Jim Green One Year Review - The Best Cheap Work Boots Ever 

BUY HERE: bit.ly/3pJrAHc

The pioneer of Jim Green USA and here we are a year later with our own depot and a second bulk order currently in production to head that way. Thanks again for the kind words and we feel you’ve hit the nail on the head with the reference to the watch collection. Hopefully we will continue to be added to many boot collections and become a go to option for most. All the best Carl

Still wearing mine, 20 years later, just resoled it 4 years ago. Brilliant products.

Long term reviews really do allow us as the audience to get a better idea of what a product can do and how it will hold up. Thanks

Jim Green’s are legendary in Southern Africa. Game Rangers, Farmers (Ranchers), Miners and Forestry Workers love them. Know of plenty Jim Green’s that have been resoled multiple times. The Razorback Steelcap is my default work boot.

Long term review ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN 1 day ones!!!

I got myself a pair after your first video of them. I highly value your two cents. I purchased Naked & Famous and enjoy rockin my Diesel Grant Stones as well. Keep it up

I got some and love them. Not so expensive that you mind beating them uo but not so cheap that they're flimsy or poor quality. I replaced their insert with a red wing leather and foam one and they gave me a bit more cushion while still keeping my foot on leather. The boots have enough room that you can also pop in a hiking boot insole like a Super feet or similar. Great boots with nice thick leather.

I work, trek, and go to town in only one pair of boots, my Razorback by Jim Green. Living in the cooler high Drakensberg, whilst managing a farm, my feet experience every conceivable range of conditions you can think of. Spring with new veld grass wet with recent rain, rushing streams, stables, towing stuck cars from the deep mud on the un-serviced district road, ( When will this service ever happen?), and workshop with oil and grease. High summer, maintaining roads and hiking trails, mowing, gardening, general concrete construction, forestry, and fencing, you name it, it is probably on my list of tasks. Autumn, burning firebreaks and preparing the property for winter, with its cold frost and occasional snow, dry veld fighting runaway fires. then in the same boots after a lick and polish, I go to town once in a while, (one has to, unfortunately) I am happy to walk around, proud to be a countryman in my Razorbacks. The only times I don't wear my Razorbacks are when I shower, and in bed, for obvious reasons, I think. All in all, I wear them because I don't have to think about them. They just become a natural part of me and who I am. Now here is the thing. Right from the go, I will in the future replace the inner sole with a custom sole. My feet and rough lifestyle wear out the factory-fitted fiber sole very quickly. and secondly, I will wear gumboots on the district road in the future. Give these Razorbacks by Jim Green of South Africa a go. I have never been disappointed with them. And another thing, perhaps I will buy two pairs next time round, one for all the hard work, and the other as my "going out" pair, but I will wear my work pair when I have to meet my bank manager. It will show him I'm still strong and hard-working.

Got a pr for Christmas and they were very comfortable right out of the box. Look very well made and should hold up well.

Coming into this summer I needed a nee pair of works boots. I tried everything from Carhartts (the most comfortable out of the box but questionable quality), Timberland Pros and Keens. I would be using them mostly for landscaping my storage properties primarily. However after watching your video as well as Rose Anvil’s; I decided to try the razorbacks. The quality stood out immediately, on first try they felt sturdy (I have bad ankles and knees this is a must), but pliable. After mulling it over, then replacing the leather insole with my own they felt amazing but needed a little breaking in. Well after three weeks they are really getting almost as comfortable as my Blundstones but much more confident in stability. I could see myself going back packing in these, or using these as my hiking boots when photographing elopements (get quite a few of those in the ADK). They remind me of Danner Mountain Lites but I don’t mine beating the crap out of these. Tomorrow I plan on cleaning the dirt off my Jim Greens and giving it a nice coat of conditioner. Can’t wait for these to really break in.

I bought some Vellies on your recommendation. Thanks Carl. Amazing. I love them

I just did a bush hike with these in the Vredefort area SA. Best boots I’ve ever owned.

Thanks. Appreciate the long term review.

I’m a footwear guy. My oldest boy is working as a window cleaner for the summer while attending school for electrical engineering. He needed a pair of boots for hiking and work. I pressured him into a pair of these with the wedge sole. He loves them. I have a pair of African Rangers buffalo. While they are nowhere near as good as some of my nicer boots/ shoes they are a tremendous value for the money.

Thanks for the review, I just ordered a pair for $90 on Amazon (Black Friday deal). I couldn't pass them up!

“That ski-boot feel” LOLOL I know exactly what you mean. I have some double-sole Carminas (80184) that are like that. I know they’ll last forever, and I could kick through a wall, but it’s got that unbending feel just like a ski boot without the ski. Great video, thanks man!

Got my pair on right now. I love the way Timberlands look, but they just don’t last anymore. The price is right like you said, I’m definitely converted now.

Thank you for the great info about these boots! I see that Jim green offers customizable boots. If you had to customize these razorbacks to make them even better work boots, what would you do differently? Or would you choose a different platform?

Good analogy with the timex. I think a G shock is also an appropriate comparison in a collection of expensive watches

I'm going to Oregon for Thanksgiving which is being turned into a Camping Thanksgiving. We're gonna be hiking quite a bit around Crater Lake. I'm not a fan of synthetic material hiking boots. Don't get me wrong, they do their job very well, but I would use it for the trip and they would be stored (got hunting boots already), cause wouldn't need them much in the flat lands and concrete jungle of Houston, TX. Saw your video on cheap boots, along with about 10 other videos on a binge, and said "hey, I can break them in at work, wear them in Oregon, and put them in my work boot rotation after I get back...if not I'll give them away around xmas. Well, ordered the brown ones on Amazon, arrived in 2 days, it's been about 1.5 months with them and they are like a glove. Stiff 1st two days, after a week I could wear them all day, after a month they are as comfortable as my LEGENDARY Redwing Irish Setter 83606 which needed no break in at all. You should really check out those Irish Setters, they have a non-aluminum toe too. I did change out the insole for an Easyfeet insole on amazon. After day 1 I used Saphir Renovateur leather conditioner to speed up the break in. Even though I love the laces, I did change them out for DELELE Wave Shape Non Slip Heavy Duty Laces in dark green and coffee. The green laces are eye catching, but slick and the boot's lace rings don't offer friction, so if you like to tie your boots snug or tight forget about it. The Delele laces are slightly wavy...or bumpy, and they give you just enough slip resistance to give you that snug fit, plus the color is a perfect fit with that bit of green in honor of the original laces. I'm a 9.5EE to 10EE in most boots. The 9.5D in these are just right, even after changing the insole. NOTE: The included insole is so thin that just about any other insole you swap it for will reduce the amount of room in the shoe...but there is a lot of room. These are going to sever me well for years to come I believe. I'm even looking at some of their other boot styles by Jim Green, we'll see. I am going to have to waterproof these for my trip, so some oil, snowseal, or something. Followed by a water based waterproofer. Any recomendations? Thanks for introducing me to these boots Carl. Keep up the good work...review some laces, no-tie laces like lock laces are cool, as well as Xpand laces. Not 100% slip on with 6" or higher boots, but I can literally take my boot's on and off in about 8 seconds, and they never untie.

Great review!

Great review as usual. I might take a look at these.

I don't mind the thin insole of my vellies. That just gives me an option to choose many (probably in the hundreds) of after market insoles I can buy and get the right amount of support I want. I can easily replace when they wear out. Jim Green offers the solid base/foundation to build ur grail boot and customize it to your tastes.

I got the Silverado ones from that video but I’ve moved onto a pair of builder pros after seeing your videos never been happier

Those boots have patinaded nicely and I like the pull tab on the back.

I bought them love. them. I got their vellies and town and country too. all excellent shoes. thanks for the excellent review!!

Wearing a weekender right now for that very reason you mentioned!

Wore these for close on twenty years. When I loved to NZ from SA forgot to buy a pair before I left. Friends are bringing a pair of Rangers over to me this year. Can't wait. Gareth, my wife said to tell Peter that Marcia from Fligtt Centre says hello..

Video was the catalyst to me buying these

Good review! Very informative

I love my Razorbacks. I wear them daily for work (I'm a mostly rural Amazon delivery driver). Super duper comfortable for all-day wear. Even running stairs on the occasions I get stuck doing apartments all day. And, they look so damn good ( my opinion ) I find myself wearing them when not at work even over "nicer" boots. They are some of my favorite boots, period.

I had no idea that one could buy a good quality work boot for $139. Thanks for enlightening me. I must have missed your original review on the Jim Green boot. Glad I caught this video. Very informative and interesting video Carl. Another fine production! Keep up the good work and i hope that all is well with you and the family...Ed.

I think this is one of your best videos Carl. It's useful that you mentioned the width of the boot. Something that surprisingly often gets left out. I wanted to ask you, do your feet sweat more in these than in boots made with better materials?

Really and trully a great boot!

I've added a few Jim Green boots to my daily wear assortment. They are great for the price, from the Vellies to the Stockman and the Razorback I'm a fan.

When the Spring arrives again, I'm going to buy my first pair of non-winter boots. I'm in between the RW Iron Ranger and the Belstaff MARSHALL. I haven't really found many reviews on the Belstaff's, so I was wondering if you (or anyone of your viewers) have any experience with them. They look really good, but the 'Designer' mark on the website makes me a bit sceptical. Any help would be appreciated. Love the videos!

Great Year Review.

I've been looking at Jim Green boots but noticed they only come in one width. You've mentioned before that you have a wide foot, as do I. (I also have fallen arches) Since you rave about the comfort of the Jim Greens, is it safe to assume that they have a roomy toebox?

Looking at some boots for casual wear and another pair for work. Really looking to replace my Irish Setter Marshall soft toe cowboy boots. I work in the fast food industry and am up on my feet up from 8 to sometimes 10 hours a day, would these be the right boot for that or would it be worth the money going for the Thorogood Moctoe or even the White's Perry Moctoe?

Great review on a lesser known boot. Although more a hiker than a true work boot, add an after market insole and BAM! Two birds, one stone. And a big thanks to whatever international trade rules allow this product to be priced so well...

Glad i found your channel! subbed! Question: i seriously wonder how these Jim Green compare to Thursday - Commander. is it worth spending more for Thursday Commander?

Did you like the Silverado boot and how was sizing on it

Hi Carl, great channel, you should try ALTBERG BOOTS, they make military boots and have others styles.

Just picked up a pair directly from them for $250 CAD after shipping, fees, extra leather insoles, and some leather product. Excited to get them. More than the quality..I love the look..nothing else really looks like them. I’m sure the price will start to go up once they find better NA distribution.

I'm about to put a pair of razorbacks through some serious abuse! Everything from landscaping, lawn care, snow removal, even concrete work. Curious to see how they hold up! Excited as well.

They also do custom boot production; maybe you could do a limited Carl Murawski edition with the couple design changes you'd like to make and take pre orders? Might be a fun project for you and us viewers.

Hey so I just got a pair and it looks like they did update them with a yellow leather insole now. It's sewn in.

I'd love to be able to try these my only problem is that I need a safety toe for work and I would kind of like waterproof if I could get it maybe one day I'll be able to get Jim Green's that fit my job site requirements

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Did you find that they run bigger, smaller, or true to size?

Have you looked at all the great boots coming out of Italy? DIOTTO for woods. FRACAP for street or mountains. Also CENTURIAN ARMY BOOTS made in Italy?

They are $200 now. Still a great boot though.

I find these boots to be almost too wide for me, and I have a wide foot. I agree on the insole. I will be getting inserts to take up the slack as they feel a half size too big. These will be for thick socks only. Which means here in Texas only a winter boot.

Been trying to break in my razorback. Very comfortable, except I get rubbing on the outside of my right heel.

How do you compare them to the Silverado's??

So glad I'm not the only one scuffing the heck out of the front of my boots 😅

Is that Midnight Oil playing in the closing moments of this video?

Amazing!!

I consider most all insoles as being cheap throw away items. They are mostly garbage that get replaced before the boot is even worn.

I just bought the chelsea Jim Green boots for work because I wanted a slip on...But I'm wondering if I f'd up. Should I have gotten the Razorback? I feel like I can just put my insoles in them, and work, but maybe I'm wrong. I guess I could have them re-soled and have cristy soles and a leather midsole maybe put on.

Now your 139 boots are 189 with the 50 dollar insoles

Would these be a good everyday boot?

The music at the end - is it Midnight Oil?

Hey Carl, after watching this video I decided to go ahead and get a pair, it was not easy but my boots are on the way to Cancun, Mexico. Let's see if they can stand the hard wear and tropical weather. Cheers!

They look and are very affordable thanks for the commerce import benefits they get. I will like to try them but honestly a boot without leather midsole is not for me ... I'm so comfort with the good quality than I can't let basic 877 RW aside for Joe Green. If they only apply more quality, definitely I will buy them.

Anyone know anything about the stockman boots by them I'm looking at getting some but there are like 0 reviews of them out there.

Hey Carl, I got a pair of Razorbacks this past July after seeing your original video. I've worn them a number of times and have stopped wearing them because the toe box is too low. I think if they heightened the toe box it's be killer. Widthwise the toe box is wide enough and the construction is good. I commented on another video about them and the Jim Green rep e mailed me with a few suggestions about my concerns. Maybe I just got an odd man out, although it took three pairs of return until I got a pair that felt ok. But I'm not ready to call it quits yet. Maybe I'll try a pair of Monsters - it looks like they have a higher toe box.Or maybe I'll fly down to SA and get a pair custom made a the factory. More important, I liked your update video. Why not make an end of the line video when they finally do wear out.

What brands can you compare to? Carolinas,wolverines..?

Has anybody used the JG boots for inside work only? E.g a warehouse, where it’s mostly concrete or tile flooring?

Hi Carl, what can I do to protect leather boots such as these if my work involves a lot of puddles of nasty water mixed with cement and concrete sludge and mud. I do have a pair of PVC Wellingtons which I use when the puddles are extra deep and when I have to stand in them for a while, but I just do not enjoy wearing PVC Wellingtons all day for driving and stuff. So I'm thinking of getting something like the razorbacks but I worry that the cement might destroy the leather. I currently wear a slip on which is made of fake leather and is non welted. The waterproofness has already been compromised from being wet with cement and dried many many times. Will something like obenhaufs do the trick? Thanks

Funny that you mentioned watch collecting. I’ve been considering a pair of Nick’s Boots but after hearing some of your thoughts, I’m wondering if sticking with my Zamberlans is best. I live in the North Carolina mountains where winters are harsh (heavy winds, lots of snow) and summers moderate (mid 70s most of the time). Perhaps a west coast boot isn’t the right choice.

Thank you!

How log did these take to break in?

Hi! I know that you normally cover workwear, but do you have any style advice for a male teacher? I can't find anything definitive, and most of my coworkers dress like they don't care. I've also been looking for some decent leather bags and planners, but haven't found anything great. I've also been wondering about what your advice would be on boots. I have to stand on hard ground for most of the day, and I have to wear footwear with a decent heel, since I was injured during my time in the military. All the best, Matt

Would these be good for doing yard work, for example cutting grass or moving large logs?

would be nice to see jim green vs steel blue since steel blues are great australian made boots for working and hella cheap aswell

I'm shopping for boots that will last forever.. lol with my weight they will. I'm South African. So the issue is comfort? This is clearly visiting even by looking at these vs Caterpillars (which are currently on sale but still 3 - 6 hundred rand more than JG). If this is the case I think I should go for them and get inners with 🤔, which they sell as well. Along with oil, and jts still cheaper than Caterpillars

CARL! please help. i need a GOOD pair of STEEL TOE boots for a factory job. i only have $150 to spend. do you have any recommendations?

Carl as you own so many brand boots could you do a video with audience help compiling a chart that helps with boot size across brands , ordering online is so hit and miss as some brands you have to order larger or smaller . RM Williams 9 Redback 9 1/2 Yuketen 10 Corcoran 9 Last & Loom 9 1/2 Belmore 9 1/2 LL Bean 9 Cheers

Two things I’m curious on: Your thoughts on the lighter brown color vs dark brown? These as a hiking book and not just a work boot? Thanks!

Do these run true to size??

Between this review and Rose Anvil cutting them in half I might need to get a pair now

Im a farmer and have a pair of Jim Greens and they can take abuse from drowning them in water and mud and into the cow pens to planters and fertiliser they can take it. I just put in memory foam insoles

Are yours steel toed?

I Think the Jim Green bushcat boot is a better work boot. Exactly the same as a razorback but lower cut around the ankle for more flexible movement. Especially for those bending down. Razorback is more of a hiker.

In the "Cheap but Great Work boots" video you also mentioned Silverado Boots. Anybody out there try those yet? They look pretty nice.

A great review. Nothing theoretical, all practical.

2yrs on, and my Jim Green boots get more comfortable with each wear.

for the price they cant be beat

Are they heavy?

Fact they lasted a year was enough for me to buy

I heard the new shipments will have leather midsole at same price. Any truth to this?

You think you could ever resoul these?

I’m about to be 3 months in with these boots working mon-fri and they are starting to feel flimsy. Maybe I will upload a video on how mine have worn

i agree in almost everything you say but i strongly disagree with your analogy between timex and rolex {for watch collectors}...... timex is like the toyota corolla for wrist watch { only Dependable But Very Poor Quality built } while rolex is like the mercedes benz { very Luxurious and Very Premium } .Note : Jim Green boots Quality and built materials can stand shoulder to shoulder with Red Wings and White's.......the only reason Jim Green boots are very cheap is bcoz they're Not made and manufactured here in the States.....{ cheap labor in south africa }

How does the width run?

Have you heard of the new brand QLTY work boots?

Is that a sexy Casio Duro on your wrist?

Well, if your going to go and listen to your audience, then please review the Limmer standard. You would be the perfect guy for that.