Jim Green boots - opinions?

12 November 2022, 00:45

Bwana_500

I searched the forums and found a couple of mentions which were positive. But looking for anymore info that might be available. Thoughts and experiences?

Would particularly be interested in the "African Ranger" boots, but generally on the whole range.

12 November 2022, 13:24

Balule

Bwana_500, Jim Green is about the only shoes in my cupboard.

The Ramblers are my daily wear to work and I spend a lot of time on my feet.

My hunting I mostly do with the African Ranger, they are lightweight and comfortable and are very quiet.
The only negative is the soles are a bit slippery on wet rocks.

Mountain hunting and the 4 hiking trips I do a year in the Afro Montane forest I use my Monsters. They will be constantly wet for days with up to 20 river crossings a day. Heavy when wet but lots of boot brands will last only 1 trip like that. Their soles are also quiet.

The Razorback is a good mid weight boot, but I don't use mine a lot. They have soles which is fairly noisy albeit with excellent grip on everything.
My needs are either something to hunt with or something super rugged for the mountains with a backpack.

The quality is top notch and they simply last forever and are quite cheap.

My last elephant hunt I did with the Ramblers.

12 November 2022, 13:38

Balule

12 November 2022, 23:28

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by Balule:
Bwana_500, Jim Green is about the only shoes in my cupboard.

The Ramblers are my daily wear to work and I spend a lot of time on my feet.

My hunting I mostly do with the African Ranger, they are lightweight and comfortable and are very quiet.
The only negative is the soles are a bit slippery on wet rocks.

Mountain hunting and the 4 hiking trips I do a year in the Afro Montane forest I use my Monsters. They will be constantly wet for days with up to 20 river crossings a day. Heavy when wet but lots of boot brands will last only 1 trip like that. Their soles are also quiet.

The Razorback is a good mid weight boot, but I don't use mine a lot. They have soles which is fairly noisy albeit with excellent grip on everything.
My needs are either something to hunt with or something super rugged for the mountains with a backpack.

The quality is top notch and they simply last forever and are quite cheap.

My last elephant hunt I did with the Ramblers.

Hey mate. Thanks to the info. Thats exactly the sort of real world experience I was looking for. Sounds very positive.

That also confirms my thoughts on the African Ranger soles. I think they will be too slippery for where I do the majority of my hunting. I will take a look at some of the other models though.

13 November 2022, 08:08

lavaca

I'd never heard of them. I've generally hunted in Courtney's, Russell's, or Merrill's, but did a bit of internet research and definitely need a pair of the Jim Green Ranger's to try. They look good and are relatively cheap, which doesn't mean they aren't good, just that there is little to lose.

19 November 2022, 00:25

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
I'd never heard of them. I've generally hunted in Courtney's, Russell's, or Merrill's, but did a bit of internet research and definitely need a pair of the Jim Green Ranger's to try. They look good and are relatively cheap, which doesn't mean they aren't good, just that there is little to lose.

Hey mate. Please report back on how you find them

19 November 2022, 16:26

Victor Watson

Been hunting in Jim Greens for years specifically the razorbacks. They’re very durable and will quite literally last almost forever. But they’re also quite heavy and I rotate them with a pair of Courtney boots which I use for lighter hunting

20 November 2022, 00:15

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by Victor Watson:
Been hunting in Jim Greens for years specifically the razorbacks. They’re very durable and will quite literally last almost forever. But they’re also quite heavy and I rotate them with a pair of Courtney boots which I use for lighter hunting

Thanks mate

Seems like they have a good following in South Africa, which seems like a good sign

22 November 2022, 21:34

Dahav

Just got some in the mail from Amazon. So far so good but only city use so far, but will test in the field shortly.

quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_500:
I searched the forums and found a couple of mentions which were positive. But looking for anymore info that might be available. Thoughts and experiences?

Would particularly be interested in the "African Ranger" boots, but generally on the whole range.

23 December 2022, 07:52

lavaca

Ordered a pair and they seem like great boots. Similar to Courtney's but a lot cheaper in price. Sole will be a lot quieter. Problem is I wear a size 11 Courtney, so that's what I ordered. They sent a boot that was Size 11 US and size 10 UK, so it's one size two small.

Looks like a good boot and I want to try it, but watch your sizes if you order. I'm going to return and get an 11 UK. Will keep you posted.

24 December 2022, 00:54

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
Ordered a pair and they seem like great boots. Similar to Courtney's but a lot cheaper in price. Sole will be a lot quieter. Problem is I wear a size 11 Courtney, so that's what I ordered. They sent a boot that was Size 11 US and size 10 UK, so it's one size two small.

Looks like a good boot and I want to try it, but watch your sizes if you order. I'm going to return and get an 11 UK. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the update. Seems like a good start aside from the sizing issue. Hopefully they will work well for you. Looking forward to hearing more as you get some use out of them.

25 December 2022, 09:16

lavaca

Well they make a good boot. The next step is how they are on customer service. t

29 December 2022, 22:25

Balule

Lavaca, I do hope that they get you sorted.
If you click on the size guide right hand bottom of the page I linked they give a guideline to UK and US sizes for your foot length. They seem to have missed adding that link on some of the model pages.

https://jimgreenfootwear.co.za...221018-3e29dc11-33a4

Dad added a set of Jim Green Highlanders to his own Christmas stocking for 2022.

03 January 2023, 17:28

Bill/Oregon

Hadn't heard of these either. They look great and the prices are really competitive. Will try a pair of Ramblers to start. Do they have a US warehouse or are they shipping from RSA?

04 January 2023, 00:03

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Hadn't heard of these either. They look great and the prices are really competitive. Will try a pair of Ramblers to start. Do they have a US warehouse or are they shipping from RSA?

Both are options, but the people selling outside of SA tend to inflate the price and dont always carry the full range. Pretty sure they are for sale on Amazon and other sellers. I will probably order this year direct from SA.

04 January 2023, 02:28

Dahav

quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_500:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Hadn't heard of these either. They look great and the prices are really competitive. Will try a pair of Ramblers to start. Do they have a US warehouse or are they shipping from RSA?

Both are options, but the people selling outside of SA tend to inflate the price and dont always carry the full range. Pretty sure they are for sale on Amazon and other sellers. I will probably order this year direct from SA.

I got mine on Amazon for $129. I replaced the original insoles with Dr. Scholls. They make the African Ranger using cape buffalo leather now- just FYI.

06 January 2023, 02:15

Hannay

FWIW, Jim Green Boots is at the DSC show at Booth 235. The African Game Rangers Association booth. Gareth Crouch, the managing director and 3rd generation in the business,made me a good deal on a pair of African game Ranger boots, in exchange for a donation to the African game Rangers Association. Pay them a visit if you're interested.

07 January 2023, 23:28

Atkinson

Sometimes a safari reminds me of a fashion show..especially the newbie, the old timers wear tennis shoes, wranglers, and ball caps, the African PH wears boat shoes and many go barefooted!!the black African wears dress patton leather with toes cut out or irrigation boots or barefooted..Courtneys have no arch support, none.

I like tennis shoes because the dry out fast after you cross the many swamps and rivers..I like wranglers as they are almost tetsi proof.

Just a little humor to entertain..wear whatcha want..

08 January 2023, 05:58

Bwana_500

quote:
Originally posted by Hannay:
FWIW, Jim Green Boots is at the DSC show at Booth 235. The African Game Rangers Association booth. Gareth Crouch, the managing director and 3rd generation in the business,made me a good deal on a pair of African game Ranger boots, in exchange for a donation to the African game Rangers Association. Pay them a visit if you're interested.

Glad to hear they are at the show. Seems like more people are getting to know about the boots

09 January 2023, 03:44

Bill/Oregon

My pair of Jim Green Vellies arrived just days after I ordered -- from a warehouse in the Carolinas I think (I have recycled the packaging). I was impressed with the overall quality, and on day three they are just about broken in. Real pleased so far. To me, they run true to size or just the tiniest bit larger.