Red Wing Shoes Heritage Iron Ranger

Here’s the full test of the Iron Ranger boots from the American brand Red Wing, which I mentioned in our list of original gifts for bikers. Always on the lookout for stylish, practical and durable products, I bought my pair of Red Wing boots in 2015.

So now I’m in a position to give an informed opinion and see if they’re worth the price.

And at the end of this article, I’ll give you all the tips you need to make your shoes fit your feet and care for them so they last a lifetime.

Introduction: a little history

Red Wing Shoes was founded in 1905 by Charles Beckman in the town of Red Wing, Minnesota, USA.

The founder, a shoemaker by trade, decided to set up a factory on Main Street with 14 co-investors. Their aim was to produce quality footwear for the workers of the day – farmers, labourers, miners, etc. – who needed hard-wearing but sturdy footwear to protect them in their daily lives.

So it was a natural progression for Red Wing to combine the best materials, including leather, buckles and laces, for a secure fit.

We won’t go into all the details and the historical development of the brand. If you are interested, you can read more -> here <-

Red Wing nowadays 

100 years later, the brand is still in the hands of its descendants and still produces a wide range of shoes for professionals.

However, aware of its historical heritage and the neo-retro trend that has been booming for the last twenty years or so, the brand has also decided to continue selling its historical models in the Heritage range:

  • Beckman
  • Blacksmith
  • Classic Chelsea
  • Classic Moc
  • Iron Ranger
  • Weekender Chelsea
  • Weekender Chukka
  • Work Chukka

Red Wing also has models for women. Either with a specific design, such as the Clara, which has a more feminine look with a heel.

I’m determined to continue my quest for stylish yet functional and durable items, which I started with the Belstaff Brooklands Jacket.

And I’m continuing with another legendary brand that is becoming increasingly popular with both men and women riders. And it’s the Iron Ranger model, in oxblood or burgundy, that I’m going to focus on here.

After almost 10 years of continuous use with the same pair, I can answer the question about their durability 😉

Are they worth the price? Are they durable? Comfortable? Safe enough for bikers?

Let’s kick off my full review.


Specs of the Iron Ranger

  • Sole: Vibram® 430 Mini-lug
  • Construction: Goodyear leather
  • Last: 8
  • Leather type: Nubuck, oiled and waxed
  • Hardware: Nickel eyelets and hooks
  • Upper: steel
  • Resoleable: yes

To be noted also that Red Wing offers two type of fit: a regular and a wider fit.


The look

This is undoubtedly their strong point. Not only do these boots boast a magnificent look, they’re also impeccably finished: excellent leather, stitched vibram soles, nickel eyelets,

The level of detail/design is top notch.

Of course, this comes at a price.

With a price tag of CHF 380/380€/350$, that’s quite a budget. But given the level of detail, and the durability, I think it’s worth it.

And a quick look at my photo gallery below should clear up any doubts about that.

red wing shoes review

But is it enough to look good on your bike? Don’t the needs of motorcyclists go beyond mere aesthetics?

The question for 1Mio is whether brands such as Red Wing, which certainly produce clothing with an undeniable look, also meet technical requirements: waterproofing, breathability/insulation, etc.?

Isn’t it a contradiction in terms? I’ve already tried to answer this question in my detailed review of the Shoei Glamster helmet.


In use

Safety 

So before I start, I’d like to make it clear that these are not special shoes for motorcycling.

They have no special approvals (e.g. CE, D30, A-AAA, etc.). They have no ankle reinforcements or Kevlar inserts.

But given the thickness and quality of the leather, I think you’ll have no problem wearing them for short to medium-long rides out.

What’s more, when you compare them to models with a motorbike label that you can find in chain stores, which we won’t name, you might be tempted to think that our Red Wings are much better made 🙂

But it’s clear that if you’re looking for safety above all else, and you want shoes that will protect you off-road or on long rides, you might be tempted to turn to other types of shoes.

However, it’s not certain that you’ll be able to find such stylish styles that you can wear on the bike as well as in everyday life.


Comfort: insulation, breathability and waterproofing

These are leather shoes, and leather has its advantages and disadvantages.

First of all, once formed, these boots will have the comfort of a pair of slippers.

It takes a little time at first, but if you follow my advice (below), you’ll be able to speed up the process and keep blisters to a minimum 🙂

Secondly, it’s naturally waterproof... up to a point. Clearly, these Red Wings won’t keep your feet dry if you ride for 3 hours in pouring rain. But they’ll stand up to a shower without a problem.

In terms of insulation and breathability, leather also has breathable properties. Much more so than synthetics.

The same goes for warmth/insulation from the cold.

But to maximise comfort, even in summer, I recommend that you wear pure wool socks.

Different thicknesses depending on the season, of course. Wool is inherently anti-odour and thermo-regulating.

I also recommend that you put insulating insoles in your shoes.

These are insoles that you can find anywhere in the shops. They’re made of aluminium, to insulate against the cold coming from the ground, and wool on top, for its anti-bacterial/odour and thermo-regulating properties.

With this, comfort should be even better!


Durability

I bought my pair in 2015. And almost a decade later, they are still immaculate. What’s more, their timeless look means they haven’t aged a day.

Admittedly, I don’t use them every day because I have boots dedicated to motorcycling.

But I wear them also when I’m not on the bike, because they have a style that goes perfectly with jeans, but also with more formal trousers like chinos.

You can even wear them to work. That is, if you don’t have to wear a suit.

In 2024 I also had them resoled. Not that I had sanded down the original sole.

But I wanted a sole with more grip for greater safety when I wear them in winter.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

red wing shoes review


I also maintain them regularly (more on that below).

But you’ll see that these boots have developed a patina over time, making them unique pieces that reflect my lifestyle and bear the scars of the adventures they’ve had.

And that’s the whole point of buying quality products that will last and write a page in your history.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

red wing shoes review

A slightly romantic vision? Well, maybe. But in the age of fast fashion, it’s a good thing, isn’t it?

And if you divide the purchase price by the number of years you’ve worn them, they become (almost) cheap.

When you know that a pair of trainers can easily cost between 150 and 200 quids, and that you’ll have to throw them away as soon as there’s a hole or the sole is worn out. On top of that, they’re mass-produced under sometimes dubious social/environmental conditions.

Which puts the price of these Iron Rangers into perspective… I think.


Maintenance 

Finally, I’m going to give you all the tips you need to get your boots into shape when they come out of the box and, above all, to look after them so that they last a long time.

First of all, when you unpack your boots, you’ll notice how thick the leather is and how stiff it is to begin with.

So at first, maybe avoid wearing them for a 20km hike 🙂

How to get them into shape? 

First of all, you’re going to use neatsfoot oil, which we talked about in our tips for looking after your leather motorbike gloves.

This oil, used by cowboys to maintain their saddles, has nourishing and softening properties for leather.

So, using a cloth, smear your boots with this oil. Then wear them for 30 mins at first, then 45 mins, then 1 hour, and so on.

To ensure that the oil penetrates the leather properly, place your boots next to a source of heat, typically a radiator, at a distance of 80 to 100cm.

If you put them too close, the heat from the radiator will dry out the leather and you’ll end up back where you started.

But you’ll see that with this method, you should already see the first effects after 5-7 days, and the shoes will become more comfortable.

And after around 2 weeks, they’ll be perfectly shaped to your feet and the comfort will be unrivalled.

red wing shoes review


Care for your Red Wings

Leather is a living material. And if you don’t look after it, it’ll crack at first, and then crack and tear.

After that, depending on how you use it and how obsessive you are ;-), i.e. if you like your shoes to be impeccable all the time, you’ll need to treat them more or less regularly.

However, these shoes were originally designed for workers/miners. So they’re hard-wearing, and I doubt they got a polish every night when they came home from the factory 🙂

But regular care will be necessary if you want your boots to last you a long time.

What’s more, if you wear them in winter, the salt is corrosive, so it will attack the leather as well as the stitching.

A wipe with a damp cloth to remove it, at least once a week, is more than recommended.


Regular care

For regular care of your boots, I recommend products from the renowned French Saphir brand, renowned among the best shoemakers and recommended by serious brands.

They have a colourless cleaning and nourishing cream that will take care of the leather’s properties, including its elasticity.

  1. Apply a coat using a cloth, and don’t hesitate to remove the laces to treat the tongue too.
  2. Leave the leather to soak up the cream for 5-10 minutes,
  3. Then use a brush to remove any residue and give the leather a shine.

That’s all and your shoes will be as good as new.

red wing iron ranger boots | Cruizador Product Review | Test Produit

Storage

When you’re not wearing your shoes, I can only recommend that you use shoe trees for your boots, preferably made of cedar wood.

It’s an investment of around 40 quid, but it will pay for itself over the lifetime of your boots, which will thank you over time 🙂

The shoe tree will keep your boots in great shape over the years.

The cedar wood will absorb moisture/sweat and neutralise unpleasant odours.

Practical, isn’t it?

red wing shoes review


Periodic maintenance

Do this once a month/depending on use, but always before storing them for a long period.

To give them a new youth, you can apply Saphir surfine cream from time to time.

This will restore the colour’s radiance. It will also erase the marks left by the selector on the left shoe.

Apply the cream in the same way as for regular treatment.

Note that Saphir offers 84 different shades of shoe polish. So you’re bound to find the right colour for you 😉

red wing shoes review

And if the conditions call for it, you can also waterproof them.

I recommend the spray from Famaco Paris. Its main advantage is that as well as waterproofing, it doesn’t leave any white stains or residue on the shoes.

red wing iron ranger boots | Cruizador Product Review | Test Produit

red wing shoes review


Final thoughts 

So much for my detailed review of Red Wing’s Iron Ranger boots.

If you’re looking for quality footwear that lasts over time, that you can use for gentleman-rider motorcycling, and that you can write a long story with, you should find what you’re looking for.

What’s more, Red Wing offers a range of different styles, so if the Iron Ranger doesn’t suit you, you can turn to another model in the Heritage line.

Now, if you’re looking for a shoe that’s resolutely motorcycle-oriented, with safety inserts, and more waterproof properties – GoreTex style – then you should probably look elsewhere.

But then again, the cruiser/caféracer-type shoes from some of the big brands available from Louis/Polo Moto won’t be as stylistically accomplished.

And in terms of safety, if I took a closer look at the leather, I wouldn’t bet on my feet being better protected in the event of an accident.

But that’s just my opinion 🙂

See you soon for a new article, and thanks for your interest.

Ride on!


Picture gallery

And finally, check out the image gallery. Click on the images to enlarge.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

red wing shoes review

Cruizador

Hey, I'm the founder and Chief Biker Officer of Cruizador. I've been a motorcyclist and travel enthusiast for a long time, and it was in 2018 that I decided to launch this new service, hoping that it would speak to as many bikers as possible who share the same philosophy and the same thirst for the great outdoors. I'd be delighted to take note of your comments, ideas for improvement, etc. Ride on!

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