Their boots are "wide" because their last follows the natural curvature of a human foot, unlike all other shoe brands that squeese your foot under the heel, and squeeze your toes together up front. With Jim Green's your toes are able to naturally splay out which is both better for you and better for your feet.
That doesn't explain why the waist of the boot is so wide. There are plenty of lasts that have wide toe boxes and also some are asymmetric with the toe box curving inwards. The midfoot and heel is usually much narrower than these though, in order to hold the back of the foot and prevent heel slip. I believe Trubalance and Munson lasts are examples of orthopedic lasts designed like this and were based on examinations of thousands of peoples feet. It may be that many South Africans have wider feet than people in the " West". It could just be a genetic thing or possibly because people spend more time bare foot as children though I expect that is changing nowadays.
And the funny thing is, within the JG world the ASHM last which is used for the numzaan is considered more narrow. Want wide? Check out their 3E barefoot last
The crazy thing is that I have pretty narrow C width feet, and the barefoot African Rangers are probably the most comfortable boots I own. They are the ones I reach for when I need to take a day off from breaking in a new boot. I was skeptical at first, but the barefoot ARs really opened my eyes to a wider fit. I also have the JG Baobab, which is built on the same ASHM last as the Numzaan. I am still breaking them in, but i get a little rubbing on my pinky toe. I do also wish the waist of the boot was a bit slimmer, as I feel that would help the fit in the toe box. Its hard to beat the value of Jim Green boots, they really do focus on quality over fluff, so you know you are getting what you are paying for.
I think I was one of the first to get their new veg re-tan leathers last year through a custom boot order. It's very similar to this boot, however it's unlined and built on the JG last. I love it. Glad to see more Jim Green boots come through more channels. Hope you like yours as much as I do mine!
Welcome to the Jim Green Boot 🥾 Family. I personally have 5 pairs all different types. I like them all because they are different but I find myself going back to my unlined Roughout Vellies Chukkas with crepe soles. They are very comfortable after break in. If would get another pair I would have them custom with a lining and structured top and heel liner. These will be my next pair. Enjoy them and I am looking forward to more reviews.
No fair giving me more boot ideas!! I do not have a Chukka on the channel yet and very interested in one. Thanks for watching and plenty of good stuff coming forward. Cheers
Love my Jim Green boots. Three pair of African Rangers, two are barefoot and one pair is from the custom shop. I just ordered a pair of custom AR8's. Their custom shop is AWESOME. Cheers from Wakulla county.
The Boot with Traction and less ankle injuries. Just bought by Numzaan in Wallnut with frog sole. Treated it with Dubbin not Bees Wax, anyway to each their own method I guess. Also thinking of getting another pair (another style) but either in rough out buffalo leather or Horween also from Jim Green. Maybe African Ranger in Horween or Reversed out Buffalo but with steel toe cap. The Razorbacks also an option.
Yeah! I don’t have their African Ranger yet but I’m sure this and the Razorback offer much more support. I still gotta get my hands on Dubbin. I have covered so many conditioners on this channel with many more to come! Thanks for watching and dropping this thoughtful comment! 🥾🥾
Very thorough and informative, thank you! I have Jim Green Barefoot African Rangers and absolutely love them for the outdoors, so I've been looking at other Jim Greens for indoor/hard floor appropriate options. These are looking super tempting.
@@GentlemansJourney I imagine the barefoots are a different beast but they're so fun on natural terrain! JG offers so many unique options (their custom options are dangerous -- they even offer tire soles), so there's definitely a collectible element to their shoes. 😂
I only have the African Rangers right now and it took me a minute to warm up to them. Now that the weather is warming up, I've been wearing them for work and now that they are breaking in, I fricking love them. Swapped the insoles but other than that, rock solid.
Hi, I live in South Africa. I have three pairs of Jim Green shoes. The RazorBack, the Shoelie, and the African Ranger Barefoot. The Numzaan is on my list of boots I still want to purchase. The shoes (esp. the RazorBacks) takes a while to break in, but boy once they are broken in, they are so comfortable. Love mine. P.S. The African Ranger Barefoot is really comfortable in Summer, just get the leather in-soles as well and they are super comfy. The Numzaan is more of a "fancy" (town) boot. The Boabab is said to be a great hiking boot.
Jim Greens use some really solid hardware. They've never failed me in the few years I've been using them. I've had Keen work boots in thr past, and 2 of the speed hooks broke on those. Additionally, they were more expensive than Jim Greens and the construction overall did not hold up.
I bought both colors and it’s obvious that I love them! They have their own look and didn’t create the run of the mill service boot like everyone else. The only thing I would like to see is a stacked leather heal but they are built great for the $$$.
I have the African Ranger Barefoot as my hiking and range boot. Very soft, comfortable and flexible. I might go ham with a custom Numzaan in buffalo leather.
Good review. Thanks. I’ve been eyeing Jim Green and those look great. The last is odd, glad you pointed it out. Would be very curious how they feel after some wear. I have normal or even wide in the toe but narrow in the arch. I’ve been wearing the Nisolo all-weather Andres a lot and they are very comfortable. Still breaking in the Meermin expresso cap toe. The Thursday captain is in the mail haha 😂
I have a pair of these Numzaan boots and they are awesome, they are very nice!!! I love these boots they are very well made!For the price they are very nice.
Got three pairs all different styles, can’t stop wearing them. They fit too good for my toes and wider feet, and the low prices I got them for make it a guilt free knockabout. Plus they’ve actually been holding up to rain and dirt and everyday scuffing.
I think south Africans have wider feet on average. JG boots lasting was made wider due to other work and hiking boots were often complained about being narrow and tight so JG made their boots wider for more comfort.
I think the reason the STC last of the African Ranger is popular among actual African rangers is that many of them do have wider feet from a lifetime of going barefoot.
This leather sounds similar to Chromexcel which is a chrome tanned leather which is then veg tanned and stuffed with oils and waxes. Generally this sort of leather is oily and needs little conditioning after cleaning with saddle soap, and any oily conditioner should work. They don't usually take waxes very well due to the oily leather so not really suitable for shining up. Regarding "blue leather", that is the tinge leather takes after it has been chrome tanned and before the veg re-tanning. Plastic toe counters (usually a material called celastic) are common even on some relatively expensive boots. If better materials like leather or leatherboard are used it is mostly in the heel counter.
Fair enough, glad you know what works for you. That barefoot African Tanger has my eye too. I’m interested in the barefoot category of boots/shoes. Not sure what my subscribers will think but you may see some of that style, including grounding/earring shows on the channel. In my estimation they are just moccasins. I just don’t think you’ll see those shoes with the individual toes on the channel. 🤣🥾🥾
@@GentlemansJourney Oh I get it, no toe shoes for me either. I'm not huge into the barefoot scene. My feet have just been disliking my boots over the past few years. I wore Sendra and Carmina in the classroom for years. Thorogood before that when I was putting myself through university. Currently I have Iron Rangers, 10875s, a few Thursday models, my old Thorogood's and a pair of Danner Bull Runs. Honestly my most wore shoe is a pair of wide width Chuck Taylors with the insole removed and replaced with a zero drop run619 firm sole, lol. Anyway, I enjoy the content and the style you present it in (and the boots even if I can only wear them for a night out these days, lol) so I look forward to the next video.
@@GentlemansJourney Just wanted to let you know that I ordered a pair of the Barefoot Rangers. I'll update you when I actually get them and have a chance to wear them around a bit.
I think they are very comfortable still at the end of a day. Yes. I don’t have particularly sweaty feet so I rarely notice if the are breathable but with the double leather, they certainly don’t have air vents like other hiking boots do. I’ve found leather as opposed to synthetic’s to be more breathable. 🥾🥾
That would be interesting. I am learning that Jim Green lends toward a wide last but curious as well if they will open up to a traditional US/English last?
I haven't heard of anybody using a chrome tanned midsole, they're always veg tanned leather. Horween chromexcel is a chrome tanned leather that is veg retanned .
I like what they make. I dislike the last they make their boot on... NO shape. Big toe box. Come on JG... Give us this boot with a last with shape and in different widths. They limit inventory by only offering one width.(cut cost) One width does not fit all nrt make all feet happy. This video help em decide NOT to buy a pair of these. Thank you
Yeah I hear ya, I’m going to get a different model to see if I like it any more. I’m leaning toward there are Jim Green people and not Jim Green people. Dunno, could be wrong 🤷
I can’t fit Vans - too narrow. Not all brands will fit all people. I know some brands do different widths, but normally these seem to be more expensive or I guess really big companies.
As someone with wide feet. I’m incredibly thankful for their lasts. If you want a narrow boot buy a narrow boot. Jim greens are all that fit some of us. A big thing you’ll notice. Their shoes are actually shaped like feet!
Yeah, you are right, you are not going to wear out the soles of those boots anytime soon. You are strolling on a gentle trail, not actually hiking through wilderness.
