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Boots / shoes to wear with your flight jacket s...
- Thread starter ties70
- Start date
Cocker
Well-Known Member
Folks, reviving this one a bit. I haven't bought a pair of Iron rangers yet, for the main reason that I'm working in an airport and have to go through metal detectors every morning and every time I go outside for a smoke. Found out the Iron Rangers have a metal insole, meaning I'll have to take them off each time, and that's a no-go...
Do you guys know of any Iron Rangers style boots without metal insole that are worth it?
Do you guys know of any Iron Rangers style boots without metal insole that are worth it?
Obscurator
Active Member
I have a pair of Red Wing Iron Rangers (oxblood, model 8119), and although they have a reinforced toecap, this is made of a double layer of leather only, and they don't have metal in the insole. However, the numerous eyelets and speedhooks are steel, and I guess these might set something off. If the equipment is that sensitive to metal footwear fittings, then it would be a problem with anything that had them, which is most shoes and boots. Other similar, expensive boots like Chippewa, Viberg, Alden etc. also have a lot of metal fittings. The Iron Ranger name derives from the place in the USA where the boots were first worn by iron miners, namely the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota, and has no relevance to the construction of the boot.
You could always confirm the metal-free status by speaking to a Red Wings seller.
I guess you're after lace-up boots, but if you are looking wider, some of the quality elastic-sided boots are entirely metal-free. My personal favourites are Redback boots, which, unlike Blundstones, are still made in Australia, but the colour range is very restricted.
The Iron Rangers are some of the most comfortable boots, from the first wearing of them, that I've had. The downside is that the sole stitching goes all the way through to the Vibram outsole, and is thus exposed to eventual wear, and the need for re-soling or repair. Getting that done in today's throwaway society is neither easy nor cheap, but I'll deal with that when I need to.
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Cocker
Well-Known Member
Obscurator, thanks for your reply! The issue with Iron Rangers and metal detector seems to be caused mostly by the steel shank:
I've gather information all over the web, and it seems every Iron Ranger user that had to go through a metal detector had it ringing due to this, not due to the metal hardware (eyelets and speed hooks).
I've gather information all over the web, and it seems every Iron Ranger user that had to go through a metal detector had it ringing due to this, not due to the metal hardware (eyelets and speed hooks).
Obscurator
Active Member
Thanks for the update and information. Always good to learn something new. I thought they'd all changed to plastic or other non-metallic materials.Obscurator, thanks for your reply! The issue with Iron Rangers and metal detector seems to be caused mostly by the steel shank:
I've gather information all over the web, and it seems every Iron Ranger user that had to go through a metal detector had it ringing due to this, not due to the metal hardware (eyelets and speed hooks).
The cutaway refers to a nitrile cork outsole, but mine have a treaded "Resist Oil, No Mark Vibram" sole. Apparently, the Iron Ranger could have either, but it seems that they both have the steel shank.
Looking at some of the similar types of boot, on the manufacturers' websites, some (e.g. Chippewa) specify whether they have steel shanks, or shanks of other materials, but most don't. It's a minefield! I found this, which, although not too up-to-date, might help:-
https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashio...a/types_of_shanks_used_by_different_footwear/
In 2017 I bought a pair of these G H Bass Duxbury boots:- https://www.ghbass-eu.com/duxbury-plain-toe-boot-chocolate-brown-leather.html. They're a bit like toecap-less Iron Rangers, but they have a curious sort of dimpled hard crepe sole, without treads. They're made in China (not Maine, USA) and when new are on the hard or stiff side. With some wear, and a lot of leather dressing, they're getting more comfortable. I've no idea what sort of shank they have, but, out of interest, I have enquired, and await their reply.
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Cocker
Well-Known Member
Obscurator, thank you for the link regarding the shanks, that was pretty informative!
I'm currently looking at a pair of Thorogood Dodgeville. Same price range and general look as the Iron Ranger, but as far as I can see, the shank is composite. This may be the way to go!
I'm currently looking at a pair of Thorogood Dodgeville. Same price range and general look as the Iron Ranger, but as far as I can see, the shank is composite. This may be the way to go!
Earloffunk
Well-Known Member
Today's boots day:
stanier
Well-Known Member
Maybe it’s just me, but most of the time I go through the airport metal detector that make me take my boots off, and even then the damn thing goes off. I’m assuming it’s the metal on my denim, but hey I just put it down to 21st century life. I think I’d prefer to have a good old metal shank anyway!
Obscurator
Active Member
You're welcome. The Thorogood boots look pretty good. So good, in fact, that I've just about convinced myself that I could soon do with a new pair.
Good luck with your quest.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Like most of us , I’ve never been able to narrow a selection of boots or shoes down to just a few pairs. So over the course of the next few days I’ll post some of my favorite boots and shoes to wear with an A-2 or any other flight jacket. Here’s my first ;
A simple roughout Chelsea boot tan in color looks great with jeans and any flight jacket or other jacket you care to wear it with.
A simple roughout Chelsea boot tan in color looks great with jeans and any flight jacket or other jacket you care to wear it with.
Micawber
Well-Known Member
Springtime dubbin..
I wear all but one pair of these while doing tough jobs around the place...
L-R Unworn size 10 CC41 hobnail boots [don't wear these, just out for a clean], 2 x brown pairs William Lennon hobnail boots [1 pair minus hobnails], ex British army ammo boots minus the hobnails.
Unworn size 10's marked CC41
I wear all but one pair of these while doing tough jobs around the place...
L-R Unworn size 10 CC41 hobnail boots [don't wear these, just out for a clean], 2 x brown pairs William Lennon hobnail boots [1 pair minus hobnails], ex British army ammo boots minus the hobnails.
Unworn size 10's marked CC41
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Steve27752
Well-Known Member
In heaven StonyDonned my British made 1944 U.S. Army marching boots today.
On top of my WWI unit marked footlocker.
In front of my H&L Block M-422a and vintage baseball glove.
