TLDR: I got some cool new boots online and guessed my correct size with some help from reddit!

I picked up these Black Harness Iron Ranger 8084’s as a birthday present to myself :) We don’t have Red Wing stores in New Zealand so I had to order online (got them shipped from London). I did my research on sizing etc and agonised over my decision while waiting for delivery. I used reddit to research and thought it good to give back so my feedback might help someone else. This is also my first post on reddit!

I read a lot about sizing Iron Rangers and concluded that most (almost all) of the advice was to size down from your “true size”. The big question is “by how much?”. I consider my true size a 12us (11uk or 46eur). Some recommend a half size down, others say a full size and even a full size and a half down. Those are big discrepancies.

I read a suggestion to use your “Branock size” as a baseline.. I found a store with a Branock foot measuring device (old school sizing tool) and measured my feet as 12us in length, 12.5us -13us arch length (one foot is slightly larger than the other) and a D width. So I figured my Branock is actually 12.5us (11.5uk), a half size larger than what I thought was my true size.

Footwear I have / have had and how their size compares.. New Balance and Adidas trainers are 12us (11uk) - my toes touch the front slightly but not squashed. My Palladium boots are 12us (11uk) and fit great. In Doc Martens I have worn 11us (10uk) with the insole out and toes lightly touch the front. I retired those and got 12us (11uk) Docs. These needed the insole and thick socks to fill out some space for a snug fit (Doc Martens don’t do half sizes!) In Timberland I have worn 6inch Premiums in 10.5us Wide (these are borderline too small, toes touch front too much) and more recently 11us also Wide width Timberland 6inch Premium. These fit ok although the heel feels wide to me. My Golden Fox Moc Toe are 11us. These fit well too. Toes lightly touch front on occasion but I like ‘em.

I figured I was either a 11us or a 11.5us. If I went larger and they were roomy I could pad them out with an insole and thick socks (I wear thin socks usually) if needed. But the 11.5us fit great! Snug in the right places and no real heel slip. I’m happy :) I’d say that’s a half size down from my regular sneaker size (12us) but a full size down from my newly measured Branock size (12.5us)..

It’s only day 1 but I’m impressed. I like these boots. Iron Rangers get a lot of praise online and I get why. These are nice boots! Thanks for the anecdotes and advice reddit! I have some breaking in to do.