Whenever I sit down to review a product, be it boots, bags, or jackets, my general goal is to communicate not only how something is built, but also, how that object makes you feel.
But in the case of the Jim Green African Ranger Boot, all of the stories, style, and intentions, as genuine and important as they may be, comes in a distant second to the fact that these boots have a job to do. And that job is really, really hard, and really, really important.
The African Ranger Boot is what can be described as a field, work, or general utility boot, entirely manufactured in South Africa of materials from South Africa.
In South Africa, Jim Green Footwear started in the early 90’s as a family shoe making business and has grown into one of the most well-known and well respected bootmakers around.
These Rangers are tasked with the maintenance, preservation, and safeguarding of wildlife and wilderness preserves across over 26 countries in Africa.
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This includes everything from caring for the land itself and monitoring for invasive plant species, maintaining roads and trails, managing wildlife populations, and protecting wildlife from poachers. That’s where Jim Green comes in.
Jim Green started out of a back-yard garage in 1992, and has grown to be one of South Africa's favorite adventure and workwear footwear brands today.
Jim Green source all the components locally and everything is hand crafted to ensure that their boots are tough, rugged, and able to go the distance.
Situated in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Jim Green boots have been made the same way since day one.
They have a heritage of making durable comfortable footwear that is famous for its never say die attitude and respected by many.
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The Jim Green Mission
We are excited to add Jim Green boots to the Outpost's offering because of their commitment to support The Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) and the Rangers who are on the front line of the conservation areas. For every 10 pairs of African Ranger boots sold, they donate a pair to a Ranger. How great is that?
Additionally, Jim Green boots check all the boxes - handcrafted, durable, functional, and comfortable.
Two of their most iconic boots, African Ranger and Stockman, are in stock now.
For many of my American peers, their first brush with the vast, enigmatic expanse of Africa came through the colorful pages of National Geographic Kids or the captivating scenes of Disney’s The Lion King.
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My introduction, however, was far from this conventional path.
At the foot of the Blue Mountains in rural Oregon, where I grew up, books on Africa were as rare as a polar bear in a desert.
But my insatiable curiosity about these lions could not be helped so I begged, borrowed, and stole my way to a bookstore two towns over.
Sensing my genuine interest, the introspective owner went out of her way to find and order the book for me.
That act of kindness left an indelible mark. Since then, I’ve always had a version of that book with me, it reminds me to appreciate life’s intricate tales.
At fifteen, I was captivated by Ron Reid Daily’s book “Top Secret War” on the Selous Scouts. It’s unusual for an American teen to be drawn to a Rhodesian Pseudo Operations Unit, but I was.
Now in my thirties, I stand on Kenya’s red soil. Not as a sightseeing tourist, but training Kenya’s elite Anti-Poaching Rangers for the Wildlife Service.
Passionate about conservation and deeply against poaching, this opportunity aligned perfectly with my values.
As a reconnaissance soldier and sniper, the right footwear was paramount. I carry that sentiment forward with all foot-supported adventures.
While I had suitable boots for my trip, I sought something with a deeper story and purpose. That’s when I discovered Jim Green Footwear.
Beyond their style, their mission resonated with me: For every ten pairs of African Rangers sold, they donate a pair to a Ranger in need.
It’s a perfect way to back these phenomenal conservationists. And these boots? Comfortable from day one.
In Tsavo, my days were long, often clocking ten hours on the range training Rangers in marksmanship, followed by night patrols so that I could really understand what they go through.
That’s nearly 18 hours daily in these boots, yet they never faltered. Whether standing, patrolling, or running, they remained comfortable.
My feet are wide, and most boots I use are European and narrow, making it hard for them to remain in a natural position-often causing pain and numbness.
Conversely, my African Rangers have a wide toe box, allowing my feet to flex and move naturally. Throughout meetings with Generals, Embassy staff, and partners in the country, I never had a second thought that my African Rangers were out of their element.
Make no mistake these are built for the bush but damn if they don’t look good in an office too.
With over fifteen years of experience in boots - from deployments and rugged terrains to hunting and mountaineering - I can vouch for these boots in hot climates.
Their resilience is unmatched, a crucial trait in my line of work. That’s significant.
Jim Green’s African Rangers were ideal for this journey: They are lightweight, comfy, and tick the rule number one’s box- Always look cool.
The Design and Construction
The African Ranger Boots are made in a simple, utilitarian manner, minimizing unnecessary cost where possible, without sacrificing the physical integrity of the boot.
The midsole is comprised of a synthetic fibrous material which has a similar sort of feel to a hard veg tan leather, but is nowhere near as expensive.
The sole is a relatively soft, but fairly grippy, ridged wedge sole, which is attached via stitchdown construction that allows the boot to be resoled and offers superior water resistance to a Goodyear welted boot.
As for comfort and fit, This is where the African Ranger really differentiates itself from other boots: the toe box is wide.
Really wide. To the point where it’s downright bulbous in appearance.
It’s kind of weird. And kind of ugly.
You see, when you first put your foot into the boot, the sides of the vamp hold your foot nice and firmly, giving you a fair amount of security.
But the toe box allows you to really stretch out. It’s kind of weird. And kind of ugly.
It’s a polarizing design choice among a few polarizing design choices.
Some people are going to like it, some people won’t. The closest thing I can compare it to is sort of like if you took a skate shoe and turned it into a boot.
Again, kind of weird. As with all well-made boots, the stiffness, density, and quality of the leather is inversely proportional to how comfy they are at first. But with some regular wear they break in just fine.
In terms of sizing, it’s very straightforward. I’m a 9D on a Brannock exactly, and the 9 fits perfectly. No creeping doubt or weird pressure points or spots where I hope it’ll break in to accommodate. Open boot, insert foot.
The only caveat is the insert. It’s crap. First thing you should do when you buy these (and you probably should buy them) is go and get a better insert.
Do I wish they had a leather heel counter? Sure. That would make them more expensive.
Do I wish there was a slightly more robust insole? Sure. Again, more expensive.
