Get 30% off Rose Anvil leather goods, shop the Scratch & Dent sale while supplies last here - bit.ly/3WVSEBr Grab your own pair of Barefoot African Trooper Boots here - bit.ly/3ylRea1
god I hope I can get a order in on a new belt and the nd4 before this year ends. Last time I ordered a belt I put the wrong dimensions in and made it too big. just gave it to a friend. I love the nd3s, love the new design of the nd4s. I kinda thought while wearing the nd3s that some sort of exoskeleton design would make it move better. Thank you Mr. anvil for making this channel and showing me my passion for leather and boots.
I’ve been wearing a pair of Lems Boulder Summits for almost a year now. They are my first barefoot boots. I’m seriously thinking about ordering some Jim Greens. I have two concerns. The first one is sizing. I’m a 12.5 in the Lems. How does that match up to your sizing? The second one is waterproofing. What is the best way to water proof the boots you are featuring in this video? Thanks.
I have planners fasciitis after having the barefoot boots for a few months now. Probably half a year it has actually helped to get rid of my pain by strengthening my foot in the beginning it hurt a lot. Had to go back and forth between the barefoot and my boots With insoles but now I only wear the barefoot. I love these boots! Have multiples!!
I also had a terrible experience with plantar fasciitis. Used to wear narrow, cushioned shoes. Transitioned to barefoot boots and the arch/heel pain went away. Took a couple months.
Don't they say the transition to barefoot should be gradual anyway, as we often need to recondition 30 or more years of normal shoe wearing. I'm interested in them for hiking but, hesitant to transition. Saw a few vids pop up on the vivo hiking boots that look interesting. Wonder if they'd actually hold up for scrambling on mountains etc
Glad to see Jay back, he seems like an interesting dude. And it's good to hear extended feedback from someone who isn't necessarily a boot nerd, and doesn't have expectations related to brands or prestige or whatever.
Heavy duty version of this would be amazing, like a true alternative to a PNW boot. Maybe something like 10” with the Jim green tyre sole or something like that would be a dream come true
Why add a tyre sole to a barefoot boot, which is a modified version of a normal-sole boot? Get the AR and have it customed with tyre sole, get the Monster. The only reason this boot exists is because when they tried barefoot sole on the AR it didn't work well.
@@bent1208 Custom orders cost nearly 350 with shipping...I'd rather pay a couple hundred more and get a PNW boot...But this design is meant for comfort and flexibility, not ultimate stability and wear.
After hearing this feedback, I think a zero drop work boot would be really great to have. I have bad knees as well and pretty much need zero drop shoes, but I also work in construction and need boots that are safe for jobsite walks. A composite toe version of these would probably work really well.
@@KingBostwickjim green have added a barefoot steel toe last onto their custom boot builder. I'm just waiting to see if they reintroduce their composite toe for this last
Here again! I’m with Jim’s on this one! I love the boots, and they’re very comfortable. But I need the arch support and and a little more cushion on back of the heel, so I ended up going to my local Red Wing store and getting orthopedic insoles for them, and boy now what a big difference they made! Now they’re super comfy! Breaking period! Zero break in! Just super comfortable!
24:03 definitely make a beefier version. slightly harder rubber for the outsole, maybe some sort of shank or plate to make it a bit more rigid but nothing extreme, double lasted. keep it zero drop. call it the super trooper.
It's *really* not the same. Have you seen the other video "Why 7 months and 15 prototypes for the Barefoot African Trooper"? Zero drop makes a big difference for me, and there are several other differences in the design for this that he went over in the video that are a huge improvement to the AR8. I already own a pair of AR8s and have issues with them that he directly addresses. And this boot is going into production, and I'm sure it's going to do well, so the troopers will probably be available for custom order, and I'll probably be doing that if they don't come out with a "Super Trooper" on their own. Gareth (CEO of Jim Green) has also said on the Jim Green channel that the AR8 is not designed for a barefoot sole + last and it's really not optimal, which is why this boot is happening. I also own BFARs (Barefoot African Rangers). The AR8s do not agree with my feet at all. The BFARs are better, but I still have issues with heel slippage, and he mentions at 6:38 that they fixed that by changing the shape of the heel counter. Jay mentioned he fixed the heel slippage on his early prototype boots with additional insoles which is what I have to do with my BFARs, but I'd rather not have to have thicker insoles than necessary. They changed the toe cap and I prefer his design to the BFAR toe cap. They changed the way the tongue attaches to the vamp, and they changed the shape of the quarter so that there is more room between the grommets on either side when it's laced up all the way. I also prefer the changes to the grommet/speed hook configuration on this. Also the BFARs suck for doing chores around the yard, using shovels, climbing ladders, etc., which would be fixed by a shank, but ideally not one as stiff as on the AR8. And since I'm a clutz it'd be nice to have an extra bit of protection from yard tools falling on my feet in the form of being double-lasted. TLDR the Trooper is what I want, not the AR8, y'all don't know what you're talking about.
I would like to see these tests continue in a series for durability and how they're holding up at 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, 4 year, 5 year, etc. If this boot ages well and the construction holds up I think this will be a winner for me
I had a ton of steel strut roll off the rack and break my knee and all my metatarsals and crushing one sending some bone shards into my Liz Frank joint. And boots with an arch rise at all hurts my foot. All those issues went away once I got my barefoot rangers, but I love a tall boot so I’ll have to get a pair of the troopers. Two months on, and I’ve noticed a lot of benefits. Don’t mean to sound ridiculous, but they’ve helped out a ton with certain foot, knee and back pain.
I have old leg injuries from a car crash. Bad knee, bad hip, bad ankle. It amazes me how much zero-drop boots help this but so far only the JG's give me enough support for bushwhacking.
Please make the toe box wider! And try to move or change the extra padding at the heel, as that's where blisters form, probably because it's too stiff at the heel.
Also, taking feedback about barefoot/zero-drop shoes from someone who has plantar fasciitis, who also wants a very tight shoe, and doubles up their insoles is fine but feedback from people who don't have PF and actually want the zero-drop and wide toebox would be more connective to your audience. I understand you guys are buddies and he's the person who would do this for you but it's a bit of a disconnected source of feedback from who your customers are.
I got a pair of the rangers barefoot. The only thing I would change is the sole. A harder rubber sole would make these far and away the best boots. I got mine resoled once I wore the out the original sole and theyre a little heavier but durability is worth it.
I'm really waiting for someone to make a near zero drop Panama sole jungle boot, wide toe box, drain holes, mesh insoles, rubber midsoles, silicone leather, sunbrella fabric uppers with exterior speed hooks. I feel like these would be fantastic hiking boots.
Not quite the same but vivobarefoot have released a jungle boot which just looks perfect for the job it needs to do. I have their tracker forest esc boots and they are pretty perfect dedicated hiking shoes.
I was in the Army for a number of years, injured both my feet, developed planter fasciitis and bone spurs, etc. I had surgery on one foot and the tendon on the other foot snapped. because all of this the Army made special insole for me for boots and running shoes....but the pain never went away, and I mean never. The insole did not work, it was always painful to walk and running was no longer an option for me. This started a journey for me of try any and every type of shoe and boot, from rock hard to super soft, none worked. Then I found zero drops a few years ago (Altra lone peaks). These were game changing!!! I had always been more of a toe walker and these worked with that not against it. It started helping right away and now they are all I wear. Now I'm looking for something more hardy, something leather that I can wear casually or hiking. I'm currently looking at the Lem's Bolder Summit boot and now I have found the African Trooper barefoot boot. I don't have any real way to compare these boots. neither are sold anywhere near me, so any help with that you can offer would be appreciated. I don't want to drop $200+ on boots that might not work for me. Again the ONLY experience I have in Zero drops are Altra lone peaks....they are quite literally all that I wear at this point. thanks- Chris
I developed Plantar Fasciitis in both feet while in the Army. It killed my running to the point that I could not take the regular APFT. I started using zero drop shoes and over time it fixed all of it. I even started passing the regular APFT run again. I have the Barefoot Rangers and the Lem's Boulder boots. They are both great. Stay away from orthotics. Your feet need to be strong, and orthotics hinder that development.
My understanding is though you must order jim greens, you can exchange them if they don't fit or what have you. Check their retur. Policy, you might be able to work it out.
I have Lems sneakers, they have been great and I find my feet don't like any other shoes or boots now. Still occasional Plantar Fasciitis pain but my feet have improved drastically. I had considered the Lems Boulder Summits, however, after discovering these Jim Green Barefoot African Rangers, I am leaning heavily towards them. My reasoning is, quality and resole-ability. I was a Marine and developed the same issues as you, but I think that was primarily from not wearing footwear that was wide enough for my 4E feet. I have spend hundreds on multiple pairs of boots that hurt my feet, so I understand your hesitation but the way I see it, you can always try to resell your boots that you find don't work well. Sometimes you just have to spend money to figure out what's best for you. The money will come back, but the foot/ankle/knee/back pain won't! If you did get some, let me know what you think.
Id love to see an additional outsole option for the barefoot boots. Like a 15mm thick outsole, ideally with like a fake heel like Carets does. I only wear barefoot shoes and I like thin ones that give a lot of ground feel, but I also want something thicker that still has zero drop and a wide toe box, but can handle like digging or jumping onto jagged rocks
This is also why I’m looking for. I want sole protection in a boot, just with a wide toe box and zero drop. The normal (not barefoot) African ranger is close to ideal.
I am waiting on my pair to get here, and I am chomping at the bit. I wish these had been available in Coyote Brown rough out leather when I was in the Army.
I have thorogood boots and African rangers barefoot boots, and AR Barefoot is by far the most I use .... For everything! And Jim Green customization option is fantastic, 🤯.
I never realized you were in Utah. I plan on doing some hiking and riding out there in a cpl years. I will actually be using these boots. While I'm visiting family that moved out there. I love to stop at the chop shop. Bikes and haircuts pretty rad.
I would definitely consider getting this boot, if the outsole was thicker. The barefoot fit is awesome and the ground feel is great in some places, but also doesn't really do well in other places. It's part of the reason I like my the Lems Boulder Summit
I think the man deserves a new pair of those bad boys. Tips for plantar fasciitis: 1. Wear a bigger shoe size. Stop wearing shoe sizes where your toes have no room. I’m a natural mens 7, but I wear a 9 because at that size the widest part of my foot fits the widest part of the shoe allowing my toes to naturally splay when stepping. 2. Wear toe separators or toe shoes. I’ve heard several stories where someone needed surgery because of various foot issues. They were cured by these devices. Especially the toe shoes. They look stupid, but will reverse any damage done by wearing too small a shoe size. 3. Stretch! It’s just good for you. If you can’t touch your toes, you will regret it later. 4. Stop heel striking. This one is difficult because we walk how we walk. I’m not saying change your walk. Just reduce the size of your step. Do shorter, more frequent steps. It allows you to apply somewhat even pressure on your entire foot when it strikes the ground during walking instead of a heavy heel strike which causes unnecessary impact damage to your foot which heavily affects the fascia. Smaller steps, gentlemen. Health starts from the ground up! Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.
Wearing barefoot shoes with thin soles naturally changed how I walk. I now land more forward on my heel and mid foot, because you can’t heel strike in thin soles, it hurts. You’re right, it’s about taking shorter, faster steps. If you look at marching, which is meant to move men on foot over long distance together, it’s 120bpm with a 1’ stride length. Shoes made of foam have made everyone over stretch and slam their heels down.
I have problems with BFAR being too small in the shoe box. My pinky toe gets squeezed in. But wouldnt these boots be too long if you would go up in size that much?
@ It’s what I do. Mine don’t look too big and if you don’t want to wear barefoot shoes, going up in size is the next best thing. It’s cured my plantar fasciitis and toe separators are doing wonders for my bunions. I wore my shoes with the toes all the way to the tip for way too long. Nearly needed surgery. Not anymore.
I can definitely speak on high heeled boots and knee pain. High heeled logger boots have removed all foot, calf, and back pain I've ever had. However, my knees do feel a bit wobbly and unstable when I wear them. Less so the more days I wear them in a row but I feel it again if I don't wear them for a day or 2. I've brought this up on reddit and I'm not alone when it comes to that problem. People have even given weird explanations of how all the pressure goes to your knees instead of your feet in heeled boots.
Im real excited about these. Ive got, or gone through, a few different barefoot "boots(read: stylish shoes)" one particular companies doesnt hold up longer than 3 months, and the other reacts poorly to water.
I bought a pair of the original barefoot African rangers I have all kinds of trouble with especially my right foot. I bought them a half size larger to accommodate an insert. I liked them and bought another pair. They’re not as heavy as my other boots and comfortable on my elderly feet. I’m hoping to buy a pair of “muggs” if they are available again.
@@ryansullivan3081 I don’t know what you mean with no break-in other than the tongue and footbed… it’s literally the exact opposite for me. The tongue is the softest thing I have ever felt in a boot. The boot itself needs broken in for certain! With all the leather they are stiff enough to support a few bricks without collapsing. If my past experience with other boots is any indication it will take me about 2 weeks.
@@JonLaRue for me, I have thin feet so when I cinch the laces down the tongue has to be pleated perfectly so it didn’t bunch up. Now it’s so soft that I have some leeway. I didn’t have any break in for the uppers on mine. I wanna try the Buffalo ones and see how they differ from the suede ones.
I have wore the altra olypus 5 mid hikers for like 3 years nonstop now. they are pretty worn looking for a replacement might give these jim greens a try becuse i want to get away from the sythetic materials. but i have also have the issue where im offbalance with shoes with a heel and i like the zerodrop with planterfacitis i also just use a insole on the zero drop platform. debating on the barefoot vs the rugged african trooper.
Almost perfect. The toebox is wide in the middle, but tapers to a round shape that pushes the big toe and pinky inward (causing bunions and discomfort). A square/fan-shaped toe box would fix this issue and make these a lot more comfortable and healthy.
I would love to see a more rugged version of these with thicker leather and shack in the sole. But still bare foot style with a foot shape toebox and zero drop. A bit like a motorcycle trails boots. But able to work in them and ride my motorbike in them. These might finally replace my Iron rangers with edge sole. Still have to wait till december to get the original version tho.
Flux Footwear's Adapt Trail runners is a bearfoot shoe that incorporates an earthing/grounding feature (Earth-Link) in footbed construction and insole. Would be curious to see you guys bandsaw bisect this one and test if the connection to complete the ground circuit is legit. If it works, would be awesome to incorporate grounding feature into the African Troopers. Can't wait for my Troopers in Dec!
Objective opinion noted, however, not seeing any evidence cited to back up these claims. Recent studies support otherwise: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10105021/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/ We can leave debate of the purported health claims to established experts within the scientific community, the woo woo witches of the ether, and the Flat-Earthers of vitriol. In the meantime, ROSE ANVIL, maybe you can do a video testing if the grounding circuit is complete when using grounding boots/shoes and verify/refute these footwear manufacturers' claims of increased grounding effects.
Would be fun trying to take off the insole and seeing if your feet are now ready to walk without them without any symptoms, which they probably are, after 6 months.
Bodies (feet) are designed for zero-drop. Using heels and wedges is the cause of most foot ailments. Feet do not need arch support, that's the job of the muscles, to keep all the joints stable/mobile when they need to be. Orthotics and heels make the muscles weak, wreaking havoc on proper alignment.
I know it isn't your insole, but Ugg makes a sheep skin leather insole with 2 layers of foam, and arch support. I put that in the barefoot ranger as I have real high arch. My one complaint is, if I got by foot length, im a size 10, if I go by my foot width and height, im like a 12 mininum, or a 13 in regular shoes. I found vegetable tan in 11.5 and I can get my foot in but its tight with no socks, and my pinky toe barely too tight, with socks, I had to significantly stretch the vamp and tongue though to make it where I can get my foot in with socks. I had to stretch a little more to accommodate the insole I chose, and I feel the boots are perfect now. l
On the one hand it is interesting to see how someone with a multitude of walking related issues and preferences really liked these boots, while on the other hand it feels like that significantly lowers the relevance to normal people.
Not to sound bitchy, but as an electrician, I’ve dug a ton of trenches doing commercial electrical and been in 120* attics and desert military bases pulling wire. But I agree that as much time I’ve spent in a ladder, these just wouldn’t work. Maybe for a roofer or ou plumber or something. 😂
So, where can someone buy a pair of these newly designed styles?? Through you all or the JG site??? I have bad knees and PF, and my favorite bok is the older GoRuck witch has a very low heel cant and my body thanks me when i wear them.
Hey! Hey! What's with the electrician hate!?!? We work too! We do labor. We do as much labor as a guy sitting in a piece of hydraulic powered equipment all day.😘😘
Problems with your knees could be related not only with weak muscles but also the way you walk. Most people can't walk properly and they use mostly heels to support (just like here 10:39). Even horse hoof touches ground front part first. While walking, when you are rising your legs high enough you will see that front of the foot drops down and this part should touch ground first - not heel. Think about it.
@northernfarmer98 People ignore anatomy and complain about health problems. It doesn't matter what type of boots/shoes you wear. If you can't walk - nothing will help you. When you jump you also "heel striking"? 🤣😂🤣😂
Would love to get my hands on a pair of these, but I think my foot may be slightly too small for the smallest size; I've unfortunately run into this a lot when it comes to heritage boots. I'm typically a women's 7.5, do you think there's any way the men's 7 would work? Or perhaps extended sized someday... Small footed people also need hardworking boots :)
Im looking at photos on an amazon listing for the 4 inch version and they look very much like the pre-heel-slip-fix versions, heel counter prifile wise. Was the issue addressed in them too?
Except there are no tendons through the heel and it’s called plantar fasciitis because it is fascia on the bottom of the foot. The fascia is tearing off the bone, this causes the spur, because you have weak muscles compared to the activity you’re doing. Barefoot shoes allow the muscles to strengthen.
I've worn bare foot style shoes exclusively for a few years now, and I my arches have gotten significantly stronger in that time. Climbing a ladder or using a shovel in barefoot shoes was painful at the beginning, but now I'm like, "Mhmm.... that's a good stretch". Wouldn't want to do that all day though.
Yeah I recently had to get some conventional footwear back in my rotation for work. I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for years and am comfortable wearing them all day everyday, even hiking with weight on my back. I draw the line at digging trenches and stepping around building sites in them though. In the beginning, wearing barefoot shoes was a workout as I wasn’t used to the effort of my foot supporting me. Now wearing conventional boots is the workout
@@bawla I’m totally into barefoot shoes/boots and foot health and against traditional cushioned pointy shoes. But be honest, don’t you think most of the shoes are ridiculously duck foot shaped? I like the Jim greens because they’re more reasonably shaped. We should be barefoot more but when we wear boots they should have a measure of support. Just frustrating when everything is so extreme
The Jim Green custom shop is where you want to go. Choose the last you want, the leather, sole, lacing and whether you want them double or single lasted. Just got my custom single lasted AR8's in rough out leather on the STC last.
If I order a custom ar8 with a steel toe barefoot last and the barefoot anvil sole does that essentially turn into a barefoot steel toe or are there other aspects of the ar8 that will make it not barefoot
I think to help your planter fasciitis you need to train you feet, keep wearing the insole but train your feet (search barefoot training). but after 6 months of every day training try to remove the insole for couple of hours in a day and test things out.
@RoseAnvil2 Can someone tell me if these are a bit more shallow over the top of the foot than the Barefoot African Rangers? I have a long narrow foot with a low instep (size 12.5) in BAF but because of the shape of my foot the BAF had way too much material over the top of my foot to the point I could pull the leather together with the laces and the boot was still not tight over my instep. If the Barefoot African Trooper has less (lower/flatter) material over the top of the foot I'd pre-order them today. I hate the idea of preordering them only to find out in December that they won't work either and I have to send them back as well. Any help about this would be greatly appreciated.
Any chance at making women's sizes any time soon? I bought the smallest size available and it was still too big. But I really liked them. Women's sizes, a bit of inclusivity would be appreciated.
I got my girlfriend Jim green ranger (not a barefoot sole) in the classic brown and just sized down according to an online chart. She got another pair(green nubuck) because she liked em so much. My advice is to measure out your feet length in cm or in and get the pair you want!
Get 30% off Rose Anvil leather goods, shop the Scratch & Dent sale while supplies last here - bit.ly/3WVSEBr
Grab your own pair of Barefoot African Trooper Boots here - bit.ly/3ylRea1
Just scored a pair of Kilties!
god I hope I can get a order in on a new belt and the nd4 before this year ends. Last time I ordered a belt I put the wrong dimensions in and made it too big. just gave it to a friend. I love the nd3s, love the new design of the nd4s. I kinda thought while wearing the nd3s that some sort of exoskeleton design would make it move better. Thank you Mr. anvil for making this channel and showing me my passion for leather and boots.
I’ve been wearing a pair of Lems Boulder Summits for almost a year now. They are my first barefoot boots. I’m seriously thinking about ordering some Jim Greens. I have two concerns. The first one is sizing. I’m a 12.5 in the Lems. How does that match up to your sizing? The second one is waterproofing. What is the best way to water proof the boots you are featuring in this video? Thanks.
I have planners fasciitis after having the barefoot boots for a few months now. Probably half a year it has actually helped to get rid of my pain by strengthening my foot in the beginning it hurt a lot. Had to go back and forth between the barefoot and my boots With insoles but now I only wear the barefoot. I love these boots! Have multiples!!
It’s plantar fasciitis*
@@bojack_human_69 I used speech to text I apologize my phone can't spell but yes it's plantar fasciitis.
Not plantars. Plantar fasciitis. Plantar means bottom of the foot. Think palm of the hand.
I also had a terrible experience with plantar fasciitis. Used to wear narrow, cushioned shoes. Transitioned to barefoot boots and the arch/heel pain went away. Took a couple months.
Don't they say the transition to barefoot should be gradual anyway, as we often need to recondition 30 or more years of normal shoe wearing.
I'm interested in them for hiking but, hesitant to transition. Saw a few vids pop up on the vivo hiking boots that look interesting. Wonder if they'd actually hold up for scrambling on mountains etc
Glad to see Jay back, he seems like an interesting dude. And it's good to hear extended feedback from someone who isn't necessarily a boot nerd, and doesn't have expectations related to brands or prestige or whatever.
Finally someone made a good barefoot boot with a leather upper. Thank you.
Heavy duty version of this would be amazing, like a true alternative to a PNW boot. Maybe something like 10” with the Jim green tyre sole or something like that would be a dream come true
Custom orders babiieeee
Why add a tyre sole to a barefoot boot, which is a modified version of a normal-sole boot? Get the AR and have it customed with tyre sole, get the Monster. The only reason this boot exists is because when they tried barefoot sole on the AR it didn't work well.
Can we get this style in a custom yet???!
@@bent1208 Custom orders cost nearly 350 with shipping...I'd rather pay a couple hundred more and get a PNW boot...But this design is meant for comfort and flexibility, not ultimate stability and wear.
A heavy duty version of this boot is a Courteney Boot.
I have the Barefoot African Ranger and recommend! Have a great weekend!
After hearing this feedback, I think a zero drop work boot would be really great to have. I have bad knees as well and pretty much need zero drop shoes, but I also work in construction and need boots that are safe for jobsite walks. A composite toe version of these would probably work really well.
Just bear in mind that they will cause calf discomfort at first and as you get used to them heels become more of a problem.
I have been searching for a zero drop, wide toe box, safety toe boot for years. I'm still waiting and hoping.
@@KingBostwickjim green have added a barefoot steel toe last onto their custom boot builder.
I'm just waiting to see if they reintroduce their composite toe for this last
@@KingBostwickyup never seen one yet
Here again! I’m with Jim’s on this one! I love the boots, and they’re very comfortable. But I need the arch support and and a little more cushion on back of the heel, so I ended up going to my local Red Wing store and getting orthopedic insoles for them, and boy now what a big difference they made! Now they’re super comfy! Breaking period! Zero break in! Just super comfortable!
Do you recommend going up half a size before putting insoles?
24:03 definitely make a beefier version. slightly harder rubber for the outsole, maybe some sort of shank or plate to make it a bit more rigid but nothing extreme, double lasted. keep it zero drop. call it the super trooper.
So... make it not a barefoot. Sounds like their ar8 boot.
@sinisterthoughts2896 yeah that is the AR8 😂 may aswell get a custom AR8.
It's *really* not the same. Have you seen the other video "Why 7 months and 15 prototypes for the Barefoot African Trooper"?
Zero drop makes a big difference for me, and there are several other differences in the design for this that he went over in the video that are a huge improvement to the AR8. I already own a pair of AR8s and have issues with them that he directly addresses. And this boot is going into production, and I'm sure it's going to do well, so the troopers will probably be available for custom order, and I'll probably be doing that if they don't come out with a "Super Trooper" on their own. Gareth (CEO of Jim Green) has also said on the Jim Green channel that the AR8 is not designed for a barefoot sole + last and it's really not optimal, which is why this boot is happening.
I also own BFARs (Barefoot African Rangers). The AR8s do not agree with my feet at all. The BFARs are better, but I still have issues with heel slippage, and he mentions at 6:38 that they fixed that by changing the shape of the heel counter. Jay mentioned he fixed the heel slippage on his early prototype boots with additional insoles which is what I have to do with my BFARs, but I'd rather not have to have thicker insoles than necessary. They changed the toe cap and I prefer his design to the BFAR toe cap. They changed the way the tongue attaches to the vamp, and they changed the shape of the quarter so that there is more room between the grommets on either side when it's laced up all the way. I also prefer the changes to the grommet/speed hook configuration on this. Also the BFARs suck for doing chores around the yard, using shovels, climbing ladders, etc., which would be fixed by a shank, but ideally not one as stiff as on the AR8. And since I'm a clutz it'd be nice to have an extra bit of protection from yard tools falling on my feet in the form of being double-lasted.
TLDR the Trooper is what I want, not the AR8, y'all don't know what you're talking about.
this is exactly the information I wanted/ needed on this boot.
Too much sexual tension in this video 😂
😂
Ambiguity.......😂
I would like to see these tests continue in a series for durability and how they're holding up at 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, 4 year, 5 year, etc. If this boot ages well and the construction holds up I think this will be a winner for me
This is a really good conversation video 👍🏾👌🏾I liked the ad bit where you were discussing your leather products. 😻 Good to see Toaster as well 😆
Thank you for doing these 6 month reviews! Would love one of the rugged African troopers if possible!
Foot strength is the key. The super insoles/arch supports from a podiatrist are “casts,” for your feet.
I had a ton of steel strut roll off the rack and break my knee and all my metatarsals and crushing one sending some bone shards into my Liz Frank joint. And boots with an arch rise at all hurts my foot. All those issues went away once I got my barefoot rangers, but I love a tall boot so I’ll have to get a pair of the troopers. Two months on, and I’ve noticed a lot of benefits. Don’t mean to sound ridiculous, but they’ve helped out a ton with certain foot, knee and back pain.
Its the zero drop...you take the pressure off of the knees...People need to realize zero drop is better always better for the knees and back.
I have old leg injuries from a car crash. Bad knee, bad hip, bad ankle. It amazes me how much zero-drop boots help this but so far only the JG's give me enough support for bushwhacking.
Ive kept around some especially well built leather insoles left over from old Ecco's. A form fitting insole can make all the difference.
Agreed, hard to find
Can't wait for mine to come in!!! About to order some kilties and a pocket kit for them haha!
Please make the toe box wider! And try to move or change the extra padding at the heel, as that's where blisters form, probably because it's too stiff at the heel.
Also, taking feedback about barefoot/zero-drop shoes from someone who has plantar fasciitis, who also wants a very tight shoe, and doubles up their insoles is fine but feedback from people who don't have PF and actually want the zero-drop and wide toebox would be more connective to your audience. I understand you guys are buddies and he's the person who would do this for you but it's a bit of a disconnected source of feedback from who your customers are.
Great video! Love that you let it take its time and really covered the boot in full. :)
I got a pair of the rangers barefoot. The only thing I would change is the sole. A harder rubber sole would make these far and away the best boots. I got mine resoled once I wore the out the original sole and theyre a little heavier but durability is worth it.
My current work boots are done and I’m going to give the Jim green barefoots a shot
I'm really waiting for someone to make a near zero drop Panama sole jungle boot, wide toe box, drain holes, mesh insoles, rubber midsoles, silicone leather, sunbrella fabric uppers with exterior speed hooks. I feel like these would be fantastic hiking boots.
Not quite the same but vivobarefoot have released a jungle boot which just looks perfect for the job it needs to do.
I have their tracker forest esc boots and they are pretty perfect dedicated hiking shoes.
I was in the Army for a number of years, injured both my feet, developed planter fasciitis and bone spurs, etc. I had surgery on one foot and the tendon on the other foot snapped. because all of this the Army made special insole for me for boots and running shoes....but the pain never went away, and I mean never. The insole did not work, it was always painful to walk and running was no longer an option for me. This started a journey for me of try any and every type of shoe and boot, from rock hard to super soft, none worked. Then I found zero drops a few years ago (Altra lone peaks). These were game changing!!! I had always been more of a toe walker and these worked with that not against it. It started helping right away and now they are all I wear. Now I'm looking for something more hardy, something leather that I can wear casually or hiking. I'm currently looking at the Lem's Bolder Summit boot and now I have found the African Trooper barefoot boot. I don't have any real way to compare these boots. neither are sold anywhere near me, so any help with that you can offer would be appreciated. I don't want to drop $200+ on boots that might not work for me. Again the ONLY experience I have in Zero drops are Altra lone peaks....they are quite literally all that I wear at this point. thanks- Chris
I developed Plantar Fasciitis in both feet while in the Army. It killed my running to the point that I could not take the regular APFT. I started using zero drop shoes and over time it fixed all of it. I even started passing the regular APFT run again. I have the Barefoot Rangers and the Lem's Boulder boots. They are both great. Stay away from orthotics. Your feet need to be strong, and orthotics hinder that development.
@@mrhounddog8271 I agree 100%, had orthos, they were very painful.
My understanding is though you must order jim greens, you can exchange them if they don't fit or what have you. Check their retur. Policy, you might be able to work it out.
I have Lems sneakers, they have been great and I find my feet don't like any other shoes or boots now. Still occasional Plantar Fasciitis pain but my feet have improved drastically. I had considered the Lems Boulder Summits, however, after discovering these Jim Green Barefoot African Rangers, I am leaning heavily towards them. My reasoning is, quality and resole-ability. I was a Marine and developed the same issues as you, but I think that was primarily from not wearing footwear that was wide enough for my 4E feet. I have spend hundreds on multiple pairs of boots that hurt my feet, so I understand your hesitation but the way I see it, you can always try to resell your boots that you find don't work well. Sometimes you just have to spend money to figure out what's best for you. The money will come back, but the foot/ankle/knee/back pain won't! If you did get some, let me know what you think.
Id love to see an additional outsole option for the barefoot boots. Like a 15mm thick outsole, ideally with like a fake heel like Carets does. I only wear barefoot shoes and I like thin ones that give a lot of ground feel, but I also want something thicker that still has zero drop and a wide toe box, but can handle like digging or jumping onto jagged rocks
Jim green offers custom orders for just about any boot. You get to pick the style, shape, tread, stitching, leather color
This is also why I’m looking for. I want sole protection in a boot, just with a wide toe box and zero drop. The normal (not barefoot) African ranger is close to ideal.
I am waiting on my pair to get here, and I am chomping at the bit. I wish these had been available in Coyote Brown rough out leather when I was in the Army.
You need to do a 6 inch version of these
Agree 💯
Agree 💯
Barefoot Rangers? Been rocking two pair for over a year.
I have thorogood boots and African rangers barefoot boots, and AR Barefoot is by far the most I use .... For everything!
And Jim Green customization option is fantastic, 🤯.
The African Troopers shipped early! Got my tracking number a few days ago and they'll be here tomorrow!
Can't wait to get these boots in December
Man those are cool! I just recently placed an order for a pair of those!👌😎👍looking forward to wearing them on my hikes!
I never realized you were in Utah. I plan on doing some hiking and riding out there in a cpl years. I will actually be using these boots. While I'm visiting family that moved out there. I love to stop at the chop shop. Bikes and haircuts pretty rad.
I would definitely consider getting this boot, if the outsole was thicker. The barefoot fit is awesome and the ground feel is great in some places, but also doesn't really do well in other places. It's part of the reason I like my the Lems Boulder Summit
I think the man deserves a new pair of those bad boys. Tips for plantar fasciitis:
1. Wear a bigger shoe size. Stop wearing shoe sizes where your toes have no room. I’m a natural mens 7, but I wear a 9 because at that size the widest part of my foot fits the widest part of the shoe allowing my toes to naturally splay when stepping.
2. Wear toe separators or toe shoes. I’ve heard several stories where someone needed surgery because of various foot issues. They were cured by these devices. Especially the toe shoes. They look stupid, but will reverse any damage done by wearing too small a shoe size.
3. Stretch! It’s just good for you. If you can’t touch your toes, you will regret it later.
4. Stop heel striking. This one is difficult because we walk how we walk. I’m not saying change your walk. Just reduce the size of your step. Do shorter, more frequent steps. It allows you to apply somewhat even pressure on your entire foot when it strikes the ground during walking instead of a heavy heel strike which causes unnecessary impact damage to your foot which heavily affects the fascia. Smaller steps, gentlemen.
Health starts from the ground up! Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.
Wearing barefoot shoes with thin soles naturally changed how I walk. I now land more forward on my heel and mid foot, because you can’t heel strike in thin soles, it hurts. You’re right, it’s about taking shorter, faster steps. If you look at marching, which is meant to move men on foot over long distance together, it’s 120bpm with a 1’ stride length. Shoes made of foam have made everyone over stretch and slam their heels down.
I have problems with BFAR being too small in the shoe box. My pinky toe gets squeezed in. But wouldnt these boots be too long if you would go up in size that much?
@ It’s what I do. Mine don’t look too big and if you don’t want to wear barefoot shoes, going up in size is the next best thing. It’s cured my plantar fasciitis and toe separators are doing wonders for my bunions. I wore my shoes with the toes all the way to the tip for way too long. Nearly needed surgery. Not anymore.
I can definitely speak on high heeled boots and knee pain. High heeled logger boots have removed all foot, calf, and back pain I've ever had. However, my knees do feel a bit wobbly and unstable when I wear them. Less so the more days I wear them in a row but I feel it again if I don't wear them for a day or 2.
I've brought this up on reddit and I'm not alone when it comes to that problem. People have even given weird explanations of how all the pressure goes to your knees instead of your feet in heeled boots.
The only way to walk in a heeled boot is with pronounce heel strike which puts all the pressure on the knees.
Elevating the heels loads the knees and quads. That's why lifters put plates under their heels to really target the quads (and knees)
Makes sense @@umbertosmith7014
Just ordered a pair of these in Houston Brown, hopefully they are as good for layin' pipe as advertised! 🤣
So early, wish I had been this early to ordering the boots…
im still split between the low top or high top boots
I think I will be holding out for a heavier duty version of this boot.
Im real excited about these. Ive got, or gone through, a few different barefoot "boots(read: stylish shoes)" one particular companies doesnt hold up longer than 3 months, and the other reacts poorly to water.
I bought a pair of the original barefoot African rangers I have all kinds of trouble with especially my right foot. I bought them a half size larger to accommodate an insert. I liked them and bought another pair. They’re not as heavy as my other boots and comfortable on my elderly feet. I’m hoping to buy a pair of “muggs” if they are available again.
It's super easy for me to justify boots for work, so if you can get Jim Green to produce different styles of steel toes I'd much quicker to buy
Sir, how about a safety toe barefoot boot?
I've been asking the same thing for a while now
@constablekohler You can order that from the custom shop. Soles, eyelets, leather and last to your heart's content.
@@dbmail545 they do not offer safety toe barefoot as of about 2 months ago when I inquired
I got an email on August 14 announcing Carets is "Launching The First Barefoot Safety-Toe Boot"
@@mopqqq I'm not familiar with carets
I just ordered a pair of barefoot ARs in Fudge just this morning
Those are the ones I have. There is no break in other than the tongue and footprint obviously. The upper is so soft. Hope you dig them.
@@ryansullivan3081 I don’t know what you mean with no break-in other than the tongue and footbed… it’s literally the exact opposite for me. The tongue is the softest thing I have ever felt in a boot. The boot itself needs broken in for certain! With all the leather they are stiff enough to support a few bricks without collapsing. If my past experience with other boots is any indication it will take me about 2 weeks.
@@JonLaRue for me, I have thin feet so when I cinch the laces down the tongue has to be pleated perfectly so it didn’t bunch up. Now it’s so soft that I have some leeway. I didn’t have any break in for the uppers on mine. I wanna try the Buffalo ones and see how they differ from the suede ones.
Whatever happened to the African Ranger-V7, with the more anatomical oblique spacious toebox It looked to be the most ergonomic for human healthy foot
I have wore the altra olypus 5 mid hikers for like 3 years nonstop now. they are pretty worn looking for a replacement might give these jim greens a try becuse i want to get away from the sythetic materials. but i have also have the issue where im offbalance with shoes with a heel and i like the zerodrop with planterfacitis i also just use a insole on the zero drop platform. debating on the barefoot vs the rugged african trooper.
I wish you went with the leather/finish from the 7s. A Canadian shipping option would be awesome!!!
I've had the troopers like 2 months they look like I've had him 20 years and I can feel every bump and recess in the inside of the soul
Almost perfect. The toebox is wide in the middle, but tapers to a round shape that pushes the big toe and pinky inward (causing bunions and discomfort). A square/fan-shaped toe box would fix this issue and make these a lot more comfortable and healthy.
Just get the correct size
@@dbmail545 It's not a size issue, it's a shape issue
I ordered myself the black pair I got half a size down from my normal shoe size hopefully it fits good 🙏
I would love to see a more rugged version of these with thicker leather and shack in the sole. But still bare foot style with a foot shape toebox and zero drop.
A bit like a motorcycle trails boots. But able to work in them and ride my motorbike in them. These might finally replace my Iron rangers with edge sole.
Still have to wait till december to get the original version tho.
Flux Footwear's Adapt Trail runners is a bearfoot shoe that incorporates an earthing/grounding feature (Earth-Link) in footbed construction and insole. Would be curious to see you guys bandsaw bisect this one and test if the connection to complete the ground circuit is legit. If it works, would be awesome to incorporate grounding feature into the African Troopers. Can't wait for my Troopers in Dec!
It's not. That whole circuit to earth grounding is fake woo woo stuff
@@constablekohlerabsolutely. Most shoes ground you anyway. If they didn't you would never get a static shock from the clothes dryer.
@@dbmail545 what
Objective opinion noted, however, not seeing any evidence cited to back up these claims. Recent studies support otherwise:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10105021/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/
We can leave debate of the purported health claims to established experts within the scientific community, the woo woo witches of the ether, and the Flat-Earthers of vitriol.
In the meantime, ROSE ANVIL, maybe you can do a video testing if the grounding circuit is complete when using grounding boots/shoes and verify/refute these footwear manufacturers' claims of increased grounding effects.
Jim green should add a finger loop to the African Ranger Barrefoots.
I want these boot far more than I need them.
Would be fun trying to take off the insole and seeing if your feet are now ready to walk without them without any symptoms, which they probably are, after 6 months.
Did you do a Video about "waldviertler" from Austria? Would be very very nice!!! These r some good boots
lil heel like on an iron ranger is the perfect medium
id like to see how a modern paratrooper would like these boots. Seeing how they are inspired by the WWII paratrooper boots
I want a video on how to resole these at home
Bodies (feet) are designed for zero-drop. Using heels and wedges is the cause of most foot ailments. Feet do not need arch support, that's the job of the muscles, to keep all the joints stable/mobile when they need to be. Orthotics and heels make the muscles weak, wreaking havoc on proper alignment.
Wonder how these compare to the Lems boulder boot. Been rocking those for a bit but I still can't say I like the look of them 100%
I know it isn't your insole, but Ugg makes a sheep skin leather insole with 2 layers of foam, and arch support. I put that in the barefoot ranger as I have real high arch. My one complaint is, if I got by foot length, im a size 10, if I go by my foot width and height, im like a 12 mininum, or a 13 in regular shoes. I found vegetable tan in 11.5 and I can get my foot in but its tight with no socks, and my pinky toe barely too tight, with socks, I had to significantly stretch the vamp and tongue though to make it where I can get my foot in with socks. I had to stretch a little more to accommodate the insole I chose, and I feel the boots are perfect now.
l
The JG leather lined insoles are very nice.
Simple fix for using barefoot boots for digging is to have a swappable insole made of a harder less flexible material
Jay: i love leather, i love laying pipe.
Priceless 😂
On the one hand it is interesting to see how someone with a multitude of walking related issues and preferences really liked these boots, while on the other hand it feels like that significantly lowers the relevance to normal people.
If you have feet, it applies. Barefoot shoes are made to work with feet. Unlike conventional footwear which work against our feet.
Not to sound bitchy, but as an electrician, I’ve dug a ton of trenches doing commercial electrical and been in 120* attics and desert military bases pulling wire. But I agree that as much time I’ve spent in a ladder, these just wouldn’t work. Maybe for a roofer or ou plumber or something. 😂
When will they be available in Australia?..
So, where can someone buy a pair of these newly designed styles??
Through you all or the JG site???
I have bad knees and PF, and my favorite bok is the older GoRuck witch has a very low heel cant and my body thanks me when i wear them.
Hey! Hey! What's with the electrician hate!?!? We work too! We do labor. We do as much labor as a guy sitting in a piece of hydraulic powered equipment all day.😘😘
“I don’t pick up anything under a hundred lbs.”
“Yeah! I’ve got a wife for that.”
😂💀
People are shocked when they discover I am not a very good electrician.
Problems with your knees could be related not only with weak muscles but also the way you walk. Most people can't walk properly and they use mostly heels to support (just like here 10:39). Even horse hoof touches ground front part first. While walking, when you are rising your legs high enough you will see that front of the foot drops down and this part should touch ground first - not heel. Think about it.
@northernfarmer98 rise your leg with relaxed muscles and see which part of your foot is downslope.
@northernfarmer98 People ignore anatomy and complain about health problems.
It doesn't matter what type of boots/shoes you wear. If you can't walk - nothing will help you.
When you jump you also "heel striking"?
🤣😂🤣😂
Would love to get my hands on a pair of these, but I think my foot may be slightly too small for the smallest size; I've unfortunately run into this a lot when it comes to heritage boots. I'm typically a women's 7.5, do you think there's any way the men's 7 would work? Or perhaps extended sized someday... Small footed people also need hardworking boots :)
Yeah it wouldn't fix plantar fasciitis in 2 weeks, takes a long time in barefoot shoes depending on the severity of plantar fasciitis
Yeah this guy putting in arch support in barefoot boots. Oof
Are the black Jim Green’s polishable and take a shine?
Im looking at photos on an amazon listing for the 4 inch version and they look very much like the pre-heel-slip-fix versions, heel counter prifile wise.
Was the issue addressed in them too?
I like this 🐸 brand
Except there are no tendons through the heel and it’s called plantar fasciitis because it is fascia on the bottom of the foot. The fascia is tearing off the bone, this causes the spur, because you have weak muscles compared to the activity you’re doing. Barefoot shoes allow the muscles to strengthen.
I've worn bare foot style shoes exclusively for a few years now, and I my arches have gotten significantly stronger in that time. Climbing a ladder or using a shovel in barefoot shoes was painful at the beginning, but now I'm like, "Mhmm.... that's a good stretch". Wouldn't want to do that all day though.
Yeah I recently had to get some conventional footwear back in my rotation for work. I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for years and am comfortable wearing them all day everyday, even hiking with weight on my back. I draw the line at digging trenches and stepping around building sites in them though. In the beginning, wearing barefoot shoes was a workout as I wasn’t used to the effort of my foot supporting me. Now wearing conventional boots is the workout
What leather is Jay's boots made of?
Have Jim Green make foot-shaped boots please. Great review!
I’d say the boot they just reviewed is shaped like 90% of feet I’ve ever seen lol. Most people don’t have duck feet
The feet you've seen have been shaped by shoes that taper towards the tip.
@@bawla I’m totally into barefoot shoes/boots and foot health and against traditional cushioned pointy shoes. But be honest, don’t you think most of the shoes are ridiculously duck foot shaped?
I like the Jim greens because they’re more reasonably shaped. We should be barefoot more but when we wear boots they should have a measure of support. Just frustrating when everything is so extreme
@@Jared-Kreate Why would you want to restrict toe splay?
The Jim Green custom shop is where you want to go. Choose the last you want, the leather, sole, lacing and whether you want them double or single lasted. Just got my custom single lasted AR8's in rough out leather on the STC last.
Do they make steel toe
Are there any plans to produce these in a US 15?
Please make boot breakers for larger size feet over size 13 please. My new size 13 1/2 Jim Green Numzaan boots need them please.
WHOA no way I know what base 12 is!
If I order a custom ar8 with a steel toe barefoot last and the barefoot anvil sole does that essentially turn into a barefoot steel toe or are there other aspects of the ar8 that will make it not barefoot
I think to help your planter fasciitis you need to train you feet, keep wearing the insole but train your feet (search barefoot training). but after 6 months of every day training try to remove the insole for couple of hours in a day and test things out.
@RoseAnvil2 Can someone tell me if these are a bit more shallow over the top of the foot than the Barefoot African Rangers? I have a long narrow foot with a low instep (size 12.5) in BAF but because of the shape of my foot the BAF had way too much material over the top of my foot to the point I could pull the leather together with the laces and the boot was still not tight over my instep. If the Barefoot African Trooper has less (lower/flatter) material over the top of the foot I'd pre-order them today. I hate the idea of preordering them only to find out in December that they won't work either and I have to send them back as well. Any help about this would be greatly appreciated.
these work boots protective toe box?
for the top lace hooks could this be fully enclosed?
I also have plantar fasciitis and have to walk a lot at work. Anyone got some tips?
Heels don't provide arch support. Only actual arch support does.
Make the toe box WIDER on the outside. My pinky toes don’t have enough room.
Yoga and zero drop and my plantar fasciitis went away
I still like my whites out of all my boots for some reason they feel good after a 10-12 hour day. Im a retired electrician, but still go at er.
Any chance at making women's sizes any time soon? I bought the smallest size available and it was still too big. But I really liked them. Women's sizes, a bit of inclusivity would be appreciated.
I got my girlfriend Jim green ranger (not a barefoot sole) in the classic brown and just sized down according to an online chart. She got another pair(green nubuck) because she liked em so much. My advice is to measure out your feet length in cm or in and get the pair you want!
@@Yoshikaable Thank yyou for the suggestion. I am currently solely buying barefoot shoes, I thought these ones were really nice.
@@Sophienaut that sounds great, I'm sure these will be comfortable for you
@@Yoshikaable They were too large. Oh well.
A heel spoiler???😂😂😂
Barefoot shoes do fix plantar faciatis.. if you need arch support you need to lose weight.
😅
🐱
Sometimes envy comes out in bad behavior. I forgive y'all. Not everyone can be as great as an electrician.
Sole on the barefoot ranger lasted me about 30 days of wear over 90 days. Very comfy. Horrible wear.