I’m getting a pair of iron rangers this week come hell or high water. But the question is, do I get them in store? Or, I found a pair in my size on Poshmark for $225. Is there a clear upside to buying brand new? Other than the fact that I could pick them up and wear them right away.
Posted Jan 10, 2023, 3:45 PM UTC
This obviously depends on the circumstances. Something barely worn, like they tried them on and didn’t like them so they decided to sell, would be worth buying for a good price. Well worn, however, would have to be very cheap for me to buy. The leather and cork footbed mold to your foot making the fit unique to you. If they have put a decent amount of wear in them the cork at the ball of your foot could be completely worn out. Also, I just couldn’t imagine buying something that someone really sweated in. Feet are gross. At least with second hand clothes you can wash the hell out of them.
Thank you, this is a good perspective. Honestly “feet are gross” is the most compelling argument I’ve heard today!
For that price look for the factory seconds on Sierra or Nordstrom rack. They don’t always have them. But I have bought some and they maybe had a scuff on them but nothing noteworthy
Buy new to have a clean canvas to patina yourself based on your work and life. I still remember certain marks on my boots and when they occurred lol
Its a tough call and dependent on "how used" -- I was given an old pair of red wings years ago and they never felt right -- completely different footshape that was molded into the boot. If they are "almost new" -- especially in an IR with a handful of wears, then go for it.
Do you know your size? Your actual Red Wing Iron Ranger size? In that leather? If you’re not 100% sure, I’d send you to a store if you were my friend. Learned this lesson the hard way for myself…
Thanks. I did go try on the same pair last week, so I’m confident on the size.
Grab whatever makes ya happy then. 👍
Here in MN you can always buy Iron Ranger 2nds at the factory store for $230. In fact, that is the only pair of Red Wings I did buy new so far. As others have said, if they aren't broken in yet and are like new while saving some money, go for it. If you can see any wear on the sole or molding of the foot bed, they would need to be a significant savings to make it worthwhile.
To me it doesn't make a difference. Yeah feet are gross. Yes someone sweated in them. But I'm just putting my own gross sweaty feet in them. It's not like I'm going to be eating out of them. I've bought used pairs off ebay on multiple occasions. I've been pleased with every pair. Even if there is a little bit of wear it doesn't bother me at all.
I have bought one pair from Sierra Trading. They were half off at 150 for seconds. I haven't found a flaw in them.
I have owned 6 pairs of Red Wings over the course of time. Only 2 were bought brand new at a Red Wing store.
Just buy 2nds if you want to save a Buck. Don’t buy used.
I've bought a lot of used boots from posh, ebay, grailed etc. Granted they said used and the soles looked like they were used outside they were almost brand new. Like on someone's feet for a day...maybe. I found a pair of 8086 and 1907 on ebay from the same seller for $150 each free shipping and they were practically brand new. There are deals to be had out there. I have 8 pairs of wings and bought 2 new. Couldn't be happier with my "used" ones.
I just picked up a pair of 218 Loggers for $130.00 on Mercari in near mint condition. Granted, not Heritage boots, but the materials and construction are top notch and I like the poron insoles. The date code is 0419, so I'm thinking they were made towards the end of the run for this discontinued model.
I tried Iron Rangers on in the store and then I waited around a little while looking on eBay. I found a pair that looked brand new, the guy wore them for about 3 hours and decided he couldn't stand the fit. I got them cheaper than I would have paid for seconds and they're gorgeous. Also not the Vibram sole which is a big plus for me.
I bought some heritage mocs off Posh for a fair price. If you buy them too used - obviously the soles will be wrecked unless they just replaced them and the cork footbed will be formed to someone else's foot. Now if you're going to use inserts - I'm not sure that's the biggest concern, but could be. For boots and shoes the savings have to be over 50% or at least hundred off or I'll just buy new.
These are a little more than $100 off, they do look almost new.
It's not much money to gamble. I have bought some "used" stuff on Poshmark that have been just as good as new or close to it. I got a pair of Danners the other day that are perfect and cost me nothing as I have been selling a lot lately. I don't get charged taxes for clothes and shoes so it's really a no brainer.