Red Wing Iron Rangers (8119) Fit & Sizing Review

[@benmendoza4640]

After four years I just saw your video OMG you are my twin brother in terms of boot measurements. Great video, regards.

[@zHumanfactor]

Thanks, Ben. Our feet' size can be problematic, and it's always a challenge to get the right fit. Keep walking!

[@MiguelMartinez-xg7hw]

Im a true size 10.5 ee. I went in to a redwing store today and got measured. Ive owned many redwing boots. In this style I tried a 10 all the way down to a 8.5 ee and the heel fit was surprisingly perfect in all sizes which is a key factor in a good fitting boot. Since they felt great in the heel I almost bought the size 9.5 but I started to think about how much space there was in the toe box, particularly the space between my longest toe in relation to when it would touch the front. Size 8.5 put my toes closer together but since im a ee I would have probably been fine, but I didnt want to risk it. I probably would have been fine even in a 10.5, but then I would have had two inches of space if not more left over. Maybe thats why they say they look like clown shoes. 🤨 Size 9 ee put my toes about 1 fingers width away from reaching the tip of the shoe in the toe box. Size 9 ee is my size in Iron Rangers. I would suggest you try smaller sizes than you are used to in this style. Once you wear the heritage series outside, redwing will not let you exchange them for a smaller size. Hope this helps.

[@platformblues]

Love the Stone Roses at the end of the video! My size is 8C, and I picked up a pair of the 8111s in 7.5D. I based my size off my pair of 6 Inch Classic Rounds (which are actually pretty tight in 7.5D), but it turns out that even though they're both made on the #8 last, the Iron Rangers are much roomier. Hopefully they won't end up being too wide as they break in! My boyfriend has unevenly sized, wide feet and a really hard time finding shoes that fit properly. I'm glad these are working out for you!

[@zHumanfactor]

Yeah, I really liked the Stone Roses, it's a bit of a treat for folks watching to the end. LOL. Sizing can be so tricky. And over time, especially with all leather footwear, it can change. The leather can stretch, but also the toe box can start to feel smaller as the front of the boot starts to naturally curl up a bit. Also better a bit roomier than tighter. You can easily add an insole or thicker socks if needed.

[@platformblues]

@BlueSpirit. I added an insole, and I usually wear fairly thick socks to help take up some of the excess space. Seems to work okay for me with these modifications :)

[@JMP-ETTAN]

I usually have 10 but in Iron Rangers I use size 9, fits just right, the way the boot expand is something to really keep in mind.

[@remb1500]

This helped me a lot. My boots are a little tight but I’m confident they will stretch out during break in

[@SeriousMist]

Sorry to tell you that but the width won’t expand at the ball/toe cap stitching region.

[@Dooger111]

I’m a 10 in sneakers and a 10 on the brannock device. I wear a 9d in iron rangers. Hope this helps

[@MrBurgerphone1014]

Same

[@charlesbronson240]

I can approve of the boots and the song at the end.

[@zHumanfactor]

Thanks C.B.

[@liamnoname6662]

youre literally everywhere

[@Kill-Dalil]

The color is sick....🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@JonathanGrandt]

12E Left, 11.5E Right. I can fit 11EE or 12D in Iron Rangers. Obviously the 12D is a bit long. 11.5D is a toe crusher. 11EE and 12D have roughly the same width so far as I know. The problem I run into with boots that have a structured or celastic toe is the hard material pressing back against and resisting my 4th toe, I’ve got low arches and narrow heels with wide toes. Quack.

[@zHumanfactor]

LOL, I think my feet are similar. My left foot is 11 and my right is 10, I went for 10.5 and it fits really well. Definitely experiment with different sock thickness and supplemental insoles.

[@Cemmos]

The oxblood mesa color is probably one of the best imo. I've been wanting a pair of these specifically, but hard to justify since I have the 8085 copper rough n tough. I tend to want different styles entirely, I do know people buy multiple colors in the same style. Not sure if I'll end up doing that, but it's this color if I do. Or if I could get a pair of Harvesters in oxblood, that would be ideal for my "gotta be a different style OCD."

[@jimmyl1606]

My brannock size is 11.5 with an E width close to 2 E width. Tried on the 10.5 and length wise it was good but damn was it incredibly constricting. Tried on the 11 and I had a little room for my toes to move around, but the width was tight, however I knew that it would stretch width wise during the break in period. I wore them around the house and after a week they were pretty much broken in and ready for a days wear. Just bring a pair of comfy shoes just in case. Tip: I used a leather conditioner on the shoe to help soften the leather and relax the fibers. Definitely helped broke them in. However, some people say don’t do this, so do your own research. For me it help tremendously and helped the leather conformed around my feet. Also, you don’t even know how long they have been sitting out so it was really dry. Hope it helps! Stay safe everyone.

[@zHumanfactor]

Thanks for sharing your sizing experience Jimmy. I will 2nd your comment about applying a leather conditioner. Should one find the fit a bit tight on the width, a conditioner will loosen things up. I remember over-applying conditioner to my Wolverine 1k boots and they became too loose! :). So apply carefully and as needed.

[@andreslucero4976]

Did you choose an 11 EE or did you go with the 11D width?

[@stevenkent1979]

Great video! I just got the RW Blacksmiths and didn’t know my size so I ordered two pair in sizes 10 and 10.5 I knew I was probably one of those. The 10.5’s felt like they should when broken in and the 10’s felt snug but I was able to wiggle my toes. I’ve heard a RW rep say it should feel like a firm handshake. I chose to go with the 10’s and am very glad I did, they have loosened up quite a bit and they’re starting to have that custom made feel to them. If I chose the 10.5’s (the ones that felt good from the start) they would’ve been too big after breaking in. Also a great way to preserve your boots and reduce that toe curl is using shoe trees! They should be used for any kind of quality footwear, they make such a difference and people either don’t know about them or don’t understand how important they are.

[@zHumanfactor]

Stephen, you definitely chose the right size. If one has a normal D width foot, one should definitely go 1/2 size down.... I made that mistake with my Wolverine 1000 Mile boot.... got my normal size 11 and I was swimming in them after a couple of months.

[@stevenkent1979]

@@zHumanfactor my sneaker size is usually 11.5 and for shoes an 11 but I have a B width foot. Probably why a 10 in Red wing was my perfect fit. It’s surprising how much leather will stretch. I have a pair of chromexcel boots that fit great at first but stretched out so much I use an insole with them now.

[@zHumanfactor]

@@stevenkent1979 I totally agree with you Stephen, just make sure you have the toe room. Which is actually the beauty of the Iron Ranger design, a large toe box.

[@thomasdenmark8031]

The Iron Ranger is my favorite boot. I have three pairs. 8083, 8084 and the 8085. I would also like to have the 8119 😊. Maybe some day. I sized down a full size from my Brannock size, and they fit perfect. I always wear them with Red Wing wool socks. I bought some leather insoles, but they take too much place in the boots. I have had the 8084 and the 8085 for 1.5 year now, and the leather soles have softened up, and I can feel the imprint from my toes. I hope you will be happy with your boots, and take good care of them. Greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@benjaminkenobi21]

If your intention by using that leather insole in your Iron Rangers is to help with cushioning in the heel, try using a heel and arch insert instead of a full insert. You'll still have plenty of space in the toebox and the boot should still fit fine. I do this with my RW Beckman boots with good results.

[@thomasdenmark8031]

@@benjaminkenobi21 Thank you for the tip. Which brands do you recommend?

[@benjaminkenobi21]

Thomas Denmark ... I think mine was just a drug store Dr. Scholls insert, but it makes the heel more comfortable and boosts the arch support.

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi Thomas, I had a very similar experience as you. Red Wing wool socks and I decided against the insoles for the same reason.

[@idamsidamha]

You've been to Malaysia? Please come again after everything is fine. I am one of Red Wing fans from Kuala Lumpur.

[@zHumanfactor]

Oh yeah, I have been many times, as my significant other is Malaysian. I think I'll be in KL later this year. :). I'll be the white guy in the 8119's. We can have a Red Wing meetup.

[@idamsidamha]

@@zHumanfactor oh yeah! Looking forward to meet you! Keep in touch bro

[@zHumanfactor]

@@idamsidamha Same here.... we can get some of my beloved Durian together. :)

[@idamsidamha]

@@zHumanfactor I love durians too😋

[@oscarblack6689]

Nickmore bick 4, is a cream that won't permeate the leather to much and open them up to much like your 1000s did and doesn't darken the leather redwing has there own cream to

[@Cemmos]

Yeah, Bick4 is great across a variety of leathers. I even use it on my shell cordovan boots. Pretty much all of my boots I tend to only use Bick4, except my Red Wing 2015 Huntsman boots; those get some black Saphir oiled leather conditioner in black sometimes.

[@Orlanzepol123]

My Iron Rangers are very comfortable. I wear mine every day and walk my dog and they feel so good. They hug my feet like a glove. I had the Nitrile Cork put on mind because they’re much easier to clean the sole . But when I get my 2nd Iron Rangers I will keep the Mini Lugs. I like how they sound when they hit the pavement.

[@zHumanfactor]

You bet, I was just thinking how I like the clicking sound the mini-lugs make on the pavement . That's for bringing that up, because pretty soon I will need a resole, and I want to stay with the mini-lugs.

[@NiiminTV]

I can’t decide between these or the 8111 what colour is better for a first boot

[@charlesbronson240]

Niimin if you want a normal brown boot and you wear solid colors then get the 8111, get these if you have a wider spectrum of colors in your wardrobe

[@tonyrogo227]

The 8085 is also a good versatile one to get

[@ajoemar2009]

get the 8119 if you're still lucky to find one in stores since they stop this already in production. 8119 and 8085 can be purchased anytime of the day

[@shannonandsheila1403]

That is my favorite leather color im jealous as can be i have the amber. I went a size down but i swear i could have went down two.

[@mookah2696]

I had a strange scenerio for me similiar to yours, I am a 10.5 in everything else, but I had to size up a half on the 9 IR that I initially bought in-store because my toes were being forced/pinched in front on my insteps for my left foot by my 3rd/4th toe area. My right foot is slightly smaller than my left so on my right boot seemed fine. The 9.5 with thick socks seemed to have added the need toe space for my narrow feet and they feel snug but not that super tight feeling I felt on the 9's....curious to see how much these 9.5's will stretch, only a couple weeks in. My back up plan is get an insole if slippage occurs down the road but no heel slip or side to side on either foot yet

[@zHumanfactor]

Mookah, it seems like you have given it some good thinking. Enjoy them!

[@JMP-ETTAN]

I’m 10 in sneakers and I have one 9 and one 9,5 so the 9.5 I use on colder days with thick socks and a added insole 👍

[@shakebake2680]

@@JMP-ETTANhas this worked well for you after the break in? In terms of the added insole but only going down 1/2 size or do you wish you went down a full size? Thank you.

[@jessedecker4845]

I'm 11.5+ on Brannock - I have 10.5D blacksmiths that felt great at first but are really stretching out. I'm considering sizing down to 10D but I"m worried about such a big down size. Not sure what to do.

[@mach5jeep]

11e with AE Strands. A 10.5d in Red Wing for me

[@zHumanfactor]

That is pretty much my sizing as well.

[@arkindomino]

Great video!

[@nathanalane2674]

I’m 90% of the way to pulling the trigger on a pair of Iron Rangers. I LOVE this oxblood color. But I’m tempted to whimp out and just go with the Amber Harness or Copper Round And Tough. How has the break-in been?

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi Nathan, the Amber Harness and Copper are probably the most popular colors, if you do get those colors just be careful with the type of boot conditioner you use, as the wrong type can really darken the leather, and you'll not end up with the color you originally desired. I absolutely love oxblood (8119) the color wears really nice over time and I think pairs well with all sorts of other things you might be wearing. Break-in is actually very manageable, if you, 1. have the right size and 2. slowly increase the wear time over the first couple of weeks. I have a lot of shoe/boot choices and I have ended up wearing these everyday for the last nine months (summer heat and all :) Really the best boot for the money. You won't regret the purchase, of any color really. But I think oxblood is the best :)

[@joakimandrejensen]

What jacket are you wearing? looks light and durable, love the grey!

[@zHumanfactor]

Yeah, I love this denim jacket. I bought it last March at the Lucky Brand outlet store. It has a little stretch material in it, I also like the color a lot, very flexible in matching other things you would be wearing. Cheers!

[@n.p.3472]

Iron ranger is quite narrow unless you get E width which is hard to find from where I live.

[@elmermolina1187]

Just want to ask because I wanted also to buy a pair of IR's, but unfortunately I am in a place where we don't have a RedWings Store (Kuwait) and i don't have the luxury of going to the store and sizing it in person , so basically i'll be relying on all experiences in KZbin...so in general if you knew the size of your foot in a Brannock Device, just go for half a size or full size down??? I am a 8C on brannock , and 8 on sneaker sometimes 8.5. Do i need to purchase 7D or 7.5D or do i need 7EE? thanks appreciate the response...

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi Elmer! Sizing is a tough determination. In your case, I would go for a 7.5D. Here is my thinking on it. If your width is more around the toe/front of your foot, the Iron Ranger toe box is very roomy and should comfortably accommodate your width. I think you would find the EE width too wide. You should also know leather boots can/will stretch a bit on the sides, but not in length. I think your best bet is the 7.5D. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen is doing a return shipping, or if that is too expensive selling them locally. Good luck Elmer!

[@DogDaze66]

Ever considering buying 2 pair so you can combine the 2 into 1 perfect fitting pair?

[@zHumanfactor]

Hey Dog, I actually considered that. In fact, there are some companies that will provide you with a different size for each foot for the same price as one pair, e.g. Crown Northampton (leather sneakers). But I am so used (my whole life) to wearing the same size that my brain would not like the difference (I know, that doesn't sound logical :) .

[@omtribe5693]

Hi there, i wear almost all of my sneakers in US 9. But i'm little confused to order my first iron ranger. I'm stuck between US 8.5 or 8. Can you please help me out man, you help will be much appreciated 🙏

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi, if your feet are normal width (D) and you have normally sized toes (i.e. the middle toes are not longer than the big toe), you could probably have a good fit going down a full size. However, if you have a wider toe area, and longer middle toes, and a more than normal width feet... and you plan on walking in these boots a lot, only go 1/2 down. That should cover it. :)

[@omtribe5693]

@@zHumanfactor thanks, much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@dusanadamov]

I want to buy red wing iron ranger boots and i need your advice about size.I wear all my shoes and sneakers in us 9 (Dr. Martens, converse, nike, adidas, catterpilar, salomon).My foot length is 27 centimeters.Can you tell me which size fits me?People sizing down half or full size down?My foot is somewhere between a D width and an E width.I used the printed branock measurements and the foot length is somewhere around 10.5 which is 27 cm or European shoe size 42.Should I order US 8.5 or simply take them in my regular size US 9. I don't have the opportunity to try the boots on in the store. I plan to order them through a friend from Germany. That's why I need your help.Greetings from Serbia.

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi Dusan, thanks for reaching out from Serbia. If you had the same size for both feet and had narrow feet, I might suggest sizing down a full size. Because you have slightly wider than normal feet, I think your best bet is 1/2 size down. These would be more comfortable for you.

[@tonyrogo227]

I wear a 10 1/2 normally and had to go 9 1/2 and still had alittle wiggle room

[@BetaBuxDelux]

Ugh, I wear a 10.5 and ordered a 10. Maybe i should have gone with 9.5.

[@tonyrogo227]

@@BetaBuxDelux the 10s felt fine on my feet . I just wanted them alittle more snug

[@BetaBuxDelux]

@@tonyrogo227 Thanks for the reply. Maybe the 10s will work out for me.

[@MiguelMartinez-xg7hw]

Yup im a 10.5 ee went down to a 9 ee with some wiggle room. I tried the 8.5 and it felt good too with less wiggle room. Stuck with the 9.

[@BJ-pi5ed]

Hey what is the reason for all the travel that you mentioned? Work?

[@ELEVOPR]

He works for the CIA. Tracking Drones. Shhh you didn't here it from me.

[@zHumanfactor]

Well, I now have the opportunity to work remotely (pre-Covid), so my goal is to live in interesting places for a few months at a time to better experience other cultures, etc... I hope to get back on the road as soon as we are all immunized. :)

[@thomaswoody2733]

That's what I got

[@PeterPing]

I wear Chuck Taylor size 11 and they're actually ture to size with my Iron Ranger. I tried 10.5 and they felt little bit tight for me.

[@zHumanfactor]

If you have a wider foot I would suspect the 11 is a good choice.

[@toddmarten1364]

I hear the IR fit similar to chucks. I have 10 pair of chuck taylors, all in size 7.5. I'm usually 8/8.5 in hiking shoes,.etc so I went with 7.5 in Iron rangers 8111. Find out next week if they fit. I hope so!

[@pablomoreno2965]

Botas de mucha calidad y duradera y con una estética preciosa

[@zHumanfactor]

Hola Pablo, Estoy de acuerdo. Creo que la construcción general es excelente y la calidad del cuero es muy buena. Estas botas pueden durar años.

[@watchmanexpert]

How is the boot now ? Is more comfortable?

[@zHumanfactor]

Hi Tony, they are comfortable. But once I wore out the mini-lug sole I decided to have a boot "make-over". I had a leather midsole added (which the stock boot doesn't have), and then I placed a Vibram wedge sole on them. So now they are even more comfortable (I can even run in them because they have a more sneaker sole feel) and they are quiet compared to the noisy sound of the min-lugs on the floor. Here is my video on the upgrade. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6ClpX-DidGLiMU

[@briandunivent]

i have a wide foot, but not a triple E, and when i tried on a D width in the store i know for a fact thats too narrow for me.

[@zHumanfactor]

Did you try the EE width?

[@briandunivent]

@@zHumanfactor yes it’s perfect. Got a pair in the way in 7.5 E2.

[@zHumanfactor]

@@briandunivent Excellent, you'll love them.... what color?

[@briandunivent]

@@zHumanfactor black babe!!!!!! 😆

[@zHumanfactor]

@@briandunivent I was walking with my friend yesterday and he was wearing the black rangers... they looked great... those nickel eyelets stand out nicely against that black leather. I nearly bought black. :)

[@archer41eh]

What insoles are you using?

[@zHumanfactor]

I did buy the Red Wing Footbed insole (Large), thinking I might need them to fill the space a bit should the boot leather stretch too much, but I found using a heavier wool sock worked great, and the leather didn't stretch too much. I'm not a fan of insoles, as I like to feel the leather footbed of the shoe when I walk. But, I did try the footbeds and they were comfortable, so if you are looking for a bit more foot sole comfort, these work great.

[@clevelandtyler2]

CJ Cook, not TJ

[@zHumanfactor]

You are correct sir.

[@danielirvine7468]

It's cjcook

[@zHumanfactor]

You're right, he is a Red Wing super fan. :)

[@lgroves336]

Discontinued in USA

[@zHumanfactor]

Yes, I think I heard that, which is too bad; it's such a great color.

[@themeat5053]

Need to throw a little Kiwi on them.

[@jeffreygoss8109]

How narrow do these fit. I usually wear a redwing 8.5 d?

[@sebastienalbouy4471]

I have the Blacksmiths which are pretty narrow. I hear the Iron Rangers are built on the same last nº8, and are only slightly less narrow than the Blacksmiths. If you can find the last of your usual red wings you might have your answer.

[@mohamedraouf2752]

HM