Comfortable, rugged boots that fit like a glove and helped me appreciate a nice pair of boots

I have worn these boots just about every day since the Thunderdome started. I manage the facility maintenance at multiple dog kennels, and over the past six months, these boots have been on a journey. I've worn these boots while installing chainlink fence, building retaining walls, trenching, digging up old gravel for fence repairs, replacing failed sump pumps during flash flooding, replacing a well pump, water heater, troubleshooting electrical gremlins in our appliances, roof repairs, soffit and gutter repair, months of landscaping and cleanup, framing walls while renovating our kennels, concrete crack repairs, installing new drywall, waterproofing and sealing kennels, painting, light metal fabrication and welding jobs, fleet vehicle maintenance, and a host of other things. When I wasn't at work, I liked wearing these for odd jobs around the house, taking my son to parks, hiking, trips to grocery stores, etc. There really weren't many times when I didn't wear these. They've been through dry and wet conditions, cold and hot, and any combination of them. They've hiked trails in seven states, been to airshows, museums, and have helped me with my photography along the way.

The break-in process wasn't bad at all. They're a very flexible boot from the outset, and I don't recall having any pinch points, blisters, or anything. As the leather was starting to break in, you could start to see it darken along the creases. They were pretty forgiving of scratches at first. I used Saphir suede/nubuck shampoo for cleaning and Saphir Renovateur spray for nubuck to condition it. After the first month of regularly getting the leather fairly wet from grass or cleaning inside our facility, I decided to wax the leather to help out with waterproofing. The waterproofing sprays wore off too quickly. Even though the leather darkened substantially, the wax does its job, and the water beads up and rolls off. Most days, they would at least get a good brush down to get off the various dirt, dust, and grime that accumulated. The conditioning and waxing was every other month. Once the leather was waxed, it didn't hide scratches so well (but that's okay, more character). As the leather aged, it started taking on quite a bit of variation in color, shades, and highlights that reflected how I wore the boots. It's been a fun transformation! My only criticism of the leather is that after six months, the grain is starting to feel a little too soft (almost foamy). Maybe that's from the care routine, the water, the wax, combination? Who knows. That being said, they should still be good to go for a while longer.

The JG last has a nice roomy toe box and a snug heel. The overall shape of it looks more like a human foot than most boots, which I consider a major plus. This shape feels like it is hugging my foot without rubbing and irritating anything. This is a barefoot boot, so there is zero arch support in this thing. I added superfeet orange insoles I lieu of using the leather insoles available on Jim Green's website. I've used those insoles in other boots before and loved them, so I gave it a shot in these. I found the addition of those insoles allowed my foot to fill up the inside of the boot nicely, without creating any pressure points. During the first few wears, my ankles got a little sore from the top of the boot being rather stiff, but it improved shortly after that. The other thing I noticed with it being a barefoot boot is that my calves got pretty tight after walking days in them. That seemed to be the longest part of the break-in for me, and that was probably just from me not being very flexible. Other than that, the break-in was easy. Overall, these have been a wonderful pair of boots for me, and there's only been a couple of times at work where I wish I had a structured toe from something falling on it.

I love these boots. They are a quirky looking boot, but in the best way possible. The construction is pretty solid so far. There haven't been any loose threads. The upper stitching is still perfect. The double row stitchdown has held up, and the outsole glued onto the slipsole quite well (I should know since I had to peel it off to do a resole myself part way through). My only nitpicking gripe would be some excess glue where the reinforced eyelets are. Even then, it's on the inside of the boot, so it doesn't bother me.

The original anvil sole that came on the boot was a nice grippy outsole that didn't pick up too much mud. It allowed me to be sure footed and feel the ground as I walked. It's a barefoot boot, so the sole is thin, and it doesn't offer much squish. That being said, I still find the boots to be comfortable at the end of the day. As for durability, it lasted about 600 miles. That's to be expected with how thin and soft a compound it is. It may have lasted longer, but I walked sort of screwed up from an old injury, and the outer right rear of the sole wears prematurely.

It's a good outsole for finding traction outside while hiking or on rough surfaces. On smooth surfaces with the smallest amount of water, it gets pretty slick. Also, they hold onto mud like nobody's business. That's fine sometimes, but more often than not, I'm in and out of our facility, and it causes a cleanliness problem. It seems to be a harder wearing compound and seems to be holding up a little better than the original. It's still a thin flat outsole and does little to cushion you.

I love these boots, and at some point when the time comes, I'll get another pair (maybe in a different leather since they released a few new ones). These boots have taken everything I've thrown their way, and they've proven to be a reliable workhorse that I love to wear. For only $189, they're a fantastic value, and I'm extremely satisfied. I would absolutely recommend these to someone looking for a boot in this price range. Now, if you have to stand on ladders a lot, don't get these. They're a barefoot boot with no shank, and spending any length of time on ladders is no fun. What is fun is seeing how these boots have transformed over the past six months, and learning that a properly fitting boot really makes all the difference.