Thanks for the feedback and support chaps, much appreciated and glad you enjoy our product. Has been a great addition to the range and we are currently working on a taller option
@VisterChrad you think they would let you wear a boot like that? I know they were super strict when I was in on what you can and can't wear especially if you're seaside.
Jim Green wins in every category except one- Bruins are slightly roomier in the toe box (Jim Green are wide in the middle of the foot, but lack room for the natural splay of the toes (especially in the big toe and pinky)). Change the shape from round/pointy to square/natural and you have a perfect boot. Still better than the Bruins though. If they could take some notes from Broadwinger Boots shapes, they would dominate the market.
I own both and I’m a general contractor on job sites daily. Also hiking in my spare time. African Ranger beats out the Bruin in EVERY category. I don’t hate the Bruin at all. But it looks so awkward and you’ll never get used to all the extra leather on top of your foot, I’ve been wearing them for months.
The dudes behind the bruins had their hearts in the right place....that being said Jim Green has decades of actual boot-making experience. Edit: what are the dudes behind bruins thinking with that pricing lol it's almost a rip off
@Jared-Kreate that's kind of funny because the only reason I prefer my bruins is because of the extreme width. I do think the Jim greens are generally better constructed but the bruins equal instant comfort to me.
BEWARE!! Bad boots. Bad Customer service. About the Bruin. I figured the comments here needed some realistic balance. Ordered two pair. One for my son and one for me. Returned my sons for stitching. They were good about that return, no problem. However, now the leather insole has become scrunched up and folded inside for apparently no reason. I just found out about that and haven't addressed that with Barefoot yet. My boots had the same problem with sole separation and stitching but to a lesser degree. I contacted customer service and they were like " I can send you a repair kit and you can do it your self or you could send them in but it'll take two weeks" . I said "cool, Id rather you guys fix them" because they were just a couple months old. I waited a couple weeks with no answer and so I emailed. They said they their repair guy was on vacation and they would get back to me the following Monday. Monday comes and goes but I give it a few days I finally emailed and was ignored for about a month and a half and 5 more emails. I finally opened a new ticket and was ignored for a couple more weeks or so. They said they they could figure out what was going on with my boots. I was pissed off by now and sent a terse email asking about a refund. Finally they send me a refund and then later an email with a "why are you so mad" sort of tone. F - these guys. Save your money for a better shoe company like Xero or Lens. They sucked to wear even before they started coming apart.
thank you! because of you i learned out jim greens and THEY ARE WONDERFUL! i have foot and ankle injury and they boots are the first in 20 years thar dont hurt in my opinion i like the floppy aspect because they are non constricting and breathe but stl feel secure
Yep, GEA in Austria is doing this from 90s. Cool it is getting more known. Best part of them all is that you could resole them and with it make each pare unique
I just got the Jim Greens, glad I made the choice. Also just got a heap of snow, can confirm the padded collars are good at keeping it out; and as noted in the video, I can confirm they have uncommonly good traction on wintry surfaces. Very comfy right out of the box, didn't even wear my thicker hiking socks. Stoked to take them out on the trail this weekend!
Guess I'll have to buy both, then. I like the taller Bruin, but I'll support any company doing barefoot boots like these. I primarily wear Minnetonka tall fringe boots, two button boots, and SoftStar Run Amoc 3's.
The bruin is like a boot made by people who don't wear or make boots. The jim green is obviously made for people who wear boots by people who have decades making boots.
I can not wear barefoot shoes / boots. But i do find them interesting. A thought about jim green boots. Custom order the AR8'S with the barefoot soles, if you want to without speed hooks and get rough out instead of the normal leather. Jim Green will work with you for Custom orders, they dont charge that much really and are extremely quick turn around. My custom steel toe AR8'S were less then a month to Canada. You would get extreme durability, the ankle support of the high boot and not have to worry about speed hooks if you dont want to. Oh the AR8'S are double layer of leather on the uppers, a little harder to break-in. But worth it for the longevity.
Do you think you could custom order the AR8s with steel toe and barefoot outsole?? I have been looking for a safety toe barefoot boot for ages now. Also, how do you go about getting a pair of steel toe AR8s as it is?
@@gabemoore3189 just email them directly. I found their email on the website. They are pretty open to do anything. Given the time difference it usually takes a 24hr period to respond. Also i believe now they have a custom order option!! I have not looked at it though. They just reopened from the holidays so they may be a little busy,. When i ordered it took less then a month
I have both. Jim Green by a long shot. No comparison in quality. Bruins blew out the heel 5th time I wore them. Thin threads, and only single stitching (the other two rows of heel stitching was fake - did not penetrate the seam.) After this happened, I took a closer look - my walmart sneakers I used for sealing the driveway were made better than the Bearfoots. The Bearfoots are made to look like they will last, and they fool many.
Try shamma sandals for warm weather wear. You’ll get stronger feet, more breathable and I found them to automatically fix the gait. As in big toe forward and a narrower stride versus duck walking.
I own both the african ranger and the lems boulder grip, both of which I bought for work as a carpenter. The ranger is just perfect as a medium duty work boot. Not steel toed but durable, breathable, light weight, plenty of toe room (a deceptive amount honestly) and the grip is honestly slightly better than the boulder grip in my opinion, at least on dry concrete, gravel and wood. Until someone comes out with a barefoot boot with a carbon fiber safety toe, the jim green is the perfect barefoot work boot, and it comes at a reasonable price
I own both. They are not comparable. The Bruins are hot garbage. They stunk out of the box and they never stopped stinking. I really question the quality of the leather or tanning. The sole also started separating on both boots. Just garbage. The JG’s, by comparison, are the best shoes I’ve ever owned. I just bought another pair in green. They are so comfortable.
Sorry for your experience with them. I’m still rocking mine at work quite a bit 🤷🏻♂️ a bit of wear on the outsole toward the front, but in my line of work it’s to be expected
@@sonsofsever the soles delaminated almost immediately on mine and the seams of the tongue ripped apart just from putting the boots on. The soles also wore out quickly.
I've only had my African rangers for a few days so maybe my opinion will change after I break them in more but I really prefer how the bruins feel. As dorky as the extra large toe box looks on the bruins it is just extremely comfortable. The Jim greens are definitely more comfortable than most shoes and I think the construction on them is better than the bruins but when I have to buy another pair of boots I will probably be buying another pair of bruins.
I am a general contractor, and I am very hard on boots. 4-6 months is a good run for a typical pair of boots and I don’t think I’ve ever made it to re-sole before wearing out the upper. Mainly in the heel area and midsole. I have a pair of bruins I’m working in full time right now and at 3 months in, the heel liner is gone and the insole is shot. Also the dense rubber paired with the gimmicky tread pattern doesn’t last. The “lugs” in the pattern have mostly torn off. I’ve been checking out the African ranger and African trooper and I think I will be going with them next. That being said, I love the style and function of my Ursus high tops in the gym and even on hikes. At half the price of a bruin I don’t mind that I wear through them pretty quickly.
Been wearing the Bruin since July, love them, but if the rangers were out when i bought them i probably would gotten the rangers instead. Real stitching, no weird lumpy leather in top of the foot, and cheaper would have definitely won me over. Even already owning the Bruins I'm planning on getting a pair of Rangers in the future
Saw someone wearing the Bruin's out in the wild for the first time, looked like a child trying to wear his dad's boots. They look so floppy and awful, it actually kinna disgusts me. Like the Webster definition of disgusted lol.
Yeah my wife (Eric) calls them my cartoon boots... But, you cannot deny the comfort of that toe box. The look has actually grown on me a lot, and I think part of that comes from enjoying them on my feet.
@sonsofsever they did also look super comfortable, can't lie haha. I'm lucky and sizing has been super easy for me (except for redwings unfortunetely lol) so most of my boots are nice and spacious in the toes.
The toebox really needs to be oblique and ergonomic(bio- mechanically correct) anatomical to a normal human healthy foot shape. yes these boots are both rugged almost military grade=USMC0311 could really put them to test of endurance, to give them the infantry grunt, rifleman, seal of approval. I would buy at least 12 pair of these 1 a month.(but the toebox area is too restricted. please consider making them shaped like a normal human healthy foot where the big toe is not m‼️curved in. To have maximum toes-splay
They didn't review the trooper. Though I just ordered the trooper and can't wait till December when it arrives. You can order the ranger and get them in a week.
Have the bruins, the fit great and are flexible, however have had them a year and they already have blown out seems from daily use as a work boot and the sole is already ready to be replaced. I will be purchasing the Jim green bf ar next as they seem more durable. They have upped their price however not much cheaper than the bruins.
I doubt rangers use those barfoot boots, very few I'm sure. I think the barefoot doesn't have enough grip, it's a hipster/barefoot enthusiasts boot. I think they need to let u choose ur outersole as an option
Curious what you think in terms of fit. I have Lems grip and just got in Lems Boulder summit both size 9 and they fit my foot like a glove. I got in my Jim Green Barefoot also size 9 and it felt like I was in a half size larger shoe. I added a leather heel insert and the Jim Green boot fit much better. Just figured I would ask if you think buying a half size down would make sense especially as the Jim Green likely to be used in warmer weather due to the lower ankle compared to the Bruin or LEMS. Thus likely in summer likely wearing a thinner sock.
Not sure it is an issue of Jim Green sending me the wrong size. I think I got the right size and tongue says UK 8 and US 9, and then have a white number that I think is a serial number but at the end it extends a bit and ends in 8. I think it was Eric mentioned in the video about some heel slipping but he might have been talking about the other boot. But what I noticed when I first wore the boot was that like both brothers mentioned it needed more to tighten up. Also on my first short walk, couple miles with my dog, I was getting the beginning of a blister on one foot. I have wide feet so my parents used to buy me a size larger and then buy a heel pad to tighten the shoe up. So I gave that a try and so far the boots feel secure now. So I just wonder if perhaps these run a half size bigger. While I generally were a 9 E, I don’t test shoes but figured I ponder the question if perhaps these run just a larger.
For us the length in the sizing between the two seems the same. I wonder if what you're feeling is the extra volume on the Ranger? They are definitely roomier up there although I wouldn't say longer, so maybe that's why they feel a half size bigger?
Really good comparison by these two of these two ;~) You ALMOST addressed the thing no one else I've seen has. You mention these boots have "ample space for our toes to splay out", but not that they're still tapered along the big toe (the JimGreen, at least.. the Bearfoot appear to be more straight there). The ample space is great when standing or walking straight, but movements that push the foot against that taper will put outward bending forces on the big toe.
Ooooo I missed it by that much! I actually address this in a toe to toe we’re releasing this coming weekend 😬 it is definitely more rounded compared to other offerings, totally agree
That's a video we're gonna do very soon! There are a ton of talking points, but I think one of the biggest things to consider will be what you're using them for. If you're looking for the better hiker, the Summit for sure. If you're not gonna hit the trail, the Jim Green is tough to beat.
The barefoot industry is overly marketed bullshit. Can we not just have zero drop wide tox box shoes? Lol. Why is it so complicated. Jim green has the balls to not make it bullshit but also give a good product.
I’m an outlier here, while I DO prefer the JG BF African Ranger, my feet are WIDE. Like, super wide. The Bruins fit my feet much better. I also think Bearfoot has quality control issues because I wear mine daily and they’re great. No issues at all. But I see tons of other owners who have had structural issues out of the box. I lift weights in my Bearfoot Ursus shoes and I wear my Bruins daily. All that said, I have to wear steel toes at work 12+ hours a day, so my Bruins aren’t worn at work. Maybe that’s the difference? All that said, if the JG fit me better I’d strongly prefer them
@@jwkirkwoo, great info, been looking for a while off and on, I'll bookmark their site, and check periodically to see if they get my size in. Any issues with shopping or product? Ditto on needing safety shoes, hopes and dreams someone will pick up that needed slack and produce some.
@@Gman1024I have owned a few pairs of birkenstock qs700 and qs500. The soles will begin falling off after a few months. Not worth the money. The eyelets rust extremely quickly, the leather and stitching has not been great on my last two pairs. Soles have failed on every pair by delamination. They are super comfy and a good compromise on a barefoot safety shoe. Flexible, foot shaped, etc. But I've decided to try another brand now, ordered them last night, less than half the price, super wide (composite) toe caps, but not zero drop unfortunately. Will lyk how I get on. They were from fitville or something.
@@feldgraufox4927, awesome information, please let me know how the new ones are, as well as model/brand, etc. I don't feel so bad about not the birks unavailability now. 😁👍🏻
Got a feeling the first guy who appears to be a conservative, church going American is probably quite nationalist would pick an American company out of bias. The idea of wearing the Bruin boots with shorts in summer is absolutely ridiculous.
It might be ridiculous but I do it 😂 and I like to think of myself as a right leaning moderate 😉 I also just like the toebox A LOT more on the Bruin than the Ranger 🤷🏻♂️
@@nicolasroman129 it's not currently in our lineup, we're putting all our effort into getting some Patriots from them 🤞 but if those don't happen for whatever reason the Ursidae will be a good backup!
@@sonsofsever Ah, I have thought that about the primal runamoc, but at least with the internet pics the switchbacks are a little less reminiscent of boxing gloves. I ended up ordering the Jim Greens partially because of this review btw, so thank you for that. Looking forward to trying. Happy to find something that looks like a normal, traditionally constructed boot, but without arch support, drop, or a constrictive toe box. Kind of tired of ugly, gimmicky barefoot shoes that fall apart quickly.
Dang I wish I'd seen this before I ordered my Lems. I would've definitely tried the Jim Green African Trooper, it looks like just what I've been looking for for years. I prefer a taller boot, I've worn 8 inch work boots most of my life and I've often thought, "why in the world does nobody build a tall boot with a flexible sole?" Oh well, after I walk through the soles of the Lems I'll try the Jim Greens. Then I'll be able to compare.
@@nathanmoore8995 I saw that. It looks like an amazing boot! Truly the best of both the worlds between minimalist footwear and good, solid, classic looking leather work boots. I disagree with folks who say you should never ever wear a boot because they're too restrictive, too heavy, and serve no purpose. I bet they've never worked on farms or landscaping crews. A taller boot, once broken in, will flex with your ankle. Yes, they are often pretty heavy, but a boot designed like this will be significantly lighter than traditional work boots. Long pants worn down over a pair of 8 inch boots stop chaff from getting down your socks, lesson the sting of string trimmer twine should you ever smack yourself with it, and can help prevent snake bites.
@@nathanmoore8995 My Lems finally came, and didn't fit. When I tried to exchange them they didn't have any the proper size. So I just returned them for a refund and am gonna order a pair of African troopers.
@@calebgreene3667 total honesty, we definitely struggle with that sometimes! What comes out of our editing software doesn't always match up with what ends up on RUclips sound wise, but I found with this one if you listen on headphones the music seems louder than if it's just on your phone or computer speaker
Im telling you all that lems are not that great. I tried to like them but its just a bad boot. If you can call it that. The build quality is subpar, the materials are the same and with that the price is a insult. I have been in barefoot shoes since 2008 ish. I have bought alot of barefoot style shoes and the jim greens hit all of the boxes to make it a great all around shoe/boot.
Interested to know exactly what problems you had with Lems? Totally agree that Jim Green are built better, but I've yet to have a pair of Lems fail on me.
@@sonsofsever also theres this guy whos trying to create a new barefoot shoes brand but for what u can tell he still needs visibility youtube.com/@flatstepcreator?si=KMlQIy-k-rY2ALzW
Any more unlined (summer boots) in the review pipeline? I need something else to alternate with my African Rangers (at this rate it is going to be another pair of African Rangers or something custom).
@@sonsofsever 👍🏼 also a brand called Saltic. Don’t have the stones to try these brands myself since they’re from from overseas. I’m unsure of shipping times and return policies make it less than appealing.
Really good on both! Both have nice leathers. The Bruin outsole has started to come apart, so maybe they didn't use as good of an adhesive, but the whole point is to be able to go fix that.
I own both. I wish the Jim Green had a wider toe box. The Bruin I actually can't wear because the toe box isn't tall enough. Anybody need a new Men's 10?
For boots I've worn spikes with the Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion and that worked great, I would think the Ridgeway would be a pretty good one with spikes too. For trail runners something like an Altra Lone Peak or a Topo Athletic shoe I think would have enough stiff structuring on the upper it would work out
I don't think so. You need something with a thicker, more protective sole and robust upper for braking, stopping and in worst case scenario, making sure your feet survive if you get into an accident
A true barefoot boot all the way but for $1,000? No thanks - I'd rather just get a custom Jim Green taller height boot or just find the lowest stack height and widest traditional heritage boot
Thanks for the feedback and support chaps, much appreciated and glad you enjoy our product. Has been a great addition to the range and we are currently working on a taller option
Please make a composite barefoot boot. I know it’s a tall order but it would save my life, it’s the only thing I hate about my job.
@@Obiwan3128 You mean composite toe, right? Because I've got the same problem in the navy and I know a lot of guys here would be interested too
I have a pair in fudge on the way. I’d love a pair with more height and would almost certainly buy a second pair immediately.
Would love to see an AR8 barefoot version or even a barefoot razorback
@VisterChrad you think they would let you wear a boot like that? I know they were super strict when I was in on what you can and can't wear especially if you're seaside.
Jim Green wins in every category except one- Bruins are slightly roomier in the toe box (Jim Green are wide in the middle of the foot, but lack room for the natural splay of the toes (especially in the big toe and pinky)). Change the shape from round/pointy to square/natural and you have a perfect boot. Still better than the Bruins though. If they could take some notes from Broadwinger Boots shapes, they would dominate the market.
I believe the Jim greens come in wider widths as well.
I own both and I’m a general contractor on job sites daily. Also hiking in my spare time. African Ranger beats out the Bruin in EVERY category. I don’t hate the Bruin at all. But it looks so awkward and you’ll never get used to all the extra leather on top of your foot, I’ve been wearing them for months.
The dudes behind the bruins had their hearts in the right place....that being said Jim Green has decades of actual boot-making experience.
Edit: what are the dudes behind bruins thinking with that pricing lol it's almost a rip off
@@j_crust4582 well said. There’s things I think are really cool about them. It’s just too awkward. Width is extreme too lol
@Jared-Kreate that's kind of funny because the only reason I prefer my bruins is because of the extreme width. I do think the Jim greens are generally better constructed but the bruins equal instant comfort to me.
Was gonna say this but you already did.
How much, do you have size 40, can you deliver to hong Kong ? Thank you.
Jim Green it is then - best Value for money
Awesome review! I almost bought the Bruin, but when the Barefoot AR came out, it checked my boxes a little better, and I have been very happy with it.
BEWARE!! Bad boots. Bad Customer service. About the Bruin. I figured the comments here needed some realistic balance. Ordered two pair. One for my son and one for me. Returned my sons for stitching. They were good about that return, no problem. However, now the leather insole has become scrunched up and folded inside for apparently no reason. I just found out about that and haven't addressed that with Barefoot yet.
My boots had the same problem with sole separation and stitching but to a lesser degree. I contacted customer service and they were like " I can send you a repair kit and you can do it your self or you could send them in but it'll take two weeks" . I said "cool, Id rather you guys fix them" because they were just a couple months old. I waited a couple weeks with no answer and so I emailed. They said they their repair guy was on vacation and they would get back to me the following Monday. Monday comes and goes but I give it a few days I finally emailed and was ignored for about a month and a half and 5 more emails. I finally opened a new ticket and was ignored for a couple more weeks or so. They said they they could figure out what was going on with my boots. I was pissed off by now and sent a terse email asking about a refund. Finally they send me a refund and then later an email with a "why are you so mad" sort of tone. F - these guys. Save your money for a better shoe company like Xero or Lens. They sucked to wear even before they started coming apart.
thank you! because of you i learned out jim greens and THEY ARE WONDERFUL!
i have foot and ankle injury and they boots are the first in 20 years thar dont hurt
in my opinion i like the floppy aspect because they are non constricting and breathe but stl feel secure
Yep, GEA in Austria is doing this from 90s. Cool it is getting more known. Best part of them all is that you could resole them and with it make each pare unique
I just got the Jim Greens, glad I made the choice. Also just got a heap of snow, can confirm the padded collars are good at keeping it out; and as noted in the video, I can confirm they have uncommonly good traction on wintry surfaces. Very comfy right out of the box, didn't even wear my thicker hiking socks. Stoked to take them out on the trail this weekend!
Guess I'll have to buy both, then. I like the taller Bruin, but I'll support any company doing barefoot boots like these. I primarily wear Minnetonka tall fringe boots, two button boots, and SoftStar Run Amoc 3's.
The bruin is like a boot made by people who don't wear or make boots. The jim green is obviously made for people who wear boots by people who have decades making boots.
They partnered with a ranger wildlife preservation team to create it. So you are right
I can not wear barefoot shoes / boots. But i do find them interesting.
A thought about jim green boots. Custom order the AR8'S with the barefoot soles, if you want to without speed hooks and get rough out instead of the normal leather.
Jim Green will work with you for Custom orders, they dont charge that much really and are extremely quick turn around.
My custom steel toe AR8'S were less then a month to Canada.
You would get extreme durability, the ankle support of the high boot and not have to worry about speed hooks if you dont want to.
Oh the AR8'S are double layer of leather on the uppers, a little harder to break-in. But worth it for the longevity.
Do you think you could custom order the AR8s with steel toe and barefoot outsole?? I have been looking for a safety toe barefoot boot for ages now. Also, how do you go about getting a pair of steel toe AR8s as it is?
@@gabemoore3189 just email them directly. I found their email on the website. They are pretty open to do anything. Given the time difference it usually takes a 24hr period to respond.
Also i believe now they have a custom order option!! I have not looked at it though.
They just reopened from the holidays so they may be a little busy,. When i ordered it took less then a month
@va6gkthaskey311 seems that they are reopening their custom orders on Feb 1st. I'll be putting one in! Thanks for bringing that option to my attention
Sick vid dudes are you guys in slc too?!
We're just down in Utah county! Love the boots 👌🏻 lunch on us sometime?
I have both. Jim Green by a long shot. No comparison in quality. Bruins blew out the heel 5th time I wore them. Thin threads, and only single stitching (the other two rows of heel stitching was fake - did not penetrate the seam.) After this happened, I took a closer look - my walmart sneakers I used for sealing the driveway were made better than the Bearfoots. The Bearfoots are made to look like they will last, and they fool many.
Haven't tried the Bruin, but love my Jim Greens
Try shamma sandals for warm weather wear. You’ll get stronger feet, more breathable and I found them to automatically fix the gait. As in big toe forward and a narrower stride versus duck walking.
I own both the african ranger and the lems boulder grip, both of which I bought for work as a carpenter. The ranger is just perfect as a medium duty work boot. Not steel toed but durable, breathable, light weight, plenty of toe room (a deceptive amount honestly) and the grip is honestly slightly better than the boulder grip in my opinion, at least on dry concrete, gravel and wood.
Until someone comes out with a barefoot boot with a carbon fiber safety toe, the jim green is the perfect barefoot work boot, and it comes at a reasonable price
I think there's a steel toe option if you want to get a custom boot from Jim Green. Might be something worth looking into!
Another RESOLEABLE; BAREFOOT; ALL-LEATHER boot is Broadwinger... Custom-only, and VERY expensive.
I love my Jim Green barefoot ranger. I just ordered their new barefoot as well. Got 3 pairs and love em.
Need or want?
I own both. They are not comparable. The Bruins are hot garbage. They stunk out of the box and they never stopped stinking. I really question the quality of the leather or tanning. The sole also started separating on both boots. Just garbage. The JG’s, by comparison, are the best shoes I’ve ever owned. I just bought another pair in green. They are so comfortable.
Thank you, I agree 🙌🏻
The Bruins are chrome tanned that's probably why they smell bad the Jim green are veg tanned
I’ve been wearing mine for months it was a first run .. and Jim green in general has great support.. I have several custom boots by Jim green
Had my Jim green rangers since November. Really great boot. wear them in working in a kitchen and handles all the grime l like a champ.
Here to see the boots, I see speed walk and mountains and rains ... all RUclipsrs are Tarantino
We must be watching two different videos 😂
My Bruins were disappointing beyond belief. They fell apart quickly and many of the stitches were cosmetic, not structural.
Sorry for your experience with them. I’m still rocking mine at work quite a bit 🤷🏻♂️ a bit of wear on the outsole toward the front, but in my line of work it’s to be expected
@@sonsofsever the soles delaminated almost immediately on mine and the seams of the tongue ripped apart just from putting the boots on. The soles also wore out quickly.
@@pathrst interesting. I wonder why the difference.
@@sonsofsever I would also like to know. I want them to be great. They are very comfortable.
Check out the barefoot boot by Leguano shoes Husky style. Doesn’t look nearly as durable cold be a decent option.
I've only had my African rangers for a few days so maybe my opinion will change after I break them in more but I really prefer how the bruins feel.
As dorky as the extra large toe box looks on the bruins it is just extremely comfortable.
The Jim greens are definitely more comfortable than most shoes and I think the construction on them is better than the bruins but when I have to buy another pair of boots I will probably be buying another pair of bruins.
I am a general contractor, and I am very hard on boots. 4-6 months is a good run for a typical pair of boots and I don’t think I’ve ever made it to re-sole before wearing out the upper. Mainly in the heel area and midsole. I have a pair of bruins I’m working in full time right now and at 3 months in, the heel liner is gone and the insole is shot. Also the dense rubber paired with the gimmicky tread pattern doesn’t last. The “lugs” in the pattern have mostly torn off. I’ve been checking out the African ranger and African trooper and I think I will be going with them next. That being said, I love the style and function of my Ursus high tops in the gym and even on hikes. At half the price of a bruin I don’t mind that I wear through them pretty quickly.
"i can wear these to church" and "my wife had me wear these for our family pictures" are the 2 most white american things i've heard this year.
Been wearing the Bruin since July, love them, but if the rangers were out when i bought them i probably would gotten the rangers instead. Real stitching, no weird lumpy leather in top of the foot, and cheaper would have definitely won me over. Even already owning the Bruins I'm planning on getting a pair of Rangers in the future
Would love to see Jim green vs Xero
We've got a comparison video with those two queued up for this coming fall/winter already!
@@sonsofsever thanks
07:55 I'm so glad someone pointed this out. I have yet to see this comment made.
Saw someone wearing the Bruin's out in the wild for the first time, looked like a child trying to wear his dad's boots. They look so floppy and awful, it actually kinna disgusts me. Like the Webster definition of disgusted lol.
Yeah my wife (Eric) calls them my cartoon boots... But, you cannot deny the comfort of that toe box. The look has actually grown on me a lot, and I think part of that comes from enjoying them on my feet.
@sonsofsever they did also look super comfortable, can't lie haha. I'm lucky and sizing has been super easy for me (except for redwings unfortunetely lol) so most of my boots are nice and spacious in the toes.
Realfoot Farmer boot is something to check out
The toebox really needs to be oblique and ergonomic(bio- mechanically correct) anatomical to a normal human healthy foot shape. yes these boots are both rugged almost military grade=USMC0311 could really put them to test of endurance, to give them the infantry grunt, rifleman, seal of approval. I would buy at least 12 pair of these 1 a month.(but the toebox area is too restricted. please consider making them shaped like a normal human healthy foot where the big toe is not m‼️curved in. To have maximum toes-splay
It's not that complicated. The toe box of the ranger is not going to hurt you
I think I'll take the word of an African ranger wearing these boots day in and day out not saying this guy is one over a few Marines any day
Really looking forward to getting an African Trooper. It checks a lot of boxes for me that nothing else out there I'm aware of even comes close to
They didn't review the trooper. Though I just ordered the trooper and can't wait till December when it arrives. You can order the ranger and get them in a week.
Have the bruins, the fit great and are flexible, however have had them a year and they already have blown out seems from daily use as a work boot and the sole is already ready to be replaced. I will be purchasing the Jim green bf ar next as they seem more durable. They have upped their price however not much cheaper than the bruins.
Yeah depends on the leather for the price. The Buffalo is pretty expensive, up there with the Bruin, but you can still get a good price on the others
good to know i bought the right paid 😂
I doubt rangers use those barfoot boots, very few I'm sure. I think the barefoot doesn't have enough grip, it's a hipster/barefoot enthusiasts boot. I think they need to let u choose ur outersole as an option
They do let you choose. You can get the original African Ranger boot with a different outsole if the barefoot one is too "hipster" for you.
Curious what you think in terms of fit. I have Lems grip and just got in Lems Boulder summit both size 9 and they fit my foot like a glove. I got in my Jim Green Barefoot also size 9 and it felt like I was in a half size larger shoe. I added a leather heel insert and the Jim Green boot fit much better.
Just figured I would ask if you think buying a half size down would make sense especially as the Jim Green likely to be used in warmer weather due to the lower ankle compared to the Bruin or LEMS. Thus likely in summer likely wearing a thinner sock.
Not sure it is an issue of Jim Green sending me the wrong size. I think I got the right size and tongue says UK 8 and US 9, and then have a white number that I think is a serial number but at the end it extends a bit and ends in 8.
I think it was Eric mentioned in the video about some heel slipping but he might have been talking about the other boot. But what I noticed when I first wore the boot was that like both brothers mentioned it needed more to tighten up. Also on my first short walk, couple miles with my dog, I was getting the beginning of a blister on one foot.
I have wide feet so my parents used to buy me a size larger and then buy a heel pad to tighten the shoe up. So I gave that a try and so far the boots feel secure now. So I just wonder if perhaps these run a half size bigger. While I generally were a 9 E, I don’t test shoes but figured I ponder the question if perhaps these run just a larger.
For us the length in the sizing between the two seems the same. I wonder if what you're feeling is the extra volume on the Ranger? They are definitely roomier up there although I wouldn't say longer, so maybe that's why they feel a half size bigger?
Really good comparison by these two of these two ;~) You ALMOST addressed the thing no one else I've seen has. You mention these boots have "ample space for our toes to splay out", but not that they're still tapered along the big toe (the JimGreen, at least.. the Bearfoot appear to be more straight there).
The ample space is great when standing or walking straight, but movements that push the foot against that taper will put outward bending forces on the big toe.
Ooooo I missed it by that much! I actually address this in a toe to toe we’re releasing this coming weekend 😬 it is definitely more rounded compared to other offerings, totally agree
@@sonsofsever Heyy, I'll look out for that.
hee, fun reference, too
Im trying to make the decision on either the jim green or the lems summit
That's a video we're gonna do very soon! There are a ton of talking points, but I think one of the biggest things to consider will be what you're using them for. If you're looking for the better hiker, the Summit for sure. If you're not gonna hit the trail, the Jim Green is tough to beat.
I’d love to see the Bruin going toe to toe with the new high ankle barefoot African troopers.
@@ryansullivan3081 we are working on some projects that would lead to something along those lines
Great content!
I enjoy that the jim green can be resoled making it a longer lasting boot that I can love for years. Not a commonality in the barefoot shoe scene.
The barefoot industry is overly marketed bullshit. Can we not just have zero drop wide tox box shoes? Lol. Why is it so complicated. Jim green has the balls to not make it bullshit but also give a good product.
I’m an outlier here, while I DO prefer the JG BF African Ranger, my feet are WIDE. Like, super wide. The Bruins fit my feet much better. I also think Bearfoot has quality control issues because I wear mine daily and they’re great. No issues at all. But I see tons of other owners who have had structural issues out of the box. I lift weights in my Bearfoot Ursus shoes and I wear my Bruins daily. All that said, I have to wear steel toes at work 12+ hours a day, so my Bruins aren’t worn at work. Maybe that’s the difference? All that said, if the JG fit me better I’d strongly prefer them
Both of these are on my watchlists for work boots, especially since the birkenstock safety boots aren't available to US.
Thanks for the upload.
I order the Birkenstock boots shipped to us from Bartel-shop. I need the safety toe but hope there will be more options in the future
@@jwkirkwoo, great info, been looking for a while off and on, I'll bookmark their site, and check periodically to see if they get my size in.
Any issues with shopping or product?
Ditto on needing safety shoes, hopes and dreams someone will pick up that needed slack and produce some.
@@Gman1024I have owned a few pairs of birkenstock qs700 and qs500.
The soles will begin falling off after a few months. Not worth the money. The eyelets rust extremely quickly, the leather and stitching has not been great on my last two pairs. Soles have failed on every pair by delamination.
They are super comfy and a good compromise on a barefoot safety shoe. Flexible, foot shaped, etc.
But I've decided to try another brand now, ordered them last night, less than half the price, super wide (composite) toe caps, but not zero drop unfortunately. Will lyk how I get on. They were from fitville or something.
@@feldgraufox4927, awesome information, please let me know how the new ones are, as well as model/brand, etc.
I don't feel so bad about not the birks unavailability now. 😁👍🏻
Got a feeling the first guy who appears to be a conservative, church going American is probably quite nationalist would pick an American company out of bias.
The idea of wearing the Bruin boots with shorts in summer is absolutely ridiculous.
It might be ridiculous but I do it 😂 and I like to think of myself as a right leaning moderate 😉 I also just like the toebox A LOT more on the Bruin than the Ranger 🤷🏻♂️
Do the JG look like clown shoes in real life? With that round wide toe box
We don’t think so
Any review on the Bearfoot Ursidae in the works ?
@@nicolasroman129 it's not currently in our lineup, we're putting all our effort into getting some Patriots from them 🤞 but if those don't happen for whatever reason the Ursidae will be a good backup!
If you want a taller upper option, you can still get Jim Green AR8 with a custom barefoot sole at their custom section.
Have you tried the Softstar Switchbacks ?
We haven’t but we have handled them….. not super interested
@@sonsofsever What about them made you not interested? I was initially interested in them, but am now considering the Jim Greens
@@Slinkylinky179 they are really really goofy looking in person. Their shape is super off putting
@@sonsofsever Ah, I have thought that about the primal runamoc, but at least with the internet pics the switchbacks are a little less reminiscent of boxing gloves.
I ended up ordering the Jim Greens partially because of this review btw, so thank you for that. Looking forward to trying. Happy to find something that looks like a normal, traditionally constructed boot, but without arch support, drop, or a constrictive toe box. Kind of tired of ugly, gimmicky barefoot shoes that fall apart quickly.
Dang I wish I'd seen this before I ordered my Lems. I would've definitely tried the Jim Green African Trooper, it looks like just what I've been looking for for years. I prefer a taller boot, I've worn 8 inch work boots most of my life and I've often thought, "why in the world does nobody build a tall boot with a flexible sole?"
Oh well, after I walk through the soles of the Lems I'll try the Jim Greens. Then I'll be able to compare.
Jim Green is releasing their African trooper boot this December. It's modeled after WW2 jump boots. They are also barefoot boots
@@nathanmoore8995 I saw that. It looks like an amazing boot! Truly the best of both the worlds between minimalist footwear and good, solid, classic looking leather work boots.
I disagree with folks who say you should never ever wear a boot because they're too restrictive, too heavy, and serve no purpose. I bet they've never worked on farms or landscaping crews. A taller boot, once broken in, will flex with your ankle. Yes, they are often pretty heavy, but a boot designed like this will be significantly lighter than traditional work boots. Long pants worn down over a pair of 8 inch boots stop chaff from getting down your socks, lesson the sting of string trimmer twine should you ever smack yourself with it, and can help prevent snake bites.
@@nathanmoore8995 My Lems finally came, and didn't fit. When I tried to exchange them they didn't have any the proper size. So I just returned them for a refund and am gonna order a pair of African troopers.
Your background music is too loud
@@calebgreene3667 total honesty, we definitely struggle with that sometimes! What comes out of our editing software doesn't always match up with what ends up on RUclips sound wise, but I found with this one if you listen on headphones the music seems louder than if it's just on your phone or computer speaker
This was a good Comparison on both of the boots. I just can't believe how much the Bruin cost. But it's a very very nice boots.
Jim green has seriously tough leather. I think it 2.2mm thick.
Im telling you all that lems are not that great. I tried to like them but its just a bad boot. If you can call it that. The build quality is subpar, the materials are the same and with that the price is a insult. I have been in barefoot shoes since 2008 ish. I have bought alot of barefoot style shoes and the jim greens hit all of the boxes to make it a great all around shoe/boot.
Interested to know exactly what problems you had with Lems? Totally agree that Jim Green are built better, but I've yet to have a pair of Lems fail on me.
@@sonsofsever the lining is trash and holds smells and the glue failed around the toe.
@@markm.9932 thanks, we always appreciate the specifics, definitely something we'll look out for as we keep using them
a new contender has join the battle, Carets realse a new barefoot work boot with EH, steel toe, resolable and more
@@PandoPanda-m1y thank you for your service 🫡
@@sonsofsever also theres this guy whos trying to create a new barefoot shoes brand but for what u can tell he still needs visibility youtube.com/@flatstepcreator?si=KMlQIy-k-rY2ALzW
You should review the Jim Green AR barefoot
That is a definite eventuality!
@@sonsofsever my comment had aged fast huh
Any more unlined (summer boots) in the review pipeline? I need something else to alternate with my African Rangers (at this rate it is going to be another pair of African Rangers or something custom).
Yes actually! Just waiting on them. Unboxing video on Instagram as soon as they hit the doorstep!
@@sonsofsever Cool, looking forward to it.
Found a brand from EU called Jenon that makes a boot that looks similar to the AR
Those look awesome. We'll definitely reach out
@@sonsofsever 👍🏼 also a brand called Saltic. Don’t have the stones to try these brands myself since they’re from from overseas. I’m unsure of shipping times and return policies make it less than appealing.
Quality of materials?
Really good on both! Both have nice leathers. The Bruin outsole has started to come apart, so maybe they didn't use as good of an adhesive, but the whole point is to be able to go fix that.
I own both. I wish the Jim Green had a wider toe box. The Bruin I actually can't wear because the toe box isn't tall enough. Anybody need a new Men's 10?
High arches? Ya we’re hoping to chat with Jim Green about toe box shape. We’ll see if that goes anywhere
Great content, but the elevator music on repeat for 20min gave me a headache! Couldn't finish the video, it was driving me nuts lol
For every person who hates it there’s another who likes it 🤷🏻♂️ can’t please everyone 😂
What “barefoot winter boot / trail runner” would you all recommend to use with micro spikes? All mind get smashed with micro spikes.
For boots I've worn spikes with the Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion and that worked great, I would think the Ridgeway would be a pretty good one with spikes too. For trail runners something like an Altra Lone Peak or a Topo Athletic shoe I think would have enough stiff structuring on the upper it would work out
I need shoes for northern climate (Norway) . What shoes do you recomend?
Something waterproof and warm! The Feelgrounds Patrol Winter would be a great option for that climate. Hvor i Norge kommer du fra??
Vestlandet
@@HuginKvalsvik Vest er best! Jeg bodde i Bergen og Stavanger en stund, elsker Norge!!
@@sonsofsever kult
@@sonsofsever Hva er dine favorittsko?
The Jim greens hands down 😊
I don't understand how you could not want speed hooks on a tall boot
Personal preference. They snag on things. Eric had one slice open the seat in his new car 😬
Broadwinger Boots >>>>>
Hard to compare when they're like 5x as much money
@@sonsofsever Agreed- their only caveat. Which is why I always say- the perfect boot does not exist!
Are these boots good for motorcycle rides?
Neither of us ride motorcycles, but I assume a higher ankle with more coverage would do better? In which case the Bruins would likely do best.
I don't think so. You need something with a thicker, more protective sole and robust upper for braking, stopping and in worst case scenario, making sure your feet survive if you get into an accident
Guacho Ninja
A true barefoot boot all the way but for $1,000? No thanks - I'd rather just get a custom Jim Green taller height boot or just find the lowest stack height and widest traditional heritage boot