These are REAL BOOTS Union electrician by trade. Those boots are ready for the jobsite any day. I've taken them to work on a Friday when I know I won't scuff them up too bad. They look great. All men should have a good pair of boots that can do it all.
Nice! I got a pair of CRT Blacksmiths two months ago and they are holding up very well during these heavy Northern Californian rainstorms. These are quickly becoming my favorite hiking boots and they're casual enough to wear in the office.
Have the IR in this leather (8085s) and love them. I have not experienced the leather rolling over at the edge but could be the extra leather on the toe cap or the fact the my feet aren't very wide but they seem to fit great with little break in if any
Yeah I should have stressed that the roll over could be just based on my unique foot shape and not something that everyone will experience. And totally, the copper r&t leather has almost no break in but is resilient and ages so well. I think its a better version of Horween CXL to be honest!
Awesome video. Please do more follow ups if you have any other boots. Most people do unboxings and then we are left wondering what they look like after 6 months or a year. Some boots look really nice out the box but then look terrible or perform poorly later. I have some loose grain on my higgins mill and yea not so good looking but its in an area where my pants cover it.
Thanks for the good vibes Luis! Will definitely do more follow ups with my other Red wings / Blundstones / docs. I can even do Clark’s which I think are great underrated boots. And yeah part of what inspired me to make these videos on YT is because of that reason. People should see what they look like after decent wear. And yeah loose grain is something I also find kind of annoying but hey they still will last just as long. It’s interesting because if they’re horween cxl I’d expect them to be not loose grain!
@@TheMensch if you like the blacksmiths, please check out red wing's harvester boots! They are the 8" version and either come in amber harness or black harness. I have a pair and i really love how they hug the ankles. Yup chromexcel from horween on my Higgins mill but they were seconds so can't complain too much. I also get spill over on my Dalton's AEs because of the way i walk. But it will be shaped to my foot only so its ok. Good to see another video from you!
@@liljuanito123 I need to get a pair of boots made with Horween CXL and do a proper comparison between those and RW's leathers. I would love to get my hands on Alden Indies but theyre pretty pricey! Or maybe Wolverine 1000 miles. Although I hear Thursday boots that are made in USA use horween leather too, so maybe a pair of those! Will keep videos coming your way!
@@TheMensch Horween's chromexcel is amazing. No break in at all. Maybe about 2 mins of walking literally. If on a budget yes go with Thursday boots. The Vanguards are made in America and are at $265 which is very reasonable for American made boot. They just run a bit narrow, but that works for me. French Roast and Color #8 are chromexcel leather. Unless you can still find a Higgins Mill in your size. I recommend TTS at least if you do go with Thursday's Vanguards.
Luis Sauceda would love to try out s pair of Higgins mill just to represent the AE brand plus I’ve had a good experience with them before for the Acheson tassel loafer one of my all time favorite shoes. But the Thursday would be great too!
You should do an update on them if you still have em. I would be interested. But don’t go out of your way for me man. Good quality content. You got a new subscriber
I just bought a pair, and I don't understand why everyone on youtube says the leather is soft, no breaking-in etc. It is the hardest pair of boots I've ever wore. Hurts like heck. And I'm a former infantryman conscript/reservist, so I know a (painful) thing or two about breaking in boots.
Thanks for dropping a comment! Did you get the copper rough and tough leather? I guess relative to the other red wing leathers it’s softer but it still takes some working in. The insoles definitely need a few weeks if not more of break in. Do you like them overall?
The Mensch on Menswear > Hard to say as I literally just bought them and only worn it around the house for 15mins and it was uncomfortable to say the least. Yes I bought the Copper version. I didn’t like the Color because on the website and CZcams videos they all looked a lot darker, and more uniform. My boots has starkly different patches of brown. It is the heaviest pair of boots I’d ever owned. The leather is very thick, the soles too hard. Even the cuffs hurt my shin and calf areas. I may try to darken the leather later. I’m definitely not looking forward to breaking them in. They look built to be passed on from generation to generation. Note about sizing: I bought them at the store in order to get the perfect fit. As opposed to what’s recommended by everyone to go at least one size down, I ended up getting a pair that is half a US size larger.
Yeah breaking them in is definitely a challenge and a painful one at that! It sounds like you still feel like they’re well made and worth a try but if you really don’t like them I’m sure red wing would take them back - also you could probably try putting a light cushioned insole in to help the hardness of the footbed. Also very interesting that you sized up! I am one size down from my sneaker size!
Yes the leather is hard. I went to try this (COPPER ROUGH & TOUGH LEATHER) boots a day ago at a local RW store. The color looks great, color variation and scuff marks and all. But the leather is stiff. My guess, is that it would take a few weeks if not months to break in this leather. They do offer to stretch it in house after you've worn if a few weeks, if it still hasn't soften. I'm going to different RW stores to try several pairs because I really like the color and style. No much in arch support either, and the waxed laces are a little tricky to work with. Not water resistant and are not work boots, is the first thing that came out of person who helped me at the store. Very helpful folks though.
I always appreciate update reviews on brands that I'm interested in. Very solid points and considerations. WRT loose grain, this is only a cosmetic flaw and not a big deal in my book when it comes to casual footwear which is more likely to get scuffed anyway. Loose grain on dress shoes/boots is a different story. Great review.
Mine was really nice from the get go. I’ve been wearing them about 2-3 days per week for about a year and I absolutely love em with a pair of Levi’s or chinos. Great review and thank you for the review. And no I don’t work on job sites anymore, but I wore nothing but redwings for all the years I worked construction.
I've been wearing my Blacksmiths on jobsites for over 2 years now (and they still have many years left) They have actually held up amazingly. So I'd say I strongly disagree as far as saying they aren't suited for work. In fact, I'd say prefer them over many other boots because not only do they stand up to the wear and tear? But they are a light weight/easy to navigate boot. I work in construction and honestly? These boots are the best I've ever worn in that regard. They last, they are extended comfortable, they are surprisingly water resistant, and they don't fatigue my feet. Excellent boot. And I have plenty of Nicks and White's as well. Yes those brands are more robust but they also fatigue my feet much more. So I'd say the Blacksmiths are a pretty amazing boot for casual or work wear.
Awesome boot I have three pairs of black smiths and two pairs of iron rangers just ordered my third pair yesterday there just a comfy work boot iam in them for 12 or 13 hours a day just love them
Wearing Beckmans daily at doing construction. So far comfortable. We will see how they hold up, being they are half sole constructed. In hindsight wish I had gotten the blacksmiths.
Good to know you’re putting them to the test! I’m curious to hear your thoughts on them down the road. The beckman have a great sole but I think the leather (feather stone) is a bit dressier and not as oily and wacky as some of the others you can find in the blacksmith line. Hopefully you can use this as an excuse to grab another pair soon enough! 😊
I'm a blue collar worker and I mean my boots see everything from concrete(wet and dry) to straight mud and snow. I'm going to try a pair of iron rangers for summertime with mini lugs. I general buy a boot with a very deep aggressive vibram sole but with that generally comes a heavy, hot boot and I want to get away from that.
Really appreciate the comments! I would love to hear how they perform under heavy work! I know a lot of blue collar guys seem to stigmatize these as more of a fashion boot but I believe they’re more than capable of both looking good and performing exceptionally well. I think during the summer they’ll do great especially because they aren’t lined, and therefore surprisingly breathable compared to boots with some sort of fabric lining/cushioning
I've had the 3433s for nearly four years now and they've aged really nicely. One tip on minimizing discoloration due to conditioning is to use Red Wing's boot cream instead of the conditioner, which tends to maintain the leather's original color more. Also, I noticed you're using the leather laces. Any thoughts on them specifically? I've had to change my laces once but replaced them with the same wax laces as what came with the boots out of the box.
Most blue collar workers are required to have steel toes so these boots are more for everyday use when your not at work. It just bugs me these are about 100$ more expensive than my actual red wing slip on work boots that have composite toes, water proofing, slip resistant sole, and electrical rated.
as a carpenter i don't know anyone who would wear theres to a job site and if they did they would be promptly sent home since these boots don't have any of the safety requirements to be on a worksite. seriously. looking cool is not worth the injury or the fine. these are a fashion statement and nothing more. Nice for an office setting, maybe retail,
I wouldn't get on any construction site or factory with these boots on in the UK, Toe protectors are a must. So for me these are a fashion boot as are all of the Heritage range.
Great video man! I remember when I went to the Red Wing store to get my first pair of heritage boots, I really wanted the blacksmiths but they didn’t have the right color so they talked me into getting the charcoal iron rangers and I’m definitely not disappointed 😄. I have trouble deciding whether to wear those or my 875s so I just alternate. My next pair is definitely going to be the mule skinner iron ranger 8083s. I can’t wait 👍
Damn those Muleskinner iron rangers are sweeeeeet!! I really want a pair of any RW's in that leather. The Iron Ranger is to me the most iconic of the RW boots and still my favorite and the Charcoal R&T is really versatile! Which moc toes do you own?
Winter in Australia can regular be 25°c+. Are Redwings boots and other North American brands appropriate for my extremely hot working conditions? Or are they more suited to colder climates
Great question! I actually find these to be great hot weather boots! The leather is unlined and breathes really well, much better than a fabric lining! I wear mine all summer long with no problems
Dude, thanks for pointing out that your not a blue collar worker, I was about to light you up in the comments, LOL. Hands down, It's a quality boot. Keep on truckin...
I think relative to the amber harness leather on the 8111 the rough and tough is more malleable - you can bend this one pretty easily whereas the harness leather out of the box is stiff as a board! But all red wing leathers are extremely hefty and definitely take a while to break in- hang in there! It’ll be worth it 😉
Great video!! and very informative! i have the IR 8111 and i was wondering if the fit is the same with the blacksmith, because i am ordering by the web. Does the blacksmiths comes in the amber harness leather? please more videos!!
Thanks so much for the good vibes! Yeah the fit is exactly the same as they use the same last (the 8 last) to shape these boots. Are you gonna order through red wing? If you order though amazon it would help me out if you use my link in the description 😉 Thanks in advance and the videos will keep coming!!! ✌️
I don’t think I have overpronation since my boots lean outward more than inward - isn’t it normal for the outer part of the heel and sole to wear down faster than the inward part?
@@TheMensch you might want to get someone to look at your gait, its nigh impossible to check yourself you need someone to watch you walking from the back and front
willyb oh man really?! As much as I love these I still think the iron ranger! I think the cap toe has an old world charm about it. Which leather did you get for the IR?
I may be a little late to the party here given that most of these comments/questions are several months old. My question is about sizing. The RW website says that many customers buy a half to whole size down from usual. What have you (or anyone else here...) found in this regard? I don't have a Red Wing store near me so I'll need to buy online and would like to at least try to get the sizing right the first time.
You can wear whatever boots you want whether you are a blue collar worker or not. There are no rules and anyone who judges someone else for their appearance is a terrible person that I don’t want to know! As for me, I’m a blue collar worker and have worn red wing boots for longer than I can remember. I’m currently 8 years in on a pair of super soles and they are great. Looking for some blacksmiths for casual use not at work.
No way not from my experience! The Amber was super tough and took weeks if not months to soften up to the point of softness the copper tough n tough has out of the box
75th Teaster Thats What I thought just based on the name. I’ve noticed that the Amber Harness Iron Ranger leather feels much stiffer and may even thicker than the Black Harness Iron Ranger. So there seems to be differences even between the same leather. Anyway, I thought the copper R and T would feel as though as the Amber Harness. Not sure I would get it since it may turn into mush in no time.
I’ve got to recommend the iron ranger! They’re more iconic in my opinion and it but more versatile becuase the cap toe makes them a bit more appropriate for casual wear. It also depends on which leather you want to buy. For example if you got the blackskiths in briar oil slick leather they’ll be more versatile than the copper rough and tough leather I have. I just think the 8111 are the most iconic red wings.
The Mensch on Menswear I agree that the IR are more expensive the 8111 but I got the Black Harness because I never liked brown boots. I’ve always been a black boot kinda guy. 😂 Anyway, I returned my Blacksmith Oil Slick because I wore them in my house for 3 weeks but I just couldn’t break them in. I even tried stretching them with a stretching device. They’ve stretched a bit but they still hurt my feet even though they don’t feel tight . It’s so weird. I ordered the Blacksmith Copper but now you worried me a bit with how you described the Copper leather. You said it doesn’t hold its shape and that my pinky toe might spill over . That would also bother me. However I want the Blacksmith shoe in my collection because I think it looks better than my IR buyback don’t want the Blacksmith in Black or Charcoal. They only have 4 colors on their website .😞
I try to avoid that as much as possible haha but they do ok being that the leather is very waxy and the Goodyear welt construction does a good job keeping moisture out. There’s not much insulation due to the unlined interior too so keep that in kind
They look pike they have never been worn. I don't get this? They are good boots, the leather is thick , they are well made, but it seems people are more concerned with showing their collection of boots, but not many people actually wear them.😊
That’s a great question! Personally I’ve tried on Wolverines and I don’t like the fit as much for my feet. I’ve also seen people complain about quality control for grainy leather and sole durability and play they’re more expensive. So id say red wing all the way!
Why the hell do they call it *rough and tough* anyway? Because of the name I thought it would’ve been the thickest leather, least malleable leather out of them all.
Lol that’s a great point! I think it’s because it patinas really quickly giving it a rough and rugged look whereas the other smoother leathers are more uniform in color and font age quite as dramatically
The Mensch on Menswear I just received my Blacksmith Copper Rough & Touch and they are totally different from what you described. They’re NOT mushy and pliable. These are toucher and stiffer than my IR Black Harness leather. Mine hardly have the orange color. I noticed that the orange color shows when you press from inside of the boot out. When I did that some of the orange color stayed. It’s a very interesting leather however I prefer how the Blacksmith looks in the Briar Oil Slick leather. And like you said it’s more versatile. . I think I will return these and order the Rover round toe in the C R & T. I did hear it scratches easily but I noticed that you can make it go away by rubbing the scratch firmly with your finger.
These are REAL BOOTS
Union electrician by trade.
Those boots are ready for the jobsite any day. I've taken them to work on a Friday when I know I won't scuff them up too bad. They look great. All men should have a good pair of boots that can do it all.
I’m looking at apprenticing as an electrician. You’d recommend the blacksmiths?
Would love a 2 year review on these guys 👌
Yes! This and the moc toes will be next!
Nice! I got a pair of CRT Blacksmiths two months ago and they are holding up very well during these heavy Northern Californian rainstorms. These are quickly becoming my favorite hiking boots and they're casual enough to wear in the office.
Waterproof maybe
Thanks for the update. I've been considering a pair of Red Wing boots for a while now and I found your follow up to be quite insightful. Thanks!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
Have the IR in this leather (8085s) and love them. I have not experienced the leather rolling over at the edge but could be the extra leather on the toe cap or the fact the my feet aren't very wide but they seem to fit great with little break in if any
Yeah I should have stressed that the roll over could be just based on my unique foot shape and not something that everyone will experience. And totally, the copper r&t leather has almost no break in but is resilient and ages so well. I think its a better version of Horween CXL to be honest!
Awesome video. Please do more follow ups if you have any other boots. Most people do unboxings and then we are left wondering what they look like after 6 months or a year. Some boots look really nice out the box but then look terrible or perform poorly later. I have some loose grain on my higgins mill and yea not so good looking but its in an area where my pants cover it.
Thanks for the good vibes Luis! Will definitely do more follow ups with my other Red wings / Blundstones / docs. I can even do Clark’s which I think are great underrated boots. And yeah part of what inspired me to make these videos on YT is because of that reason. People should see what they look like after decent wear. And yeah loose grain is something I also find kind of annoying but hey they still will last just as long. It’s interesting because if they’re horween cxl I’d expect them to be not loose grain!
@@TheMensch if you like the blacksmiths, please check out red wing's harvester boots! They are the 8" version and either come in amber harness or black harness. I have a pair and i really love how they hug the ankles. Yup chromexcel from horween on my Higgins mill but they were seconds so can't complain too much. I also get spill over on my Dalton's AEs because of the way i walk. But it will be shaped to my foot only so its ok. Good to see another video from you!
@@liljuanito123 I need to get a pair of boots made with Horween CXL and do a proper comparison between those and RW's leathers. I would love to get my hands on Alden Indies but theyre pretty pricey! Or maybe Wolverine 1000 miles. Although I hear Thursday boots that are made in USA use horween leather too, so maybe a pair of those! Will keep videos coming your way!
@@TheMensch Horween's chromexcel is amazing. No break in at all. Maybe about 2 mins of walking literally. If on a budget yes go with Thursday boots. The Vanguards are made in America and are at $265 which is very reasonable for American made boot. They just run a bit narrow, but that works for me. French Roast and Color #8 are chromexcel leather. Unless you can still find a Higgins Mill in your size. I recommend TTS at least if you do go with Thursday's Vanguards.
Luis Sauceda would love to try out s pair of Higgins mill just to represent the AE brand plus I’ve had a good experience with them before for the Acheson tassel loafer one of my all time favorite shoes. But the Thursday would be great too!
You should do an update on them if you still have em. I would be interested. But don’t go out of your way for me man. Good quality content. You got a new subscriber
I just bought a pair, and I don't understand why everyone on youtube says the leather is soft, no breaking-in etc. It is the hardest pair of boots I've ever wore. Hurts like heck. And I'm a former infantryman conscript/reservist, so I know a (painful) thing or two about breaking in boots.
Thanks for dropping a comment! Did you get the copper rough and tough leather? I guess relative to the other red wing leathers it’s softer but it still takes some working in. The insoles definitely need a few weeks if not more of break in. Do you like them overall?
The Mensch on Menswear > Hard to say as I literally just bought them and only worn it around the house for 15mins and it was uncomfortable to say the least. Yes I bought the Copper version. I didn’t like the Color because on the website and CZcams videos they all looked a lot darker, and more uniform. My boots has starkly different patches of brown. It is the heaviest pair of boots I’d ever owned. The leather is very thick, the soles too hard. Even the cuffs hurt my shin and calf areas. I may try to darken the leather later. I’m definitely not looking forward to breaking them in. They look built to be passed on from generation to generation.
Note about sizing: I bought them at the store in order to get the perfect fit. As opposed to what’s recommended by everyone to go at least one size down, I ended up getting a pair that is half a US size larger.
Yeah breaking them in is definitely a challenge and a painful one at that! It sounds like you still feel like they’re well made and worth a try but if you really don’t like them I’m sure red wing would take them back - also you could probably try putting a light cushioned insole in to help the hardness of the footbed. Also very interesting that you sized up! I am one size down from my sneaker size!
I love them! Love hurts. LOL I wear very thick socks folded down so the cuffs don’t cut so badly. Thanks for your replies.
Yes the leather is hard. I went to try this (COPPER ROUGH & TOUGH LEATHER) boots a day ago at a local RW store. The color looks great, color variation and scuff marks and all. But the leather is stiff. My guess, is that it would take a few weeks if not months to break in this leather. They do offer to stretch it in house after you've worn if a few weeks, if it still hasn't soften. I'm going to different RW stores to try several pairs because I really like the color and style. No much in arch support either, and the waxed laces are a little tricky to work with. Not water resistant and are not work boots, is the first thing that came out of person who helped me at the store. Very helpful folks though.
I always appreciate update reviews on brands that I'm interested in. Very solid points and considerations. WRT loose grain, this is only a cosmetic flaw and not a big deal in my book when it comes to casual footwear which is more likely to get scuffed anyway. Loose grain on dress shoes/boots is a different story. Great review.
Mine was really nice from the get go. I’ve been wearing them about 2-3 days per week for about a year and I absolutely love em with a pair of Levi’s or chinos. Great review and thank you for the review. And no I don’t work on job sites anymore, but I wore nothing but redwings for all the years I worked construction.
I've been wearing my Blacksmiths on jobsites for over 2 years now (and they still have many years left) They have actually held up amazingly. So I'd say I strongly disagree as far as saying they aren't suited for work. In fact, I'd say prefer them over many other boots because not only do they stand up to the wear and tear? But they are a light weight/easy to navigate boot. I work in construction and honestly? These boots are the best I've ever worn in that regard. They last, they are extended comfortable, they are surprisingly water resistant, and they don't fatigue my feet. Excellent boot. And I have plenty of Nicks and White's as well. Yes those brands are more robust but they also fatigue my feet much more. So I'd say the Blacksmiths are a pretty amazing boot for casual or work wear.
Great review - appreciate in the attention to detail and honest assessment!
“I’m not a blue collar worker” - that’s ok, nobody’s perfect.
At least I know my own flaws!
Thanks for doing the review. I was looking forward to seeing it. 👍
Good to hear! Hopefully by next year they look even better as I wear them throughout the winter!
Wow, thank you for the review. I just got my boots.
Awesome glad you liked!
Awesome boot I have three pairs of black smiths and two pairs of iron rangers just ordered my third pair yesterday there just a comfy work boot iam in them for 12 or 13 hours a day just love them
Wearing Beckmans daily at doing construction. So far comfortable. We will see how they hold up, being they are half sole constructed. In hindsight wish I had gotten the blacksmiths.
Good to know you’re putting them to the test! I’m curious to hear your thoughts on them down the road. The beckman have a great sole but I think the leather (feather stone) is a bit dressier and not as oily and wacky as some of the others you can find in the blacksmith line. Hopefully you can use this as an excuse to grab another pair soon enough! 😊
It would be great to get another update if you are still doing videos
Work in these boots all the time. Very comfortable work all day
Great video bud! Blacksmiths looking good
Thanks so much for the love! Yeah they’ve definitely gotten better looking as I’ve broken them in!
I'm a blue collar worker and I mean my boots see everything from concrete(wet and dry) to straight mud and snow. I'm going to try a pair of iron rangers for summertime with mini lugs. I general buy a boot with a very deep aggressive vibram sole but with that generally comes a heavy, hot boot and I want to get away from that.
Really appreciate the comments! I would love to hear how they perform under heavy work! I know a lot of blue collar guys seem to stigmatize these as more of a fashion boot but I believe they’re more than capable of both looking good and performing exceptionally well. I think during the summer they’ll do great especially because they aren’t lined, and therefore surprisingly breathable compared to boots with some sort of fabric lining/cushioning
I've had the 3433s for nearly four years now and they've aged really nicely. One tip on minimizing discoloration due to conditioning is to use Red Wing's boot cream instead of the conditioner, which tends to maintain the leather's original color more.
Also, I noticed you're using the leather laces. Any thoughts on them specifically? I've had to change my laces once but replaced them with the same wax laces as what came with the boots out of the box.
I really like the leather laces - these are from black rock leather - they are surprisingly durable and add a bit more ruggedness to them
The leather laces come from the time, people worked with those boots in the shop. If u were working with hot metal those traces won't burn.
Most blue collar workers are required to have steel toes so these boots are more for everyday use when your not at work. It just bugs me these are about 100$ more expensive than my actual red wing slip on work boots that have composite toes, water proofing, slip resistant sole, and electrical rated.
as a carpenter i don't know anyone who would wear theres to a job site and if they did they would be promptly sent home since these boots don't have any of the safety requirements to be on a worksite. seriously. looking cool is not worth the injury or the fine. these are a fashion statement and nothing more. Nice for an office setting, maybe retail,
I wouldn't get on any construction site or factory with these boots on in the UK, Toe protectors are a must. So for me these are a fashion boot as are all of the Heritage range.
I have these in charcoal...tough to break in, but great after that!
Great video man! I remember when I went to the Red Wing store to get my first pair of heritage boots, I really wanted the blacksmiths but they didn’t have the right color so they talked me into getting the charcoal iron rangers and I’m definitely not disappointed 😄. I have trouble deciding whether to wear those or my 875s so I just alternate. My next pair is definitely going to be the mule skinner iron ranger 8083s. I can’t wait 👍
Damn those Muleskinner iron rangers are sweeeeeet!! I really want a pair of any RW's in that leather. The Iron Ranger is to me the most iconic of the RW boots and still my favorite and the Charcoal R&T is really versatile! Which moc toes do you own?
The Mensch on Menswear I have the 875 in the Oro-Legacy leather. Classic!
I need those too! Don’t remind me 🤑
Blacksmith in Briar oil. Thing of beauty.
Yes sir!!! Really really need those next!!!
I had iron rangers in copper rough and tough and they stretched so much that I got rid of them
The 'ranger' leather is equally soft imo.
Both super comfy 😌 compared to the Beckman.
For sure! Both are awesome!
Winter in Australia can regular be 25°c+. Are Redwings boots and other North American brands appropriate for my extremely hot working conditions? Or are they more suited to colder climates
Great question! I actually find these to be great hot weather boots! The leather is unlined and breathes really well, much better than a fabric lining! I wear mine all summer long with no problems
Dude, thanks for pointing out that your not a blue collar worker, I was about to light you up in the comments, LOL. Hands down, It's a quality boot. Keep on truckin...
I try not to be something I’m not - though I try to act it!
Very informative!
Grannn thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed Gran!
I don't know how some people are saying the leather for this boot is soft. My blacksmith's leather is stiff and rough to break in.
I think relative to the amber harness leather on the 8111 the rough and tough is more malleable - you can bend this one pretty easily whereas the harness leather out of the box is stiff as a board! But all red wing leathers are extremely hefty and definitely take a while to break in- hang in there! It’ll be worth it 😉
Great video!! and very informative! i have the IR 8111 and i was wondering if the fit is the same with the blacksmith, because i am ordering by the web. Does the blacksmiths comes in the amber harness leather? please more videos!!
Thanks so much for the good vibes! Yeah the fit is exactly the same as they use the same last (the 8 last) to shape these boots. Are you gonna order through red wing? If you order though amazon it would help me out if you use my link in the description 😉
Thanks in advance and the videos will keep coming!!! ✌️
With the lug wearing unevenly, have you checked your gait for overpronation?
I don’t think I have overpronation since my boots lean outward more than inward - isn’t it normal for the outer part of the heel and sole to wear down faster than the inward part?
@@TheMensch you might want to get someone to look at your gait, its nigh impossible to check yourself you need someone to watch you walking from the back and front
I have the IR and I wish i had bought these boots. Not digging the cap toe so much.
willyb oh man really?! As much as I love these I still think the iron ranger! I think the cap toe has an old world charm about it. Which leather did you get for the IR?
@@TheMensch copper rough and tough 8085. They age great. Hard to break in , I went with insoles. Had them 2 yrs.
Great video man! Very helpful. Can I ask where you got those leather laces? Thanks!
Blackrock leather! They’re awesome!
I may be a little late to the party here given that most of these comments/questions are several months old. My question is about sizing. The RW website says that many customers buy a half to whole size down from usual. What have you (or anyone else here...) found in this regard? I don't have a Red Wing store near me so I'll need to buy online and would like to at least try to get the sizing right the first time.
I recommend one full size down from your normal sneaker size
You can wear whatever boots you want whether you are a blue collar worker or not. There are no rules and anyone who judges someone else for their appearance is a terrible person that I don’t want to know! As for me, I’m a blue collar worker and have worn red wing boots for longer than I can remember. I’m currently 8 years in on a pair of super soles and they are great. Looking for some blacksmiths for casual use not at work.
Great follow up review! So, are there any big differences between the IR and these, aside fro the cap toe? Thanks Mensch!
Nope no real difference aside from the cap toe and the curved collar on the iron ranger vs flat collar on the blacksmith
What type of jeans are you wearing with these? Love the combo.
Still wearing these? How they holding up?
So the amber harness is stiffer leather I thought the copper was a bit stiffer .
No way not from my experience! The Amber was super tough and took weeks if not months to soften up to the point of softness the copper tough n tough has out of the box
75th Teaster Thats What I thought just based on the name. I’ve noticed that the Amber Harness Iron Ranger leather feels much stiffer and may even thicker than the Black Harness Iron Ranger. So there seems to be differences even between the same leather. Anyway, I thought the copper R and T would feel as though as the Amber Harness. Not sure I would get it since it may turn into mush in no time.
are the thursday presidents any better? do u own a pair?
Some people would say I do blue collar work and others would say I do not 🤔🤔.
Remember Ken, the only opinion that matters is yours!
Would you recommend getting a wider size for the spillover issue?
Yes! I think sizing down to an 8.5E would have been a better move
Typically if you get spillover in your shoes, it’s the way your feet are. Getting a wider pair is not going to change that
I can't decide between the iron rangers or the blacksmith. For my first boot from Red wing. What do you recommend?
I’ve got to recommend the iron ranger! They’re more iconic in my opinion and it but more versatile becuase the cap toe makes them a bit more appropriate for casual wear. It also depends on which leather you want to buy. For example if you got the blackskiths in briar oil slick leather they’ll be more versatile than the copper rough and tough leather I have. I just think the 8111 are the most iconic red wings.
The Mensch on Menswear I agree that the IR are more expensive the 8111 but I got the Black Harness because I never liked brown boots. I’ve always been a black boot kinda guy. 😂 Anyway, I returned my Blacksmith Oil Slick because I wore them in my house for 3 weeks but I just couldn’t break them in. I even tried stretching them with a stretching device. They’ve stretched a bit but they still hurt my feet even though they don’t feel tight . It’s so weird. I ordered the Blacksmith Copper but now you worried me a bit with how you described the Copper leather. You said it doesn’t hold its shape and that my pinky toe might spill over . That would also bother me. However I want the Blacksmith shoe in my collection because I think it looks better than my IR buyback don’t want the Blacksmith in Black or Charcoal. They only have 4 colors on their website .😞
How do these fare in rain and snow?
I try to avoid that as much as possible haha but they do ok being that the leather is very waxy and the Goodyear welt construction does a good job keeping moisture out. There’s not much insulation due to the unlined interior too so keep that in kind
Should I get these or the spirit lake boots?
Oh man I really love those spirit lake boots too! I think i would go for those!
Tome like !
Good to hear and always appreciated!
They look pike they have never been worn. I don't get this? They are good boots, the leather is thick , they are well made, but it seems people are more concerned with showing their collection of boots, but not many people actually wear them.😊
It should be 3343 I guess
Do they have a steel toe?
Nope they don’t
What laces do you have in these Blacksmiths?
I use black rock leather laces! They’re fantastic - just search google for blackrock leather and they should come up
@@TheMensch Thanks!
Can I wear these with shorts? I live in the desert but wear my boots all year .
Do u think I should get these or Wolverine 1000 miles.
That’s a great question! Personally I’ve tried on Wolverines and I don’t like the fit as much for my feet. I’ve also seen people complain about quality control for grainy leather and sole durability and play they’re more expensive. So id say red wing all the way!
The Mensch on Menswear I apreciate it. I’m wearing some iron rangers right now. 😀
Sweet! Do u have any other red wings?
The Mensch on Menswear no I don’t unfortunately. I’m only 15 and my feet are still growing so I don’t buy too many shoes.
Why the hell do they call it *rough and tough* anyway? Because of the name I thought it would’ve been the thickest leather, least malleable leather out of them all.
Lol that’s a great point! I think it’s because it patinas really quickly giving it a rough and rugged look whereas the other smoother leathers are more uniform in color and font age quite as dramatically
The Mensch on Menswear I just received my Blacksmith Copper Rough & Touch and they are totally different from what you described. They’re NOT mushy and pliable. These are toucher and stiffer than my IR Black Harness leather. Mine hardly have the orange color. I noticed that the orange color shows when you press from inside of the boot out. When I did that some of the orange color stayed. It’s a very interesting leather however I prefer how the Blacksmith looks in the Briar Oil Slick leather. And like you said it’s more versatile. . I think I will return these and order the Rover round toe in the C R & T. I did hear it scratches easily but I noticed that you can make it go away by rubbing the scratch firmly with your finger.
This would bother me. Once the shoe loses its shape its looks so unattractive. Then they become lawn&garden work boots.
these boots look too bulky
You dont know what you are talking about youve never worked in your life pal 🤔🤔🤔🤔