African Ranger – Leather Midsole – Bronco Brown

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Jay Sherman (verified owner) – June 18, 2026

   This was my first pair of Jim Green boots and I love them. Thanks to Rose Anvil for great review that informed me about Jim Green. The Bronco Brown leather just looks and feels beautiful, truly a gorgeous leather and combined with the boot styling gives a top end look it deserves. The boot itself did not take long to break in. I ordered a half size up since I knew i was putting a leather boot breaker and saddle sole insert (Rose Anvil) in the boots. They fit like a glove and are very comfortable. Yes, they are heavy with the 13 1/2 probably around 4lbs but you get used to it. I wore them on the motorcycle once. Even though they do cover the ankle the support is not there but the Tyre Wedge sole sticks like glue to my floorboards. I’m used to easily changing my foot position but did like the feeling that the wind was not going to move my feet.
   Would I purchase another pair, YES, without hesitation. I would like to try the barefoot version and even the AR8. My only problem with the barefoot is the low height in the tow box. With a messed up big toe I’m thinking would be a constant hot spot no matter how thick of sock I wear.
   If you’re on the fence about purchasing them just do it. You really won’t find a better boot for the price. There are plenty of great reviews on YT if you need more info.

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2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Eric Ossing – June 14, 2026

   First time buyer. I am a 64-year old US citizen living in Japan. Allow me to preface this review by saying that, it has been my life experience that no two shoe companies have the EXACT same size, and, no two feet are EXACTLY alike.
   I contacted JG as I was unable to order online through the US site. They promptly informed me to place the order directly through their South Africa site, and kindly provided the link. I then contacted them to express my concern that if I order a pair of African Ranger Bronco Brown boots and the size is slightly off, do they have any policy similar to the US/Europe where I can exchange them for a different size. Again, the reply was prompt and they politely mentioned that currently they do not allow exchanges for international purchases. This makes ordering a huge gamble. Unlike the US and Europe, with no free exchange/return policy there is a risk that the size may be slightly off and I would be stuck with a pair of boots that I can’t wear. I like to “try before I buy” so, I proceeded to check brands available here in Japan, Timberland, KEEN, LL Bean. However, nothing matched the African Ranger boots. I am old school, I like things made right that are simple, genuine materials, sturdy, with nominal maintenance/care will last a long time and can be repaired ( preferably by me). As my grandmother used to say “take care of it, and it will take care of you. I like that fact that JM are resolable, and genuine leather. I spent three weeks reading reviews on the African Ranger boots, particularly the size as I only had one chance to get it right. The Jim Green YouTube Chanel videos and Facebook page “Jim Green Enthusiast” were quite helpful. In the end I decided that there were no alternatives here in Japan that offered the same quality, functionality, style and value. So, I placed my order and, much to my embarrassment, realized afterwards that the sizes were in UK sizes! I had ordered the wrong size!!!! I immediately responded to the confirmation email I received, and, to be sure, also contacted JM sales. Melissa T. promptly responded and informed me she would make the amendment. Sales Rivalan P. also replied asking if I needed assistance. This response time and customer-care, despite it being my error, reassured me that I was going to receive a quality product; though still no guarantee that the size would be right. Took 10 days from time I placed my order until actual delivery. Much faster than expected. I was sweating bullets as to whether the boots would be a good fit. Here in Japan I normally wear between 25 and 26 depending on the shoe style and company. The JG Size Guide on the African Ranger boots lists 25cm as a UK size 7 and 26cm as UK size 8. I originally ordered UK size 7.5 and then changed the size to a size 7 as many reviews said the toebox is spacious and many people wished they had gone a half-size down from their usual size. The size 7 proved to be a perfect fit. I am very satisfied with the quality. I paid attention to training the tongue right from the first laceup. Many reviews recommended wearing them a little loose especially around the ankle, and that certainly was good advice. They broke in much faster than expected. The Bronco Brown is supposed to be a hard break-in, but not for me. As a former US Marine (1980-84), I had experience breaking in boots in the past. JG African Ranger Bronco Brown break-in was normal to lighter than expected. The boots are 5 star. The value, even with shipping DHL to Japan, is again 5 star.
   Feedback to JM:
   1. Hope to see a similar free-exchange policy as JG expands business to Asia.
   2. Would like to see veggie-tan Premium African Ranger boots
   3. Make the “UK” at the top of the sizing chart on the South Africa site a larger font, and highlight it or change he color so that it stands out more to avoid idiots like me who never knew a UK size existed from ordering the wrong size.
   4. Include the Bushcat in the customer order model selection.
   5. Consider making JG wooden shoe horns from locally sourced wood with the JG logo (here in Japan where we don’t wear shoes in the house we are putting shoes on and off several in not ten times a day.
   6. Thank you for your quality service and sales team who mirror your quality product.
   7. Keep the videos on JG YouTube coming, appreciate the information, often comparing and contrasting lasts, soles, leather types, model types. Help consumers like myself make an informed choice.

   Very satisfied customer in Japan.

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3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   dave.s117 (verified owner) – April 29, 2026

   I needed to replace all of my footwear when my doctor told me I have “old man feet” and needed wider shoes and boots. All of my shoes were causing pain on the outside after a couple of hours.

   These JG African Rangers are super comfortable. They caused me some pain around my ankles for the first week but are now broken in nicely. My foot pain is gone. I like them so much I am going to use them for my daily work boots and have already ordered a pair of Razorbacks to be my “dressy” boots.

   I love the fact they are resoleable. I have only used Bick-4 conditioner and spray mink oil on them to keep them looking nice, and neither alter the color.

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4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Steve B. – September 3, 2025

   JG size 12 footwear just fit my feet perfectly. I kit out my preferred insoles in all five pairs of my JG’s. Size 12 is my sneakers size and a half size up from my brannock size.

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5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   andy.marshall4640 (verified owner) – August 28, 2025

   I’ve been wearing these for over a month and wearing them in. Instant foot pain relief after months of dealing with excruciating pain at the end of the day. They are very heavy with the leather midsole, which I do also enjoy. By far the best boots I’ve every owned and I plan to wear daily for years to come!

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6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Eric (verified owner) – August 20, 2025

   I’m on my second day. The size is accurate, I wear a size 13D and these are the right length. The width is a bit strange for me, my heel has room to move but my toes are cramped. Both of my little toes are sore on the outside but no blisters or missing skin.
   The top of my right foot above where the big toe meets the foot is missing some skin from friction. Heels are also sore.
   I’m hoping continued wear will either make my foot tolerate the boots or the boots tolerate my foot.
   Overall I like the look a lot, I also like the heavy sole feel the boots have. It feels like I have something substantial on my foot.

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