Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots
by Red Wing
24 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Dec 2023
Goodyear-welted leather work boots with a cap toe and Vibram sole, made from Red Wing's own tanned leather in Minnesota.
Added Jun 30, 2026, Updated Jul 6, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
The Goodyear welt construction means the soles can be resoled indefinitely instead of the boot being thrown away, and the full-grain leather patinas rather than cracks. Redditors show off pairs resoled two or three times over 15-plus years, treating them as a lifetime platform rather than a disposable shoe.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as November 2025
Show 30 more mentions
- 56r/BuyItForLife post
They've aged better than anything else I own... Resoled twice... Still get compliments
- 52r/BuyItForLife comment
I have a pair of redwing iron ranger and they are hands down the best shoes I have ever owned!
- 37r/BuyItForLife comment
Redwing & Thorogoods
- 5r/BuyItForLife comment
That's not been my experience with red wing.
- 4r/BuyItForLife comment
the lack of a midsole really bugs me
- 4r/BuyItForLife comment
red wing, danner, etc will ne the same. Expect to pay $250-400
- 4r/BuyItForLife comment
Red Wing Iron Rangers. They're broken in but they just aren't comfy.
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
Lol I have them. And wear them. Bought them last year.
- 3r/BuyItForLife comment
Redwings are great but they’re not “lifetime” boots for most accounts... go in-store and get a pair of redwings and their ortho insoles
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
I bring them in every 6ish months for an inspection and free oiling. I get them re soled as necessary, and they will fix any other issues as well.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
Red Wing has some good casual boots. But this is BIFL.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
My last pair of Red Wings is almost 10 years old and I am confident they will last another 10 years.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
I've had no issues.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
My rangers are 4 years old and still going strong.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
they're both significantly more worn down after a year than a pair I bought 10 years ago became
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
Not at all lol
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
I wouldn't necessarily say those are an indication of overall boot quality.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
First pair lasted me 13 years of hard abuse.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
Redwing, Frye, Luchasse. Buy expensive, get a good cobbler to re-sole them.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
He swore by them and, being US made, I agree. They are high quality boots.
- 2r/BuyItForLife comment
still desperately uncomfortable for me (mostly too tight around the heel)... I need to find a different pair of boots
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
The soles wear very quickly now... Steel toes are showing in months when it used to be years.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
The Iron Rangers that look alot like the first ones you posted... All iconic boots in their line
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
My Redwing Iron Rangers are 15 years old (resoled 3 years ago) and they're doing great. Extremely well made boot.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Red wing heritage boots
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
5 years in mine this year! Great boots, where them rain or shine doesn't matter and they still look and feel great.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
It's wild how $300 feels expensive upfront… but ends up cheaper than replacing $80 boots everyday years!
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
15 years here
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Red Wing (heritage) ... You can't go wrong with these
- 0r/BuyItForLife comment
traction is poor on snow, ice, or mud... uncomfortable if I'm on my feet all day... they'd hold up with heavy-duty use... avoid them if they are looking for an actual work boot or hiking boot
Twelve years, two resoles, and they look better than the day I bought them. The leather just keeps getting nicer.
Red Wing 875 and 8111. Both about 9yrs old... Rangers need new heels. Otherwise they're both as good as new.
Boots falling apart in a year is not great
those look like Red Wing Iron Rangers, which retail for $350 ($100 less than a comparable MiUSA Frye pair)
Within less than a year, I'm noticing stitching coming out in at least two places... one of the quick-lace studs snapped in half.
Keen. Timberland, Dakota, redwings basically anything is better than that club boot your picture shows.