I'm obsessed with the African ranger boot. I love this company and what they do and stand for. Helping rangers in return is helping animals. I need a pair of rangers in my life. Love Jim Green 👍🏻👍🏾
Excellent demo! I live in Belgium, and managed to buy my rangers and vellies from a reseller in Germany. I must say I will never buy chukka boots/vellies from other brands :)
Just got my pair the other day .. I’m not far from nyc .. just wAterproofed my Rangers .. excellent boots .. my brother in law even bought a pair after seeing mine .
@@Robin6512 In Germany that would be "L´Atelier Monsieur" in Düsseldorf, they run the the german Jim Green Website and offer them on their own site as well
If you have new African Rangers and do not want to discolor them, you can use a nubuck/suede waterproofer spray to waterproof the boots as well and most of them will not discolor the leather at all. You will have to reapply periodically but that is even the case with beeswax.
I live in Minnesota, US. We’ve had a lot of snow and just last night had rain turning into ice everywhere. I’ve only had the Ranger boots for 2 weeks now, but they did very well on the ice, and so far in the snow, no issues.
Apply saddle soap with a medium size horsehair dauber. The brush you used is better suited to buffing or brushing dirt off. Applying the Smith's with your bare fingers is the best method. I agree with melting the balm in with a hairdryer. This allows the balm to penetrate the leather instead of just being a surface treatment.
I used a boot cream on my African Rangers that uses beeswax, mink oil and pine tar. The mink oil changes the color dramatically of course, but I’m ok with that, these boots have a job to do. Light, steady rain came while I had to work outdoors on the range that morning. I expected my feet to get wet within 30 minutes, but after two hours getting in and out of the truck, they were just starting to get damp inside, not much worse than usual from just having my feet inside. I would say their dampness level was about equal to my waterproof boots that don’t breath well. My waterproof boots would only win in worse conditions.
Thanks for sharing. Bought a pair this weekend. After applying a wax based conditioner like what you used, I apply enough heat via heat gun to melt the wax, so it wicks into the stitches and leather.
In the northern half of the US a product called sno-seal is usually held in pretty high regard, I tried using a cheap generic beeswax coating and it was so ineffective I ended up removing it with saddle soap, all it was doing was making the leather breath less not preventing water from soaking in, I'm wondering if this might be due to the sanded crazy horse leather not having the smoothest, very top layer of the grain to repel water. Either way unless they're completely swamped some good wool socks keep my feet warm and feeling dry, and those only fit comfortably thanks to the extra room granted by the toe box. As long as the quality and fit stays consistent I'll be a Jim green customer for life.
Sno- seal does work well. I used to have a pair of engineer boots that weren't waterproof, but I liberally applied Sno-seal and able to walk through and actually stand in ice water and slush for several minutes with Mary a leak. Good stuff. I live in Chicago, so we do get some lousy weather.
I've had a pair of these for only about two weeks now, when in "like new" condition they are still doing fine in wet grass which is the worst our winter throughs at us in Florida, for swamps I wear porous scuba diving shoes. Breaking the boots in wasn't that bad, the worst part was the insole starting off frim. Looking forward to aging these boots to my feet.
I love both pairs of African Rangers that I have. Nice video. Always look forward to seeing your informative videos. Thank you. Hello from Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Great video! A few weeks ago, I prepared my African Ranger boots for winter by applying a good coat of beeswax. I did not need to do any preparation because my boots are new 😀
I gave my Rangers this treatment right after I got them, since I live in Florida and it's always wet. I can confirm, they shed rain and puddles like a duck.
If you apply beeswax or some similar waterproofer like he did and don't wipe the excess off, you can throw it in the oven at the lowest setting. Melt all that in. Pull them out. And even while they're warm work even more into the leather, it'll really soak a lot in. For whatever it's worth this comes from Michigan winters
My preferred method of applying leather care products is to use my fingers. No waste and you can work the product into the leather with the heat from your hand helping the absorption. I like Sno Seal, been using it for decades, and it helps chapped hands, too!
Have you ever considered making a horse riding boot? (Are there African Mounted Rangers?) A riding boot that allows natural toe alignment & foot function?
Just bought a pair of rangers probably getting the razorback too I deliver mail and go through shoes like crazy. Concrete is the shoe eater extraordinaire
Love the vid! How do you prevent the midsole from absorbing moisture? I have tried treating with mink oil and bees wax and still get wet feet when walking through wet grass.
Great video Gareth! I live in Salt Lake City, and use the smiths leather balm on my rangers. You were right, it works wonders with the snow, thank you for the recommendation! may I ask where you’ll be visiting in this area? I’d love to meet you and give you some of my pottery as a thank you for all the help I’ve gotten from you personally.
Hi James, glad to hear the leather balm is doing the job for those wetter conditions. We shall be attending the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, please do pass by if you are in the area would be great to meet 💪💪
Best conditioner I have ever found (and nobody ever talks about) is simply rubbing beef tallo into the leather. It totally waterproofs the boots and is the best conditioner I have ever used...and it's all natural!
Hey There! I am currently saving up to get some African Rangers. My first priority is to get a pair of black AR8s, but I also like the look of the original African Rangers in black, or the Buffalo leather ones. I was wondering if you have any plans to make an AR8 with a cap-toe. Thanks!
Good day and thank you for your interest. We do offer custom boot orders and what you mention above can be completed as a custom order. Please do get in touch should you have any further questions and we can assist further from their with the order 💪
So I just got my first pair of African rangers, only wore them for 1 day in the store I run. Unfortunately, it's currently the rainy season in Illinois, where I live. Do I need to clean them with saddle soap before I waterproof them since they're brand new? Thanks in advance!
Later this year we may look at adding a premium version of it to the range as a stock item. For now you can order under our custom made boots option and requests the specs as you like
I have a pair of African rangers that are only a month old. I live in a wet environment. Should I go ahead and do this to them even though they’re not broken in yet?
I am wearing my Jim greens right now. They are the barefoot version and I love them. Best must comfortable shoes I have ever had. By the way have you ever thought about making a goodyear welted version of your shoes. The only reason I ask if I noticed the a lot of cobbles will only resole good year welted shoes or boots. They will not work on anything else.
Hi Benjamin, thank you for your interest in Jim Green Footwear. Unfortunately, our Shoellie boot will not be available for Christmas, we are aiming for an early 2023 release for the boot 💪
@@barefootbob1269 I am not under the impression that Smith's sells internationally. Jim Green is making inroads in America, although they are hardly well know here.
@@stevenroche9874 I can't say what their sales practices are but a buddy of mine gets it sent to Canada so I am only guessing they send else where. Happy holidays.
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial Gareth, if you really want to waterproof and condition your boots, I would use Scarpa HS12 Cream. It is made by Fenice in Italy. I have many of these products ( including Smith's ) and this is definitely a great one ! You should be able to buy it in South Africa. Best regards.
Clean with saddle soap. Oil with neatsfoot or mink oil. Then layers of wax paste polish. Oil and water don't mix. Water cannot penetrate a leather boot saturated with oil. Before each shift, and after each shift, I apply a layer of shoe polish and buff with a brush. Over time, all of those layers build up to protect the leather. Layers of wax paste creates a barrier, which beads off water.
For those who own the ranger boots, since these have wide toe boxes similar to Keens, do you need to size down 1/2 size? I normally wear a 10-1/2 US. thanks!
Nice result! Would heating up the shoes with a hair dryer after the wax improve the water resistance or would it just melt away and not be as effective?
@@hawkevick9184 That is FALSE. It is recommended to heat up shoes with a hair dryer when applying beeswax. It DOES NOT damage leather. Do not answer if you do not know the correct information.
Heating up the shoes with a hair dryer during the process works best to allow the wax to get in the leather pours better. The wax will discolor the leather but will protect it, it's also not permanent so regular applications are needed.
Hi Vu, we do not recommend using artificial or exposing your boot to extreme heats. This can delaminate the properties of the leather and cause damage to the boot 🥾🐸
I just got these. One thing I don't see enough people mention is that the feature of keeping your steps quiet works well. People have accused me of sneaking up on them and I'm just walking normally. LOL
😂, that is the beauty of the Oringo Wedge sole! Can get through the bush with no trace and some might even say it works wonders for sneaking out the office 😜 All the best for the adventures ahead 💪🐸
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial Thanks. Love em' so much I ordered the barefoot ones, probably will get the OG's in black too. Been looking for boots that can last and everything I've seen says these are it.
Those won’t work in my state where we get feet of snow. Rubber bottoms are recommended, leather uppers are ok, but will also get wet if you are out in the elements for hours.
I don't wear mine when I'm tramping through deep snow while shoveling or something, but once it's cleaned up I wear them to go out and about. I don't mind them getting wet, but I don't want to be standing in snow In them either. I wear my insulated Bean boots that I've had forever for stuff like that, and they handle it like a champ
I also have very narrow feet and got myself a pair of African Rangers. They fit perfectly around my feet, took me 2 days to break them in. By far the most comfortable pair of leather shoes I got. Hope this will help you with your decision
this guy is the ceo, i dont know any other ceo that would take the time to do this themselves, i really like him, down to earth kind of guy
I'm obsessed with the African ranger boot. I love this company and what they do and stand for. Helping rangers in return is helping animals. I need a pair of rangers in my life. Love Jim Green 👍🏻👍🏾
Excellent demo! I live in Belgium, and managed to buy my rangers and vellies from a reseller in Germany. I must say I will never buy chukka boots/vellies from other brands :)
Thanks for the kind words Patrick. Enjoy the Jim Green journey ahead🐸
Just got my pair the other day .. I’m not far from nyc .. just wAterproofed my Rangers .. excellent boots .. my brother in law even bought a pair after seeing mine .
Can you give me the name of this reseller?
@@Robin6512 In Germany that would be "L´Atelier Monsieur" in Düsseldorf, they run the the german Jim Green Website and offer them on their own site as well
@@JTC-go3kgwhich waterproofing did you go with? How has it held up?
If you have new African Rangers and do not want to discolor them, you can use a nubuck/suede waterproofer spray to waterproof the boots as well and most of them will not discolor the leather at all. You will have to reapply periodically but that is even the case with beeswax.
Good day. This is correct, we have covered this method in our previous cleaning tutorial video for our Crazy Horse Leather 💪
To make these really water proof I use obenaufs and then rub a bar of beeswax into the threads of the welt and work it all in by hand.
I live in Minnesota, US. We’ve had a lot of snow and just last night had rain turning into ice everywhere. I’ve only had the Ranger boots for 2 weeks now, but they did very well on the ice, and so far in the snow, no issues.
I also live in Minnesota. Do you have the crazy horse/fudge or the brown leather?
@@MatadorianGray i have the brown leather. I'm still not sure about the green laces, but i haven't changed them yet.
Did you treat it with anything before exposing it to snow?
I live in MN too! Nice to know these boots get the job done in wet, snowy conditions. 😁
Boots can look very different. I did this once to my light tan shoes and people loved my new shoes.
Apply saddle soap with a medium size horsehair dauber. The brush you used is better suited to buffing or brushing dirt off. Applying the Smith's with your bare fingers is the best method. I agree with melting the balm in with a hairdryer. This allows the balm to penetrate the leather instead of just being a surface treatment.
I used a boot cream on my African Rangers that uses beeswax, mink oil and pine tar. The mink oil changes the color dramatically of course, but I’m ok with that, these boots have a job to do. Light, steady rain came while I had to work outdoors on the range that morning. I expected my feet to get wet within 30 minutes, but after two hours getting in and out of the truck, they were just starting to get damp inside, not much worse than usual from just having my feet inside. I would say their dampness level was about equal to my waterproof boots that don’t breath well. My waterproof boots would only win in worse conditions.
Good day and thank you for the awesome words and feedback, enjoy the journey ahead with your boots and we are always happy to assist if needed 💪💪
Do your boots have the leather midsole?
protip: use sno-seal guys, USA-made and cheap, waterproofs leather long term (will darken a bit). Melt in with a heat gun on low or a hairdryer
Do you have a Pic of yours? Which leather were they?
@@mickiburger5704 mine are the dark pair, not rangers but the ironbacks
Thanks for sharing. Bought a pair this weekend. After applying a wax based conditioner like what you used, I apply enough heat via heat gun to melt the wax, so it wicks into the stitches and leather.
In the northern half of the US a product called sno-seal is usually held in pretty high regard, I tried using a cheap generic beeswax coating and it was so ineffective I ended up removing it with saddle soap, all it was doing was making the leather breath less not preventing water from soaking in, I'm wondering if this might be due to the sanded crazy horse leather not having the smoothest, very top layer of the grain to repel water. Either way unless they're completely swamped some good wool socks keep my feet warm and feeling dry, and those only fit comfortably thanks to the extra room granted by the toe box. As long as the quality and fit stays consistent I'll be a Jim green customer for life.
Sno- seal does work well. I used to have a pair of engineer boots that weren't waterproof, but I liberally applied Sno-seal and able to walk through and actually stand in ice water and slush for several minutes with Mary a leak. Good stuff. I live in Chicago, so we do get some lousy weather.
Yes! Sno-Seal is an old favorite in my family since decades ago. I so prefer good leather for the reasons displayed in this video :~)
Just got the green barefoot african rangers.
Broke them in walking a bit, now starting work today, last night i applied obenauf’s , they look great!
This is really helpful as I live in Salt Lake City and I just ordered some boots. I’m looking forward to trying them on!
I've had a pair of these for only about two weeks now, when in "like new" condition they are still doing fine in wet grass which is the worst our winter throughs at us in Florida, for swamps I wear porous scuba diving shoes. Breaking the boots in wasn't that bad, the worst part was the insole starting off frim. Looking forward to aging these boots to my feet.
Add a wool felt insole and they'll be cozy warm too!
I love both pairs of African Rangers that I have. Nice video. Always look forward to seeing your informative videos. Thank you.
Hello from Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Thanks for the Support Kenny, enjoy the weekend 💪
I’ve been proudly wearing my Razorbacks in Dallas for over a year now. Glad you’re getting to experience my city!
Vibram and Merrell have Arctic Grip outsoles that are excellent on ice. It would great to have that option on Jim Green boots.
Great video! A few weeks ago, I prepared my African Ranger boots for winter by applying a good coat of beeswax. I did not need to do any preparation because my boots are new 😀
As far as climate goes, America has got it all!
I'm in the Willamette Valley so, it's all about rain and wet grass. I like Otter Wax. Just bees wax and lanolin.
The Crazy Horse leather is my favorite. 🤩
just started with jim green. Love the boots and the company!
💪🐸
Cleaning a beat up pair of shoes is one of the most satisfying things……btw I love my ranger boots
It’s like you read my mind! I live in the rainy state of Oregon and was curious if I had done this process correctly. Great video thank you!
💪💪💪
How is the traction in the PNW wet?
@@ninemimesleft it’s pretty decent outside. I only noticed slight slipping when inside on a wet smooth surface.
@@SirBigChungus thanks! I think I'm gonna get a pair of these.
@@ninemimesleft awesome! I highly recommend it. I’ve already pre ordered my 2nd pair in the Buffalo skin
I like to buy full grain leather, as opposed to suede , nubuck, and roughout. Apply several coats of mink oil and wax paste shoe polish.
I gave my Rangers this treatment right after I got them, since I live in Florida and it's always wet. I can confirm, they shed rain and puddles like a duck.
💪💪
Oh, and I love the music in your videos!
If you apply beeswax or some similar waterproofer like he did and don't wipe the excess off, you can throw it in the oven at the lowest setting. Melt all that in. Pull them out. And even while they're warm work even more into the leather, it'll really soak a lot in. For whatever it's worth this comes from Michigan winters
A hair dryer does a good job of it too.
Do not put shoes in the oven ! Bad advice. Just use a heat gun or blow dryer
this was a great instruction video, I haven't used saddle soap before but now that i know, i am glad that i do
Man they had a nice petina! But they came out looking great after cleaning them! Nicely done!
My preferred method of applying leather care products is to use my fingers. No waste and you can work the product into the leather with the heat from your hand helping the absorption. I like Sno Seal, been using it for decades, and it helps chapped hands, too!
i like snow seal too, good stuf, last time i bough it, it would jot absorb into the leather, i think i got a bad batch
@MatthewSmith-cp3hu
Have you tried a little extra heat from a hair dryer?
Have you ever considered making a horse riding boot? (Are there African Mounted Rangers?) A riding boot that allows natural toe alignment & foot function?
ahhhh what style to pick!
All Set for the US! Hope your sojourn bears fruit. Happy Christmas Gareth.
Just bought a pair of rangers probably getting the razorback too I deliver mail and go through shoes like crazy. Concrete is the shoe eater extraordinaire
Enjoy your trip to the USA Gareth....
Which are better for 3 season walking/light hiking, the Razorbacks or the Rangers? To replace Altra Lone Peak/Xero Daylite hikers.
Love the vid! How do you prevent the midsole from absorbing moisture? I have tried treating with mink oil and bees wax and still get wet feet when walking through wet grass.
Great video Gareth! I live in Salt Lake City, and use the smiths leather balm on my rangers. You were right, it works wonders with the snow, thank you for the recommendation! may I ask where you’ll be visiting in this area? I’d love to meet you and give you some of my pottery as a thank you for all the help I’ve gotten from you personally.
Hi James, glad to hear the leather balm is doing the job for those wetter conditions. We shall be attending the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, please do pass by if you are in the area would be great to meet 💪💪
Loving mine, and looking forward to watching them grow old gracefully! Thank you, and go well.
Hi Nickolas, Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy the journey and patina ahead with your boots 💪
Best conditioner I have ever found (and nobody ever talks about) is simply rubbing beef tallo into the leather. It totally waterproofs the boots and is the best conditioner I have ever used...and it's all natural!
that does sound nice but animal fats will go rancid over time
i wonder how long it will take
If you guys made a waterproof version of this with the new sole on the baobabs I think it would be the perfect and ideal boot.
Waterproof boots are not perfect or ideal for arid climes
well done
Hey There! I am currently saving up to get some African Rangers. My first priority is to get a pair of black AR8s, but I also like the look of the original African Rangers in black, or the Buffalo leather ones. I was wondering if you have any plans to make an AR8 with a cap-toe. Thanks!
Good day and thank you for your interest. We do offer custom boot orders and what you mention above can be completed as a custom order. Please do get in touch should you have any further questions and we can assist further from their with the order 💪
So I just got my first pair of African rangers, only wore them for 1 day in the store I run. Unfortunately, it's currently the rainy season in Illinois, where I live. Do I need to clean them with saddle soap before I waterproof them since they're brand new? Thanks in advance!
Is the construction of the regular African Ranger going to be updated a bit like the Barefoot version?
Later this year we may look at adding a premium version of it to the range as a stock item.
For now you can order under our custom made boots option and requests the specs as you like
looks awesome
Hello 👋
Are these boots slip resistant?
Thanks
Can this same process be used on the new Jim Green x Rose Anvil Rugged Trooper boots? Thanks in advance.
I have a pair of African rangers that are only a month old. I live in a wet environment. Should I go ahead and do this to them even though they’re not broken in yet?
Go right ahead my friend. I used the smiths balm as per Gareths recommendation and mine are almost a month old.
@@jamesglover2251 🙏
I am wearing my Jim greens right now. They are the barefoot version and I love them. Best must comfortable shoes I have ever had. By the way have you ever thought about making a goodyear welted version of your shoes. The only reason I ask if I noticed the a lot of cobbles will only resole good year welted shoes or boots. They will not work on anything else.
These are easier to resolve than a Goodyear welted shoe. Just peel and stick, then trim the excess. So easy you could do it yourself.
*laughs in East coast Canadian winter*
Looks great!
Quick question: I wanted to ask if the shoelies would be available for Chrismas?
What the hell is a showlies!
Hi Benjamin, thank you for your interest in Jim Green Footwear. Unfortunately, our Shoellie boot will not be available for Christmas, we are aiming for an early 2023 release for the boot 💪
By the way, Gareth, where do you buy Smith's Leather Balm in South Africa ? It is made in York, Maine USA 🤔.
I bet the same way we buy south african made boots here in Maine!
@@barefootbob1269 I am not under the impression that Smith's sells internationally. Jim Green is making inroads in America, although they are hardly well know here.
@@stevenroche9874 I can't say what their sales practices are but a buddy of mine gets it sent to Canada so I am only guessing they send else where. Happy holidays.
Hi Steven, We placed our order through the official Smith's website. Due to the South African postal system there was quite a wait for the arrival 💪
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial Gareth, if you really want to waterproof and condition your boots, I would use Scarpa HS12 Cream. It is made by Fenice in Italy. I have many of these products ( including Smith's ) and this is definitely a great one ! You should be able to buy it in South Africa. Best regards.
Clean with saddle soap. Oil with neatsfoot or mink oil. Then layers of wax paste polish. Oil and water don't mix. Water cannot penetrate a leather boot saturated with oil. Before each shift, and after each shift, I apply a layer of shoe polish and buff with a brush. Over time, all of those layers build up to protect the leather. Layers of wax paste creates a barrier, which beads off water.
For those who own the ranger boots, since these have wide toe boxes similar to Keens, do you need to size down 1/2 size? I normally wear a 10-1/2 US. thanks!
Jimmy G doos it
Nice result! Would heating up the shoes with a hair dryer after the wax improve the water resistance or would it just melt away and not be as effective?
It would damage the leather. Don't do that.
@@hawkevick9184 That is FALSE. It is recommended to heat up shoes with a hair dryer when applying beeswax. It DOES NOT damage leather. Do not answer if you do not know the correct information.
Heating up the shoes with a hair dryer during the process works best to allow the wax to get in the leather pours better. The wax will discolor the leather but will protect it, it's also not permanent so regular applications are needed.
Hi Vu, we do not recommend using artificial or exposing your boot to extreme heats. This can delaminate the properties of the leather and cause damage to the boot 🥾🐸
@@akguy6539 read Gareth's Comment.
What saddle soap is that? Struggling to find good leather care products in SA (saddle soap and horsehair brushes)...
Please make them more easily available in Europe :)
Does the stitch over infront not hurt your small toe?
It did for me while they broke in but now I have no problem. Use moleskin patches while it breaks in and thick socks
💪
💪💪
I just got these. One thing I don't see enough people mention is that the feature of keeping your steps quiet works well. People have accused me of sneaking up on them and I'm just walking normally. LOL
😂, that is the beauty of the Oringo Wedge sole! Can get through the bush with no trace and some might even say it works wonders for sneaking out the office 😜 All the best for the adventures ahead 💪🐸
@@JimGreenFootwearOfficial Thanks. Love em' so much I ordered the barefoot ones, probably will get the OG's in black too. Been looking for boots that can last and everything I've seen says these are it.
👍
As a Dallas native, I don't think you needed all that to prep for our winter.
Comfy shoes but the toe box is so wide they look like clown shoes :/
Those won’t work in my state where we get feet of snow. Rubber bottoms are recommended, leather uppers are ok, but will also get wet if you are out in the elements for hours.
I don't wear mine when I'm tramping through deep snow while shoveling or something, but once it's cleaned up I wear them to go out and about. I don't mind them getting wet, but I don't want to be standing in snow In them either. I wear my insulated Bean boots that I've had forever for stuff like that, and they handle it like a champ
Really?.....Looks a little rough.
Would you recommend the African Ranger Boots to someone with narrow feet? Thanks in advance for your answer
I also have very narrow feet and got myself a pair of African Rangers. They fit perfectly around my feet, took me 2 days to break them in. By far the most comfortable pair of leather shoes I got. Hope this will help you with your decision
@jeffchesser4024 this is available from our custom boot builder - African Ranger with Ashley Men's Last ASHM Last Narrow last.
I want some so bad, might start a new job and don't know what their dresscode requires, color wise so i need to wait