When it’s time to go to Africa – you go all in, including Jim Green. Including the boots. But what about everywhere else? When it was time to go safari, I look ated what the best footwear would be to trek the plains as I hunted the wilds of Africa. So, I began researching…and came upon Jim Green. Sure, there were the Vellies and other options, but I wanted to select something that would go through lite mountains here in the US and Africa. Jim Green hit the sweet-spot.
Jim Green footwear isn’t just another boot maker trying to get your attention. These South African-crafted boots are built with the kind of no-nonsense durability that reminds me of old-school military gear – functional, reliable, and without the marketing fluff you see from the big brands nowadays. Founded in 1992 in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, Jim Green isn’t just a brand name – it’s the legacy of a real person who set out to create shoes that could handle the brutal conditions of African life without breaking the bank.
Jim Green himself was a leather craftsman who saw a gap in the market. Local workers needed tough, reliable footwear that could stand up to harsh conditions but wouldn’t cost a month’s wages. The big international brands were either too expensive or not built for the specific abuse that South African conditions dish out. So Jim did what any craftsman worth his salt would do – in a small workshop, which is now much larger, he decided to make the boots himself.
And, boy, I’m glad he did.
I decided on the African Ranger. I checked in with Pat Adams (link to IG) and he made some recommendations, but I wanted to go old school, African boots for African soil. I initially wanted the barefoot boot, because I use zero-drop shoes (see my reviews on barefoot shoes here, here, here), but the lead time was too long and the Ranger’s have an open toe box – it was a good enough compromise for me – get the boots, get into the woods and begin trying the boots out.
They arrived and I unboxed and immediately recognized two things: incredibly well built and they looked like they would feel well built – bulky, stiff. I was wrong – I threw them on, began wearing them all the time – hiking into the Wasatch, to church, to the range, to dinner. I wanted to break them in completely and I had months to do so. Soon, they began to form fit my feet and the bulky look was deceptive – they felt lite, they felt comfortable, and with some gaiters, I was soon into areas that I hike in my full-height boots, like my Hoka’s and Altra’s.
So, here, we’ll go into the 5 Thumbs Up…
Jim Green: The Form
The African Ranger combines classic work boot styling with practical design using substantial full-grain leather that’s rugged without looking overprocessed. The clean, functional stitching focuses on reinforcement at stress points rather than decorative patterns that serve no purpose. These will NEVER fall apart – they are the ultimate apocalypse boot…and hunting, and some hiking.
After one year of use around the globe, the stitching is solid, the toe is solid as well.
At 6″ height, they provide ankle support without restricting movement, with speed hooks at the top making a genuine difference in daily use. The character on these – I’m going to say something gross here, but they absorb mud, dirt, dust, and blood – and they create a patena that looks classic. And, unlike tactical boots screaming for attention, Rangers look good with any outfit without looking like a hipster.
Fit
These boots run about a half size large compared to American footwear, with a slightly wider than standard D width that gives toes room to splay naturally. The leather footbed about two weeks to conform to your foot, but creates a custom feel that mass-produced insoles can’t match. They just feel good.
The heel cup holds your foot securely without the annoying slip that causes blisters on long walks. People with higher arches might need supportive insoles as the stock footbed is fairly flat. Wide-footed users will appreciate the toe box that doesn’t pinch across the ball of the foot like many competitors.
Function
The Ranger features genuine Goodyear welt construction allowing multiple resoles, not a simulated welt for looks. Their rubber lug outsole balances grip with durability, handling a multitude of surfaces competently without wearing down quickly on, for example, concrete. After a year, the soles haven’t shown any wear and I’ve put a lot of street miles on these.
The stock laces may be the first thing you replace – they’re merely adequate, long, need double knotting for long hikes in thorny areas if you don’t wear gaiters. You need gaiters with these boots for brush – but that’s ok. The non-waterproof interior allows feet to breathe and boots to dry faster when they do get wet. You won’t feel like you are getting swamp foot. The lip is extremely strong, coming right up the ankle and securing you from debris entering them.
Lastly, brass hardware won’t rust or fail like the painted zinc found on cheaper alternatives.
Field Performance
The Rangers handle diverse terrain, providing adequate shock absorption for full days on various terrain without dead-leg fatigue. Now, let me say this – you will not hike rocky areas in these – they aren’t built for rocky areas for the summit or mountain goats on a stalk. This isn’t the boot – it doesn’t have the ankle support for that. I don’t know if I would Rocky Mountain elk hunt in these either, like when my wife and I were hiking in Northern New Mexico – there, you want something like Hoka or Kennetrek.
But, the Ranger traction works well on most natural and rough surfaces, managing mud without caking up and maintaining grip on wet rocks, though they can slip on wet metal (my ass will tell you that). After breaking in, these boots handle 12+ hour days without creating hot spots or blisters – the true test of any outdoor boot. 10-12 miles a day in Africa and I felt amazing after these.
They avoid the clunky, exhausting feel of overbuilt tactical footwear. The leather takes scuffs and scratches in stride, developing a patina that enhances rather than degrades their appearance with use. People will ask what they are any time you wear them.
Financial investment
Worth it – for two bills you’re going to be glad you spent it. They’ll quickly become your ‘should I wear these’ boots when you should probably pick something else. Cowboy boots? Maybe I’ll wear the Jim Greens. Hiking boots? Well, I do like the Jim Greens. Dress up some jeans? Yea, let me grab the Jim Greens. Covering miles upon miles day after day and having blood everywhere hunting – grab the Jim Greens.
5 thumbs up.
Buy them. That’s all I can say. If you are going into the field, so long as it’s not heavily rocky areas, you will not find better boots than what Jim Green has created.