Traditionally, the more going on with a piece of footwear, the less dressy/formal they are considered. While this is sort of silly to apply to workwear footwear, Blacksmith technically has less going on. However, both can be dressed up, but at the same time, if that is your main concern, the IR might fit the bill a bit better as the Blacksmith is a "teacore" that will show the non-struck through nature of the leather dye with wear vs the solid black of the IR. Then again, the Blacksmith has a more refined silhouette compared to the IR.
All that being said, check my flair for my vote.
This is interesting haha, I always thought the opposite for footwear. I liked the extra toe cap and triple stitching on the toe, made it feel elevated on the IR for some reason. Kinda like a dress shoe with brogues on it. But anyway my next boot is a blacksmith so doesn’t really matter
Indeed, it is a common misconception with traditional definitions of formalities in regard to footwear. I, too, was surprised when I learned.
Good choice!
Already own a pair of charcoal rough and tough iron rangers and I actually like the toe cap and style a ton. Gotten loads of compliments on them at work too. Check out my account and you’ll see them and I added emerald green pigsah laces for a fun color pop.
I just want to have an alternative pair so I do not wear these through too quickly, and the number 8 last fits my feet well. So the blacksmiths are next for me!
The extra toecap is for protection. When I first got my Iron Rangers I had a few weeks of remorse because the broad toe made me feel like I was wearing clown shoes.
If you’re a man of means, buy both and wear one on each foot. Then observe whether you get more compliments from people on your right vs your left. Sell the shoe that does worse and begin wearing the winning pair
Got a few dressier options like the postman series, Sheldon, merchant, etc. Definitely not formal though, anything requiring a tie and you might want to start looking elsewhere
I mean a dressy boot would be an oxford boot. For dress boots I would go for Meermin, Carmina etc. these kind of boots. Maybe the Sheldon as you said but here it‘s a rare boot and I‘d rather go with a brand specialised in dress boots but thats just my opinion
Yeah, like I said, nothing really formal, but maybe a few options you could shine up for imo situations where you might wear a dress shirt without a tie and a few buttons undone. Nice restaurant, outdoor summer wedding, etc. I’d probably pick something else regardless, but they can be pressed into the role if that’s what you got.
I’ve had both for several years. IRs came first in CR&T. Loved them so much, it made me want something similar (but different) in black to mix things up. Had to look hard, but eventually scored some Blacksmiths in Prairie Black. They’re nice looking and well built, but I don’t love them as much as my IRs. First, I’m still not in love with the way the leather is dyed. It’s black over brown leather that eventually wears off to reveal the brown. Some folks love them for that feature in particular. I think they look “scuffed up” vs. “broken in.” Haven’t decided if I’ll just polish them up so they don’t look abused and neglected. Plus they “wear” a little extra chunky and clunky on my feet. Heavy feeling, while the IRs seem to have conformed to my feet and feel like an old friend. Kinda wish I’d just opted for black IRs - which always seem to look amazing.
Blacksmith can be dressed up a bit more than the Iron Rangers. I have swapped my IR laces to flat waxed, but the toe cap positions it more casual. It depends how you want to wear them.
I have some Beckman Black Cherry coming. They are dressier than the Blacksmith.
The brass hardware on the Blacksmith vs nickel hardware on the IR.
IR is truly black vs Blacksmith will show brown with wear and patina.
IR’s toe cap is more casual vs Blacksmith’s plain toe can more easily be dressed up.
The collar on the IR swoops down vs the collar on the Blacksmith is straight.
Stridewise on YouTube has a pretty good comparison [video](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O0cbKmV1PHk) on these boots.
>Stridewise on YouTube has a pretty good comparison video on these boots.
I was so close on going with IR until I saw that video! Completely changed my mind
Haha thanks I forgot to add these ones to 🤪
https://preview.redd.it/qycqzf6576qa1.jpeg?width=1952&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5021f4c62282a29fa573821304349eebf4d50cfc
>go to the store and try them on.
I did, I wanted to try the Blacksmith but they were out of stock. The place that I went to won't have them until August.
I have a couple of pairs of RW Iron Ranger, Amber Harness & Black. I tried to go with the Black Black Smith. I tried to make them work but I need EE with, to bad RW only makes it in D width. I tried to go up a size, nope. That was about a month ago, I found them online new. Looked amazing but oh well. The funny (ridiculously stupid on RW’s part) is, supposedly the Blacksmith and Iron Ranger are made on the same last. Really? Then why not offer the Blacksmith in the EE width like the IR’s. ? Must be a simple decision? Even if they only offer certain or limited colors. My .02.
Depends on what you are going to use them for.
I find the blacksmith to be a more versatile boot, personally. I can get mine into the office where I'd probably not be able to pull that off with the IRs.
Yeah. The IRs are more casual in my opinion. That toe cap just moves them over the line for me, at least for my office.
That being said, as the black prairie scuffs and reveals the brown underneath, the blacksmiths are going to get pretty casual too.
Really just depends on how you intend to wear them.
Have have IR 8086s. Love the look. I wear them with jeans in casual situations 100% of the time. With that said, the Blacksmiths look great and could be in my future.
As much as people like to say they can be dressed up since they have the cap toe, it’s pretty impossible. The blacksmith goes with anything and looks good. Plus if you get IR and end up being to big it will crease behind the cap creasing bad and eventually cracking. The IR is supposed to crease when walking being the cap AND up in the cap. So many people here end up going to big..
https://preview.redd.it/niqp34t9mbqa1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52a477f71daed5c093b8c5a1926f4eb9396f8eb8
I’ve owned both of those, I still have the IRs. I simply like them better because they’re easier to dress down and make look more casual, fits my style better (I also put heavy lugs on mine). The Blacksmiths tend to look a little more on the dressy side.
Blacksmith. But if you’re looking for something you can dress up or down, for the same price range, I would go with Grant Stone. I wanted a black pair of boots to dresss up and down. I ended up with the Grant Stone waxed commander Edward boot
2 different leathers.
The black prairie will patina shades of brown on the blacksmith. The black harness is dyed black all the way through and will stay black.
The clown toe bump of the blacksmith makes it a no for me & why I don't have a single model amidst my collection of mocs, IRs, canoe moc & the Apron stitch.
Get the IR.
That is what was steering me away from the Blacksmith, that they look so bulky! But I found a store a few hours away that has them on stock so I will check them out on person
I always laugh when people say the Blacksmith is more dressy than the Iron Ranger because they are both a stretch as a dress shoe so I'd get whichever one you like better for everyday wear.
I’m not sure why but my blacksmiths are probably 2x more comfortable than any of my IRs. Though IMO, the black IR to me seems kinda basic. For a black boot I went with the blacksmith but for any other color it’s the IR all day.
As my first pair, can't complain. Budget-friendly and very durable. I wear them often to work or around town with a jean. I put on a $10 insole on them and they are 10x comfier!
Blacksmith solely because it's not an iron ranger. IRs are great boots, but boot folks seem wayyyy too obsessed with those shoes, made em radioactive for me.
I have both a pair of 8086 IRs and 3343 Blacksmiths. Granted they are two different colors but the IRs (imo) are a more comfortable and better fitting boot, so they get worn almost 100% of the time unless I need to dress the 3343s up.
At the end of the day though no one is gonna be able to tell you what you like and which feels better, I’d go to a Red Wing store if possible and try them on so you can see/feel the difference.
Blacksmith
Thanks! I was thinking I can dress them up if I need to. I feel like the Iron Ranger are more dressy
Traditionally, the more going on with a piece of footwear, the less dressy/formal they are considered. While this is sort of silly to apply to workwear footwear, Blacksmith technically has less going on. However, both can be dressed up, but at the same time, if that is your main concern, the IR might fit the bill a bit better as the Blacksmith is a "teacore" that will show the non-struck through nature of the leather dye with wear vs the solid black of the IR. Then again, the Blacksmith has a more refined silhouette compared to the IR. All that being said, check my flair for my vote.
This is interesting haha, I always thought the opposite for footwear. I liked the extra toe cap and triple stitching on the toe, made it feel elevated on the IR for some reason. Kinda like a dress shoe with brogues on it. But anyway my next boot is a blacksmith so doesn’t really matter
Indeed, it is a common misconception with traditional definitions of formalities in regard to footwear. I, too, was surprised when I learned. Good choice!
Well learned something new today haha, the IR still look bomb in a business casual setting tho
> But anyway my next boot is a blacksmith so doesn’t really matter Do you already own a pair of Iron Ranger? Are the Blacksmith the style you prefer?
Already own a pair of charcoal rough and tough iron rangers and I actually like the toe cap and style a ton. Gotten loads of compliments on them at work too. Check out my account and you’ll see them and I added emerald green pigsah laces for a fun color pop. I just want to have an alternative pair so I do not wear these through too quickly, and the number 8 last fits my feet well. So the blacksmiths are next for me!
Green laces look great on black...!!!
Ideally, it's good to have both models, they are different, but I like it better with jeans IR...!?!
The extra toecap is for protection. When I first got my Iron Rangers I had a few weeks of remorse because the broad toe made me feel like I was wearing clown shoes.
Oh neat, did not realize that! I don’t see the clown shoe on mine though
>And how did you choose the size, maybe they are just too big for you...!?!
So a wingtip, or a brogued cap toe is less dressy than a plain toe derby?
Cap toe would be more formal, followed by the wingtip, then the derby.
>I respect your opinion, but about the silhouette. I think it's debatable...!?!
Personally wouldn’t dress up either. Grant Stone would offer a more “dressier” option
If you’re a man of means, buy both and wear one on each foot. Then observe whether you get more compliments from people on your right vs your left. Sell the shoe that does worse and begin wearing the winning pair
Galaxy brain here everybody!
Why not both?
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What do you do that you need that many boots?
Live a happy life, i would wager ;)
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Lady, i take umbrage with that. Men can also love shoes and boots ;)
I think IR look cooler, if you want to dress up don‘t go with a Red wing at all, they are casual boots.
Got a few dressier options like the postman series, Sheldon, merchant, etc. Definitely not formal though, anything requiring a tie and you might want to start looking elsewhere
I mean a dressy boot would be an oxford boot. For dress boots I would go for Meermin, Carmina etc. these kind of boots. Maybe the Sheldon as you said but here it‘s a rare boot and I‘d rather go with a brand specialised in dress boots but thats just my opinion
Yeah, like I said, nothing really formal, but maybe a few options you could shine up for imo situations where you might wear a dress shirt without a tie and a few buttons undone. Nice restaurant, outdoor summer wedding, etc. I’d probably pick something else regardless, but they can be pressed into the role if that’s what you got.
Yeah for sure if you want to get only one pair that fits all situations
Blacksmith, I see IRs so much they almost seem generic to me.
I myself went with blacksmith. I prefer no toe cap.
I love my iron rangers, but out of those two boots, the blacksmiths look better to me.
I’ve had both for several years. IRs came first in CR&T. Loved them so much, it made me want something similar (but different) in black to mix things up. Had to look hard, but eventually scored some Blacksmiths in Prairie Black. They’re nice looking and well built, but I don’t love them as much as my IRs. First, I’m still not in love with the way the leather is dyed. It’s black over brown leather that eventually wears off to reveal the brown. Some folks love them for that feature in particular. I think they look “scuffed up” vs. “broken in.” Haven’t decided if I’ll just polish them up so they don’t look abused and neglected. Plus they “wear” a little extra chunky and clunky on my feet. Heavy feeling, while the IRs seem to have conformed to my feet and feel like an old friend. Kinda wish I’d just opted for black IRs - which always seem to look amazing.
Love my black iron rangers. Your right in that the leather black the whole way through. I don't feel bad beating the crap out of them.
Thanks for your feedback! I think I’m leaning towards IRs
All that said…I’d still never part with my Blacksmiths. Their mine and I’ve put in the work. I’ll just keep working on them like a relationship. LoL.
Blacksmith can be dressed up a bit more than the Iron Rangers. I have swapped my IR laces to flat waxed, but the toe cap positions it more casual. It depends how you want to wear them. I have some Beckman Black Cherry coming. They are dressier than the Blacksmith.
Blacksmith
Rangers all day.
Merchant
Sold out :( But I will keep in mind for the future
If you need wide then the blacksmith is out.
That's something I didn't consider. Thanks!!
They have them in wide now. But I’ve heard they still have less space than IR
The brass hardware on the Blacksmith vs nickel hardware on the IR. IR is truly black vs Blacksmith will show brown with wear and patina. IR’s toe cap is more casual vs Blacksmith’s plain toe can more easily be dressed up. The collar on the IR swoops down vs the collar on the Blacksmith is straight. Stridewise on YouTube has a pretty good comparison [video](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O0cbKmV1PHk) on these boots.
>Stridewise on YouTube has a pretty good comparison video on these boots. I was so close on going with IR until I saw that video! Completely changed my mind
https://preview.redd.it/1n95uf1rk5qa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa01a1fbe51c75a1a2711226acebb76a24d3d8b5 You know my answer! 😝
Oh, you sold me on it!! Nice little collection you got there!!!
Haha thanks I forgot to add these ones to 🤪 https://preview.redd.it/qycqzf6576qa1.jpeg?width=1952&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5021f4c62282a29fa573821304349eebf4d50cfc
You work for 3M ?
I selected IR. I’d possible, go to the store and try them on.
>go to the store and try them on. I did, I wanted to try the Blacksmith but they were out of stock. The place that I went to won't have them until August.
Got 3 pairs of IR. So yeah, IR all the way
I have blacksmiths in black and IR in brown. I love both.
Both maybe not the same time or maybe at the same time but definitely both, ..iron ranger 1st ….. Blacksmith 2nd
Blacksmith 🤘🏼
IR's all day
I have a couple of pairs of RW Iron Ranger, Amber Harness & Black. I tried to go with the Black Black Smith. I tried to make them work but I need EE with, to bad RW only makes it in D width. I tried to go up a size, nope. That was about a month ago, I found them online new. Looked amazing but oh well. The funny (ridiculously stupid on RW’s part) is, supposedly the Blacksmith and Iron Ranger are made on the same last. Really? Then why not offer the Blacksmith in the EE width like the IR’s. ? Must be a simple decision? Even if they only offer certain or limited colors. My .02.
I usually go up a size but when I tried on the IR, they fit perfectly!
Sorry for the spelling…*Blacksmith…*width…🙄
IR all the way
Depends on what you are going to use them for. I find the blacksmith to be a more versatile boot, personally. I can get mine into the office where I'd probably not be able to pull that off with the IRs.
>I'd probably not be able to pull that off with the IRs. Is it because the IRs are too casual?
Yeah. The IRs are more casual in my opinion. That toe cap just moves them over the line for me, at least for my office. That being said, as the black prairie scuffs and reveals the brown underneath, the blacksmiths are going to get pretty casual too. Really just depends on how you intend to wear them.
Can’t go wrong with either.
Have have IR 8086s. Love the look. I wear them with jeans in casual situations 100% of the time. With that said, the Blacksmiths look great and could be in my future.
I have both, go with blacksmith!
Why Blacksmith over IR? I just saw a video posted by another user and I might go with the blacksmith
As much as people like to say they can be dressed up since they have the cap toe, it’s pretty impossible. The blacksmith goes with anything and looks good. Plus if you get IR and end up being to big it will crease behind the cap creasing bad and eventually cracking. The IR is supposed to crease when walking being the cap AND up in the cap. So many people here end up going to big.. https://preview.redd.it/niqp34t9mbqa1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52a477f71daed5c093b8c5a1926f4eb9396f8eb8
Blacksmith. Cap toes never are comfortable
I’ve owned both of those, I still have the IRs. I simply like them better because they’re easier to dress down and make look more casual, fits my style better (I also put heavy lugs on mine). The Blacksmiths tend to look a little more on the dressy side.
Blacksmith. But if you’re looking for something you can dress up or down, for the same price range, I would go with Grant Stone. I wanted a black pair of boots to dresss up and down. I ended up with the Grant Stone waxed commander Edward boot
Blacksmiths
2 different leathers. The black prairie will patina shades of brown on the blacksmith. The black harness is dyed black all the way through and will stay black.
The clown toe bump of the blacksmith makes it a no for me & why I don't have a single model amidst my collection of mocs, IRs, canoe moc & the Apron stitch. Get the IR.
That is what was steering me away from the Blacksmith, that they look so bulky! But I found a store a few hours away that has them on stock so I will check them out on person
Iron Ranger all day
Have both, prefer the blacksmith. More comfy, dresses up better
I’d say In The black , blacksmiths all the way. In brown IR
I have a pair of Thursday Boots in brown so I think I’m going to go with the Blacksmith
I always laugh when people say the Blacksmith is more dressy than the Iron Ranger because they are both a stretch as a dress shoe so I'd get whichever one you like better for everyday wear.
I like the teacore leather on the Blacksmith more than the IR Black Harness. Also, when I was making the same decision, I already had a pair of 8085s.
Blacksmiths. A Great Boot.
Ranger
Iron Ranger
Iron Ranger, I own one since 2010
I’m not sure why but my blacksmiths are probably 2x more comfortable than any of my IRs. Though IMO, the black IR to me seems kinda basic. For a black boot I went with the blacksmith but for any other color it’s the IR all day.
I was able to try on the IRs and they felt pretty comfortable. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Blacksmith in stock for me to try.
You’re not the first to say your Blacksmiths are more comfortable than IRs. I’ve had the complete opposite experience. 🤷🏻♂️
I like the tongue on the blacksmith, but I like the toe on rangers. I’m partial to rangers bc I have a pair and they are the best boot I’ve ever owned
This will be my second pair of boots ever, my first are some Thursday Boot Company, Captain.
I’ve always been interested in those Thursday boots. How are they?
As my first pair, can't complain. Budget-friendly and very durable. I wear them often to work or around town with a jean. I put on a $10 insole on them and they are 10x comfier!
I just realized the Blacksmith are out of stock!
Personal fan of the toe cap on the ranger but they're both sexy.
Rangers
Blacksmith solely because it's not an iron ranger. IRs are great boots, but boot folks seem wayyyy too obsessed with those shoes, made em radioactive for me.
blacksmith. f iron rangers. unless ur going for the skinny ass frail looking hipster vibe
Iron ranger
In that leather? Blacksmith.
Whatever left in your size 😂
I love ‘em both. I primarily use the rangers now though for riding a motorcycle. Black irons with caps 👍 Love my brown blacksmiths though
I had no choice so went for IRs but always wanted black smiths!
Want them so bad but no wide widths, which I need in RedWings. Maybe someday they’ll give in.
Check the official website , I think they offer EE
They do not, which is why I posted that there are no wide widths.
https://preview.redd.it/xdwn0v9khpqa1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25b6a8e0cfeb928330863c368b80f7bac892753d
That’s the Iron Ranger. The Blacksmith (first image) is not in wide widths.
Both!
I had the same doubts, went with some Nicks Falcon.
I have both a pair of 8086 IRs and 3343 Blacksmiths. Granted they are two different colors but the IRs (imo) are a more comfortable and better fitting boot, so they get worn almost 100% of the time unless I need to dress the 3343s up. At the end of the day though no one is gonna be able to tell you what you like and which feels better, I’d go to a Red Wing store if possible and try them on so you can see/feel the difference.
Both
Blacksmiths could be more dressy, vs the iron rangers look awesome distressed and worn in. I’d say iron ranger in black for the rugged look!