Jim Green Boot Rub Conundrum...help please

[Hooked Now]

Hi all,

Im several months into my break in on my Jim Greens. Not wearing them 24/7, but taking longer hikes and wearing them around for chores. So here's the rub...literally. Right boot fits like a glove. Left boot gives me a terrible blister every time right at the bottom of my heel. So sort of horizontal across the bottom. I have the insoles that ASC sells (picked them up at DSC in Atlanta) but I got the same heel rub with squishy insoles too. Have tried moleskin and I still get rubs. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

['68boy]

Have someone else try them for a couple of days if they get blistered send the boots back. Boots are hard to make and you may have one that is a fit variant that simply can’t be broken in. They cost too much to just tolerate and hope. Good luck.

 

[Paul K]

You might try taking them to a cobbler and having them stretch the left boot a little. I have soaked a miss fitting boot in water, then wear it till it dries, sometimes that works. If there is some stichting inside where your heal rides your out of luck.

Paul

 

[samson7x]

Yeah, does it appear any different on the inside? Since they are handmade, there seems to be a bit of variance. Initially my right boot fit better than my left and took quite a bit of break in for me.

 

[Russ16]

I'm in a similar boat. I love my Jim Greens on short walks and hikes and around the house. However, I've done two longer 8-10 mile treks in them. Both times I wound up with bad blisters under the ball of my feet. The second of these was yesterday and I tried different socks than the first time. It seems like they are great until about mile 6 and then the blister just suddenly pops up. I don't know if it is too much room in the toe box or what.

My feet are pretty tender today.

 

[Paul K]

Your right foot is a little larger than your left foot, so i have been told. And it seems to me to be correct, for me anyways.

Paul

 

[pilar]

I’m diabetic and wear JG Rangers ( buffalo hide ) I only wear them with a natural fiber ( merino, alpaca, Yak ) hiking socks with a padded hiking foot, you might try a pair of under socks ( silk , poly ) made for blister control.
Cotton socks are a death wish for me

 

[revturbo9967]

I’m a month on my first pair and they aren’t the most comfortable boot, that’s for sure. I’m going to try different socks and see how it goes before contacting them

 

[Rare Breed]

Hi all,

Im several months into my break in on my Jim Greens. Not wearing them 24/7, but taking longer hikes and wearing them around for chores. So here's the rub...literally. Right boot fits like a glove. Left boot gives me a terrible blister every time right at the bottom of my heel. So sort of horizontal across the bottom. I have the insoles that ASC sells (picked them up at DSC in Atlanta) but I got the same heel rub with squishy insoles too. Have tried moleskin and I still get rubs. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I would buy the orthotic inserts that work for you. In my case I buy a high arch one. Second I would get saddle soap and coat the boot heavily let sit overnight then wear all day. Coat overnight like this then wear next day for five days. Even Courtney’s fit perfectly after these two things

 

[Nicaburns]

You may want to try the Rose Anvil boot breaker insoles. My fudge nubuck ones broke in great but my bronco leather took a bit more break in.

 

[Gerty]

Exact same thing with me and Jim Green Razorbacks. I bought them after getting a pair of Rangers that fit perfectly. The Razorbacks: Brutal !! Right one: no issues. Left: horrible rubbing on my heel. I broke them in slowly. Good socks. Good "Sole" inserts. Leather softner. Boot stretcher. Nothing could stop the rubbing in the rear heel. I gave up on them. Best of luck.

 

[Hooked Now]

You guys are the best. Lots of good advice here. I can't abandon course given my trip leaves on May 12. I have to stick it out with these JGs. We have a horse farm so thankfully my assorted collection of leather care supplies is pretty extensive. I think Im going to go the fully wet leather and wear them dry technique and adjust my socking situation. If that doesn't work I will just hunt in comfy Crocs. I will report back with my results.

 

['68boy]

It’s not just JGs. My right Courtney from African specialties was horrible. After multiple hot spots I took it to local cobbler and he stretched the areas so they are tolerable but still not as comfortable as a pair of $175 red heads from bass pro. I think the implication that you have to have JGs or Courtney’s is bullshit. Last time I went my PH wore shorts and sneakers (like converse chuck taylors). I think seriously that most of us are too eaten up on brand names and don’t want to be ridiculed or looked down on. It won’t happen. You will secretly be admired.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi all,

Im several months into my break in on my Jim Greens. Not wearing them 24/7, but taking longer hikes and wearing them around for chores. So here's the rub...literally. Right boot fits like a glove. Left boot gives me a terrible blister every time right at the bottom of my heel. So sort of horizontal across the bottom. I have the insoles that ASC sells (picked them up at DSC in Atlanta) but I got the same heel rub with squishy insoles too. Have tried moleskin and I still get rubs. Any thoughts or suggestions?

What socks do you wear? I only wear wool socks.

 

[Rumrunner]

My African Rangers have fit great since I first started wearing them. No hot spots at all.
I have had other boots that rubbed me wrong and developed blisters and hot spots. I usually put a nice thick band aid over the hot spots. This protects my foot and helps break in the boot. A pair of Merino wool socks helps in the process.

 

[Altitude sickness]

If I am reading your complaint correctly. You are getting a hot spot low on the back of your heel.

That is common if your boot is allowing the heel to move up and down. Your heel needs to be locked into the boot. Your foot should never move around inside a hiking boot

 

[MacJenkins]

Life is too short. Move on to a better shoe/boot that fits you. Good lord guys.

 

[Cam300]

Life is too short. Move on to a better shoe/boot that fits you. Good lord guys.

Agreed. This goes for both JG and Courteneys. If it takes 6 months, 10 rounds of conditioning, 300 painful miles, and orthotics for a boot to stop hurting you, you’ve got a bad boot. I gave up on them - there are quiet and durable boots from other manufacturers.

 

[Bandera]

I don’t believe in buying uncomfortable footwear. It it is not comfortable when I try it on it is a no go. This breaking in a shoe or boot is BS. You are going to buy an uncomfortable ill fitting boot and make it fit your foot. What could go wrong?

Socks, wear a decent sock, Darn Tough, Smart Wool etc. Cabelas wool socks and the like are crap. They maybe wool or a wool blend but are crap socks. Your feet will get sweaty in crap socks and blister.

 

[Russ16]

I don’t believe in buying uncomfortable footwear. It it is not comfortable when I try it on it is a no go. This breaking in a shoe or boot is BS. You are going to buy an uncomfortable ill fitting boot and make it fit your foot. What could go wrong?

Socks, wear a decent sock, Darn Tough, Smart Wool etc. Cabelas wool socks and the like are crap. They maybe wool or a wool blend but are crap socks. Your feet will get sweaty in crap socks and blister.

Some people must have more difficult feet to fit. I've never had a shoe or boot of any type that didn't require some break in. Some give blisters, some are just uncomfortable for a while. Crispi, Russell, Asics, FootJoy, Allen Edmonds, Justin, Lucchese, they've all required some break in and almost every one of those brands as given me at least a little blister at some point.

And I wear good socks. Smartwool historically, although trying out Darn Tough the last couple of years. Usually with liners in hunting/hiking boots. Swiftwick for a my athletic and golf shoes.

I just have a foot that's hard to fit.