:25 Red Wing Iron Ranger

#RedWing #IronRangers #BestRedWingBoots

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[thesharpercoder]

I am glad to see you like the Sawmill. Those and the Blacksmith in Briar Oil Slick Leather are my two favorites, followed by Iron Rangers in Hawthorne, and then the Amber Harness .

The wool insole kept slipping around on me whenever I took the boot on and off. So, I replaced the wool insert with a very thin leather one, the Pedag “Royal” insole. I now use this insole in all my Red Wings. I measure 14D, but order Red Wing Heritage as 13D. I order those insoles my actual size 14D.

I guess you are saving it for your review. The Briar Oil Slick leather is far and away m favorite. It has the easiest break-in, and they looks GREAT in the sunshine.

[adamp]

Blacksmiths for life! I prefer the subdued hardware on the Blacksmith vs the bling on the IR. Also, the opening never feels snug on the IR. I still really like my IRs, but I only bought them because I wanted Hawthorne Muleskinner.

[jamestsang]

Hello! I am from Hong Kong.
Yes, RW 8111 is indeed a very iconic boot. I often wear it with my jeans. It is really stylish and classic .I also have engineer boots 9268, It is so heavy!! Great video!

[ozarkscarguy]

I really wanted the sawmill because I work at a sawmill. However I can't wear insulated boots even in winter. I guess I'll get the roughneck

[terrancefitzgerald]

I love my alden 405’s. After my plantar fasciitis flared up again after 13 years, I broke out my Aldens, which I keep for special occasions, & it started healing immediately.

So, I wanted to find a comparable boot that I could use for daily wear, at a much lower price point, so I don’t ruin my Aldens.

After much research, including your previous videos, I chose the redwing blacksmith in copper rough & tough.

They should arrive in a couple days. I look forward to wearing them. Hopefully they help my heel finish healing.

Thank you for the videos!

[MarcP]

A great alternative to the Sawmill non insulated is the 202 in the work line with the Supersole. And the best part it’s $235 minus a union discount.

[ybiz]

I love my Sawmills so much, I bought them right before the pandemic and I notice they don't make them anymore. He's right, they're a winter boot. They even come with wool inserts.

[paulhopkins]

I have a pair of Iron Rangers, and will be getting a pair of Roughnecks next. I'll be dropping them off at a cobbler to replace they eyes for speed hooks before I even wear them

[dmitryisaev]

Have Iron Ranger in this color. The huge disadvantage is that it has no amortization at all. I hurt my knee badly, never had issues with my knee. So, put good insoles to hopefully prevent it from happening.

[silentbutdadly]

I just got a pair of beckmans for work, I have the rough out sawmills for years and they have held up great. I went to order another pair and idk if they stopped making them or what but it won’t allow me to order them

[jamesschleich]

Just recently bought Sawmill, and earlier this year bought a pair of Iron Ranger. My only two pairs of Red Wings, and I love them! I can't wait to break in the Sawmill this winter. Great analysis!

[jquill]

The blacksmith is a great all round boot imo if you just want a casual boot that can scrub up well for nights out and the office. A bit more versatile and not as outdoorsy as the IR.

[tiburon]

I was undecided between the moc toe and Blacksmith so I went with the moc toe first but I will definitely also pick up the Blacksmith and just alternate between the two every other day

[athenicgriffin]

I’m looking to get the copper rough and rough, but I’m not sure about the briar. Could someone let me know what they prefer? I like them both but I’m not sure what the differences are between the two

[cjk]

I can't argue with you on the Iron Ranger in Amber Harness - they were my first Red Wings. I also have them in black and Ebony Harness. I do have to disagree with you on the Moc Toe, however - they're such a great, iconic boot and my first pair of those were the Navy Portage. I'm still trying to figure out all the hate on the Chelseas a lot of people have, though. I'm very happy with them, so I must be the odd man out. Great video, even if we don't agree on everything, sir. :-)

[THUGRR]

I’m glad a lot of people love the iron ranger makes me feel unique when wearing my Blacksmith boots 🤣

[mattsmartialartsmadness]

I’ve had the Iron Ranger 8111, Blacksmith 3340, Roughneck 8146, and the 606 from the work line. Personally I would rank them as such: 4th Roughneck as the last shape didn’t fit my foot properly, 3rd 606 as the double layer sole was too squishy and made my knees hurt after walking around in them, 2nd Iron Ranger because the exposed stitches in the counter was murder on my heel when I was breaking them in, and 1st the Blacksmith as they were the most comfortable, well fitted, and easiest to break in.

[paulsnell]

I have the 8863 moc in Slate Muleskinner, IR 8084 black harness, and a pair of Wingshooters. The Iron Ranger is my fave and the black harness leather breaks in very quickly. Next the 8863 - but I agree they could use a few speed hooks. I may have a cobbler install some. The Wingshooter is super for winter. They are all terrific, each with their own niche.

[mparker]

If you get longer laces and then tie the ends at the knot you can have your boot open when you put your foot in and you just have to pull center top and then do your time that's it's faster than speed lace shoes in my opinion I wish my iron Rangers had eyelid holes instead of speed lace

[jansing]

I agree that the iron ranger is one of the best shoes red wing produce, but don't forget the beckman boot....the 9060 in black klondike is awesome and you can wear them also as a dress boot.