Jim Green x Rose Anvil Rugged African Troopers - 2 Week Review

[@RoseAnvil]

Great review brother, thanks for the feedback I’m glad you like them!

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@mickymickmick6048]

Having come from a pair of Red Wing 877s, these are so much more comfortable out of the box. I love mine.

[@TheRealLOLExpress]

Awesome video bro, keep up the good work! I was gonna go for a pair of these, but ultimately, decided not to since I got the Drifter 3's and my Nick's. These look awesome! :)

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Thanks man! I appreciate the kind words. Definitely wish I had a pair of Nick's, maybe one day I'll get a pair and do a review on those like you :D

[@TheRealLOLExpress]

@@MichaelsNicheReviews Of course! Wish you the best man! Yeah, they're ridiculous on the price... But well worth it, in my opinion.

[@hanksouth2790]

Yeah I had some heel slip and ankle ball pain but once broken-in it’s probably my most comfortable boot because of Jim Green wide last.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

I agree, after being in a wide toe box, i don’t see myself ever going back haha

[@dc22193]

You could try squeezing your hand inside the boot with some sand paper and try smoothing it out. Or you could put some boot oil on your fingers and try oiling that spot just before you wear them all day. That may soften the leather enough to let your foot smash it down

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

That’s actually a great idea. I’m going to try that out and I’ll send you a comment on how it feels!

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@dc22193 I just sanded it down and it completely solved my problem! You’re a genius!

[@dc22193]

@MichaelsNicheReviews awesome!!! Very glad to hear it worked! Hope you can wear and be comfortable moving forward

[@jonathangibson6648]

I got the houston brown pair. Definitely experiencing the same heel slip that you mentioned.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Yeah, it’s a bit annoying. I wish they took a little material off the back to make them a little concave to hug the Achilles tendon a bit. I think that would help. They get better as you wear them though.

[@Leif3GHP]

I have heel slip in the JG Numzaan but not in the Ruggeds, and I figured it was because the Ruggeds were tall. So now I'm confused, haha.

[@zeeali2722]

This is a really nice, down to earth review, especially for layman like myself. Currently wearing a pair of Thursdays which I like but I'm wanting something more rugged, better leather and gusseted. I'm wanting to get these for general wear/ hiking and price to specs wise they seem like a really good deal especially for my minimum wage ass 😅

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@@zeeali2722 I tried to do my research and I think that for the leather and features, you get a really solid boot. Not having gussets was one of the reasons I didn’t go with Thursdays. My coworker likes them and recommends them though. One thing I wanted on the RATs was a steel toe, but it does everything else and it does it well. I’m happy with my purchase

[@None2Lose]

I purchased the Houston Blacks also and absolutely love them. I right away ordered the Black Shrunken Bison no show kilties from Rose Anvil too and they look awesome. My only decision when I got them was if I was gonna go smooth or rough out when I put on the kiltie. I went smooth and it took the Ruggeds to a whole new level. The first 2 days that I wore the boots, I took them off half way through after about 2.5 miles because the heel slip was definitely going to cause some blistering. I felt it more on my left heel. I'm a mailman so I'm on my feet all day. The next three days I wore them full route, over 9 miles per day. They're fully broken in, in under 2 weeks and love them. My only issue is the softness of the sole. Do they feel great with that little extra squish? Absolutely, and it's very noticeable. However, I'm already noticing the sole wearing away after 3 weeks now. I hope they last a solid year for me.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

That’s great to hear! I want to get some kilties too! I was looking at all black bisons. Glad to hear you like them so much. I agree, I’ve noticed the soles wearing in pretty quick, I do hope they last a full year though

[@minteailiketea6202]

I’ll tell you right now that lump is because they tucked the lining up under the second midsole/insole. If you remember it has two, the standard one that the upper is stitched through and the one on the inside the lining is tucked into. I was thinking about having some customs done like that but now I’ll just have it all flared out. The good news is it’s soft leather and should flatten out but I’d probably get an thick leather insole to help until it’s properly flattened out tbh

[@MrLlama999]

16:06 a cobbler could probable dye or add some black shoe wax over the brown insole.

[@mattmiller4866]

I have a pair in Houston brown that I am loving. They do however have a bit of a fishy smell. Anybody else have that issue/know what to do about it? I’ve only used them in pretty casual situations so far no hard work or sweat yet in case that matters.

[@MaliOsage]

I had some heel rub the 1st wk but no issues outside of that. Broke in pretty quick; I went true to size, added some personal touches for aesthetics & I love em.

[@TheWilderness333]

What got you past the heel rub? Did it just go away? Did you develop a callous? I have mine, love them, but on the boot I have developed a nasty blister on the my heel. I had the same with a different pair of Jim Green boots.

[@MaliOsage]

@ I also have the barefoot African trooper; no problems out of the box there. I typically wear thicker socks so it eased the pain some. No blister just a little tender. Rose Anvil said they added extra padding to the heel to avoid heel slip but seems it might’ve created another issue.

[@OldTrucksDangerTrikes]

Great video!

[@slugger777]

Is there a reason why you skipped some lacing holes on your one boot but not the other? On the sizes they do use UK sizes which is a size lower than the US size or something like that. Mine have been ordered thanks for the review

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

So I skipped lacing on one side purely for visual demonstration. I wear them now using all the eyelets on both shoes. The skip was just for the initial break in period to help my foot and to show where/how I decided to do it. Leather hurts lol. So they have the boots marked in EU sizing on the tongue, but you can purchase them in your standard brannock/US size and they account for the adjustment. Dont worry about trying to do any conversions for your size. Hope this helped!

[@PrezUSMC]

I got my pair size 10 Houston Brown a few weeks back(same size as my BFAR AND BFAT). These have been absolutely miserable. My right foot fits great but the left foot just keeps ripping up my heel. I can't wear them long enough to break in yet. Just to wear them I've got wear a large bandaid on my heel and a thicker sock

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

I feel you on that. It’s definitely a slog to break them in. I think I’m going to buy some conditioner and apply it on some hot spots. I’ll send you a comment to let you know how it goes for me. Best of luck!

[@PrezUSMC]

@MichaelsNicheReviews thanks man. Yeah I've broken in 2 pairs of Nick's and while they were a pain, they never ripped the skin off my heel. That alone makes these more of a pain

[@larryl4881]

12:00 min in do you have a shoulder hook massage device? What if you use it and rub it semi in and smooth it out. It may help I use mine for new shoes to help break it in before my adventures.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

That’s a great idea! I don’t have a shoulder hook, but I’ll try to find a tool similar and try that out. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@larryl4881]

@ np, I hope it works for you

[@ABD5667]

South Africa uses UK sizing . So a US 9.5 is a UK/RSA 8.5 I wouldn't expect them to be broken in in 2 weeks. Maybe try conditioning the inside including the leather lasting, might help with that bump by your toe

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

I like the way you think. I’ll try that out, thank you!

[@rudantu]

Might be able to sandpaper that leather lump down, then oil it to condition the midsole

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Excellent idea, I shall try that out!

[@jackhood4448]

What a legendary KZbin name. Michael. Haha

[@Ahhhimbored]

What kilties are you planning on getting. I wasnt originally planning on getting any because i dont know but i think it could be a decent investment. I was wondering if you had any ideas or recommendations. I have the Houston Black Troopers btw

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@Ahhhimbored I think they're a good investment. I can see the eyelet impressions on my gusset and I want to keep these boots in decent condition for as long as possible. I want to get their "Fringe Boot Kilties" in 8inch Black. They have the light brown undertones that will match the midsole and I think that would be a great look. If you are going to dye your midsole and go blacked out, I'd recommend the "Black Shrunken Bison" because those are blacked out through and bison leather is dope because it's softer so the "break in" on the kilties would probably be easier. Hope this helps!

[@Ahhhimbored]

@MichaelsNicheReviews yes it does. Thank you very much

[@Xithz]

Great video, thanks! Living in Sweden I won’t get my par until march 😅 Yeah the rough insole was a surprise to me when I received my barefoot rangers. On my red wings the insole is smooth and solid, the JG is rough and sort of soft? But it has worn in a nice inprint so I trust it

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@@Xithz hello Sweden!

[@Dubl3R]

Are they true to size? I'm exactly a 9.5 10 if something is tooo tight

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

If you are following your Brannock size, yes. I highly recommend going to a shoe store and getting your foot sized out or you can do the at home trick of tracing your foot on paper. Loads of video guides on this. Hope this helps :)

[@TheShyanblue]

The bump on the bottom would bother me! I like the aesthetic though! :)

[@JoeyArmegeddon]

Did we just become best friends? Ha ha- thanks for addressing the sizing. Im still waiting for my pair after sending them back- I’ll give an update when I get mine in January

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Woo! can't wait to see how you like 'em. Send me a comment or post a video so I can see! I'd love to hear what everybody who owns a pair thinks of them

[@cedarsenger7242]

What was your experience with the sizing?

[@JoeyArmegeddon]

@ I wear size 9 redwings and work boots. Size 10 sneakers - I ordered size 9 rugged troopers, figured I’d break them in. But they were way too tight - so I sent them back and ordered 9.5. I struggled to get my feet in, and took a very painful walk down my street and back, by the time I got home I had blisters on my heels- if it wasn’t freezing out I’d have walked home barefoot, it was that bad. Then after I took them off I saw an 8 on the inside tongue, and thought they sent me 8s. But I believe that is UK size8, the same as US size 9. I just hope the 9.5s are big enough

[@cedarsenger7242]

Thanks for the reply!

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@@cedarsenger7242 the sizing for me was spot on. I did the paper foot outline to measure my brannock size. When I wear thick wool socks it’s definitely snug, when I wear some regular crew socks it has smudge of wiggle room. I like my sizing though.

[@craigengelman1369]

get a set of keen k20 insoles they last me a whole year and im 280 pounds . then get snoseal for the leather that stuff works !!!

[@dbmail545]

Nice boots but not my cup of tea. North Florida is too wet for lined leather boots. They take too long to dry. I have the original Troopers which I like a lot except for the speed-hook lacing. Zero-drop/barefoot soles mitigated a lot of my knee and hip issues. I have three pairs of AR8's, two with the zero-drop soles. Until the Troopers are avalable from the custom shop (fingers crossed) I will stick with the AR8's and Razorbacks. The "wet-sock until dry" trick will probably break them in much faster and get rid of that "bump".

[@sasquatch4liffee]

TLDR: No, they don't suck.

[@BruceBurger]

If you make future videos put the product you are reviewing in the frame. We don't need to see the noodles and chips. Move the camera down a little so we can see the boots! Love the Jim Green brand. Best value for the money! 🐸

[@tcjust]

If there was a six inch version this would be an instant buy for me.

[@anthonyfernandez3084]

Jim Green has the African Ranger, which is a six inch version of the trooper.... plus, they have a custom option where you can design your own boot. I own a pair of razorbacks awesome boots.

[@billyfasdfasf7149]

@@anthonyfernandez3084the African rangers are definitely not a 6” version of the trooper

[@gickygackers]

The Jim Green 719 is literally the 6 inch version

[@boots_4_me]

Nice video pal. If I were you I’d redact the comment about cobblers resolving the boots for $50. Stitchdown is one of the hardest types to resole. Even Goodyear welt resoled with a decent cobbler is going to cost you $250+ because most cobblers would replace the midsole as well. For me, if I had these boots, it was time to get resoled, I would ask them to replace the insole to a leather insole so that it gets rid of the “rocks” in your forefoot and smoothens out. That’s just me but a gywed resole without changing the welt general cost $250+. I don’t have any Stitchdown boots but I have heard it was harder to resole than gywed. Just saying so it would likely cost more than $50 because I have several Grant Stone boots and I was thinking to have them resoled and the quotes were all $300+. Just thought I’d mention it to you but nice video!

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

@@boots_4_me thank you for the comment!

[@doublebase6509]

Great video, I think you’re a natural and the sky is the limit for you in the KZbin boot community. I’ve been looking at these boots, a bit disappointed to hear that Jim Green didn’t instantly consider your footbed problem a defect. Because in my opinion that is a defect. Also the heel slip, and heel counter area is a bit disappointing and something that probably really separates these from the all leather Pacific Northwest work boots (which these are supposed to be compared to in a sense). Also, you live in Pittsburgh, I forget what you said you did for work, but Pittsburgh winters probably are not going to agree with these boots as an everyday worker…cold, wet, snow, salt. I find winter does not agree with all leather boots. That’s a place where brands like Red Wing thrive because of the man made materials, that channels like Rose Anvil trashes because he doesn’t actually work in boots. Great job! I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of you in the boot community, but you’ll need a lot more pairs of boots. Haha.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Thank you! Those are very kind words and I appreciate the encouragement. I definitely want to get some more boots and I’d love to do more reviews. I’ll try to budget for some more :)

[@chinatownboy7482]

I'm not putting one penny into Weston Kay's pocket.

[@jimmccoys5778]

I’ve watched him for quite a while. Care to share your insight? Seems like a solid guy. Sometimes isn’t critical enough but that occurs occasionally with lots of content creators

[@sheckydiamond7533]

Weston Kay is a paid salesman. He promotes brands like Rock Rooster. At the same time , he gives negative reviews to companies that don't pay him. ​@@jimmccoys5778

[@greb.]

​@@sheckydiamond7533Source?

[@codh3gro]

What…. Why?

[@A55-s9d]

They are priced $100 too high. I guess that's what Gareth Crouch has to pay Weston Kay.

[@dbmail545]

Considering how little extra the Custom Shop boots cost I agree somewhat. I have 6 pairs of JG customs and a seventh on the way. The best leather and a great value if (like me) you can only wear 100% leather because of foot swelling.

[@Leif3GHP]

How so? The Numzaan is 250 with similar construction and RATs are two inches taller. There may be a collaboration upcharge but it seems like $10-$15 at most.

[@MichaelsNicheReviews]

Honestly, I’m curious what he makes off these. Idk if it’s commission based, if he gets paid based off how many people go through his affiliate link, a flat $ amount on each boot, if there’s an amount based on # of boots sold, etc. I mean, he more of less designed it or at lease tweaked the AR8s. Maybe JG takes on all the risk for the boot so they pay him less?

[@馬伕]

​@@MichaelsNicheReviews No matter how they pay, it increases the price.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Still a great price for what you get, buy some more Nicks and Whites then come back to this comment