Boots Similar to Iron Ranger
The Iron Ranger is a pair of boots by Red Wing Shoes that has become popular thanks to its timeless look and quality features.
These handcrafted boots are made with an oil-tanned leather upper, Goodyear welt construction, and triple stitched quality. The Vibram 430 Mini-lug sole makes the shoes durable and provides excellent traction. You can wear these boots in all weather conditions without worrying about damaging them.
This footwear looks great on both men and women. It is so versatile that you can wear it with jeans or suits, depending on the occasion. These shoes go equally well with casual and formal outfits and will accentuate your style making you even more attractive.
There are many similar models of these iconic shoes out there, however, they are not always easy to find. Below are the best alternatives with similar design and quality characteristics that will make you look great no matter where you go!
8 Boots Similar to Iron Ranger
If you’re looking for a pair of boots that you can wear almost anywhere, the Iron Ranger from Red Wing Heritage is a great option. They have the ruggedness of a work boot and the sleek look of a dress shoe, so they can be worn in casual and formal settings.
The Iron Rangers are so good that they’re hard to improve on, but if you’re looking for something different, we’ve got some ideas.
1. Chippewa Service Boot
Although Chippewa (Available on Amazon) offers more styles and variations, the Service Boot and Iron Ranger bare many similarities. They both feature a Goodyear welt construction, are made of leather, both have a Vibram sole, and they’re crafted here in the US.
Since both the Chippewa Service Boot and Iron Ranger come from heritage brands with deep American roots, each boot features iconic designs that have stood the test of time for over a century.
From the stitch-down construction used by both Chippewa and Red Wing to the unmistakable silhouette of both styles, it’s clear why these timeless designs have been in production for well over 100 years.
Both models were designed as durable workboots, which means they are built to last. While each model has a slightly different construction method, they both use high-quality materials and traditional handcrafted techniques that create an exceptionally durable product.
In contrast to Red Wing’s Iron Ranger, Chippewa’s Service Boot was designed for comfort as well as durability. The boot has a basic Goodyear welt construction, but it also sits on a comfortable Vibram Sierra outsole, which is designed for traction and durability. The boot also features a cushioned insole that is designed to provide arch support and reduce foot fatigue.
2. Danner Mountain Light II
The Danner Mountain Light II is a good alternative to the Iron Ranger because it provides a similar look and feels with a little bit more ankle support, while still being made in the USA.
The Danner Mountain Light II (Available on Amazon) was first introduced in 1979 as a hiking boot, and quickly became an icon of its own. It is made with premium full-grain leather that will only get better with age.
It features a Vibram Kletterlift outsole that gives traction on various terrain, including wet surfaces. The Danner Mountain Light II is built for comfort and durability on any adventure you take it on.
The biggest difference between the two is that the Danner Mountain Light II uses a full-grain leather upper instead of nubucks like the Iron Ranger and Red Wing’s other models. While this type of leather is more vulnerable to scratches than nubuck, it is much easier to clean and maintain.
The Danner Mountain Light II comes with Vibram Kletterlift outsoles for excellent traction on flat surfaces. If you want something more versatile and grippy, you can upgrade these to Vibram SPE midsoles at an additional cost.
The leather is high quality and softens nicely with time. The leather will soften up a lot over time to create a custom fit for your feet. It will also develop a beautiful patina as you wear them more.
The stitching is very well done, with no fraying or loose ends anywhere on the boot. This is especially important on leather boots because leather stretches over time, so you need sturdy stitching to hold everything together.
The sole is lugged (non-slip) and will last you a long time before needing replacement.
3. Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot
Wolverine’s 1000 Mile Boot (Available on Amazon) is a faithful reproduction of their original design that was produced back in 1914. It has since been updated with newer materials, but the overall aesthetic remains true to what Wolverine produced over 100 years ago.
The 1000 Mile Boot is also made in America and is relatively affordable considering the quality of materials and construction.
It’s more comfortable
Both shoes are made from Horween Chromexcel leather which has a thickness of 2.4mm. But even with this similar makeup, many users report that Wolverine 1000 Mile boot is more comfortable than Red Wing Iron Ranger because its leather stems from an older tannery process and doesn’t have any thick coatings or shellac like Chrome Ranger does. This makes it softer and easier to break-in.
It matches the durability of the Red Wing Iron Ranger
The triple stitching and Vibram heel sole on Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot ensure that it has the same rugged construction as Red Wing Iron Ranger, which means you can use it for outdoor activities including hiking, hunting, and even horseback riding.
A better outsole
As far as leather soles go, the one on the Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot is pretty good. It has more traction than what you get on the Iron Ranger, which makes it better suited for everyday wear and winter use. The sole tends to wear down slower as well because of the rubber heel cap and toe cap. This means you won’t have to resole them as often or at all depending on how hard you are on your boots.
4. Thursday Boot Company Vanguard Boot
The Thursday Boot Company Vanguard boot is a great alternative to the Iron Ranger. The upper leather is similar, although Red Wing’s leather is thicker, and Thursday Boot has used Goodyear welt construction on this model, which is something that Red Wing doesn’t offer.
This boot also has a better sole than the Iron Ranger, it’s slightly thinner and more flexible than Red Wing’s Vibram 430 mini-lug, but still provides good traction and durability.
However, if you want a sole that looks similar to the Iron Ranger then it might be worth looking into Carmina or White’s boots since they use Dainite soles.
The Vanguard Boot features full-grain leather sourced from one of America’s most trusted tanneries, S.B Foot Tanning Company based in Minnesota.
Full-grain leather is the best quality leather you can buy because it is full of natural character and patina over time with age and wear.
5. Abilene
One of the most popular products we sell is the Iron Ranger boot. No surprise there; it’s a great boot. But if you want a change of pace, or if the Iron Ranger is sold out in your size, here are three reasons why Abilene (Available on Amazon) is a good alternative.
It’s more affordable than Iron Rangers
The Abilene costs less than Iron Rangers because it uses machine welting instead of Goodyear welt construction, and it doesn’t have any fancy leather patterns or exacting details in the leather — just nice, simple waxed flesh side out leather.
The sole is made for easier walking
Abilene uses a nitrile cork sole that’s oil- and slip-resistant, and has a more flexible midsole than most Red Wing styles. This makes the boots easier to break in, but it also means they’re lighter and more comfortable to walk in all day long.
It’s available in sizes up to 15EE
That’s right — if you need a bigger size than a 13EE Iron Ranger, the Abilene can come to the rescue.
The Abilene features a similar silhouette to the Iron Ranger, but with subtle twists that make it a unique style all its own. Most notably, it features a combination upper made up of both leather and suede leather, giving this boot a decidedly casual look
6. Viberg 2030 Service Boot
Viberg makes some of the finest boots on the market but is often overlooked due to its price point. The company has also been around for quite some time and has a firm understanding of boot construction techniques and styles.
The Viberg 2030 is similar to the Iron Ranger in many ways. The design is fairly straightforward and looks good with pretty much anything in your closet.
It also has a Dainite sole, and it’s made of Chromexcel leather. But there are a few differences between the two that sets the Viberg apart from the crowd.
Here are a few reasons why the Viberg 2030 is a better Iron Ranger alternative:
Lighter weight
The 2030 Service Boot has an EVA midsole which makes it significantly lighter than other boots on the market. This makes them ideal for all-day wear, travel, or going out on long hikes.
Less break-in time
Viberg uses Horween Chromexcel leather for their 2030 boots, which requires less break-in time compared to Red Wing’s briar oiled roughout leather used in Iron Rangers.
They look similar
The aesthetics of both of these boots are very similar to each other. They both have plain toes, leather outsoles, leather midsoles, and leather uppers. The only major difference between them may be the eyelet style.
7. Wesco Boss Boot
Wesco has been making high-quality work boots for decades, and the Boss Boot is one of their most popular products. The double-layer vamp gives these boots a very similar look to Iron Rangers but also makes them more durable than most other boots on this list.
Wesco Boss Boot vs Iron Ranger: What’s The Difference?
The biggest difference between these two boots is that the Wesco Boss Boot features a full-grain leather upper while the Iron Ranger features a pebbled leather upper.
If you’re not familiar with leather terminology, this means that the Boss Boot is made with a smoother, less textured leather while the Iron Ranger has a more rustic appearance. Both types of leather are durable and will age beautifully with time but offer slightly different looks out of the box.
The Boss Boot is made in the USA.
Many people are looking for a way to support good-paying jobs in their country and not have their hard-earned dollars go overseas. Wesco Jobmaster Boots are 100% made in the USA and are built by hand in Scappoose, Oregon, by a third-generation American family-owned company.
The Boss Boot has a triple-stitched upper.
Wesco uses a triple stitch construction on the upper of the boot which is more durable than the double stitch used on Red Wing Iron Rangers. This adds to the overall strength of the boot and helps it last longer than its Red Wing counterpart.
The Boss Boot has a removable footbed.
The removable footbed on the Boss Boot is a nice bonus that you don’t get with an Iron Ranger. This will allow you to replace your footbed when it gets worn out rather than having to buy another pair of boots altogether, saving you money in the long run.
8. Nick’s Handmade Boots
If you have been doing your research on Iron Rangers, you probably came across the Nick’s Handmade Boots brand. There are many great reasons why this brand is a good alternative to Iron Rangers. In fact, it’s so good that we decided to sell their products here on our online store.
Here are some of the reasons we chose Nick’s Handmade Boots:
Nick’s Handmade Boots makes both men’s and women’s boots
It can be tricky to find cowboy boots for women. Fortunately, Nick’s Handmade Boots has a wide selection of footwear for both men and women. The company also makes superb children’s shoes.
The boot manufacturer takes pride in their workmanship
Nick’s Handmade Boots is made by expert craftsmen with years of experience making handcrafted footwear. As such, they take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every pair of boots they make. They use only the finest leather materials to make their footwear, which is why they are considered one of the best brands when it comes to handmade boots.
They make excellent Iron Ranger alternatives
One of the reasons why people love Iron Rangers is because they make high-quality cowboy boots that are also stylish and durable.
In summary, Iron Ranger is a boot with an interesting history. It was built by a company called Red Wing, and it wasn’t exactly created for the purpose of being a fashion accessory.
It was originally designed to be used as a work boot, but that didn’t stop people from wearing it outside of their working hours.
Red Wing is still around today and they’ve stayed true to their roots by continuing to make great men’s boots.
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Allan Wilson who in the offline world has an extensive background working in research, analyzing statistics, improving work processes, team leading, and implementing training to improve results and now thanks to more than 3 years dedicated to this site is now also a highly regarded researcher of brands.
Allan has a long history of developing brands online way back before blogging existed creating websites using HTML code in Notepad. Allan established brands in the Info Product Marketing arena such as infoproductmarketing, ebookresellerkit, reprintrightsmarketing, along with many other successful websites (and a few failures along the way). Allan has also authored numerous ebooks, owned and operated membership sites, created eLearning courses, and more.
