Jim Green African Ranger Barefoot Boots

Lawnboi

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Have you guys used an insole in these? If so was it the Jim green insole? I’m probably going to try one. I think I have plenty of room for one.
 

id_jon

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Have you guys used an insole in these? If so was it the Jim green insole? I’m probably going to try one. I think I have plenty of room for one.
I used a pair out of a pair of scarpa shoes until they wore through, for the last month or so I've been using these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S6GBI6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

The tread, while not super aggressive, is insanely grippy. It does wear really fast though, since it's a soft compound. They've been great roof shoes.
 

Lawnboi

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I used a pair out of a pair of scarpa shoes until they wore through, for the last month or so I've been using these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S6GBI6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

The tread, while not super aggressive, is insanely grippy. It does wear really fast though, since it's a soft compound. They've been great roof shoes.
My worry is the tread won’t last long. 20 bucks gets you a new outsole. I don’t know how hard it is to change out but from a little YouTube searching it dosnt look hard

The construction of the boot is impressive for a sub 200$ boot
 
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BBob

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The tread, while not super aggressive, is insanely grippy. It does wear really fast though, since it's a soft compound. They've been great roof shoes.
(y) I like the soles. Quiet and grippy. No complaints in the field so far. I added a flat leather insole to take up a little volume. No arch support or anything like that, just a flat piece of leather.
 
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Lawnboi

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Threw some thin vivobarefoot soles in my Jim greens and it helped a bit. Not quite able to make no insole work, atleast not broken in, too rough on my feet. Insole makes it better.

Different wear than the Vivos, but maybe good. I wear my vivos loose and wear the Jim greens tighter like a regular boot.

With an insole and more miles I’m really liking them.

I need to get them off trail to see if the sole is viable as a hunting sole for me, if it is I’ll order some barefoot troopers as soon as they come in stock.
 

id_jon

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Threw some thin vivobarefoot soles in my Jim greens and it helped a bit. Not quite able to make no insole work, atleast not broken in, too rough on my feet. Insole makes it better.

Different wear than the Vivos, but maybe good. I wear my vivos loose and wear the Jim greens tighter like a regular boot.

With an insole and more miles I’m really liking them.

I need to get them off trail to see if the sole is viable as a hunting sole for me, if it is I’ll order some barefoot troopers as soon as they come in stock.
I preordered a pair. I think the times where the sole won't work, I'll be wanting my spikes on anyway.
 

eamyrick

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Have you guys used an insole in these? If so was it the Jim green insole? I’m probably going to try one. I think I have plenty of room for one.
I have a custom insole in mine and they are my primary footwear outside of altrasIMG_1103.png
 
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czgunner

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Nov 5, 2022
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Wyoming
Have you guys used an insole in these? If so was it the Jim green insole? I’m probably going to try one. I think I have plenty of room for one.
I'm using Northsoles in my BFAR's and AR8's. They are designed for wide toes box shoes and zero drop.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
 

dtrkyman

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Oct 2, 2014
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I have been eyeing the african trooper barefoot, probably my next boot unless Vivo come out with a waterproof boot.

I put some keen insoles from my nxis boot, fit into the vivo perfect and adds a little cushin.
 

MudBugVa

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Mar 14, 2023
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My pre-order arrived last week. I’ll come back and add to this as I go. Sizing. My foot is low volume. Length and width of largest foot 275mm/10.8” long, 125mm/4.3” wide. In Vivo I’m wearing a 44 across 3 different styles. For sizing the Green’s I took the video (below) advice and used the sizing on the website. At my dimensions I went up slightly to the 44.5/11. These boots have no insole and the video suggests if you want to use an insole to size up. That and with my small volume foot I knew I’d be adding an insole.

The sole is soft and quiet on hard surfaces like rocks and asphalt. I like quiet soles. They feel fairly grippy but I haven’t had them out in real field conditions to test yet.

If you want a good fit without adding an insole I'd do as the video suggests go with the recommended size. If you know you are adding an insole you may want to size up. Foot volume will play in too and I'd say these are fairly roomy. Sizing up I added a ~3.5mm flat cowhide leather insole and the fit is great filling the volume about perfect so far. I can tap my foot hard on the toe vertically behind me and not touch the front of the boot. Just what I want. I'd say after adding the insole I have ~1.5cm room up front. They lace up snugly over the instep and the toes and forefoot are somewhat free. These boots have lots of toe room but not as much big toe room to the side as a Vivo. Vivo Magna's (I assume the Tracker the same) have a more glove like fit over the forefoot. I don't think either is better just different. I'm sure with use the leather is going to form fit snugger over time. These boots are definitely a more robust and better made boot than the Vivo although they are still very flexy with not much support at all. The video shows this pretty well. The uppers remind me of my old Danner Mountain Light's but a bit softer as far as the upper goes. The toe cap I think will come in handy with hidden cactus. I've stuck spines through the front of the Vivo's a couple of times now walking in the dark from cactus hidden in deep grass.

View attachment 661391
Where did you get the insole from?
 

Lawnboi

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the more I wear the Jim greens the more I like them.

I’ll be buying a pair of troopers. The rangers are good boots but more the height of a shoe.
 

Bluumoon

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Picked up a pair a few weeks ago. Hunted a few days last week in them, short hikes 3-5 miles. Grip is legit. I didn’t love them in terrain where I was side hilling as I felt like my foot was rolling over the sides.

For trail hiking and day to day wear these moved to the top for now.

Wore them all weekend in pretty sloppy conditions after a single treatment w Obrenaufs and feet stayed dry.

The Company also appears to offer “custom” boots, choose your lasts/soles/etc for not much more $.
 

id_jon

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Have about 9 months of near daily wear. Just ordered some replacement soles from Jim Green, going to attempt to replace them myself.
 

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