Red Wing Boots?

[MonBK]

Are you going diving Bas?

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Yep, when it comes to leather it's best to always give the leather a day off due to moisture.

Use some shoe trees. If it doesn't actually help with moisture it does help with maintaining the shape of the shoe or boot and keeping the shoe or boot fresher. I usually put the trees in after about 1/2 hour or hour after taking them off.

Put the shoe trees on as soon as you get them off, the cedar will take care of moisture & keep them well

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Another shoe thread

Does anyone here have experience with Red Wing boots? I'm looking to buy a new daily shoe, these are the exact style I'm looking for.

https://www.redwingamsterdam.com/pro...amber-harness/

I'd appreciate your input.

Had a pair of Iron Rangers for 4 years, they had just been perfectly broken-in and someone stole them from me. One thing that always ticked me off about the Iron Ranger though was the capped toe, so when I replaced them I didn't buy another pair I bought a pair of Chippewa's that were similar but no capped toe. Odessa General Utility Service boot 1901M24, could not be happier with them!

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Had a pair of Iron Rangers for 4 years, they had just been perfectly broken-in and someone stole them from me. One thing that always ticked me off about the Iron Ranger though was the capped toe, so when I replaced them I didn't buy another pair I bought a pair of Chippewa's that were similar but no capped toe. Odessa General Utility Service boot 1901M24, could not be happier with them!

The iron ranger was the safety toe Boot before there was technology to install steel toes....a second layer of leather was added back in the old days to strengthen the toe area.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Had a pair of Iron Rangers for 4 years, they had just been perfectly broken-in and someone stole them from me. One thing that always ticked me off about the Iron Ranger though was the capped toe, so when I replaced them I didn't buy another pair I bought a pair of Chippewa's that were similar but no capped toe. Odessa General Utility Service boot 1901M24, could not be happier with them!

Here she is


Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

The iron ranger was the safety toe Boot before there was technology to install steel toes....a second layer of leather was added back in the old days to strengthen the toe area.

I'm talking styling, not saftey

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Put the shoe trees on as soon as you get them off, the cedar will take care of moisture & keep them well

Sorry, but I choose to air them out for 30 to 60 minutes first. Frankly it's actually debatable whether their is actuall benefit from using shoe trees and expelling moisture. But they do help with keeping them fresh smelling and keeping their shape.

This same practice works just fine with everything from Edward Green to RedWings.

[SearChart]

I always use shoe trees in my leather shoes I never heard of letting shoes rest for a day, but I will do that as well.

Let's hope they have my size in Amsterdam, I'm going to travel three hours just for some shoes

Originally Posted by MonBK

Are you going diving Bas?

Hell no!

[dddrees]

Bick 4 is a great conditioner as well. Highly recommend it. After all we are talking about dead skin. It's good to keep the leather moisturizer from time to time, just don't over do it.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I always use shoe trees in my leather shoes I never heard of letting shoes rest for a day, but I will do that as well.

Let's hope they have my size in Amsterdam, I'm going to travel three hours just for some shoes



Hell no!

Your feet will feel better if you do. Better to put your feet in leather which is fresher smelling and not so moist inside and your boots will tend to look better and last longer as well.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Bick 4 is a great conditioner as well. Highly recommend it. After all we are talking about dead skin. It's good to keep the leather moisturizer from time to time, just don't over do it.

I'm thinking about putting something on the boot pictured above, but I don't want to discolor it, will this work?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I've been wearing Red Wing boots for twenty years. They are a very well constructed boot, but the materials are decidedly workmanlike. You won't see fine leathers in their range, but the boots are very durable and virtually indestructible in normal use.

You should be warned that Red Wings take some time to break in. They will likely hurt for the first couple wears. Then they will be uncomfortable for a while. Then they'll feel like slippers, melded to your feet.

True story. I bought my iron rangers in Manhattan one day because I was sick of wearing my stained and battered Ecco Chelsea boots. I had heard of red wing and knew I couldn't go wrong with the classic iron ranger.

I bought them uptown, actually tossed my Chelsea boots and wore the iron rangers. The next day we ended up walking the Brooklyn bridge from fort green to the east village. Aside from the first time I wore new ice skates I've never had my feet in such pain!

I recommend buying a pair with a rubber sole fitted. This was not an option when I bought mine and it will greatly improve traction and wear in wet or icy conditions should you encounter any.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I'm thinking about putting something on the boot pictured above, but I don't want to discolor it, will this work?

As with any product it's best to test an area first. But when using Bick 4 I've yet to experience any lasting discoloration effects and like I said I use it on my most expensive as well as my least expensive shoes or boots. Typically no discoloration occurs. It also helps with water spots on my most expensive shoes. It and Legolas are the only two conditioners that don't contain turpentine.

The great thing it's also fairly inexpensive.

The person I purchased a good majority of my Edward Green and Gaziano & Girling shoes highly recommends it.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by GB-man

True story. I bought my iron rangers in Manhattan one day because I was sick of wearing my stained and battered Ecco Chelsea boots. I had heard of red wing and knew I couldn't go wrong with the classic iron ranger.

I bought them uptown, actually tossed my Chelsea boots and wore the iron rangers. The next day we ended up walking the Brooklyn bridge from fort green to the east village. Aside from the first time I wore new ice skates I've never had my feet in such pain!

I recommend buying a pair with a rubber sole fitted. This was not an option when I bought mine and it will greatly improve traction and wear in wet or icy conditions should you encounter any.

Rubber soles last longer than leather typically and it doesn't tend to look as ugly as well.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I'm thinking about putting something on the boot pictured above, but I don't want to discolor it, will this work?

If Bick 4 is good enough for my St Crispins then it's certainly good enough for my RedWings.

[cda555]

I think I am up to 4 pairs of the heritage line of boots. They are great once broken in.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Rubber soles last longer than leather typically and it doesn't tend to look as ugly as well.

I actually like the look of a leather sole more than rubber.
My Oxford dress shoes have a leather sole as well, they are indeed slippery in the rain. That is somewhat of a downside, but I can live with that.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I actually like the look of a leather sole more than rubber.
My Oxford dress shoes have a leather sole as well, they are indeed slippery in the rain. That is somewhat of a downside, but I can live with that.

It's an old debate but generally it comes down to what the individual prefers. For me however whenever I get the choice other than my most dressy shoes I always choose some kind of rubber sole and that even goes for my smartest of casual shoes.

In fact my most expensive pair of footwear I own have rubber soles. I just find rubber soles to be more practical than leather. Rubber soles if thin enough don't really project that badly.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by SearChart

I actually like the look of a leather sole more than rubber.
My Oxford dress shoes have a leather sole as well, they are indeed slippery in the rain. That is somewhat of a downside, but I can live with that.

Who looks at the bottom of the shoe? Get Dainite soles. From the side or top they look just like properly dressed/edged leather. But have good traction, last a long time, and are every bit as comfy as leather (if not better).

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Who looks at the bottom of the shoe? Get Dainite soles. From the side or top they look just like properly dressed/edged leather. But have good traction, last a long time, and are every bit as comfy as leather (if not better).

I'll be going there on Tuesday, I'll take a good look at what they have. From the ones on the website I like the one I posted most, they happen to have leather soles which doesn't bother me.

[mschafer]

I wore the 875 Moc toe years ago and they were great. Today I'm in the Alden boots territory and much prefer these. My Indy boots are now closing in on 10 years and one rebuilt and they're just great. Double the price I admit but I keep getting compliments on these. For kicking around the Red Wings should be spelendid. I'm actually thinking of another pair to keep in the country.

[GradyPhilpott]

More than forty years ago, I wore steel-toed, Red Wing boots while working at a potash mine in Eddy County, New Mexico.

It was one of the harshest environments I can imagine. Potash is basically a salt, which dries out the leather, the grounds can be a wet, muddy mess for weeks during the monsoons, and freezing cold in the winters and there are plenty of things rolling around to cut your toes off, or simply crush them.

In eighteen months of working on the loading docks, I went through two pair and both pairs had the leather sliced across one of the steel-toes.

They were the best work boots I've ever owned.

As for care, they spent their off time in my locker. Sometimes when loading hopper cars, I'd let the oil used for dust suppression drip on them and rub it in real good, but that was it.

I don't remember the name of them, but they looked like a pair of old-school combat boots, before Robert McNamara started designing combat footwear.

They looked a lot like these.

https://www.redwingamsterdam.com/pro...amber-harness/

[One Ping Only]

They take some break in, but great boots.

[sleddog]

An avid fan of Redwing steel toe boots. Have been a repeat customer for 15 + years..
My first pair, worn 6 days a week, untreated and worn in some of the worst conditions for a leather boot, lasted me 7 years...and the only reason I had to retire them was I wore the soles right off! No separation in the seems or soles.
My second pair I have been giving an annual mink oil rub to keep the leather conditioned and soft. I don't do as much walking on these, but 10 years old now, and I'd bet another two or three left in them.
12" Pecos are my wearers.
Can't comment on the dress shoes, but I can certainly vouch for the quality and workmanship.
All previous work boot brands I wore would be lucky to last 2 years at most.

[dddrees]

If your really looking for some real nice fashion type work boots Vibergs Service Boots in Brown Chromexcel is where it's really at!!!!

[SearChart]

Didn't think my question would generate so many replies, thanks everyone. Seems like I cannot go wrong with this brand.

[Jamiewabbit]

Lovely boots! I love them! Had them for 6 years and all I needed to replace were the soles. The leather is stained albeit using their Cleaners and mink oil. But I love them to bits!

[SearChart]

Would this conditioner be enough, or do I need something else as well?

https://www.redwingamsterdam.com/pro...r-conditioner/

Also, €80,- for shoe trees, holy damn..

[mannyv11]

lol this thread is making me want to buy another pair of boots....
damn you Bas =)

[Sperry]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Would this conditioner be enough, or do I need something else as well?

https://www.redwingamsterdam.com/pro...r-conditioner/

Also, €80,- for shoe trees, holy damn..

I use Red Wing ALL NATURAL BOOT OIL ITEM NO. 97103 liquid about twice a year or more if the boots are scrubbed with saddle soap. It used to come in a plastic bottle but is now in a metal flask?

Shoe trees? Not on boots; the boot interior air-dries