Barefoot shoes for stalking?

[guitarpreston]

Been getting a lot of ads recently for various barefoot shoes and it got me wondering about using them for a stalking shoe over a moccasin or doubling up on socks. I have no desire to do much hiking in them, I’m a fan of the support my Crispi’s give me, but that last 2-300 yards maybe. Double socks seems like not a good time (maybe it’s because I’m in Texas and everything is poky).

 

[Big_wals]

Depending on where youre at in Texas, barefoot shoes may not be much better than double socks. I wear vivobarefoot shoes, and mesquite thorns go right thru. You just have to learn to tread lightly lol.

 

[guitarpreston]

Depending on where youre at in Texas, barefoot shoes may not be much better than double socks. I wear vivobarefoot shoes, and mesquite thorns go right thru. You just have to learn to tread lightly lol.

I’m in East Texas. Ended up ordering a pair off revivo to try in Colorado.

 

[jstanton007]

I’m in East Texas. Ended up ordering a pair off revivo to try in Colorado.

I'm in East Texas too but hunt in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico for mule deer and elk. For years I did the double socks for stalking but this year I made my own! When I get home I'll take a picture of them but I took a pair of columbia boots and ripped the soles off. I then used an expoy adhesive to glue on carpet to the bottoms. The carpet has a thin rubber backing so it's waterproof, so are the boots, but I still have good sensitivity and bettee protectionthan socks alone. I call them Sneak-Erz!

 

[jstanton007]

Here they are, patent pending! Yes, that is a custom hand sewn patch by me!

 

[Big_wals]

Here they are, patent pending! Yes, that is a custom hand sewn patch by me!

Lol. Those made me think that of the rokstock. Terrible looking, but beautiful because of their function. I would wear em!

 

[jstanton007]

Lol. Those made me think that of the rokstock. Terrible looking, but beautiful because of their function. I would wear em!

Yep, ugly as all get out but dang do they work! Have run these the past few weekends here in east Texas through dry leaf and pine litter and they are as quite as double socks plus waterproof through wet grass. Dont think i would stand in water with them though! I can take the insole out for more sensitivity or leave them in for more support and protection.

 

[guitarpreston]

I ended up picking up some vivos but returned them. Probably going to get some Minnetonka moccasins

 

[ElPollo]

Here they are, patent pending! Yes, that is a custom hand sewn patch by me!

Nice idea. Where I live those would be covered up in longspine sandbur in no time.

 

[dtrkyman]

I have a giant pair of fleece socks, they stretch over my light hikers, simple version of yours, bonus is you only have to pack the socks that weigh nothing!

 

[CobraChicken]

I carry one pair with duck tape laid somewhat heavy on the bottom to put over my others

 

[TradArcher]

You could pick up a cheap pair of chukkas with the crepe sole to go sneaking around.

I find most of the crispi soles quiet enough for stalking though as long as I am not in a hurry.

 

[TradArcher]

or maybe look at sierra trading post or cheap and steep for cheap climbing shoes and buy them biog enough they don't hurt your feet...that sticky rubber is pretty quiet too. Might run you around 40 bucks for a pair of those.

 

[Blackbird]

Merrell trail glove works pretty well for me

 

[mtnbound]

The VivoBarefoot ESC work pretty dam good for stalking.

 

[guitarpreston]

I ended up picking up a pair of basically thick socks with a rubber bottom off amazon.

 

[ZDR]

I wear Vivo trackers for daily stuff but used them on my elk hunt last week just by chance. I went out in the evening wearing them just to check an area not too far from camp and ended up almost getting the biggest bull I’ve ever encountered. I stalked up on him in the Vivos, got within 73 yds but got busted by 20+ cows behind & around me. How I made it through them is a surprise to me but I was really impressed w how quiet I could move in them compared to my Zamberlans.

 

[*zap*]

barefoots are good for lots more than stalking. I use Merrill's, a few different models. Some are very minimal.