I bought a pare of these boots - they arrived yesterday. Today, to start breaking them in, I walked 3.1 miles / 5km. Worked great! I definitely plan on using them for hiking. If you haven't worn minimalist shoes before, you should know that there's a period of adaptation necessary. I've been in barefoot shoes for about 10 years now and have hiked through really rough terrain. The Jim Green African Ranger Barefoot Boot has the thickest sole of any of my minimalist shoes. I really don't see a problem with using them for hiking - after all, that's pretty much what they were designed for!
I waited three months for my pair to arrive. Could not agree more with this review. Fantastic boot. My favorite aspect is the sole is thin enough to feel the ground terrain but thick enough to feel %100 safe in them. Also they are quick and easy to get in and out of due to the the hook eyelets. I put them on first thing in the morning instead of house shoes, ready to pop in and out of the house or shop all day long.
@@BOOGiNS What were you expecting ? These a minimalist boots, zero drop, no arch support, wide toe box. They allow your feet to function the way they evolved to walk barefoot. After wearing these boots for a while the muscle cramps and bone pains I had in my feet went away. For me they are a wonderful discovery. I hope you find the comfort you are looking for.
Been wearing mine regularly 3 months now, favorite shoe I have ever owned. They are wide, lightweight, grippy, flexible, and look good. I ordered true to size and wear with no insole and they fit perfect. Size 10.5 measures 4" across the insole, but my feet measure 4.5" and feel like there is enough room.
I just received a used pair of these and absolutely love them I would suggest a thicker pair of wool socks think darn Tough or smart wool a great boot that no one knows about
Had the same issue with the heal when I first bought my Rangers. I dont have the barefoot ones. I had to break them in and also used some mink oil to soften them up a bit. Now they are my fav shoe. I wear them everyday. I've hiked miles with them with a pack and all and dont have issues with the heal now. Did add insoles though cause I'm on my feet all day and need the extra padding.
These seem perfect for what I'm looking for. I'm not looking for the most durable boot that can handle anything. I'm essentially looking for something to replace my old trail runners, but something that would be more durable and last longer. These seem like they fit the bill.
I haven't worn anything else since they arrived last september, best shoes I ever owned. For the winter I added a vilt insole (and woolen socks), works well for Dutch winters! I needed about a week to wear them in. Anti-blister socks (that I had laying around for inline skating anyway) worked perfectly.
In my opinion they are great for hiking I live in the high desert of the Colorado plateau. They do need breaking in and conditioning but with hiking socks like smartwools or any mid to heavyweight wool sock you can prevent hotspots from forming. I have even done some trail running in them but I do have heavy calluses already built up on my feet.
I got mine in recently and just wanted to touch on sizing. I am a Brannock 9.5 4E heel to toe and 10 heel to ball. According to the site I am between a 10 and 10.5 in JG boots. I went with a 10.5 and the length is about perfect for me. I have about a thumb's width in front of my big toe. But these boots are very, very high volume even for my 4E feet. If you have a narrow foot you might swim in them! But I think a 3mm leather insole could fix that for most. As for the insole debate, I don't think I'd want to go up a whole size. The boot would have too much volume even with thick insole. Just my opinion but I have wide feet with high volume, and I still think it would be too roomy. As an aside, these feel like boot slippers, and I love it. Oh, and related to the heel, maybe it is just me, but if a boot hurts my heel, I feel it isn't the right size. I've never been one to "break in" boots. If they don't fit, they don't fit. A salesman talked me into a 10.5 D Iron Rangers that did in fact mold to my feet but like wearing canvas shoes in a rainstorm...it was awful. going to a 9.5 EE was the answer fwiw. Comfy from the get-go and I feel like they got smaller over time (I know they didn't) but it is like they still mold to your feet, if you know what I mean. But everybody is different. Anyway, thank you for the video it is one that helped me decide to pick up a pair of barefoot african rangers.
Excellent design very well thought out, however: the main “critical-element that is actually missing is the bio-mechanically correct forefoot and anatomical & ergonomic toe box, that’s shaped like a normal human healthy foot(for me that would be extra extra wide) if they had that I would stock up on these I would buy five this time, Landscaping and light construction work truck driving unloading trucks, plumbing and utility work. Multifaceted handyman.( but designed for the African rangers.) I could even see US military forces wearing this boot.
Mine seem pretty anatomical to me and they are definitely wider than some of my other barefoot shores. No problems with squishing my toes or rubbing against my big and little toes even with toe socks.
I was looking at these and the regular ranger boots. I got the regular with the thicker heel. Seems like the barefoot rangers wouldn't last as long with the thin outsole. I've been wearing my AR's for 3 days now and they're extremely comfortable and seem to be very well made.
I would buy these instantly if they were taller. I already own vivo tracker esc which appear to be similar in height. Although once they wear out I might spring for these
I saw a comment on another video that said Jim Green will make any of their boots with the barefoot last if you special order. Worth checking out. I like a boot that is a little taller, as well.
Got these three months ago and just ordered my second pair in the dark colour. I love 'm to bits and wear them with a sheepskin insole. They breathe crazy good and I hardly sweat in them. They'll remain my favourite shoe for a long time I think!
I have the regular AR and love them. I ordered the barefoot style on the preorder and I’m still waiting. Never had an issue with the regular ones so hoping that’s the case with the barefoot too.
My brother in Alex, very nice review. Just got a pair, gonna test them out on the slopes this weekend to see how my heels fare. Already passed the snow test, I have high hopes and thick socks.
The update is that they definitely took me a while to break in the heels, that counter roughed me up. I have especially pointy heels though, so this isn't surprising. Glad I stuck with it, they seem good to go now.
I have these in houston brown, would Highly highly highly recommend ladder lacing these even for just the bottom three lace holes makes a world of difference
I bought my boots for everyday wear in the UK so I plan on applying dubbin to them, as the nubuck wouldn't last long with the wet weather we get otherwise. So I chose the brown as I think it will patina better after applying the dubbin than the fudge colour.
Thanks for the comment. Sorry for the confusion. It’s a great boot for all occasions. However, I personally recommend to use it mostly on flat surfaces during the break in period as the heel counter may be uncomfortable when walking on an incline. This will not be an issue once the boots are broken in. Hope this helps!
I enjoyed your review, I really like this company. I bought a pair of these and I would classify it as a light hiking boot. Similarly if you walked or hiked the trails on a zero drop running shoe it would offer better performance, not overwhelming but better.
Regarding the heel, what is the difference between hiking and walking? I mean, if you said walking is poiunding the pavement like a beat cop or traffic officer, I'd get it, but they say that they're designed for rangers to go hours and miles in the wilderness.
It’s extremely comfortable on flat terrain, and can walk many miles without needing a break. I only felt discomfort in the heel area when going up a hill/mountain. I’m sure it’ll get better after it’s thoroughly broken in.
I had the heel chafing problem as well, so I added quite a bit of Bick 4 to that spot, and it has entirely solved the problem for me. Something like mink oil would even work better, but it will darken the leather more.
@@danielmudd4263 More than a couple shades darker. Check out my original video for a comparison: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PbqH3FGs4I8.html
Measuring the width on the outside of the boot is kind of worthless. They still aren't wide enough for me due to the rounded toe. Winston from Rose Anvil didn't see the need to redesign the toe box because he has narrow feet and he doesn't really seem to like foot shaped footwear. He thought they were wide enough but they are not for many people.
Thanks for the comment! That’s a fair point. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s difficult to design a shoe or any product that will fit perfectly for everyone. Hope you were able to find an alternative!
Yeah it's unfortunate as I really wanted a pair of these but my feet are very wide. Softstar might have a boot you like. I bought a pair of their wide style shoes and they were so good. Left them a review asking for a pair done in a more durable material than the nubuck leather and also for a boot option. About a year later I noticed they delivered a boot option in a durable material. Very comfortable and well made.
Regarding your issues with the heel, I think you got the wrong size. I would go half a size up. When I first got my pair I went half a size down from my sneaker size (US 9 in converse) because the toe box felt a little too roomy. I ended up getting bad chafing on my heels. I ordered a new pair, this time true to size (US 9). I just used a thicker insoles to help fill up the space a bit in the toe box. Had them for over a year now with no issues on the heel.
@@iamalexsun Hike in merino wool socks, here's the ubiquitous darn tough socks mention. You have to break in rough out heel counters. If it stays tight and gives you blisters after the rest of the boot is obviously broken in, then you probably need a different size. I have the regular AR's in buffalo leather and wear them for hours and hours on end at work, walking about 15k steps a day average. I hike in them regularly JUST because they are so comfortable compared to my more rugged boots. Get some Obenauf's or Sno Seal for them, it'll darken them and you'll think you made the biggest mistake ever, but they'll lighten up again somewhat and the patina will be amazing. Plus they'll be more water resistant.
i have the regular AR and they were very hard underfoot. there isn't much to the footbed and i could feel the ridges in the soles on the balls of my feet. i remedied that by replacing the soles with vibram 2060 soles but the footbed under the balls of my feet still do not feel flat but slightly rounded. now, after a probably 200 miles they are pretty comfortable but not as comfortable as say a pair of merrells which require no break-in and cost half as much
I’ve worn these daily with out inserts .. it’s very comfortable it’s my first barefoot boot .. it’s very durable .. if you need a tougher boot the regular Ranger is awesome .. I have the ordered .. pair .. I have custom Jim greens in cape buffalo .. the regular Jim greens have metal shank.. obviously zero drop you don’t have one .. but that’s the design ..
So if I wear a 11 1/2 sneaker..I should get 11 1/2? Correct? Because the Jim green velli them boots seemed a little too big. Probably should of went half size smaller
So is this bare foot boot 4:28 similar to the feel of a converse or vans old skool. (With high quality materials of course. I’m just not sure I quite I understand why this boot might be beneficial for someone or why some might prefer this style of boot.
Great to hear! I used some mink oil to help with the break in and Bickmore Bick 5 Complete Leather Care spray to clean and maintain them. Honestly, any decent leather cleaner/conditioner will do the job! Mink Oil: amzn.to/3X9vQyx Bick 5: amzn.to/3X8Ki9R Hope this helps!
I have yet to wear these in the rain, so I can't provide an accurate answer. However, the leather along with the gusseted tongue should make this boot fairly water resistant.
@@iamalexsun thanks. I love the look of these barefoot boots ! Jim Green are my new favorite barefoot shoes/boots ! I ordered a pair of their custom barefoot Shoellies for more formal dressy occasions. Their boots are more for outdoor adventures which fit my needs and personal style 🐸🥾 can’t wait to get mines delivered, I just prefer their more darker and all black colors available 👌
It really depends on what your use cases are. If you plan on wearing it in cold climates with thick socks or want to add an insole for increased comfort, go with a half size up. Otherwise, stay true to size. Hope this helps!
