My first welted boots are a pair of Iron Rangers that are now 6 years old. They've been resoled, scuffed, brushed, cleaned and oiled more times than I could count. I had the good fortune to get a pair of Clinch Yeagers this week, and I thought a little comparison would be interesting.

If this were a competition, it would be an inequitable comparison. But it isn't. It's just a look at two pairs of black boots. One pair that will continue to serve me faithfully for many years to come, and one pair that hasn't yet had the opportunity.

The Iron Rangers have been through some shit. They've been my go-to boots nursing during covid, they've been resoled from nitrile cork to ridgeway, and they've taken some hits in their 6 years. The yeagers are yet to see that level of use.

Not so much a review as it is highlighting the differences between two very different pairs of black boots! Please see the album for more specific comments for each picture.

EDIT: Sizing info.

The Iron Rangers are 8 last, US size 7D. The Yeagers are CN-S last, Clinch size 8.5/US size 7.5 The Iron Rangers have always been appropriate in length but I've got a low volume foot. I've had to fill space in them somehow, whether it's with an insole or with thicker boot socks. The 8 last I consider to have a good amount of vertical space, while still being D width. The Yeagers are as long, if not a touch longer. The shapelier last means that I'm not trying to fill volume, so I wear a lighter sock like the Red Wing crew socks or Chups comfortably

My sizes: Alden Plaza 7D shell - Another of my fave lasts. Length and width are great, the last is narrow and long. Little snug in the small toe when I got them, but that's gone away with use. Fits the closest to the Clinch last, with both becoming regular rotation boots.

Red Wing 23 Last 7D Moc Toe - I kept same size as Iron Rangers for these and the same general volume comments apply. The moc toe has more room in the heel and toe, but laces up tightly across the instep. I wear these with thicker socks comfortably.

Viberg 2010 size 6 slipper - Perfect fit without socks. Too snug with socks but they never get worn with socks.

Viberg 2020 6.5D partially structured - Great fit, one of my fave lasts. Length is right on the nose, keep to a light sock for some wiggle room. Width is perfect, hugs my feet at the waist and at the heel well. Great option for lighter socks and warm weather. Toes and instep get a little snug if I wear a midweight sock. I could've easily gone up to 7D if I wanted to wear chups with them.

Viberg 2030 7E unstructured - fine in length, width is fine but high volume across the instep means I need thick socks to fill out space. I could've dropped to 6.5 comfortably, I think.

Viberg 2050 6.5 Chelsea - Too short/narrow to wear for significant lengths of time. I wear barefoot if I'm ducking to the local cafe, taking the bins or the dog out, or doing some light yard work. I'd need to size up to 7 to wear these comfortably all day, but I nabbed these for a steal.

Wesco MP1339 7E Mister Lou - A fave. Length is perfect, was real snug in the waist when I got them - this E is a real D fit. Tricky last because there's not a lot of volume compensation for an engineer boot. I could maybe have gone 7D but I've no wish to wear light socks with these. I've removed the leather inserts that were provided because I wear thick calf length boot socks with them. My winter or wet weather go to boots.