Jim Green
Razorback
Jim Green Footwear
I purchased this boot for a number of reasons, most of them utilitarian. I work in Arboriculture, which is a line of work that will make you chew through boots. I decided after my past experiences to go with Jim Green because I was impressed with all of the reviews and their business model, and for the price they were very competitive. I started by ordering a pair of stock Razorbacks, but when they arrived there was some damage that had happened at the warehouse. Instead of replacing them, Jim Green agreed to put the cost towards a custom boot. Still wanting a pair Razorback's, I decided to first switch the leather to their African Buffalo leather. I went with rough out because I needed it to be abrasion resistant. I also needed a safety toe. I was unaware they also had a composite option so I ended up with steel. They are not as cold as you think, I was able to wear them down to 20f comfortably. Lastly, I switched the fiber midsole to a leather one, which was a huge increase in comfort.
In addition to my brannock size, I was able to compare other customers experiences with other similar brands as well as consult with Jim Green directly regarding the fit. While there isn't a great deal of flexibility in their sizing, we were able to determine a pretty close size. I originally ordered an 11, but I'm a b width so they were quite large. I went with the 10.5 for the custom order and while it sacrificed some toe room, the width is pretty close. They aren't going to be exact like my Frank's, but they're extremely close.
It was excellent! As I stated above, I made a custom order in lieu of a warranty replacement. The customer service was extremely responsive and helpful. They could have easily had me send the old pair back or not offer a replacement, but they just let me roll the price into a custom build. The best part is that my boot was used as a custom boot of the week video, so I have a video of my exact boots going through production, the link is below. This was a pretty cool factor and I'm glad that the features I chose generated some excitement at the company that made them. Everyone at Jim Green from the owners to the factory workers had a hand in this pair, which is a fun story to have. I'd also like to add that I was able to get a custom pair of boots from South Africa to my door in three weeks to the day, which is amazing! https://youtu.be/N_pVfe7ASWg?si=AIe89kNQW4LEjuSH
My boots have been used exclusively for arboriculture in the Midwest. They are regularly used in ground and aerial lift operations, so they see their fair share of heavy equipment operation, mud, sawdust, all that fun stuff. Most days that I wear them they get exposed to moisture. I was able to wear them for outdoor work in the winter, provided the site was frozen.
At first the African Buffalo skin was rigid and somewhat dry to the touch. It came in a beige color with quite a bit of contrast between the smooth and rough out portions. Over time the boot has darkened significantly, due in part to an application of Obenaufs a couple months ago. My care routine involves brushing and wiping them down after each use. Once they're looking a little dry I scrub them down with saddle soap and treat them. Breaking them in was actually harder than my Frank's Ground Pounders. I've worn them hundreds of hours and I still haven't fully settled into them. Now the uppers have become quite supple, while the sole remains rigid as it should. Apart from a few stains, you can hardly tell they've been worn. There is minor noticeable wear on the soles, but I expect them to hold up a lot longer. They're incredibly resilient and every scratch buffs out easily. I think in the future I'll use Venetian Leather Balm to give it a waxed flesh appearance.
Typically I need a narrow boot. Jim Green boots run a little narrow in the heel but wide in the toe. This worked out because I was able to size down to get a narrower fit without smashing my toes. With an insole they're pretty close to the fit I have with my MTO Frank's on an HNW last. They're extremely comfortable. They're sturdy underfoot yet supple and flexible. Due to their low weight they feel more like sneakers than heavy work boots. Even with the steel toe they are nimble to work in. The construction of the tongue allows the boot to accommodate a wide range of foot types. It's quite comfortable even with thin socks and as such as quite breathable, allowing moisture to escape easily. Ultimately, I think there's a little more arch support than you'll get out of American boots in the same price range and if you upgrade to a leather midsole you'll end up exceeding the level of support offered by those brands. I was able to talk with customer service using my brannock and comparisons to other brands, And we quickly narrowed down a size. I would have liked a little more length but this was more forgiving than too much width.
It's a simple yet elegant design that is very sturdy. There are very few possible failure points on these boots, and the craftsmanship is impeccable. There isn't a flaw on either boot, and the welts are a perfect mirror. I think they look quite stylish for work boots and I really enjoy all of the components. The only thing I would change next time is switching the black skip sole for a natural one and maybe adding a toe cap to get a few more years out of them. After wearing them for the thunder dome, I was surprised at how similar to new they still are despite the drastic color changes. I love the way theyve developed. While it's not something Jim Green offers, I think I'll eventually resole these with a heel stack and I don't think you'll be able to buy a nicer work boot for the price.
It's definitely equivalent to the vibram version. It's very grippy yet rigid underfoot. It seems to be wearing out slightly faster than the black alternative, but it was advertised that way and it's what I expected and still really enjoy it. The color really complements the buffalo leather. The design works, I don't feel like calling it a vibram knockoff would be fair.
I really enjoy my Razorbacks. They've been very comfortable and they can take an absolute beating without getting a scratch. Upgrading to rough out buffalo leather easily triples the life of the boot over the stock version, which I own. I really appreciate having upgraded the midsole to leather. It's far less absorbent and way more comfortable under foot. I imagine if these were offered in stock they'd be very popular. I will absolutely order another pair if these ever wear out.