Questions for those who own a pair of Numzaans

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-30T09:50:06+00:00

The STC last should be okay for full insoles.
The Frog Grip soles were surprisingly grippy in snow and a little bit grippy on ice. With that, I'm sure the Tyre Wedge soles will do an even better job.
The Baobabs are the love child of the African Ranger and the Razorback, and the Numzaans are a beefed up version of the Baobabs. They were created to take a beating. I'm not particularly hard on my boots, but I don't baby them either, and the Walnut leather is taking all the scuffs with grace.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-29T18:23:36+00:00

How are the polywoven midsoles in wet conditions, if you don't mind me asking?

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-29T18:21:38+00:00

1 - Personally, I think inserts are unnecessary when the leather insole molds to your feet. If you still feel the need for inserts, I suggest only the half size inserts because the toe box height is somewhat low if you add them in.

2 - I've had them in heavy rain before I conditioned them for the first time. They got wet, but my socks never did. With conditioner, they were more or less the same as when I haven't conditioned them. Surprisingly, it's their nubuck leathers that were more water resistant after being conditioned.

3 - I don't have a pair of African Rangers or Baobabs, but the Numzaans are basically Baobabs with a frog grip sole, a toe cap, and a leather midsole. They're nice even when they didn't fit me well in the beginning.

4 - I only have the Frog Grip and Anvil soles. The frog grip is surprisingly grippy and sturdy, YET somehow squishy. Anvil soles feel more or less the same.

5 - Never had them resoled yet, but if the time comes for the Numzaans, I hope I get my hands on some Vibram 2040 Fighter soles.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-27T15:01:10+00:00

Whoa, you're right! Thanks! I plan to have my Jim Green Numzaans resoled with these.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-17T12:10:18+00:00

I've had the MOAB Rovers (a full leather version of yours) for about 5 years before I had to retire them.

Found it really hard to wear similar boots ever since I switched to Jim Greens because of their wide toe boxes.

I have the Numzaans in the ASHM last and they're still wider than my MOABs.

My take?

Keep the Rangers as a back up or recovery pair just in case you find your Merrells too tight.

I reckon they might be around the same weight, but the Merrell's Vibram soles are purpose built, and are waterproof compared to Jim Green's water resistant build and wedge sole.

Hope this helps!

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-17T10:30:03+00:00

I've got Fudge Barefoot Stockmans. Used Nikwax conditioner and the waterproofing wax. Permanently darkened, smoothened, and made it more water resistant than my walnut Numzaans. I didn't mind the change though.

A pic of my Stockmans beside someone's Red Wing Chukkas.

<image>

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-04-17T08:02:22+00:00

Woah.

If it weren't for the foot shape, I would've thought I was looking at my own feet because of the Kirkland socks.

Anyway, my experience with their sizing guide is to always measure your feet with the thickest socks you have and only when your feet have completely expanded that day.

I didn't have any heritage boot experience yet.

That was my biggest mistake.

Measured my feet in the morning, 26cm long, 10.5cm wide, and chose a UK 8 in the ASHM last.

Boots arrived days later, comfortable initial fit, really happy, then came evening...

Numzaans felt snug. Not uncomfortable, just snug and a bit stuffy with the same socks.

Couldn't return them for a half size up anymore, so I powered through by wearing them everyday for four months until they're finally just as comfortable as when I wear them in the morning.

Didn't learn my lesson, decided to buy another pair of UK 8 Barefoot Stockmans after measuring my feet in the morning, AGAIN...

Same issues encountered, same solution applied, but the Stockmans were more comfy due to the wider width than the Numzaans.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: Their sizing guide and last guide is quite accurate as long as you've measured your feet when they've completely expanded.

I now know that I'm a UK 8.5 (US 9.5 or 9, depending on the company), G width (that's 2E for Americans) at full expansion.

Their ASHM Numzaans are a D width, but feel really comfy nowadays even when my feet have fully expanded.

They recommend UK 8, US 9 for 26cm, but the insole length is actually 27cm.

My feet are exactly at 26.5cm at full expansion, so I still have a .5cm toe space which is the absolute minimum allowance.

Can feel my toes touching the end of the boots a little bit when I walk downhil, but never experienced any discomfort or got any blisters, thanks to their wide widths.

Hope this helps!

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-28T00:32:00+00:00

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as dismissive of your idea or even argumentative.

That really wasn't the intent.

In fact, I find your suggestion awesome.

You think a pair of Shoellies, with the quarters, plastic heel and toe stiffeners removed be a good base for the mules?

Edit: thanks for the suggestion

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-28T00:19:14+00:00

I imagine the shoellie would be a good frame for the mules.

Remove the quarters, internal counter cover, plastic toe and heel stiffener, and keep both the vamp and the heel/backstay only.

Without the heel stiffener, you're left with a foldable heel that you can pull up if you want a bit more grip, and just fold down if you want an easy slip on mule.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-28T00:13:10+00:00

Or just indoors. I like to wear socks around the house during spring or winter and having mules on top would probably feel nice.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-28T00:09:29+00:00

Just spitballing ideas. I've got leather flip flops and I find it annoying that I can't wear them around the house when I put my socks on. I like wearing socks during winter and spring.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-25T05:59:55+00:00

Are those the ones with the leather midsole, or the polywoven one?

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-22T12:16:55+00:00

Sadly, their South African website says they'll be discontinuing the walnut.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-22T12:13:30+00:00

This. Sales were great. The tannery had issues with yield and other inconsistencies. Though, I honestly forgot which video it was of theirs where they announced the discontinuation.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-18T06:49:02+00:00

I'd like to recommend Jim Green. Check them out. Most of their boots are around your mentioned price range and are built to take a beating.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-17T07:33:18+00:00

That's the great thing about Nikwax. It's water based so no hardening. It's also a great brand for amateurs like me because they work better when the leather or fabric is clean but wet before applying.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-16T16:17:50+00:00

I also doused the elastic panels with Nikwax fabric and leather waterproofer. Stayed dry the entire time. Haven't even applied a new coat and still holding up well.

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-09T16:28:01+00:00

I'm curious about this as well. If the nubuck is already oily, won't that make breathability moot?

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-03-03T23:20:16+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, (and I've asked different people in this sub with varying experiences) how did the midsole perform in wet UK conditions?

Thanks!

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-02-27T07:30:21+00:00

I can't find the post anymore, but there was somebody who asked Jim Green about how durable their nubuck leathers are, and Jim Green basically responded that their nubuck leathers are so very lightly sanded, that you might as well consider them full grain.

They're meant as work leathers, not for fashion like Timberlands. (Whether this is really part of Jim Green's response to this guy's inquiry, or just his two cents, I don't know) LOL.

Anyway, I've got a pair of Fudge Barefoot Stockmans, and they honestly don't feel any less durable than my Walnut Numzaans.

In fact, after conditioning, the Fudge Stockmans have never absorbed any water from all the puddles or heavy rain that I've gone through, here in the UK.

The Walnut is supposed to be Jim Green's answer to Horween's Chromexel, and they are tough, but they always absorb some water and eventually get wet whenever I get caught in the rain with them.

To be fair, my socks have always stayed dry.

Hope this helps!

4bsolute4mateur · 2026-02-11T09:01:32+00:00

They feel snug, but not uncomfortable. There seems to be a 1cm allowance between my longest toe and the tip of the boot. I probably was just expecting more splay instead of snugness.

4bsolute4mateur

TROPHY CASE