New subscriber here! Great and practical reviews!!! I appreciate you taking time to answer some of your viewers questions. Hope you get more subs and continue with this content!

Concerning the break in, I am stuck between two sizes. Leaning towards half a size down, but it really doesnt allow my toes to splay (which i prefer) will the leatger break in enough to allow more wiggle room in the width?

Viberg boots r good but price is getting out of controlled. So is whites boots. In general pre Covid quality was better.

Having a proper leather midsole provides a little bit more support and shock absorption. But it makes a shoe/boot clunkier and a little bit harder to break in. It's the latter point that I bet is key behind Red Wing's decision not to include one with their Iron Ranger and Blacksmith.

I've got a Luos Jiet/XBXS boondocker and a suede moc toe derby on the more formal side. My wife has their brown deerskin "8111" -- can't get her size in genuine Red Wings. I've put a lot of wear on my two pairs. They've got genuine veg-tan insoles and midsoles. Upper leather is nice enough, albeit on the thin side compared to boots from other brands. The stitching and finishing are very neat compared to American and Canadian makers. As for negatives, XBXS shoes are always pretty tough to break in. That's probably because they're pretty heavy for what they are. They also pretty much all develop a squeak, either immediately or not too long after you start wearing them. And they use EVA as a filler in the cavity beneath the insole instead of cork. All in all, I think they're a pretty good brand if you can buy them on Taobao. Most of their shoes and boots are less than 200 USD and their seconds are often around 100 USD, and they're a very good value at that price. They absolutely knock brands like Thursday and Meermin out of the park.

Keep those boots because, they're boots not a watch or a car. As long as they don't have any popped stitching or deep scratches or broken glue. Those small human not imperfections are just that. That doesn't make for bad quality it's just human touch and ass for the leather, leather is skin just as your skin is different in places it's almost impossible to have the exact same grain on each unless they use an entire side to create one pair of boots. And, even then it won't be exactly the same. I totally get wanting quality and I think those are. I could understand being annoyed if they cost $1000 or $1500 or even the $400 that you paid if the things you pointed out were really bad but they're not. They're just human touch elements. If they were custom boots ok I'd be annoyed but, the are mass hand made produced boots. They're just as quality as your other Red Wings. Great review and hope you enjoy those great looking boots.

That’s disappointing to hear. This pair was definitely the worst I’ve ever had from them. But now you got me on Zerrows boots. They look amazing.

shame they don't make a EEE

Btw, I received my Blacksmiths, stoked to finally have a pair in EE.. but the qc was craazy. Welt joints, grinded to close and messy at the heel, the black overcoat on the prairie was too thick and inconsistent, like it was a cheap matte paint. One quarter panel on the inside was all dented up.. I stopped at that and put them back in the box without going any further. No exchanges, I’ve got to return them first.. I’ve had/got several pairs of rw heritage, but these.. ooph. Idk if they ramped up production, or hired new factory workers, though it ain’t looking good. I’m gonna try one more time, just cause I’ve wanted a plain toe #8. If not, think I’ll just get a bump toe from Zerrows boots. It’s similar to rw’s #8 and they’re known for black teacores.

I have this same pair of Iron Rangers, I also have the brown and black ones. These green ones take some more breaking in than those did. Not sure why, but they do indeed seem more stiff than previous ones.

I am getting ready to drop $230 on a custom pair of Shoellies. I love my Barefoot African Rangers and want the same thing in a shorter version and 2 tone.

Have you consider the African Rangers?

I totally agree with the leather sole. Feels better, more confidently. Great Diesel boots, waited for a while for a size 8 boots. Thanks for the video. More power to ypu.

I have currently 2 pairs of iron rangers I need those too WOW 😮 i😮😅😊 beautiful boots truly! 💘💘

That’s stupid pay high dollar for viberg my self go with gran stone

I bought these boots and walnut for my job working around high heat and on concrete and didn't quite need a steel toe but the celastic toe with all the leather around it works wonderfully for my applications. I also have a pair of 300x JK boots underway but did buy these boots for the quality and fantastic price the JK's were on sale from their warehouse so that was an easy buy. Quality adorable work boots in the workplace is an essential and an industrial environment guaranteed.

I’m a sucker for Iron Rangers and ordered these as soon as I could. It’s my fifth pair (yeah I know), and I must say these are tougher to break in than the others. They feel stiff, but after a week they are starting to mold after my feet. I’m really curious how they will age..

If you don’t love them I would send them back

Good review brutha! 💪

Lovely boots , I have a couple of pairs of 8180 moc toes in kangatan portage green similar colour but darkens overtime

Yes these shoe good crazy expensive and I’m not sure if quality was like this in the past Wat I can gather is don’t expect shoe quality U need spend more money to get that You would like grant stone Very nice quality for price Red wing ur paying for name and old fashioned heritage style

They also finally dropped the blacksmith in EE. Naturally I copped the Prairie 😎

The frustrating thing with this new iron ranger just like their green moctoe they only come in a D width, I need aa double EE width

When do you wear green leather shoes? To match your green leather pants?😂😂😂😂😂

I know your feelings. You wanted to love them, but they’re not giving you $400 worth of satisfaction. You might be happier putting that money on another pair of boots.

Nice-looking boot, I agree that the finishing leaves a bit to be desired for those that concern themselves with such things. One other problem, with it being a special edition, that likely means no sizes above 13 and no wide widths. I have found getting a pair of Red Wings that fit properly to be enough of a challenge even with a full offering of sizes. 4 hundo just strikes me as a lot of money when compared to something like a Parkhurst Allen or their equivalent cap toe offering. Really good quality boots offered in some very interesting leather combinations. Lots of Truman loyalists out there I expect, and they make a good boot to be certain. Then again , their pricing has crept up pretty rapidly, with their signature waxed flash boots now selling at an ask ofr $500. Plus, I find it hard to stomach a company that makes you wait 20 plus days to obtain a refund it a return or exchange is needed (Grant Stone for comparison refunds 2 to 3 days after return), and has/had a policy saying "We won't charge you a restocking fee, unless we feel like it, in which case we will." Apparently I wasn't cool enough, and even the purchase of a $460 pair of boots from them did not save me from their $30 restocking fees (Double what Parkhurst and Grant Stone charge). Anyway, something to keep in mind if you have a hard to fit foot and may need to try multiple sizes before you find what you need. Life is frustrating enough as it is without having a business extending two middle fingers to you while I trying to get a size that fits from their strangely shaped last and hand over your money... Lastly, if MITUSA concerns aren't in the mix, you have even more choices like Adelante and Bordon, the latter of which is apparently making several phenomenally made stitchdown variants of a jumper and service boot starting under $400. Provided you're willing to wait 6-8 months for them to be made to your specs down in Colombia. Thank you for the informative review, first look at and review of these olive IRs. Looking forward to what's next!

For $400 they shouldn't have the issues you describe.

Red wings QC is terrible. I gave up trying to buy an iron ranger from them. Too bad because I love the look. Check the toe width too. The last pair I sent back, the toe box with had like a 2” difference. It was weird.

Just got my second pair of JG customs. Single-lasted AR8's on the STC last with Oringo wedge soles. Wearing them now.

Nice job👏👏👏

I've had an eye out for a boot in olive. When I saw these, I was all excited. Then I come back to the odds of me reaching for an olive as a daily driver would be slim and would be a shame for this boot. However, that could easily change. I was not immediately drawn to the Iron Ranger, then one day I had to have a pair. It's been my go-to since. Appreciate you dropping the dime on these for review.

I have the Alpine Portage in 8828 Classic Moc. Yes, the leather was very stiff in the beginning, but after 2 weeks of wear, it softened up. But the leather became too soft and way too easy to get scratches. With IR, I still think CR&T leather is a much better choice.

All of your gripes are standard for Redwing . The leather is dyed, not painted( just not struck through) . The caces are the same as they always are . Alot of what you are seeing as glue on the stitching is the heavily waxed thread leaving a buildup around stiching. If these things bother you then move along from redwing .

Those Green IR look awesome 💚. I have a pair of black IR: silver nickel hardware, short-ish laces, black minilug sole, and not matching color welts 😅... And they are very comfortable, the most comfortable of my 3 IR pairs, but the leather is not a T-core and is more of a greasy black. I hope you're enjoying your Green IR despite the details, thanks for the video unboxing.

Thanks for sharing! I have the 8828 Classic Moc Toe Alpine Portage. I LOVE the look and the leather. In my experience, that leather will soften with wear, gaining some beautiful creases and character, but you have to add some miles to them. The black leather laces are very cool, and the Taslan ones are a little brittle. IMO I really appreciate the simple, and straight forward heritage construction of Red Wing boots. Honestly, if I could, I’d just get every make up the launch, especially in Europe. Cheers mate!

Very good looking boot, but dang....that QC doesn't align with the price to me.

Those are nice boots. The 8040 black IR comes with the black vibram 430 sole. Eventually I’ll resole my iron rangers and add the middle. I own and Nicks and parkhurst, which do have better “specs” /finishing. But the style of the IR is just so much more unique in my opinion.

These look amazing

The bottoms of my feet have been busted to hell and back because I was in the infantry, so I really can't feel the difference between my Red Wings, the Parkhursts, Trumans etc. Honestly, it makes boot shopping a lot easier.

Great value obviously, I just wish they looked better and had a better lug sole for grip.

The new model with the Tyre sole should be more comfortable. But still not for girlie feet. You won't be able to take all of that thick, hard leather.

I've worn their stockman boots for three years. That value is unreal.

I want to see it cut in half to compare them to RW 8088/8089 since they are similar in style.

You need to review Blkbrd boots. The value for money and craftsmanship at the price will astound you. Among the best value for money boots available, and these are from India.

That leather custom sole can’t be beat.

I don’t want to be negative bud sorry! But for $500 for those…. NEVER! I rather buy a pair of Parkhurst or Grant Stone easily and they cost less.. or even Truman Boots made here in the USA all leather for less or close to $500 (depending on the leather choice). Parkhurst just released their Niagara boots that looks very close to the Indy boot, made with all leather, beautiful well made boots for about $100 less than these. I ended up purchasing 2 pairs of those Niagara boots. I like your channel a lot so don’t think I’m hating on your content, this is about the boots.

A table in front of a door?? Whaa?

How are Vibergs for width? Like at the ball of the foot? In the name of style, some brands will keep it quite narrow, which i dont like. Does Viberg do this?

I picked up a pair of these during prime day. These things are tanks, I ended up returning them as I didn't like the look of them enough to put up with the break in. That said, the quality was beyond fault.

Lug Sole= Concrete or coarse surfaces Studded Sole/Christy Sole= Soft surfaces and smooth surfaces like marble and carpet. Leather Sole= Soft surfaces like carpet but once scuffed up and worn in can be used on marble and smooth surfaces without a lot of slipping. Leather soles have no indents so of course slipping is happening a lot.