Iron Rangers or Wolverine 1000mi?

[Grayland]

I sent my Wolverine 1000's to Brian the Bootmaker. He is going to put on a double leather sole and a slightly curved heel. I'll post pics when they arrive.

 

[handymike]

^^ Wow!

 

[pawineguy]

I sent my Wolverine 1000's to Brian the Bootmaker. He is going to put on a double leather sole and a slightly curved heel. I'll post pics when they arrive.

Can't wait to see that...

 

[handymike]

I want mine to look like the ones at the bottom of this page:

http://www.denimbro.com/role-club-by-brian-the-bootmaker_topic1076_page27.html

 

[FarWalker]

For your viewing pleasure, here are my current two pairs of Red Wings. I love them both.

Iron Rangers. They break in more quickly, don't weigh as much as the Beckmans and are a bit more fashion-forward. They do fine with jeans but look off with anything dressier. Like I said above, the soles leave much to be desired if you are looking for an all-purpose boot since they slip on wet surfaces. These are about four years old. I have worn them a ton and they are about as comfortable as an old pair of sneakers, though of course tougher and still waterproof. The soles are pretty worn and I haven't gotten them redone because I not sure how much longer the uppers will last. There are some pretty deep cracks across the top. I treat them now and then with mink oil.

And these are the Beckmans, aka Gentleman Travelers. Now days, I wear these much more than the IRs, on trips and if the office on casual days. These took longer to break in, but I now consider them the best shoes I have ever owned. They are completely molded to my feet, the leather has held up and looks good even as the soles have worn out. I sent them back to Red Wing a few months ago to get them resoled after about 3 years of nearly continuous wear. I hit them with mink oil maybe twice a year and polish them now and then. If I had to drop more money on only one pair, it would be these, as they have many years left in them, while the Iron Rangers are pretty trashed.

 

[2wheelgrplr]

^^^ FarWalker, great write up and photos! Thanks for sharing. My Beckmans took forever to break in too, way longer than my Iron Rangers, which didn't need much, if any breaking in. I really like the looks of the Beckman but have been a bit hesitant to get another pair due to the long & painful break-in process of my first pair. But if they last as long as yours and look good doing so, I just might go for that tan pair I've been eyeing for a while now!

 

[gtdean48]

I've always thought the Red Wing has the soles of the Beckmans & the Iron Rangers switched. Seems to me, the lugged soles go more with the cap toe of the IR & the sole of the IR goes better with cleaner look of the Beckmans. JMHO but if the Beckmans had the same sole as the IR, I've bought them instead of the IR. My IR's took some breaking in & I'm wrestling with the idea of a pair of Beckmans...really like the non-cap toe look.

 

[Grayland]

I've always thought the Red Wing has the soles of the Beckmans & the Iron Rangers switched. Seems to me, the lugged soles go more with the cap toe of the IR & the sole of the IR goes better with cleaner look of the Beckmans. JMHO but if the Beckmans had the same sole as the IR, I've bought them instead of the IR. My IR's took some breaking in & I'm wrestling with the idea of a pair of Beckmans...really like the non-cap toe look.

Never thought of that, but you're right.

 

[handymike]

Ok, I tried them both on, and I prefer the look of the Beckmans. But the IRs fit better....
Hmmmmmm.

 

[pawineguy]

Ok, I tried them both on, and I prefer the look of the Beckmans. But the IRs fit better....
Hmmmmmm.

Does the color come into play or do you have options you're happy with in both? Breaking in a couple pair of Beckmans now, Black cherry and
Chestnut. The Chestnut I hit with some oil to give them a more aged appearance right away.

 

[handymike]

I was thinking Brown. I like those Black Cherry ones though PAWineguy!

 

[trapp]

The Beckmans are one of my favorite all-time boots. I love the way they look once they break in. There are better made boots out there, but in terms of value, the Beckmans can't be beat.

I've had plenty of custom boots, some of which I've sold off, others which I love and will always wear, but I continue to enjoy Beckmans. I suspect I'll never move on from them. They're versatile, comfortable, and just so grab-and-go.

In general, I think both the Beckmans and the Wolverine 1000 mile boots occupy a place in the boot world that I've really learned to appreciate - good quality off-the-shelf boots that are welted, have nice leather, and embody (to me at least) a casual handsome shoe that almost anyone can reach. They're the quintessential sensible purchase. I even suspect I make more sensible decisions when I wear them

 

[pawineguy]

The Beckmans are one of my favorite all-time boots. I love the way they look once they break in. There are better made boots out there, but in terms of value, the Beckmans can't be beat.

I've had plenty of custom boots, some of which I've sold off, others which I love and will always wear, but I continue to enjoy Beckmans. I suspect I'll never move on from them. They're versatile, comfortable, and just so grab-and-go.

In general, I think both the Beckmans and the Wolverine 1000 mile boots occupy a place in the boot world that I've really learned to appreciate - good quality off-the-shelf boots that are welted, have nice leather, and embody (to me at least) a casual handsome shoe that almost anyone can reach. They're the quintessential sensible purchase. I even suspect I make more sensible decisions when I wear them

+1, the Beckman fits me well, so given the construction at that price point, I can grab two pair for every pair of higher end boots I purchase. (and I've bought my share of those) If I need another pair I can go on Amazon or Zappos and have them on my feet the next day.

 

[gtdean48]

Ok, I tried them both on, and I prefer the look of the Beckmans. But the IRs fit better....
Hmmmmmm.

Do you wear the same size in both?
I'm wearing a 10D in Iron Rangers but a 9.5 in Aldens Indy boot.
Wondering if Beckmans will be same size as IRs & save a trip to the Red Wing store....

 

[Worf]

Welp, I've RedWing custom Becks and Wolvie 1000 milers. On the whole I prefer the Wolvies. They just plain fit my feet better. They've a higher arch and are more comfortable all way round. I had to get the RedWings stretched to accomodate my high arch. All I had to do with the wolverines is wear em.

Worf

 

[handymike]

The 10e fit perfect in IR's, but the Beckmans needed a 10.5...
I'm a 9 in Wolverines....

 

[FarWalker]

Both my IRs and Beckmans are size 9, which is at least a half size smaller than my size in any other shoe (I bought some new Nike running shoes the other day, size 10.5, for example). My other other advice would be to make sure they really fit before you start that break in process. My first pair of Beckmans were 9.5 and I was so in love with them that it took me months to acknowledge that they were too long. They were chestnut, which is a great color, but I found that if they got scuffed, oiling them would leave the scuffs much darker. I never found a way to get a more or less uniform color back.

 

[handymike]

Pulled the trigger on a pair of Beckmans today.
I'll do a comparison when they arrive

 

[Don Tomaso]

I just came across Chippewa's boots recently. What's the consensus quality-wise with regard to RW or 1km? I do like the Beckman's as well...

 

[Worf]

Well I've Chipps, Becks and Wolvies. The Chipps are a slight, very slight, notch below the fit and finish of the others. BUT I feel real comfortable working in the Chipps in the field, not so with the other two.

Worf