Jim Green African Ranger Barefoot Boots

[BBob]

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.

African Ranger Barefoot Boot - Houston Brown

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Embrace Nature with the African Ranger Barefoot Boot The African Ranger Barefoot Boot is all about keeping things natural and comfy for your feet. It's like giving your feet a smooth ride on level ground. Plus, there's lots of space up front in...

jimgreenfootwear.com

African Ranger Barefoot Boot - Fudge

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Embrace Nature with the African Ranger Barefoot Boot The African Ranger Barefoot Boot is all about keeping things natural and comfy for your feet. It's like giving your feet a smooth ride on level ground. Plus, there's lots of space up front in...

jimgreenfootwear.com

 

[Lawnboi]

We need pictures.

I don’t need more boot…

 

[id_jon]

Been wearing Vivo Magnas as my full time shoe since just before Thanksgiving. So far they have been great on the roof, but I've been on 3 and 4/12s, not very steep, wasn't sure how they'd do on steeper roofs. I saw these Jim Greens and they looked like a good option, closer to the Thorogoods I'm used to. I have one day in them, so far I like them. The leather and build quality feels good.

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m really fighting the urge to try these. Really enjoying my Vivo trackers at work so far.

 

[Lawnboi]

@BBob @id_jon

What are your opinions compared to the tracker after a little time in them?

After wearing the vivo trackers for a while most other footwear has started feeling off, I need a pair for home, but am thinking of a pair of these instead

 

[BBob]

What are your opinions compared to the tracker after a little time in them?

Still early to fully say but after I get home from a day in normal shoes getting into any of my Vivo’s or the JG’s is a relief. Not a lot of difference in foot feel or room. JG’s feel a bit more boot like than my Magna’s. The Magna’s still feel like I’m putting on heavy duty stealth slippers I think the JG sole is always going to be a hair more clunky than the Vivo ESC due to it being a touch larger, super flat and squared off. For putzing around comfort I’d say the Magna is more comfortable but that may change after the JG’s leather gets all sweated in and form fitted like a boot like this does over time. The JG’s still need some breaking in around the ankle cuff. I did 3 coats of Nikwax leather over 3 days (Nikwax just because I had it) and stomping through the recent rains so far has no leaks. I hope to get them into some snow soon.

 

[id_jon]

What are your opinions compared to the tracker after a little time in them?

They're definitely more boot like. The ankle cuffs just started to not be uncomfortable a couple days ago, took 4-5 days to break in. I haven't treated mine at all. I don't think I'll hunt in mine, but they're good so far for work and around town. I'm not a good boot reviewer, I'm pretty much happy with anything that doesn't fall apart lol. These definitely feel well constructed so far.

 

[HighUintas]

How are these holding up for you guys

 

[walk2112]

Color me curious as well, really enjoying my Vivo Tracker ESC’s but always got an eye out for other options with a little more toe protection

 

[id_jon]

Been wearing mine on the roof 4-5 days a week since end of January, holding up pretty well. The lugs on the soles have worn down quite a bit, but that's to be expected given how grippy they are. It's a pretty soft compound, grips rocks very well. They weren't very comfortable for a week or two until the leather broke in, but they've been good since.

 

[Lawnboi]

Been wearing mine on the roof 4-5 days a week since end of January, holding up pretty well. The lugs on the soles have worn down quite a bit, but that's to be expected given how grippy they are. It's a pretty soft compound, grips rocks very well. They weren't very comfortable for a week or two until the leather broke in, but they've been good since.

What’s your verdict compared to the vivo? Iv got a few pairs of trackers now and a pair of magna FG I have made my summer boot at work.

 

[Spoonbill]

How are these holding up for you guys

I have had mine for a few months, mainly just wearing around town and camping. So far they have held up. They are well built and all leather so they should last for a while.

 

[BBob]

Been wearing mine on the roof 4-5 days a week since end of January, holding up pretty well. The lugs on the soles have worn down quite a bit, but that's to be expected given how grippy they are. It's a pretty soft compound, grips rocks very well. They weren't very comfortable for a week or two until the leather broke in, but they've been good since.

I’ll echo this. The sole compound is far better than the ESC on the Vivo’s as far as grip on rocks and such. Forest loam? Vivo is fine there but rocks and things the JG is better. The ESC is sketchy on polished rock and even more so on wet rocks. The ESC isn’t great at rock hopping creek crossings. The JG sole is quieter if that matters to you at all. The ankle cuff in front of the inner ankle bone bugged me for a week or so. They’re fine now after break in.

 

[id_jon]

What’s your verdict compared to the vivo? Iv got a few pairs of trackers now and a pair of magna FG I have made my summer boot at work.

Hard to make a direct comparison as I use the JGs for work boots and the vivos for hiking and shooting matches. I would say the vivos are more comfortable, but that might just be because I'm on harder surfaces with 20ish lb tool bags for 8-10 hours with my JGs.

 

[HighUintas]

I’ll echo this. The sole compound is far better than the ESC on the Vivo’s as far as grip on rocks and such. Forest loam? Vivo is fine there but rocks and things the JG is better. The ESC is sketchy on polished rock and even more so on wet rocks. The ESC isn’t great at rock hopping creek crossings. The JG sole is quieter if that matters to you at all. The ankle cuff in front of the inner ankle bone bugged me for a week or so. They’re fine now after break in.

How do you think the JG compares to the tracker esc as a general semi wet mountain hunting boot?

 

[BBob]

Hard to make a direct comparison as I use the JGs for work boots and the vivos for hiking and shooting matches. I would say the vivos are more comfortable, but that might just be because I'm on harder surfaces with 20ish lb tool bags for 8-10 hours with my JGs.

I’d agree the Vivo’s are a bit more comfortable than the JG’s. I think I’ve posted before the Vivo’s are like a heavy duty slipper. You could also say like a nice fitting glove. The JG’s are just more boot like. Not uncomfortable at all but more of a boot. They are flexible but not quite as much as the VIvo.

How do you think the JG compares to the tracker esc as a general semi wet mountain hunting boot?

I think the JG’s would be better with the more traditional boot construction and with the stitch down sole. If it’s just limited exposure I haven’t had issues with the Vivo’s but some have reported with extended wet grass sessions they’ll leak. If it were going to be a rainy September elk hunt I’d bet more on the JG’s to be dry but I haven’t had a chance to wear them in those conditions yet. I did get the JG’s into some snow but not any extended sessions like I had hoped to.