BBob
WKR
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.
jimgreenfootwear.com
jimgreenfootwear.com
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 - Jim Green
For every 10 pairs sold we donate a pair to a Ranger https://www.gameranger.org
jimgreenfootwear.com
African Ranger Barefoot Boot - Fudge - Jim Green
For every 10 pairs sold we donate a pair to a Ranger https://www.gameranger.org
jimgreenfootwear.com
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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.
