Jim Green Boots- Help me decide

Wildwillalaska said:
Not trying to derail a Jim Green thread talking about Courteney…just a note about narrow feet. I’m a narrower foot as well, and upper side of 13 but narrow side of C. I can wear some 13D boots, if I do thicker socks or liner and regular sock, but still not awesome. The Courteney boots are cut pretty roomy to start with, and then Westley Richards and African Sporting Creations seem to order more stock in Wide than not. All WR boots are wide.

I’d reached out to Gale to get a better idea of sizing and she had me trace and measure my foot. I was asking them to make me a pair that fit well. She suggested waiting several months (this was in 2025) as they were finishing up design of a narrow last for folks such as myself.

They made me a couple pair that I picked up while in Zim back in April and some of the best fitting boots/shoes I’ve ever worn. I am typically wearing one pair or the other every single day since.

So there are some options out there for us narrower footed folk. Wouldn’t prove surprised if Jim Green didn’t have some narrow last options to build off as well.
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JG does actually offer a narrower last on their customs. It’s called the Ashley men’s last ASHM. I’ve thought about ordering a pair to try because I find their standard rangers a bit too wide. Customer support tells me the standard AR last is a 2E and the Ashley last is a true D, with a difference of 0.6cm toe box.
 
I wear the regular rangers with an arch. Perfect. Fortunately, I have an excellent arch in my feet so works excellent. If you have little to no arch, "flat footed" then I would think the barefoot model a better choice. Just conjecture on my part, based on common sense.
 
mhunts said:
I run the barefoot rangers just as they came without insoles, and really like them. The wide toe box is great if you have to contend with morton's neuroma. Anyone that doesn't know what that is, be thankful.
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The only time mine flares up is if I walk around bare-footed on the LVP in my house for a couple days. I don't find it particularly painful, more an annoyance. Since the missus cleans the house, she's a stickler for "no shoes" inside the house. I wear slides to walk around, but they rarely ever see the outside of the house.

I'm Eastern Orthodox, we have church at least 3x/week. Sunday's Divine Liturgy is officially 1000 - noon-ish, but pre-communion prayer starts at 0830, Orthros starts at 9. We stand, on a concrete floor, the entire time. My foot never bothers me. Wednesday and Saturday afternoons are Vespers, or Vespers and Small Compline. Again, standing, but only for about 45 - 60 minutes.

Morton's neuroma. What a strange condition.
 
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For walking in Africa I would wear the regular African Rangers. There is additional thickness to limit the thorn penetration. I’m afraid the barefoot thickness would not do much for thorns coming through to your foot.
I have 2 pair of African Rangers and they are extremely comfortable. I have no experience with barefoot boots.
 
Rumrunner said:
For walking in Africa I would wear the regular African Rangers. There is additional thickness to limit the thorn penetration. I’m afraid the barefoot thickness would not do much for thorns coming through to your foot.
I have 2 pair of African Rangers and they are extremely comfortable. I have no experience with barefoot boots.
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Cliff Gray on YouTube recently spoke about this and said he had no issues with thorns… I didn’t either though the did draw blood elsewhere! My PH was wearing Courtney’s and even my wife commented on how much quieter the JGs were.
 
Nicaburns said:
Cliff Gray on YouTube recently spoke about this and said he had no issues with thorns… I didn’t either though the did draw blood elsewhere! My PH was wearing Courtney’s and even my wife commented on how much quieter the JGs were.
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In 2024 I was in Limpopo near Lephalale wearing Keen boots. I had issues with thorns and the Keens have a fairly dense outsole. I’m heading back to Limpopo in 2027 and I will bring a multitool or a needle nose plier. For this trip I plan to wear African Rangers that have a Vibram sole.
Just my experience. YMMV
 
Rumrunner said:
In 2024 I was in Limpopo near Lephalale wearing Keen boots. I had issues with thorns and the Keens have a fairly dense outsole. I’m heading back to Limpopo in 2027 and I will bring a multitool or a needle nose plier. For this trip I plan to wear African Rangers that have a Vibram sole.
Just my experience. YMMV
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I found on Amazon stainless steel grind to fit inserts to stop thorns cost was 14.00 for the pair.I am going to use them in a pair of Clarks Desert boots with a crepe sole. Might be a good option in the JG bare foot boots
 
404Pruitt said:
Just ordered the original African Rangers in Fudge. FYI, if you are a member of GOVX they are 32% off for the AR's and 30% off for the barefoot AR's. You have to pay for shipping but still come out a lot cheaper than Amazon or the JG website. Hope this helps someone!
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It does, thank you. I had no idea they were on there when I bought a pair. I got the barefoot safety toe, which isn’t an option on govx, but my next pair may be the razorbacks and this saves a chunk. Much appreciated.
 
I bought a pair and they feel weird to me. Not much in the way of support it seems. I like my Courteney's alot better. Just my opinion.
 
I use the barefoot's. I have wide feet and the JG boots are WIDE!
 
Josh P said:
It does, thank you. I had no idea they were on there when I bought a pair. I got the barefoot safety toe, which isn’t an option on govx, but my next pair may be the razorbacks and this saves a chunk. Much appreciated.
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Glad I could help!
 
Just a quick update, I got mine in today. They are comfortable out of the box but I had a little heel slip with them. I tried different lacing techniques but that ended up putting too much pressure on the top of my feet. I just ordered some Superfeet green wide insoles and hopefully that will take care of the heel slip! If not, I will send them back and go down half a size. Other than the heel slip it really is a comfortable boot.
 
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