Red Wing Iron Ranger Vs. Beckman (How To Choose?)

If you want to get great leather boots, then there’s no dilemma that Red Wing should be your brand of choice. All of their footwear is hand-crafted and made from premium materials, so it is really a no-brainer. However, they offer so many different styles that it’s virtually impossible to choose just one.

In this review, we will compare two of their best-selling boots: the Iron Ranger and the Beckman. We’ll talk about all of their similarities and differences, which will hopefully help you decide between the two.

So, let’s dive into this comparison so that you can finally figure out which Red Wing boots you need to pick up this season!

Upper Materials

The Iron Ranger boots are actually made from different types of leather, depending on the color that you choose. And the difference in the leather isn’t only in their color, but also in their softness and general comfort.

So, the Iron Ranger style features mesa leather, amber harness leather, and copper tough leather. Out of these three, the mesa leather is by far the softest one. This means that those boots will break in the fastest, and they will feel the most comfortable on your feet. But the difference really isn’t huge – the only people who notice this are the ones who actually own all of the different styles.

Here are all the different colors that the Iron Ranger style comes in:

The Beckman style, on the other hand, features three colors that are all made from the same type of leather – Featherstone leather. This material is generally pretty thick and rough, so it will definitely take a while to break in these boots. And since the leather is pretty stiff, there is a chance you will have to deal with blisters the first few times you wear them. If you have sensitive feet, that is.

There is another difference between the materials used in these two styles, and that is the finish of the leather. With the Iron Ranger boots, the leather in them was oil-tanned. Which means that the boots are shinier and softer. In addition to that, oil-tanning also makes the leather perspiration and water-resistant, making the Iron Ranger a good choice even for the autumn rains.

The leather in the Beckman style was treated differently. It is smooth-finished leather with a polished surface, which actually looks better, in my opinion. However, this type of leather also requires more maintenance and care than the previous one, and it’s not even water-resistant.

In this aspect, I think that the Iron Ranger boots (specifically the 8119 styles) are the best choice. Not only are they the most comfortable to wear, but they also take the least time to break in and they are the easiest to maintain.

Sizing And Fit

If you have never owned a pair of Red Wings, there are two things you need to know about them. One, they generally tend to run larger than most other boots, and people usually go down a size with them. Two, these boots need to be broken in – it’s completely normal for them to be stiff and uncomfortable out of the box. But the break-in period does differ from style to style.

Also, keep in mind that the material of the boots directly impacts how they fit. The Beckmans are a little stiffer, and so it’s going to be harder to put them on. But once you manage to squeeze your feet inside them, you’ll see that they are pretty roomy. And when you break them in completely, they should follow the shape of your feet nicely.

They generally fit true to size, so order them in the size that you usually wear for Red Wings. They are neither too wide nor too narrow and getting the perfect fit is going to be easy.

The Iron Rangers, on the other hand, are made from softer materials so they will take less time to break in. But, these tend to run a little large, so you should probably go half a size down from what you usually wear your Red Wings in. They are slightly wider, and the smaller size will be the better fit in the long run.

The shape of the toe contributes largely to the width of the boots – the Beckmans use a round toe, while the Iron Rangers have a cap toe. The latter is slightly more narrow, which also means that there is less wiggle room for your toes.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

Red Wing Beckman

And there is one final thing that impacts the fit of the boots – the Beckmans only have eyelets. But the Iron Rangers feature hooks in the top three spots, which means that they are much easier and quicker to put on and take off. Which you will appreciate a lot during the break-in time when the boots are still pretty stiff.

Both the Iron Rangers and the Beckmans will mold to the shape of your feet over time. This means that you will have a customized fit in either boot and that they will feel more comfortable than most other boots you own. And one more thing – neither of the boots are available in a wide version.

So, if you often have issues with footwear being too narrow for you, I recommend you don’t go a size down in these, for the best fit.

The Outsoles Of The Boots

The Beckmans and the Iron Rangers are built with different outsoles. This means that you can expect different performance from them, in terms of grip and traction. But it does not necessarily mean that one is a better choice over the other.

Both of the boots actually feature a Vibram outsole – just the specific type of the outsole is different. So, the Iron Rangers are equipped with a 430 mini-lug outsole, which provides you with good grip and traction even on wet surfaces. The lugs are decently spaced out and they are pretty deep – but definitely not as deep as on the Beckmans.

Check out the outsoles side by side:

Red Wing Iron Ranger – Vibram 430 Mini-Lug Outsole

Red Wing Beckman – Roccia Outsole

You can tell just by looking at them that the one on the Iron Rangers is less tough. And it is completely smooth on the sides, which might look more aesthetically pleasing, but which also decreases the amount of traction you have when it’s really slippery outside.

The Beckman boots, on the other hand, are equipped with the Roccia outsole. If you take a really good look at it, you might notice that it is the same outsole used in Timberland work boots. And if you’ve ever owned a pair of those (who hasn’t?), then you already have a good idea of just how the Roccia performs in really tough conditions.

Personally, I own a pair of Timberlands that I wear in the snow, and they are by far the best performing boots for slippery conditions. And keep in mind that I tend to fall a lot when it gets icy outside, and the Roccia outsole is pretty much the only thing that keeps me standing on my feet.

So, both of the outsoles have their advantages and disadvantages – the 430 mini-lug is actually more durable than the Roccia, even though it doesn’t offer as much traction and grip. But the ultimate decision is up to you – consider the actual amount of traction you need to get through the winters in your area and choose wisely.

Iron Ranger Vs. Beckman: The Key Differences

The Beckmans and the Iron Rangers look really similar. They are both stunning, high-quality boots, but there are some key differences between them.

• They are made from different types of leather, which means that the break-in time is different for both of them
• The Iron Rangers are water-resistant, and the Beckmans not so much
• Beckmans feature a tougher outsole, while the Iron Rangers sport a more durable one
• Iron Rangers tend to run half a size large
• Beckmans feature a round toe (wider), whereas the Iron Rangers feature a cap toe
• Beckmans require more maintenance than the Iron Rangers
• The Iron Rangers are quicker to put on and lace-up, due to the addition of the top three hooks. Beckmans only have eyelets.

Taking Care Of Your Red Wing Boots

Regardless of which style you actually choose, you will have to take proper care of them. If you want them to live a long and happy life, that is. And, the best thing about Red Wing boots generally is that they age beautifully.

The process of taking care of both Oil-Tanned leather and Smooth-Finish leather is pretty much the same. When you want to clean your boots, just use a brush to dust off any rougher particles, and then wipe them with a clean cloth. If there are any stains you want to remove, a damp cloth will do the trick – dip it in warm water, and then gently rub the area where the stain is.

Of course, the best thing you can do is get Red Wing’s own products for cleaning and maintaining the leather. At least, if you want to be 100% sure that you are not using anything you shouldn’t.

I would definitely recommend you at least get the Protector Spray – it will keep your boots looking as good as new for a really long time. That’s because it will form a sort of protective layer on top of the leather, which will keep any salt or dust from penetrating the leather itself.

The last step in the maintenance of these boots is applying moisturizer to your boots. You could use pretty much any type of face or hand cream, but for bests results, you should pick up Red Wing’s Leather Conditioner. You need to do this every now and then – say once a month if you wear them really often.

Apply some conditioner to the boots, let it soak in and dry out, and your boots should look brand new!

Red Wings are not an impulse purchase. They are an investment. And, as with every investment, you need to properly care for them to get the best value for money. If you follow these steps every couple of months, you will be able to wear them for decades.

Red Wing Iron Ranger Vs. Beckman: Which Is The Better Choice?

I love both styles. But, based on size, comfort, and maintenance, I have to say that the Iron Rangers are the better choice.

Their leather is softer, so they are more comfortable on your feet. Not to mention that the break-in time is much shorter for the Iron Rangers than the Beckmans, which also means that you will get that customized fit quicker. In addition to that, the Oil-Tanned leather of their uppers also requires less maintenance than the Smooth-Finish leather of the Beckmans.

Red Wing Heritage Men's Iron Ranger Work Boot, Copper Rough and Tough, 10.5 D US

• Triple stitched quality. 48 inch black or brown taslan lace
• Features a bump toe for more room up-front

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But, if you are looking for the best traction and stability, then you should definitely go for the Beckmans. They are generally the tougher (and stiffer) boot overall, which actually has some advantages. Their Roccia outsole is used in numerous other work and winter boots, which pretty much guarantees you that you will have superb grip and traction when you’re wearing them.

Red Wing Heritage Men's Beckman 6-Inch Round Lace Up, Cigar Featherstone, 10 D US

• Plain-toe ankle boot featuring waxed leather finish and contrast stitching,Many customers buy Red Wing Heritage footwear 1/2 size smaller than their normal size
• Style No. 9016

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And just looking at the Beckman’s outsole helps – the lugs on it are deeper and there is more of them, which accounts for their increased stability.

Overall, both of these boots are amazing, and both will last you decades if you properly care for them. The ultimate decision depends on what you prioritize in your footwear – comfort or ruggedness?