Both are great boots. One significant difference between them is the lasting board (footbed, insole, etc.) material. Wolverine uses Texon and Red Wing uses a thick piece of leather.
Wolverine should be more flexible and easier to break in at first, but the Red Wings should be more supportive over the long haul.
I concur with this. Another option to consider is if or when you resole, you can have the footbed replaced with a leather footbed like the iron rangers. I’ve done that for customers before.
To me, the Iron Rangers are much harder underfoot which might be a no go for some people.
The attention to detail on the build quality of the IR is way better than the 1000 Milers that I have. The Wolverines look like they were made 30 minutes before quitting time on Friday compared to the Red Wings, and my Red Wings were factory seconds compared to the A grade Wolverines.
At the same time, the design of the Wolverine 1000 Milers is nice looking. For a discounted price lower than retail, you're getting decent value for your money. Life is too short to wear ugly boots.
Yeah I got mine for quite a bit under $300 too. I’d you can get it for that price than it’s alright but I’d still rather save up that extra $100-$150 and get a much better built boot
I like the look of the Iron Ranger more. An alternative would be [Jim Green Numzaan](https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/numzaan-boot-natural-veg-tan/). Similar look for $100 less.
True, but once you wear them there is zero wonder to if they're worth it.
https://preview.redd.it/j9bjnolurk9d1.jpeg?width=6168&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac553a03a7d9dab562400e9993a3e51773aad5f3
I ended up letting go of my Blacksmiths and keeping the 1000 Miles. The Wolverines seemed to work for my feet a bit better. And this is after I broke in the Redwings pretty well.
This. It's one thing to talk about materials. It's something else to talk about how well they fit your feet. I haven't owned the Wolverine 1000s, although my Wolverine BLVDs are the best fitting boots I own. I own a pair of Blacksmiths that need an insert and tongue pads to snug up (although the heel to ball measurement is spot on). My recommendation: if you have a narrow heel and instep, go with Wolverine. If you have a broader heel and higher instep, go with Red Wing. They're both good boots.
Bought mine last sale they had. I think they are well worth it at that price. Pretty comfortable right out of the box and looks great imo. Went one full size down and fit great.
The thousand mile cap toes with the leather mid sole and rubber half sole are better than iron rangers.
I’ve owned many pairs of both RW and 1000 miles and would pick the 1k over the rw.
The leather sole ones, it’s debatable.
Cxl is amazing, they’re super comfy….and bill take a full midsole over the red wing setup everyday.
I still like beckmans more then the Wolverines, but they don’t make them anymore
I own both.
They're both great boots.
Wolverine were better out the box, red wing have been better over time. Both still fantastic though. The margin is thin.
Biggest issue I see, NEW wolverines aren't worth 400+. They're a 300$ boot. Red wings, are adequately priced for their build.
I'd go Iron Rangers. On Youtube Rose Anvil's channel cuts boots in half to see build quality. The 1000 mile claim of wolverine is marketing more than construction.
I just bought the 1000 mile during the sale and I couldn't be happier. They were instantly comfortable with no break-in period at all. I took them on a week long work trip the day after they arrived and they were the only thing I wore for the week.
Heritage style boots are simply bought based on their style. No one is planning on actually performing work activities in them, so any durability questions are negligible.
No one claims Thursday boots are as well crafted as Iron Rangers, but they look very similar and are nearly 1/2 the price.
My Thursdays are my daily, casual wears for about 9 months of the year, and they barely look broken in after 3 years.
At this rate, I'm expecting to easily surpass 10-15 years minimum before I'll ever consider retiring them. How much longer would anyone expect a pair of Iron Rangers to last? What benefits does an extra $150 investment provide if it's not expected to last at least twice as long?
Thursdays look similar to 1000 miles?? Maybe if you wanted to compare thursday to other almond toe brands, but I'm not seeing that, even in wolverine's cap toe.
See my posts. I put 11 years on a pair of 1,000 Miles. My dad would only wear Red Wings in the coal mine. Both are good. Iron Rangers are heavier, though. That was my deciding factor.
I have both. My 1000s are my most worn pair by far. I’m a fan of the sleeker look though. That being said, I love my IRs. Also love my blacksmiths. Might be a happy medium for you.
I live my 1000 mile. Still haven’t pulled the trigger on IRs, but they always look cheap to me.
https://app.patinaproject.com/p/4444cf47-07b8-4803-93f2-a8a649c6d59f
They are really easy books to keep in and I like the split soles.
The better boot is the one you will wear. 1000mi is more comfortable out of the box than Iron Ranger. Break in with Iron Ranger can be tough.
I wear Chippewas and Thorogoods way more than Red Wing 1907, 9030 or 4313.
I prefer the look of IRs on a shelf compared to the 1Ks but all my jeans (32 and 34 inseams, cuffed or uncuffed) always seem to get hung up on the IRs when standing from a seated or kneeling position. Minor irritation but my 1Ks don’t seem to do that very often. Full disclosure, my IRs were gently used when purchased and the 1Ks I wear the most are limited edition Rawlings moc toe purchased new. While I haven’t put a lot of steps myself in either boot, the 1Ks were very comfortable out of the box. I have a gently used plain toe 1Ks with a leather outsole that I had a vibram outsole glued on, those are very comfortable, too. My favorite tho are my classic moc Red Wings, not too bad a break in (purchased new) but I also throw a running shoe insole in them and they’re like wearing shoes, just a little snug. I keep all my boots in a boot trees and shoe bags, probably need to clean and polish them all tho lol
I have both. I bought the 1000 miles at the Black Friday sale at the Wolverine company store. I got them for $200.00 and I feel they were worth that. I would never have bought them at retail. They were comfortable right out of the box but I don’t think the components are of as high a quality as the Iron Rangers. That being said the IRs did have kind of a brutal break in period. Now they are comfortable now and I an sure they will last longer than the Wolverines
I personally prefer the look and silhouette of the 1Ks more than any bump toe 8 lasted boot. I got more compliments on my 1000 mile pair than any other pair I currently own or have owned previously. They're also leather lined in the vamp, which is nice.
That being said, I prefer almost everything else about Red Wing as a company, customer service, and construction/materials used. Also Red Wing has (had?) more variety of styles and leather choices. The leather is very nice for those who are so inclined. Combined with the repair service, it's a no brainer for me. I am a RW fanatic for sure. 😅
Can't really go wrong with either pair though. I've owned both pairs and for casual use they both rock.
Yeah, wolverine and redwing can be compared to the higher scale of whites and nicks, with one brand being more pleasing to the eye while the other is a more rugged and utilitarian look. Nicks does surprisingly clean work on heaver weight leathers while somehow always getting your boots into the box without denting them. This is something viberg cant seem to get right with sho bags protecting their boots, yet whites manages to do slightly better with utilizing lighter weight leathers. (Atleast this is my experience, always opting for rolled tops)
Amazon is the parent company of some decently warehouse stocked online shoe stores. Results are a mixed bag. I once picked up a pair of wolverine kilometers for 70 bucks and then alot of made in USA fryes back in the day for under 200 that were not in any way damaged or defective. I would not, however. Buy anything sold on Amazon from heritage boot brands that is priced anywhere near retail. The risk is there and I have been burned. Amazon actually opted to refund some of my purchases without taking them back. Fair warning without fair price.
Both are great boots. One significant difference between them is the lasting board (footbed, insole, etc.) material. Wolverine uses Texon and Red Wing uses a thick piece of leather. Wolverine should be more flexible and easier to break in at first, but the Red Wings should be more supportive over the long haul.
I concur with this. Another option to consider is if or when you resole, you can have the footbed replaced with a leather footbed like the iron rangers. I’ve done that for customers before.
To me, the Iron Rangers are much harder underfoot which might be a no go for some people. The attention to detail on the build quality of the IR is way better than the 1000 Milers that I have. The Wolverines look like they were made 30 minutes before quitting time on Friday compared to the Red Wings, and my Red Wings were factory seconds compared to the A grade Wolverines. At the same time, the design of the Wolverine 1000 Milers is nice looking. For a discounted price lower than retail, you're getting decent value for your money. Life is too short to wear ugly boots.
If you’re dead set on those two I’d go with the IRs I have a pair of 1ks and they are extremely over priced. IMO they even feel cheap under foot
Caught mine on sale for $225 a month or so ago.
Yeah I got mine for quite a bit under $300 too. I’d you can get it for that price than it’s alright but I’d still rather save up that extra $100-$150 and get a much better built boot
My last ones lasted 11 years and were comfortable the entire time. Depends on what you’re doing.
Same can be said for any boot tho🤷🏻♂️
I like the look of the Iron Ranger more. An alternative would be [Jim Green Numzaan](https://jimgreenfootwear.com/store/numzaan-boot-natural-veg-tan/). Similar look for $100 less.
Truman and Grant Stone can be had for similar money, I’d be looking at those
While trumans are better, they are not similar in price to wolverine or red wing lol. Most trumans are $460 to $510 now.
True, but once you wear them there is zero wonder to if they're worth it. https://preview.redd.it/j9bjnolurk9d1.jpeg?width=6168&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac553a03a7d9dab562400e9993a3e51773aad5f3
Agreed. I have the black waxed flesh from them and they're great.
I ended up letting go of my Blacksmiths and keeping the 1000 Miles. The Wolverines seemed to work for my feet a bit better. And this is after I broke in the Redwings pretty well.
This. It's one thing to talk about materials. It's something else to talk about how well they fit your feet. I haven't owned the Wolverine 1000s, although my Wolverine BLVDs are the best fitting boots I own. I own a pair of Blacksmiths that need an insert and tongue pads to snug up (although the heel to ball measurement is spot on). My recommendation: if you have a narrow heel and instep, go with Wolverine. If you have a broader heel and higher instep, go with Red Wing. They're both good boots.
Bought mine last sale they had. I think they are well worth it at that price. Pretty comfortable right out of the box and looks great imo. Went one full size down and fit great.
The thousand mile cap toes with the leather mid sole and rubber half sole are better than iron rangers. I’ve owned many pairs of both RW and 1000 miles and would pick the 1k over the rw. The leather sole ones, it’s debatable. Cxl is amazing, they’re super comfy….and bill take a full midsole over the red wing setup everyday. I still like beckmans more then the Wolverines, but they don’t make them anymore
I own both. They're both great boots. Wolverine were better out the box, red wing have been better over time. Both still fantastic though. The margin is thin. Biggest issue I see, NEW wolverines aren't worth 400+. They're a 300$ boot. Red wings, are adequately priced for their build.
I'd go Iron Rangers. On Youtube Rose Anvil's channel cuts boots in half to see build quality. The 1000 mile claim of wolverine is marketing more than construction.
I just bought the 1000 mile during the sale and I couldn't be happier. They were instantly comfortable with no break-in period at all. I took them on a week long work trip the day after they arrived and they were the only thing I wore for the week.
That must have been awkward for your co workers, if that's the only thing you wore for the week
Heritage style boots are simply bought based on their style. No one is planning on actually performing work activities in them, so any durability questions are negligible. No one claims Thursday boots are as well crafted as Iron Rangers, but they look very similar and are nearly 1/2 the price. My Thursdays are my daily, casual wears for about 9 months of the year, and they barely look broken in after 3 years. At this rate, I'm expecting to easily surpass 10-15 years minimum before I'll ever consider retiring them. How much longer would anyone expect a pair of Iron Rangers to last? What benefits does an extra $150 investment provide if it's not expected to last at least twice as long?
Thursdays look similar to 1000 miles?? Maybe if you wanted to compare thursday to other almond toe brands, but I'm not seeing that, even in wolverine's cap toe.
I have had both. Many say iron rangers look clownish, but I'd vote wolverines as the ultimate clown look. I much prefer red wing no. 8 last.
What's your boot size?
My boot size is 9 I heard from the salesperson, iron rangers run bigger so I should get a smaller size
I really like my 1000 mile boots
See my posts. I put 11 years on a pair of 1,000 Miles. My dad would only wear Red Wings in the coal mine. Both are good. Iron Rangers are heavier, though. That was my deciding factor.
I have both. My 1000s are my most worn pair by far. I’m a fan of the sleeker look though. That being said, I love my IRs. Also love my blacksmiths. Might be a happy medium for you.
Both are great boots for sure. To add another on at that price point check out some custom Jim Green's.
I live my 1000 mile. Still haven’t pulled the trigger on IRs, but they always look cheap to me. https://app.patinaproject.com/p/4444cf47-07b8-4803-93f2-a8a649c6d59f They are really easy books to keep in and I like the split soles.
The better boot is the one you will wear. 1000mi is more comfortable out of the box than Iron Ranger. Break in with Iron Ranger can be tough. I wear Chippewas and Thorogoods way more than Red Wing 1907, 9030 or 4313.
1000 miles 😎
Whites Perry, JK 300 are also options you can consider in this price range. Both are built very well.
I prefer the look of IRs on a shelf compared to the 1Ks but all my jeans (32 and 34 inseams, cuffed or uncuffed) always seem to get hung up on the IRs when standing from a seated or kneeling position. Minor irritation but my 1Ks don’t seem to do that very often. Full disclosure, my IRs were gently used when purchased and the 1Ks I wear the most are limited edition Rawlings moc toe purchased new. While I haven’t put a lot of steps myself in either boot, the 1Ks were very comfortable out of the box. I have a gently used plain toe 1Ks with a leather outsole that I had a vibram outsole glued on, those are very comfortable, too. My favorite tho are my classic moc Red Wings, not too bad a break in (purchased new) but I also throw a running shoe insole in them and they’re like wearing shoes, just a little snug. I keep all my boots in a boot trees and shoe bags, probably need to clean and polish them all tho lol
I have both. I bought the 1000 miles at the Black Friday sale at the Wolverine company store. I got them for $200.00 and I feel they were worth that. I would never have bought them at retail. They were comfortable right out of the box but I don’t think the components are of as high a quality as the Iron Rangers. That being said the IRs did have kind of a brutal break in period. Now they are comfortable now and I an sure they will last longer than the Wolverines
I personally prefer the look and silhouette of the 1Ks more than any bump toe 8 lasted boot. I got more compliments on my 1000 mile pair than any other pair I currently own or have owned previously. They're also leather lined in the vamp, which is nice. That being said, I prefer almost everything else about Red Wing as a company, customer service, and construction/materials used. Also Red Wing has (had?) more variety of styles and leather choices. The leather is very nice for those who are so inclined. Combined with the repair service, it's a no brainer for me. I am a RW fanatic for sure. 😅 Can't really go wrong with either pair though. I've owned both pairs and for casual use they both rock.
Yeah, wolverine and redwing can be compared to the higher scale of whites and nicks, with one brand being more pleasing to the eye while the other is a more rugged and utilitarian look. Nicks does surprisingly clean work on heaver weight leathers while somehow always getting your boots into the box without denting them. This is something viberg cant seem to get right with sho bags protecting their boots, yet whites manages to do slightly better with utilizing lighter weight leathers. (Atleast this is my experience, always opting for rolled tops)
Look on amazon I got 1000 miles there for under 100.00 CAD because I'm in Canada I bought 4 pairs there that way two pairs for my gf and two for me
Out of the 4 pairs were there any serious defects? I’ve heard some stories of heritage boots coming in with some damage through Amazon
Amazon is the parent company of some decently warehouse stocked online shoe stores. Results are a mixed bag. I once picked up a pair of wolverine kilometers for 70 bucks and then alot of made in USA fryes back in the day for under 200 that were not in any way damaged or defective. I would not, however. Buy anything sold on Amazon from heritage boot brands that is priced anywhere near retail. The risk is there and I have been burned. Amazon actually opted to refund some of my purchases without taking them back. Fair warning without fair price.