They have the strangest balance between feeling EVERYTHING on the ground and never hurting your feet. i have no idea how you did it. I have the Buffalo skin ones and am just waiting for my leather balm so that the last breaks in. Buffalo is a very tough leather but even while not broken in they are still comfortable. Incredible work! Update on my Buffalo Skin Barefoot Rangers: I have been wearing them in the house and yes they do get more comfortable by the day. The reason that I like the stiffness is because although it will take some time, the boot will fold and adapt to the shape of the foot giving you a unique and custom feel. And no they are NOT unfashionable! You can really rock these. You can wear them up the nastiest trails and they are still to church.
I just got my Barefoot Shoellies yesterday. They are "out of the box" comfortable. I normally wear a 10.5 US shoe and since these are a bit wider I got a size 10 US. The only other shoes that were out of the box comfortable like this were my Clark Treks. I put them on and walked all over Manhattan that day. Very comfortable and the Shoellie's are just like them... My only concern is where the heel strikes the ground. It feels a bit strange but not uncomfortable.
I'm on day 4 of having my buffalo Rangers and after reading comments about how stiff they are on arrival I'm wondering why mine aren't really stiff at all. They seem larger than normal size 13 I ordered compared to my other boots but I like the Buffalo's quite a lot so far. My only real complaint is that I wish there was a cushion under the tongue with how they tie down.
I just survived being stuck in New Orleans due to Winter Storm Enzo in my Jim Green Barefoot African Rangers! I carried my 2 young sons in my arms over 4+ inches of ice. While some were struggling to move a meter, I was able to feel and almost grab the high spots and low spots with my feet and never slipped once! After this experience with JG BFARs, I have nothing but praise for JG.
ive had my bare foot rangers for about a year now and they still feel like a glove on my feet. i got the nubuck leather variants and hit them with a few rounds of sealer and wax ! they look great love the patina
I purchased my first pair of Barefoot boots and first pair of African Rangers in the Houston Green. I purchased them for the purpose of wearing in the house only. The first week of wear, the boots caused my feet to throb after a few hours wear. Also, the padded collar dug into my inner ankles. I rubbed some leather conditioner on the inside of the boots in the areas were biting into my ankles. I did this for about three or four days and wore the boots with thick sock also coated with leather conditioner. Three months later and these are my house slippers! I look forward to slipping on my Barefoot ARs every morning as I step out of the bed. Added bonus: I noticed that my flat feet are developing arches! 5 - stars, Gareth!
The price to quality ratio on these boots is insane. I bought a pair of the ARs last summer, and once they broke in, I never wanted to take them off. I have since added the Numzaans (a GREAT boot built like a tank) and a pair of custom Vellies. Most of my other (more expensive) boots just sit around collecting dust these days. I really admire this company and I hope they sell enough ARs to supply every Ranger in Africa with boots three times over. Good luck guys.
I've been wearing my premium african rangers in fudge framing a house for almost 4 months now. I swear these get more comfortable every day. I like them so much I ordered a custom pair of barefoot shoellies. I am patiently waiting for their arrival.
@SeMoArtifactAdventures we love hearing that!!! Thank you for your continued support and feedback. Please let us know how the custom pair holds up. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles.
@caleballen8862 we can’t wait to get going on the Moc, however we are still tooling up - being a true Moc construction and our current range Stitch down has been a process getting ready. We will probably launch a pre-sale around March/April for delivery May/June as it looks.
Jim Green boots are fantastic. Still breaking in the Numzaan, they are built like a tank. The African Rangers are my casual comfy go to boot. I’m gonna get some shoellies and vellies when spring arrives. The only other brand of boots that gets me excited like Jim Green are Grant Stone, which I wear in the office and dressier occasions.
You quickly mentioned the horween leather and how its qualities make it good for Wet conditions, I'd love a video on the various types of leathers you offer!
It's nice to see you care about the negative feedback as well. Me personally needed about 20 wearings in the nubuck barefoot models for that heel counter to be more bearable. However, i wish you would consider ditching the heel counter or softer heel material to avoid the discomfort that causes blisters.
Thank you for the support and feedback @RagnarHoff. We appreciate you sharing your experience with the barefoot model. While we have not had widespread reports of this issue, we will certainly take it into consideration. Proper sizing is important, however we are always looking for ways to enhance comfort.
First off $190 for boots is cheap cheap cheap especially boots that can be resoled multiple times! I’ve had my African Rangers for a couple years now, I’ve worked them hard the whole time and the Fudge leather looks amazing now. They have held up great, way better than expected! Looking forward to getting the soles replaced by Jim Green
thanks for the support and feedback @WiredCustomsSpeedShop, we are always happy to hear that our boots are holding up well. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles
Thank you for the support and feedback @WiredCustomsSpeedShop We are glad to hear your boots are holding up well. Our re-soling service helps keep those Jim Green uppers going for years. Wishing you many happy Jim Green miles!
Very happy with my fudge barefoot rangers, comfy like slippers out of the box. They are my daily winter shoes, lucky I don't have to dress formal as retired. Rambler vellies feel a little stiffer, now waiting for my brown rugged to arrive and to compare them to a pair of new jump boots I bought just like the ones I had in the army
Thank you for your continued support and sharing your experience about your Barefoot African Rangers @paulsabucchi It is always good to hear customer feedback. Keen to hear your thoughts about your new pair when they arrive.
I love my African Rangers Barefoot in fudge nubuck. And this video - wow! I'm so proud to have such a high quality product from the people I respect so much. I think that not only do you make amazing boots, but you're also focused on the outdoor element, not just making money and creating new collections of crap (like most big footwear companies do these days). I love the transparency, the honest advice and tips. By the way, I've waterproofed my pair with mink oil and it's absolutely fine. The only downside is that they're not that warm for Polish winters - and I want to wear them all the time! They're so comfortable I could wear them all day, 365 days a year.
@thechillcrafter945 thank you for the support and kind words. We take pride in crafting our footwear, transparency and honesty are important to us too, and we are glad you appreciate our focus on practical advice and tips. With regards to warmth in winter, Nubuck is a breathable material, which is great for most conditions, but it can get a bit chilly in extreme cold. We recommend a thicker sock or a liner for those super cold days. We would love to see your adventures in your African Rangers. Feel free to tag us in any future posts.
I've had my troopers for a few weeks now... I was skeptical of barefoot boots but watched a few videos, including Weston's, which led me to the troopers. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of how amazing these boots are in colder climates, being out of South Africa -- but they're honestly some of the best boots I've ever worn through New England winters and I've lived here my entire life and have worn many boots. These are by far the grippiest boots for snow/ice I've worn without having crampons on, which no one wants to wear if they're not on a dedicated hike in the mountains. My feet don't get cold either, but they also don't get sweaty because there's no superfluous wool boot liner or have the world's biggest lie stitched inside of it -- waterproof insulating liner.
Thank you for your amazing feedback on the Troopers @David-mt7tj We are thrilled to hear that they are performing so well in colder climates. Your experience aligns with what we have heard from other customers in similar conditions. It's great to know that the grippy outsole and breathable design are making a real difference. We' are always looking for ways to improve our products, so your detailed feedback is invaluable. Thanks again for your support!
Thank you so much Jim Green Footwear and Mr Crouch, for your sincerity, transparency and honesty! I would say it's brave to lay yourself bear like this - kudos for doing so! ^_^
Love my barefoot African Rangers, but I had to resole them with a Vibram rubber sole in under 6 months because the original foam sole quickly wore out. Would love to see a rubber barefoot sole option.
Best pair of walking boots I ever owned. The wide toe box suit my feet very well. I am looking forward to the composite toe models. As I can wear them to work for electrical safety. At my current job.
I have had my buffalo AR boots for over 6 months. I did not think the break in was too bad, other than a bit of ankle discomfort. That went away with a few weeks of wear. We are having abnormally cold weather here in NC this winter so the Rangers are resting in the closet. I have previously been wearing Red Wing chukkas. They are very well made boots and have proven to be comfortable during a long 12+ hour work day on concrete. However, they are a ridiculous style with pointy toes. I was extremely happy to see the wide toe box AR boots, built as well as my Red Wings. I won't wear tight boots any more. I liked my AR boots enough that I bought a pair of fudge Shoelies. A bit tighter but they will be my "dressy" shoes for going out.
I always wanted a zero drop boot that has a thick outsole, I know a lot of people that not search for flexibility as much as durability and will be happy if you will come with a tyre wedge sole that has the same thickness all the way.
I have three pairs of Jim Green boots, and the barefoot African ranger is perfection! I'll definitely buy more of the barefoot boots because they are the best most comfortable shoes. I did buy a pair of chelse boots I had to send it back because one shoe was smaller than the other. 🐸
I have a pair of the Stockman, African Ranger, veg-retanned barefoot African Ranger, and Numzaan (veg re-tanned & oily bronco). I have to say the veg re-tanned leather does a good job resisting water, as does the oily bronco! I loved the bronco leather so much I ordered a pair of custom stockmans in it! Keep up the amazing work JG!
Thanks for sharing this info. I'm stuck between buying the bronco and veg tan variation for general wear, but also importantly for dog walking through through soft, wet muddy/grassy ground during winter. What would you rate the water resistance of each out of 10? And compared to each other out of 10 how easy they are to break in? Would greatly appreciate your thoughts kind sir!
I was wondering about the how well the Bronco resist water since I live in a humid and rainy area. I am also thinking about the Buffalo leather, thoughts?
Great video, and very honest. I bought a pair of shoelies a couple of months ago, was very impressed so bought a pair of African Rangers in Bronco. They arrived when it was around -3 outside and when I took them out of the box I was surprised at how stiff and solid they felt - I wasn't put off by this, I was just amazed at how much boot you got for the money. I can confirm they did feel a bit stiff around the ankle the first couple of wears, but now I can wear them all day without any problems. I have noticed the leather still feels stiff in cooler temperatures, but soon loosens up once my feet warm them up, then they are brilliant. These are the boot I have been wanting for years, just a simple pair of sturdy boots that I can throw on for anything, and if I happen to get a bit muddy it's no issue as they are easy to clean. I've got army boots that are a lot more rugged and weather proof, great for dog walks but you look a bit of a fool wearing them to the pub.
I have three pairs of Jim Green boots. Razorbacks, ARs, and Numzaans. They're all great boots, the Numzaans being my favorite of the three. The only issue I've run into that really bothers me is that on my ARs and Numzaans the eyelets are not the greatest and they come loose when tying the laces tight. Aside from that, I love the company and you all do. I also love this video and the transparency of addressing some of the negative comments. Nicely done!
@RickN13 thank you for your kind words and continued support! We appreciate you bringing the issue with the eyelets to our attention. Customer feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and we'll definitely look into this to see how we can improve moving forward. We are committed to making quality boots for our customers, and your feedback helps us do that. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles.
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial I appreciate the response, however I contacted the company almost a year ago about this after I purchased my Numzaans and was told this would be addressed. I was even told that there were plans to get new equipment for eyelet installation to resolve it since there were increasing reports on Reddit about it. This is one of the reasons I haven't purchased another pair since then because it seems to still be a problem. I am very interested in either the 719 or AR8 but don't feel like having the same issues again. If there is any way to look into this it would be appreciated. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
I sure do appreciate how many miles Jim Green has seen with me, and how many more we will see together! Keep up the amazing work over there, I can't wait to see what's next!!
I thought I hated my barefoot rangers, then I threw one of the Jim Green insoles in there. Actually it's one of the old kind I don't think you guys make anymore, the yellow topped ones that are way squishier - in my AR8s (which that insole came out of) it was too squishy for me but in the rangers it's PERFECT! Been my dailys for the winter and they're getting to be my most comfortable shoes. I'm expecting a barefoot stockman tomorrow with one of y'all's newer firmer insoles, curious to see how I like it!
Very cool to address outright critiques of your boots, in a creative way. For me, these videos add incredible value to your product. Can’t please everyone… But i bet you also can’t find a company nowadays that is more transparent than JIM GREEN!
I love jim greens coz theyre basic comfy and durable. They also work good with my wide swamp stompers haha. My only critique would be going back to the original superhard sole on the work razorbacks, the newer kind wear a bit faster and the hardness of the old ones fixed with a good innersole
bought a pair of Numzaans a few weeks ago. i have about 9 days of break-in and about 75 miles in them and so far so good. The only part that is still uncomfortable is the heel. I have skinny ankles so it's hard to lock down my feet in the boots. It also doesn't help I got them in the Natural Veg Tan leather so harder to break-in then other leathers. I will keep at it though and will be 100% buying a pair of African Rangers.
My first pair were the V1 "Vellies" (sorry if I misspelled) my second pair is African Rangers in Green and in both I've added Spenco insoles underneath the Jim Green insoles to fit my foot. After break-in which I alternate wearing for work everyday I've found to be very comfortable. I'm happy to say that the Razorbacks I recently got in Fudge for winter snowy weather here in Colorado have taken less time to break-in than my Ranger Boots in Green. I applied neutral Lanolin oil to both leathers a day or two into the break-in process. Lanolin to the toe-cap and heel-cap of the Rangers and overall on the Razorbacks except for the padded leather portion. Hope this helps. I am considering the new 714 Model for the future. But, I know those will require a longer break-in.
If you're having skin reactions when trying out real boots for the first time, use moleskin. Moleskin is like the sticky part of a band aid. It usually comes as larger sized rectangles, but you can cut it down to the size of the reaction area (blisters caused by friction) to get more use per pack. This helped me a lot when trying out nicer footwear for the first time. I didn't need it after a while and now I can wear pretty much wear any boots and not have any issues. Seriously, it helps. My Jim Green AR8 boots didn't really cause me any issues. I loved them as they come out of box, but I was switching around inserts as an experiment and put some squishier Redwing inserts in them instead. That made a big difference! The boot felt complete and finished (for me) as my feet would always be a little bit sore after standing in them for an entire workday. I just figured the boots just weren't fully broken in yet (and that may be true). But it just felt right. Like they were perfect now. Moving around inserts was a great experiment that rendered the perfect feel for almost all of my boots (at least the boots that have removeable inserts). The other ones feel great too with only leather inside. Idk. I guess my whole point is you can protect your skin from blistering with moleskin and you should try out different inserts to really feel which type is right for you and your needs. You can really customize the fit and feel of Jim Green Boots, which is one reason I like them so much. Have a nice day! (Tips hat to you and leaves the room.)
No, it’s not anatomical like purely barefoot brands. It’s just more roomy in the toe than most common boots, with a rounded shape rather than a foot shape. Some hardcore barefoot peeps have said it’s not roomy enough for their toes. I find it ok, but I don’t have very wide feet. Hope that helps.
@ That seems to be common consensus, however, there are rumors that Jim Green is developing an anatomical last to update the barefoot one this year, which is what we were asking. Cheers.
@ I misunderstood “working on”, sorry. Hopefully if they do a new last they can reduce width/volume around the heel and mid foot too, to help with stability and the foot moving inside the shoe. Kind of like the glove feeling of Iron Rangers or Vivobarefoot.
Lets talk about Tasmania! These boots are absolutely perfect for this neck of the woods. Not to mention the growing population of Saffas down here. When can we see your Razorbacks back in stock in Australia?
Thank you @OnlyDrams-ro, our Australian stockists currently have the Razorback on their website under the Hiking & Workwear tab. You can find the Razorback - Brown, Razorback Crazy Fudge, Razorback - Tan. If you have a size availability or any other query, please contact our Australian stockists directly at ross@jimgreenfootwear.com.au. They will be glad to assist you.
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial I saw that, thank you. It was the safety toed version I was after but I’ve taken the plunge and ordered the Rugged Troopers instead
Purchased the 719 in Bronco would you be coming out with it in black. The breaking period 3 weeks they have about 70 to 80 miles of walking daily with my dog in the city and parks. I can't wait to get the Mock Toe when they come out
Everything said in those reviews is true, it’s just that some people had unrealistic expectations. I got blisters and sore ankles with both my pairs of BFARs but now they are like second skin. Currently breaking in a pair of BF African Troopers (more carefully this time). But no mention here of any actual points for improvement for these boots: for city wear they need a more hard-wearing sole compound as these wear out fast on hard surfaces; there’s a little too much width in the heel and mid foot for a lot of people, though it’s not a deal breaker and worth it compared with most boots that are too narrow in the toe. I would still give five stars compared to almost all other footwear though.
African Ranger Barefoot boots are the best boots made…period. I own four pairs and rotate them. Fudge leather for walking, light duty, veg tan with Huberd’s”s shoe grease for working on the farm.
Are the fudge leather suitable for dog walking through soft, wet/muddy ground? Or do they stain more easily and water, etc penetrate through the leather because of how soft and light coloured they are?
I've send a mail to Jim Green a month ago about pain on the upper part of my right big toe on the crease and how to possibly solve it. Did not get a reply at all. Bit disappointed. The shoe itself without that specific issue is awesome! Hope to get a reply soon or late. I have tried thick socks, thin socks and everything in between. It's only on the right foot and exactly where the crease comes down on the top of my upper right big toe. (I bought the veg tanned barefoot ones, that might have an impact on it).
I'd really love to see the barefoot tread pattern on a wedge sole. I cycle commute and tour so I would like a tread pattern to grip pedals a bit more than the standard wedge with its straight lines and a shank to support my foot. Thank you 👣🚴👣
The Horweens were tougher than my Houston Browns to break in. I’m watching for a batch of Rangers in the bronco leather with the original sole. I like that leather on my tire wedge numzaam. Has anyone ever put a frog sole on an African ranger? I’ve been curious what that might look like
I love my African rangers but they are terrible in the wet. I live in so cal and it never rains here, but even the slightest wetness means my socks are getting soaked. I even waxed them, but the fiberboard is a sponge. Also they have no grip on ice. None! I also have delam on the sole under the toe on one boot.
well, they were made for the arid climate. they are single lasted, so they will soak the water like a sponge. fibreboard probably doesnt help either (although AR always get wet through the toes first, from the top). maybe getting them made with a veg tan leather would be better? and even double lasted, as they are better for colder weather.
use obenauf's leather oil, in the usa that is THE best for boots that money can buy . just to warn you they WILL be much much darker but if they still leak put atsko sno-seal over that then they will be waterproof.
The return policies on boots and shoes are frustrating in general. That's not a Jim green thing either, pretty much everyone says once it's been actually worn, you own it. That's rough since most shoes have break in periods, with boots being the worst obviously, but also, something might be comfortable for an hour or so and then start hurting. I'm breaking in a pair of ariats right now, I have to drive with them loose, but as I walk throughout my work shift, they get more and more comfortable until they're actually just lovely to wear, but the next day it's another 2-3 hours of slight discomfort. I'd probably have sized up on size after the first day, but they got scuffed, so now I own them.
I love my barefoot rangers, one downside is the soles wear out Very quickly. I work in a warehouse on concrete and after 3 months the soles are shot. The leather is good quality but the soles need a redo for sure
I hunt in either my Ramblers or for longer walks my Rangers. I don't wear socks (grass seeds!) and though the Rangers took an extra 3 walks to break in, I'm not worried. Too many keyboard idiots. Great boots, great company. Thank you.
Everyone has a different foot shape. It’s impossible to please everyone’s feet with a standardized boot. Most people could simply ride out any uncomfortable aspect for a few weeks and they would love the boot.
I love your boots, I have 3 pairs. I would love to see a last even wider then the barefoot. A 12.5 in your barefoot last is just barley wide enough for me, but Im between a 10.5 and 11 on the brannock so going any bigger would make me feel like Im tripping over my toes. Also more barefoot sole options would be great.
My favorite boots I've ever owned. Q: "How do you know that someone owns a pair of Jim Green African Rangers?" A: "They'll TELL you." Yep, a joke, but me in a nutshell, for better or worse.
I have two pairs of barefoot rangers and I really don't wear any other boots anymore unless I need to go into very harsh terrain or carry heavy backpacks. But for my daily? I'm actually thinking of getting rid of all my other boots like Timberland and Red Wings, to buy more Rangers. Barefoot and standard versions! ❤
Absolute transparency. Can’t ask for more than that. I love your boots.
They have the strangest balance between feeling EVERYTHING on the ground and never hurting your feet. i have no idea how you did it. I have the Buffalo skin ones and am just waiting for my leather balm so that the last breaks in. Buffalo is a very tough leather but even while not broken in they are still comfortable. Incredible work!
Update on my Buffalo Skin Barefoot Rangers: I have been wearing them in the house and yes they do get more comfortable by the day. The reason that I like the stiffness is because although it will take some time, the boot will fold and adapt to the shape of the foot giving you a unique and custom feel. And no they are NOT unfashionable! You can really rock these. You can wear them up the nastiest trails and they are still to church.
Wear them with thick wool socks until they dry. Repeat as needed. My buffalo AR8's broke in in an afternoon that way.
use obenauf's leather oil, in the usa that is THE best for boots that money can buy .
I just got my Barefoot Shoellies yesterday.
They are "out of the box" comfortable.
I normally wear a 10.5 US shoe and since these are a bit wider I got a size 10 US. The only other shoes that were out of the box comfortable like this were my Clark Treks. I put them on and walked all over Manhattan that day. Very comfortable and the Shoellie's are just like them... My only concern is where the heel strikes the ground. It feels a bit strange but not uncomfortable.
@@dbmail545 Ok cool I will try that!
I'm on day 4 of having my buffalo Rangers and after reading comments about how stiff they are on arrival I'm wondering why mine aren't really stiff at all. They seem larger than normal size 13 I ordered compared to my other boots but I like the Buffalo's quite a lot so far. My only real complaint is that I wish there was a cushion under the tongue with how they tie down.
I love supporting a company that appears to get it. I wish more companies would embrace this type of business model.
I just survived being stuck in New Orleans due to Winter Storm Enzo in my Jim Green Barefoot African Rangers! I carried my 2 young sons in my arms over 4+ inches of ice. While some were struggling to move a meter, I was able to feel and almost grab the high spots and low spots with my feet and never slipped once!
After this experience with JG BFARs, I have nothing but praise for JG.
Thank you for being so open and honest. My barefoot rangers are 2 weeks old and I can’t take them off, they are the best!
I love mine. Comfortable, hard wearing and look good. Couldn't ask for better customer service when I bought them either
I got some severe heel blisters from mine, and pain with every wear, but just rode it out. Eventually it went away and now the boot fits like a glove.
custom BFAT would be dope id like to make a couple changes love mine but would definitely buy a second custom pair.
ive had my bare foot rangers for about a year now and they still feel like a glove on my feet. i got the nubuck leather variants and hit them with a few rounds of sealer and wax ! they look great love the patina
I purchased my first pair of Barefoot boots and first pair of African Rangers in the Houston Green. I purchased them for the purpose of wearing in the house only. The first week of wear, the boots caused my feet to throb after a few hours wear. Also, the padded collar dug into my inner ankles. I rubbed some leather conditioner on the inside of the boots in the areas were biting into my ankles. I did this for about three or four days and wore the boots with thick sock also coated with leather conditioner. Three months later and these are my house slippers! I look forward to slipping on my Barefoot ARs every morning as I step out of the bed. Added bonus: I noticed that my flat feet are developing arches! 5 - stars, Gareth!
The price to quality ratio on these boots is insane. I bought a pair of the ARs last summer, and once they broke in, I never wanted to take them off. I have since added the Numzaans (a GREAT boot built like a tank) and a pair of custom Vellies. Most of my other (more expensive) boots just sit around collecting dust these days. I really admire this company and I hope they sell enough ARs to supply every Ranger in Africa with boots three times over. Good luck guys.
I've been wearing my premium african rangers in fudge framing a house for almost 4 months now. I swear these get more comfortable every day. I like them so much I ordered a custom pair of barefoot shoellies. I am patiently waiting for their arrival.
@SeMoArtifactAdventures we love hearing that!!! Thank you for your continued support and feedback. Please let us know how the custom pair holds up. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles.
@caleballen8862 we can’t wait to get going on the Moc, however we are still tooling up - being a true Moc construction and our current range Stitch down has been a process getting ready. We will probably launch a pre-sale around March/April for delivery May/June as it looks.
Jim Green boots are fantastic. Still breaking in the Numzaan, they are built like a tank. The African Rangers are my casual comfy go to boot. I’m gonna get some shoellies and vellies when spring arrives. The only other brand of boots that gets me excited like Jim Green are Grant Stone, which I wear in the office and dressier occasions.
You quickly mentioned the horween leather and how its qualities make it good for Wet conditions, I'd love a video on the various types of leathers you offer!
I can't wait for the Moc Toe
It's nice to see you care about the negative feedback as well. Me personally needed about 20 wearings in the nubuck barefoot models for that heel counter to be more bearable. However, i wish you would consider ditching the heel counter or softer heel material to avoid the discomfort that causes blisters.
Thank you for the support and feedback @RagnarHoff. We appreciate you sharing your experience with the barefoot model. While we have not had widespread reports of this issue, we will certainly take it into consideration. Proper sizing is important, however we are always looking for ways to enhance comfort.
First off $190 for boots is cheap cheap cheap especially boots that can be resoled multiple times! I’ve had my African Rangers for a couple years now, I’ve worked them hard the whole time and the Fudge leather looks amazing now. They have held up great, way better than expected! Looking forward to getting the soles replaced by Jim Green
thanks for the support and feedback @WiredCustomsSpeedShop, we are always happy to hear that our boots are holding up well. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles
Thank you for the support and feedback @WiredCustomsSpeedShop We are glad to hear your boots are holding up well. Our re-soling service helps keep those Jim Green uppers going for years. Wishing you many happy Jim Green miles!
That green one looks awesome. Green leather is kind of rare.
Very happy with my fudge barefoot rangers, comfy like slippers out of the box. They are my daily winter shoes, lucky I don't have to dress formal as retired. Rambler vellies feel a little stiffer, now waiting for my brown rugged to arrive and to compare them to a pair of new jump boots I bought just like the ones I had in the army
Thank you for your continued support and sharing your experience about your Barefoot African Rangers @paulsabucchi
It is always good to hear customer feedback. Keen to hear your thoughts about your new pair when they arrive.
I'm excited for the composite toe boots.
I love my African Rangers Barefoot in fudge nubuck. And this video - wow! I'm so proud to have such a high quality product from the people I respect so much. I think that not only do you make amazing boots, but you're also focused on the outdoor element, not just making money and creating new collections of crap (like most big footwear companies do these days). I love the transparency, the honest advice and tips.
By the way, I've waterproofed my pair with mink oil and it's absolutely fine. The only downside is that they're not that warm for Polish winters - and I want to wear them all the time! They're so comfortable I could wear them all day, 365 days a year.
@thechillcrafter945 thank you for the support and kind words. We take pride in crafting our footwear, transparency and honesty are important to us too, and we are glad you appreciate our focus on practical advice and tips.
With regards to warmth in winter, Nubuck is a breathable material, which is great for most conditions, but it can get a bit chilly in extreme cold. We recommend a thicker sock or a liner for those super cold days.
We would love to see your adventures in your African Rangers. Feel free to tag us in any future posts.
I've had my troopers for a few weeks now... I was skeptical of barefoot boots but watched a few videos, including Weston's, which led me to the troopers. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of how amazing these boots are in colder climates, being out of South Africa -- but they're honestly some of the best boots I've ever worn through New England winters and I've lived here my entire life and have worn many boots. These are by far the grippiest boots for snow/ice I've worn without having crampons on, which no one wants to wear if they're not on a dedicated hike in the mountains. My feet don't get cold either, but they also don't get sweaty because there's no superfluous wool boot liner or have the world's biggest lie stitched inside of it -- waterproof insulating liner.
Thank you for your amazing feedback on the Troopers @David-mt7tj We are thrilled to hear that they are performing so well in colder climates. Your experience aligns with what we have heard from other customers in similar conditions. It's great to know that the grippy outsole and breathable design are making a real difference. We' are always looking for ways to improve our products, so your detailed feedback is invaluable. Thanks again for your support!
Thank you so much Jim Green Footwear and Mr Crouch, for your sincerity, transparency and honesty! I would say it's brave to lay yourself bear like this - kudos for doing so! ^_^
Thank you for your kind words and support @evenjohansen4584 much appreciated 💚🙌
Love my barefoot African Rangers, but I had to resole them with a Vibram rubber sole in under 6 months because the original foam sole quickly wore out. Would love to see a rubber barefoot sole option.
Their barefoot soles are made of rubber. A soft rubber, but still rubber.
Yes! This.
Best pair of walking boots I ever owned. The wide toe box suit my feet very well.
I am looking forward to the composite toe models. As I can wear them to work for electrical safety. At my current job.
I have had my buffalo AR boots for over 6 months. I did not think the break in was too bad, other than a bit of ankle discomfort. That went away with a few weeks of wear. We are having abnormally cold weather here in NC this winter so the Rangers are resting in the closet. I have previously been wearing Red Wing chukkas. They are very well made boots and have proven to be comfortable during a long 12+ hour work day on concrete. However, they are a ridiculous style with pointy toes. I was extremely happy to see the wide toe box AR boots, built as well as my Red Wings. I won't wear tight boots any more. I liked my AR boots enough that I bought a pair of fudge Shoelies. A bit tighter but they will be my "dressy" shoes for going out.
I might look into some horweens!
I always wanted a zero drop boot that has a thick outsole, I know a lot of people that not search for flexibility as much as durability and will be happy if you will come with a tyre wedge sole that has the same thickness all the way.
Love mine and I love the open transparency.
I have three pairs of Jim Green boots, and the barefoot African ranger is perfection! I'll definitely buy more of the barefoot boots because they are the best most comfortable shoes. I did buy a pair of chelse boots I had to send it back because one shoe was smaller than the other. 🐸
I have a pair of the Stockman, African Ranger, veg-retanned barefoot African Ranger, and Numzaan (veg re-tanned & oily bronco).
I have to say the veg re-tanned leather does a good job resisting water, as does the oily bronco!
I loved the bronco leather so much I ordered a pair of custom stockmans in it! Keep up the amazing work JG!
is the bronco a full grain leather? or an oiled nubuck?
@simongrushka983 it's a full grain "pull-up" leather
Thanks for sharing this info. I'm stuck between buying the bronco and veg tan variation for general wear, but also importantly for dog walking through through soft, wet muddy/grassy ground during winter. What would you rate the water resistance of each out of 10? And compared to each other out of 10 how easy they are to break in? Would greatly appreciate your thoughts kind sir!
I was wondering about the how well the Bronco resist water since I live in a humid and rainy area. I am also thinking about the Buffalo leather, thoughts?
Great video, and very honest. I bought a pair of shoelies a couple of months ago, was very impressed so bought a pair of African Rangers in Bronco. They arrived when it was around -3 outside and when I took them out of the box I was surprised at how stiff and solid they felt - I wasn't put off by this, I was just amazed at how much boot you got for the money. I can confirm they did feel a bit stiff around the ankle the first couple of wears, but now I can wear them all day without any problems. I have noticed the leather still feels stiff in cooler temperatures, but soon loosens up once my feet warm them up, then they are brilliant. These are the boot I have been wanting for years, just a simple pair of sturdy boots that I can throw on for anything, and if I happen to get a bit muddy it's no issue as they are easy to clean. I've got army boots that are a lot more rugged and weather proof, great for dog walks but you look a bit of a fool wearing them to the pub.
Can't wait for your moc toe work horse for sure!
the 719 boot is my favorite. Love this company.
The stock African Rangers are my go to boots after attempting to break in my other Jim Green boots, so comfortable and lightweight.
Thick wool socks, wetted and worn dry. Repeat if needed. Works even on the Bronco Brown Pullup leather.
I have three pairs of Jim Green boots. Razorbacks, ARs, and Numzaans. They're all great boots, the Numzaans being my favorite of the three. The only issue I've run into that really bothers me is that on my ARs and Numzaans the eyelets are not the greatest and they come loose when tying the laces tight. Aside from that, I love the company and you all do. I also love this video and the transparency of addressing some of the negative comments. Nicely done!
@RickN13 thank you for your kind words and continued support!
We appreciate you bringing the issue with the eyelets to our attention. Customer feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and we'll definitely look into this to see how we can improve moving forward. We are committed to making quality boots for our customers, and your feedback helps us do that. Wishing you many happy Jim Green Miles.
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial I appreciate the response, however I contacted the company almost a year ago about this after I purchased my Numzaans and was told this would be addressed. I was even told that there were plans to get new equipment for eyelet installation to resolve it since there were increasing reports on Reddit about it. This is one of the reasons I haven't purchased another pair since then because it seems to still be a problem. I am very interested in either the 719 or AR8 but don't feel like having the same issues again. If there is any way to look into this it would be appreciated. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
I sure do appreciate how many miles Jim Green has seen with me, and how many more we will see together! Keep up the amazing work over there, I can't wait to see what's next!!
I thought I hated my barefoot rangers, then I threw one of the Jim Green insoles in there. Actually it's one of the old kind I don't think you guys make anymore, the yellow topped ones that are way squishier - in my AR8s (which that insole came out of) it was too squishy for me but in the rangers it's PERFECT! Been my dailys for the winter and they're getting to be my most comfortable shoes. I'm expecting a barefoot stockman tomorrow with one of y'all's newer firmer insoles, curious to see how I like it!
Ordered a pair of African Rangers from Amazon to verify fit and I currently have a custom pair in Buffalo leather on order.
Very cool to address outright critiques of your boots, in a creative way. For me, these videos add incredible value to your product.
Can’t please everyone… But i bet you also can’t find a company nowadays that is more transparent than JIM GREEN!
I love jim greens coz theyre basic comfy and durable. They also work good with my wide swamp stompers haha. My only critique would be going back to the original superhard sole on the work razorbacks, the newer kind wear a bit faster and the hardness of the old ones fixed with a good innersole
bought a pair of Numzaans a few weeks ago. i have about 9 days of break-in and about 75 miles in them and so far so good. The only part that is still uncomfortable is the heel. I have skinny ankles so it's hard to lock down my feet in the boots. It also doesn't help I got them in the Natural Veg Tan leather so harder to break-in then other leathers. I will keep at it though and will be 100% buying a pair of African Rangers.
I own 2 pairs of JGs and they are the most comfortable and least break in time for boots.
@zachtaylor598 thank you for your continued support and feedback, wishing you many more happy Jim Green miles.
My first pair were the V1 "Vellies" (sorry if I misspelled) my second pair is African Rangers in Green and in both I've added Spenco insoles underneath the Jim Green insoles to fit my foot. After break-in which I alternate wearing for work everyday I've found to be very comfortable. I'm happy to say that the Razorbacks I recently got in Fudge for winter snowy weather here in Colorado have taken less time to break-in than my Ranger Boots in Green. I applied neutral Lanolin oil to both leathers a day or two into the break-in process. Lanolin to the toe-cap and heel-cap of the Rangers and overall on the Razorbacks except for the padded leather portion. Hope this helps. I am considering the new 714 Model for the future. But, I know those will require a longer break-in.
I have been enjoying mine immensely! When I got them my friends were so impressed that two of them bought their own pairs haha!
If you're having skin reactions when trying out real boots for the first time, use moleskin. Moleskin is like the sticky part of a band aid. It usually comes as larger sized rectangles, but you can cut it down to the size of the reaction area (blisters caused by friction) to get more use per pack. This helped me a lot when trying out nicer footwear for the first time.
I didn't need it after a while and now I can wear pretty much wear any boots and not have any issues. Seriously, it helps.
My Jim Green AR8 boots didn't really cause me any issues. I loved them as they come out of box, but I was switching around inserts as an experiment and put some squishier Redwing inserts in them instead. That made a big difference! The boot felt complete and finished (for me) as my feet would always be a little bit sore after standing in them for an entire workday. I just figured the boots just weren't fully broken in yet (and that may be true). But it just felt right. Like they were perfect now. Moving around inserts was a great experiment that rendered the perfect feel for almost all of my boots (at least the boots that have removeable inserts). The other ones feel great too with only leather inside.
Idk. I guess my whole point is you can protect your skin from blistering with moleskin and you should try out different inserts to really feel which type is right for you and your needs. You can really customize the fit and feel of Jim Green Boots, which is one reason I like them so much.
Have a nice day!
(Tips hat to you and leaves the room.)
How would you recommend I maintain the natural veg tan color? I LOVE the color, I'd be so upset if I had used that balm and got something so dark.
I like mine so much I got two more pair. Are these more popular than the Razorbacks?
Are you guys working on a more anatomical last? As in a more anatomical toe box, similar to Altras?
Curious about this as well.
No, it’s not anatomical like purely barefoot brands. It’s just more roomy in the toe than most common boots, with a rounded shape rather than a foot shape. Some hardcore barefoot peeps have said it’s not roomy enough for their toes. I find it ok, but I don’t have very wide feet. Hope that helps.
@ That seems to be common consensus, however, there are rumors that Jim Green is developing an anatomical last to update the barefoot one this year, which is what we were asking. Cheers.
@ I misunderstood “working on”, sorry. Hopefully if they do a new last they can reduce width/volume around the heel and mid foot too, to help with stability and the foot moving inside the shoe. Kind of like the glove feeling of Iron Rangers or Vivobarefoot.
Lets talk about Tasmania! These boots are absolutely perfect for this neck of the woods. Not to mention the growing population of Saffas down here. When can we see your Razorbacks back in stock in Australia?
Scratch that, I've ordered a pair of Rugged African Troopers. Cant wait!
Thank you @OnlyDrams-ro, our Australian stockists currently have the Razorback on their website under the Hiking & Workwear tab. You can find the Razorback - Brown, Razorback Crazy Fudge, Razorback - Tan. If you have a size availability or any other query, please contact our Australian stockists directly at ross@jimgreenfootwear.com.au. They will be glad to assist you.
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial I saw that, thank you. It was the safety toed version I was after but I’ve taken the plunge and ordered the Rugged Troopers instead
I just got my Barefoot Shoellie's yesterday.
They are "out of the box" comfortable.
is the horween leather the same as chromexcel? And how is bronco leather related to it? is it fullgrain? chrome tanned? or maybe mixed?
Purchased the 719 in Bronco would you be coming out with it in black.
The breaking period 3 weeks they have about 70 to 80 miles of walking daily with my dog in the city and parks.
I can't wait to get the Mock Toe when they come out
Everything said in those reviews is true, it’s just that some people had unrealistic expectations. I got blisters and sore ankles with both my pairs of BFARs but now they are like second skin. Currently breaking in a pair of BF African Troopers (more carefully this time). But no mention here of any actual points for improvement for these boots: for city wear they need a more hard-wearing sole compound as these wear out fast on hard surfaces; there’s a little too much width in the heel and mid foot for a lot of people, though it’s not a deal breaker and worth it compared with most boots that are too narrow in the toe. I would still give five stars compared to almost all other footwear though.
African Ranger Barefoot boots are the best boots made…period. I own four pairs and rotate them. Fudge leather for walking, light duty, veg tan with Huberd’s”s shoe grease for working on the farm.
Are the fudge leather suitable for dog walking through soft, wet/muddy ground? Or do they stain more easily and water, etc penetrate through the leather because of how soft and light coloured they are?
I have the rough out chukkas they are my go too of all my boots especially for cycling
I've send a mail to Jim Green a month ago about pain on the upper part of my right big toe on the crease and how to possibly solve it. Did not get a reply at all. Bit disappointed. The shoe itself without that specific issue is awesome! Hope to get a reply soon or late. I have tried thick socks, thin socks and everything in between. It's only on the right foot and exactly where the crease comes down on the top of my upper right big toe. (I bought the veg tanned barefoot ones, that might have an impact on it).
I'd really love to see the barefoot tread pattern on a wedge sole. I cycle commute and tour so I would like a tread pattern to grip pedals a bit more than the standard wedge with its straight lines and a shank to support my foot. Thank you 👣🚴👣
The Horweens were tougher than my Houston Browns to break in. I’m watching for a batch of Rangers in the bronco leather with the original sole. I like that leather on my tire wedge numzaam. Has anyone ever put a frog sole on an African ranger? I’ve been curious what that might look like
Will the Bronco rangers be on Amazon soon?
Are these boots available in Indian outlets ? If so were ?
Thank you.
Took me a few good months to get them to my EEE width. Really wished JG would offer a true EEE last.
I love my Barefoot AR's in Houston Brown.
Order my second pair .. but still wear my pair after 2 years almost ... still good 👍 got another pair just cause I love um hahaha
What colour and sole type is the middle one
It's the Bronco leather and the tyre wedge sole
My barefoot one are my favorite pair of shoes ever 🥳
I love my African rangers but they are terrible in the wet. I live in so cal and it never rains here, but even the slightest wetness means my socks are getting soaked. I even waxed them, but the fiberboard is a sponge. Also they have no grip on ice. None! I also have delam on the sole under the toe on one boot.
well, they were made for the arid climate.
they are single lasted, so they will soak the water like a sponge. fibreboard probably doesnt help either (although AR always get wet through the toes first, from the top). maybe getting them made with a veg tan leather would be better? and even double lasted, as they are better for colder weather.
use obenauf's leather oil, in the usa that is THE best for boots that money can buy . just to warn you they WILL be much much darker but if they still leak put atsko sno-seal over that then they will be waterproof.
Ever hear of Huberd’s Shoe Grease?
Which AR leather type/colour do you have?
The return policies on boots and shoes are frustrating in general. That's not a Jim green thing either, pretty much everyone says once it's been actually worn, you own it. That's rough since most shoes have break in periods, with boots being the worst obviously, but also, something might be comfortable for an hour or so and then start hurting. I'm breaking in a pair of ariats right now, I have to drive with them loose, but as I walk throughout my work shift, they get more and more comfortable until they're actually just lovely to wear, but the next day it's another 2-3 hours of slight discomfort. I'd probably have sized up on size after the first day, but they got scuffed, so now I own them.
Can we PLEASE get a more durable sole for the barefoot ar???
I love my barefoot rangers, one downside is the soles wear out Very quickly. I work in a warehouse on concrete and after 3 months the soles are shot. The leather is good quality but the soles need a redo for sure
I hunt in either my Ramblers or for longer walks my Rangers. I don't wear socks (grass seeds!) and though the Rangers took an extra 3 walks to break in, I'm not worried. Too many keyboard idiots. Great boots, great company. Thank you.
Everyone has a different foot shape. It’s impossible to please everyone’s feet with a standardized boot. Most people could simply ride out any uncomfortable aspect for a few weeks and they would love the boot.
is this a reupload ?
I love your boots, I have 3 pairs. I would love to see a last even wider then the barefoot. A 12.5 in your barefoot last is just barley wide enough for me, but Im between a 10.5 and 11 on the brannock so going any bigger would make me feel like Im tripping over my toes. Also more barefoot sole options would be great.
My favorite boots I've ever owned. Q: "How do you know that someone owns a pair of Jim Green African Rangers?" A: "They'll TELL you." Yep, a joke, but me in a nutshell, for better or worse.
All boots should have a wide toe box, its natural
Waterproof boots are overrated. These are simple and perfect real boots.
Luv your boots - I have a few . . now give back the land to those that transformed raw dirt to productive agriculture!! ;-) Stay safe my friend
I have two pairs of barefoot rangers and I really don't wear any other boots anymore unless I need to go into very harsh terrain or carry heavy backpacks. But for my daily? I'm actually thinking of getting rid of all my other boots like Timberland and Red Wings, to buy more Rangers. Barefoot and standard versions! ❤