FE Vellies and prototype Ranger

[Jason Vincent]

Just some info for you guys:

We’re still beating up S. Africa on tariffs pretty good. Our boots all come from the Jim Green factory there (love those guys). Obviously there have been disruptions. Rather than a price hike, we decided on a holding pattern, but the vellies will be back.

The prototype ranger is something we’re excited about. I marked up a pair of rangers a few years ago on my iPad and we have a few trial pairs in office now. We changed the toe area to be more squared and we made a few other changes that have been performing well. Kevin Brittingham says they’re his favorite boots and he really puts miles on these things in Africa.

We’re testing them in standard sole and barefoot sole. Hopefully they’ll be stateside this year.

 

[coreymolinelli]

Looking forward to these. I was about to pull the plug on a pair of barefoot right as you guys posted a teaser, then I decided to wait. My vellies are my favorite. On the web site there was an add hinting at a version .... I cant remember the exact words but most dangerous game or something like that. I am assuming buffalo, are those still in the works?

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Thanks for the heads up. I saw the Vellies when they were in my size, excellent price IMHO, look forward to seeing your works again! Drive on!

 

[wolf.369]

Just some info for you guys:

We’re still beating up S. Africa on tariffs pretty good. Our boots all come from the Jim Green factory there (love those guys). Obviously there have been disruptions. Rather than a price hike, we decided on a holding pattern, but the vellies will be back.

The prototype ranger is something we’re excited about. I marked up a pair of rangers a few years ago on my iPad and we have a few trial pairs in office now. We changed the toe area to be more squared and we made a few other changes that have been performing well. Kevin Brittingham says they’re his favorite boots and he really puts miles on these things in Africa.

We’re testing them in standard sole and barefoot sole. Hopefully they’ll be stateside this year.

More squared off like Courteney’s(made in Zim-Company founded by a Rhodesian PATU officer)? A shame there’s not a way to get that lekker Tyre Sole that’s a bit lighter. The issue with Courteney’s is they’re heavy as hell by the end of the day.

 

[b.t.kelley]

Really looking forward to seeing a FE version of the rangers. I own a pair now and they're great. Always great to see the collaborations you guys do.

 

[Crackerman]

Looking forward to the Rangers. I wore a pair on my safari and did 33 miles in 7 days.

PH and camera guy were surprised when I told them I got em off of Amazon.

 

[etwr2]

I have the FE vellies and bought a pair of barefoot rangers at SCI last year. I was amazed to find that the warehouse is less than 40 miles from my house but they don’t have storefront there. I love the barefoot rangers and like their tread better than the normal rangers. I will be taking them to Africa in April. The vellies get worn around the office/town/church. I really like the Jim greens better than Courtney. They’re lighter but still feel like they should last a lifetime.

 

[Jason Vincent]

A few photos of the FE barefoot prototype:

 

[sowhitematt]

A few photos of the FE barefoot prototype:

Can you elaborate on what ‘barefoot’ means? Is that the type of sole in the shoe?

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Just some info for you guys:

We’re still beating up S. Africa on tariffs pretty good. Our boots all come from the Jim Green factory there (love those guys). Obviously there have been disruptions. Rather than a price hike, we decided on a holding pattern, but the vellies will be back.

The prototype ranger is something we’re excited about. I marked up a pair of rangers a few years ago on my iPad and we have a few trial pairs in office now. We changed the toe area to be more squared and we made a few other changes that have been performing well. Kevin Brittingham says they’re his favorite boots and he really puts miles on these things in Africa.

We’re testing them in standard sole and barefoot sole. Hopefully they’ll be stateside this year.

I've had my eye on the vellies for a while. Looking forward to seeing the barefoot sole.

 

[Jason Vincent]

Can you elaborate on what ‘barefoot’ means? Is that the type of sole in the shoe?

Hey Matt,

It's a thinner/flatter sole that has a lot more movement to it. Some like it more than a standard/more rigid sole. I could go either way.

 

[Doug Patteson]

Hey Matt,

It's a thinner/flatter sole that has a lot more movement to it. Some like it more than a standard/more rigid sole. I could go either way.

How is arch support (fuck even asking this makes me sound like an old man)?

 

[etwr2]

How is arch support (fuck even asking this makes me sound like an old man)?

The barefoot rangers don’t come with an insole. So there is really no arch support. I ended up putting a superfeet insole in mine. I don’t know if FE will specify an insole. Insoles in general would defeat the zero drop point of the barefoot sole, but I wanted one. I still really like both my vellies and the barefoot rangers.

 

[TexasPete]

A few photos of the FE barefoot prototype:

I’m in on those, @Jason Vincent. Over the past couple years, I’ve ditched the asics and brooks for these Altras and my feet and body have never felt better.

 

[Jason Vincent]

I’m in on those, @Jason Vincent. Over the past couple years, I’ve ditched the asics and brooks for these Altras and my feet and body have never felt better.View attachment 1363

Going to try a pair of these. I have some barefoot Patagonia shoes I wear to the gym, but they’re very very gay

 

[Doug Patteson]

Going to try a pair of these. I have some barefoot Patagonia shoes I wear to the gym, but they’re very very gay

I got Altras as well and like them a lot.

 

[b.t.kelley]

A few photos of the FE barefoot prototype:

I need 'em.

 

[christopher]

Just some info for you guys:

We’re still beating up S. Africa on tariffs pretty good. Our boots all come from the Jim Green factory there (love those guys). Obviously there have been disruptions. Rather than a price hike, we decided on a holding pattern, but the vellies will be back.

The prototype ranger is something we’re excited about. I marked up a pair of rangers a few years ago on my iPad and we have a few trial pairs in office now. We changed the toe area to be more squared and we made a few other changes that have been performing well. Kevin Brittingham says they’re his favorite boots and he really puts miles on these things in Africa.

We’re testing them in standard sole and barefoot sole. Hopefully they’ll be stateside this year.

Curious if there was a falling out with Jim and the Courteney boots or if through field testing, it was discovered that Jim Green’s were actually a better boot. Or is it a function of price-point/customization.

 

[Ryan Horst]

I can’t wait for the barefoot ones. I’ve got a buddy who has been wearing JG’s for almost two years. I was going to buy them direct until I saw your collab coming. Now I’m in a holding pattern.

 

[Jason Vincent]

Curious if there was a falling out with Jim and the Courteney boots or if through field testing, it was discovered that Jim Green’s were actually a better boot. Or is it a function of price-point/customization.

Absolutely no falling out with Jim. I love that guy!

In my opinion, the Courteney boots are best in class in terms of materials and construction. They last forever. They’re tanks. I still wear mine a lot. Several pairs.

The Jim Greens are very good. The materials are not as nice, but they’re substantially lighter and slightly more comfortable. They can take a ton of abuse.

In my opinion, the Jim Green performs better but the Courteney will look better.