After looking for a considerable amount of time for a boot I could use casually and more actively I somehow or another stumbled upon a review of the Jim Green Rangers. The look caught my attention straight away, a less traditionally heeled boot was what I didn't know I was looking for, but I knew once I saw it I definitely knew.
I looked around for a seller, which was not as easy as one would imagine living in the UK. I found Latelier Monsieur and found they were the European distributor for Jim Green. My order shipped shortly after the shipping date and, though there was a snag in customs (not due to the fault of Latelier Monsieur), the boots arrived a week or so later.
I had emailed a few times during the waiting period and the staff were quick to respond, never waiting longer than 24hrs for a response. Additionally when I faced issues with customs I brought it to the attention of Latelier Monsieur who immediately offered remedies to the situation if it was necessary. Fortunately the HMRC agent was mistaken and the customs charge was removed, happy days!
The boots themselves are incredible, and everything I had expected. I decided to purchase some SUPERfeet insoles at the behest of some reviewers I had watched videos of. Though I myself didn't find the standard insole too hard for my feet my partner said she thought they would be tough on her feet if she was on them for long periods of time. Once I put the insoles in she quickly changed her tune and thought the boot as incredible as I did. So perhaps if you're standing or walking a lot wearing these, and you traditionally have softer insoles, a good quality insole might be worth factoring into the cost.
I've only had them a month so have not really put them through their paces. I walk to work but do not work on my feet professionally, meaning I put about 5 miles a day on them from my work commute, being out and about operating in life has probably added some mileage too.
The breaking in period was about 10-15 or so miles of walking if I had to guess, but even with the typical rubbing you expect from a new boot they were not uncomfortable at any point during the break in period. Perhaps carry a bandage/plaster with you if you're sensitive to chafing. For me the chafe point was around the rear of the cuff and nowhere else. I opted for the Buffalo leather option and have read that this is slightly tougher with a slightly longer break in period, so it may vary. I will say I've had more issues breaking in pairs of trainers than I did with these boots, maybe I was lucky though!
I would consider them thoroughly broken in at this point and can say they are my favourite boots without question, likely my favourite shoe too. Though my current selection of boots is limited I have owned a variety of boots in the past. These are sturdy but very comfortable, for me they are a real game changer in my day to day.
I've only owned 1 pair of boots that were more expensive, so my experience with heritage boots is limited, but I would say these are the best value for money boots or even shoes that I've purchased.
I've only experience two rainy days in them, they held up as you would expect any leather boot to hold up, but did dry remarkably quickly.
I absolutely cannot wait to build a truly beautiful patina on them.
