My other pair of boots are Red Wing Iron Rangers. I think that these offer a better bang for buck than the Iron Rangers, but there is a difference in leather quality (Iron Rangers win). These are very comfortable right out of the box. I typically wear a 11.5/12.0 in most shoes and the 11.5 was the right choice. The upper seems to be somewhere between straight leather and nubuck, which I've had mixed experiences with in the past. These have a notable thicker profile than the Iron Rangers, which is due to the additional padding and insulation in the boot. I think the trade off is worth it. I've walked in snowy/icy city conditions and the treads are good enough for me not to think about them while walking.
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