Jim Green African Ranger Barefoot Boots

[Lawnboi]

I think it would be less about the boots and more about your body with a decently heavy pack.

I packed an antelope out, though not far in them, and it was not a big deal. That said Iv been wearing minimal footwear for a long time. I wouldn’t go from wearing kenetreks in the spring to vivos or African rangers in the fall and expect it to go well, it’s a multi year process .

 

[gostovp]

I think it would be less about the boots and more about your body with a decently heavy pack.

I packed an antelope out, though not far in them, and it was not a big deal. That said Iv been wearing minimal footwear for a long time. I wouldn’t go from wearing kenetreks in the spring to vivos or African rangers in the fall and expect it to go well, it’s a multi year process .

I would agree, but in Cliffs video he makes no mention of him making a transition to this style footwear, or the time it takes a person to become accustomed to it, especially for a hunting use case.

 

[BBob]

His reason given to not use them with a heavier pack (30, 40, 50lb pack for 7 days) is that with heavier loads you'll "feel like you are walking barefoot". "feel like you are walking barefoot" That's kinda the point, no??? I'd have no issues with that except for a maybe true mountain hunt. Packing for deer, elk in the west I'd have no issues but like others I've been wearing barefoot for awhile. As I've mentioned before, I live around, play in and hunt in rocks, lots of rocks. You figure it out (how to walk in them).

Oh, and since this is the JG thread I'll add (and have posted elsewhere) that I wear Vivo Gobi's in the field a lot. They have nothing support wise compared the the JG's.

 

[id_jon]

His reason given to not use them with a heavier pack (30, 40, 50lb pack for 7 days) is that with heavier loads you'll "feel like you are walking barefoot". "feel like you are walking barefoot" That's kinda the point, no??? I'd have no issues with that except for a maybe true mountain hunt. Packing for deer, elk in the west I'd have no issues but like others I've been wearing barefoot for awhile. As I've mentioned before, I live around, play in and hunt in rocks, lots of rocks. You figure it out (how to walk in them).

Oh, and since this is the JG thread I'll add (and have posted elsewhere) that I wear Vivo Gobi's in the field a lot. They have nothing support wise compared the the JG's.

Agreed, the JGs definitely feel less barefoot compared to vivos.

 

[BBob]

Agreed, the JGs definitely feel less barefoot compared to vivos.

Even more so with the Gobi desert shoe. Take your barefoot experience to the next level

GOBI IV MENS

www.revivo.com

 

[jonpall]

Even more so with the Gobi desert shoe. Take your barefoot experience to the next level

GOBI IV MENS

www.revivo.com

I've been wearing these for many years. Great shoes.

 

[Forestryguy]

These JG boots are probably about as barefoot as I will go. I still have to wear orthotics due to having messed up feet from the military. If I can find a low-profile overshoe to protect them while walking roads in the winter, I will start to add weight to figure out my limit on mostlyam also glad that they are not using a water flat ground. I proof liner.

 

[id_jon]

Even more so with the Gobi desert shoe. Take your barefoot experience to the next level

GOBI IV MENS

www.revivo.com

These are what I wear as my "dress" shoe, once they're more beat up I'll get another pair to be my nice ones and wear them more everyday. The jim greens are nice as a work boot, I've had a nail go through a pair of vivo magnas, it's nice to have a little extra when carrying shingles and/or wearing heavy tool bags around a site lol

 

[Samson7x]

Any comments on break in period for JG? I’ve got about 15hrs on them and the top of my left fourth toe is getting dominated. Want to keep them if this is just break in related because I love the boots otherwise.

 

[Lawnboi]

Any comments on break in period for JG? I’ve got about 15hrs on them and the top of my left fourth toe is getting dominated. Want to keep them if this is just break in related because I love the boots otherwise.

Mine took a while. A week or so of wear.

Insoles made big difference for me too.

 

[id_jon]

I noticed the troopers so far have been much easier, the rangers took probably a solid week and a half of discomfort. Not the toes though, but top/front of ankles. I think looser lacing is the key probably

 

[Lawnboi]

the more I wear my barefoot rangers the more I think troopers with a set of micro spikes could cover everything.

Anyone worn micro spikes with their Jim greens. Curious if the underfoot feel is tolerable in snow/soft ground.

 

[id_jon]

the more I wear my barefoot rangers the more I think troopers with a set of micro spikes could cover everything.

Anyone worn micro spikes with their Jim greens. Curious if the underfoot feel is tolerable in snow/soft ground.

I would imagine it would be fine. I definitely feel small gravel on concrete much less compared to vivos. I can try spikes out with my troopers here soon probably.

 

[Forestryguy]

Wore my African Rangers today on a walk with the Miss'. Not a horrible day out at 15 f, but felt like 4 f, with a 7 mph wind. With medium-weight DarnTough socks on my feet did not get cold and there was a lot less dampness in my socks when got home. Was only 3 miles on the road. I thought my feet would be colder than they ended up being.

I am looking at replacing a lot of other footwear with products from this company.

 

[Lawnboi]

They are a warmer feeling boot than the vivos that’s for sure. With the trackers you can feel the ground sucking the warmth out of them, the Jim greens are pretty good in that regard, with correct socks I could use reasonably the majority of the season.

 

[nephewjephew]

To the people that have vivos are you getting the same size in JGs?

 

[BBob]

To the people that have vivos are you getting the same size in JGs?

I'm 44 in Vivo and went .5 up to a 44.5 in JG's. See the first post in this thread.

 

[PBBananaHammock]

To the people that have vivos are you getting the same size in JGs?

I wear 8.5s or 9s in Vivos. 9s being my preference for thick winter socks, and 8.5s for summer. I prefered the US 9s in the JGs. I tried 8.5 and 9.5 as well. The 8.5 had way too much toe constriction for me regardless of socks, and didn’t feel barefoot at all. 9.5a were just too long but great in the width.

The JGs aren’t as wide as Vivos or most other barefoot brands, so plan for that. Disclaimer, this is coming from someone who’s worn nothing but barefoot/minimalist footwear for many, many years so I’m pickier than most.