Vivo Barefoot Tundra ESC Review

[Shraggs]

These liners are all wool, and thick. Wool is amazing to still keep you warm when pretty wet. The day it was cold enough to use in the morning warmed to 57! I was sweaty everywhere including my socks and the liners yet as temps dropped as I sat till dusk and freezing temp in no way were my feet cold even without walking them dry. Some rain if it happened isn’t anything I’d be concerned about.

If rain is the norm I’d have a different boot on however, me personally.

Something I’ve done for years, if I wet my socks out in my moon boots and change into a dry pair the sweat in those socks will freeze and crystallize and in my experience I can shake them an hour later if cold enough. Once I did this with a felt liner from a Sorel pack boot when I went broke thru a creek. So heat isn’t necessarily the only way to dry them.

 

[Nine Banger]

Im in the game.



I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't put an extra loop down here. You could really crank on your ankle with one.



I'm headed off into the darkness for a hike.

 

[Shraggs]

Love the flashy color! Lets us know if you also notice a difference walking.

I choose to use the strap and Velcro on the liner itself to narrow the ankle area and take out the slop and heel rise vs tieing in that area.

The two strings as you have worked well for me to keep foot flat to bottom and above string hug the calf as it flex’s forward walking.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

Where does the winter tracker stand in vivo's lineup for you guys? It are you just going straight from the tracker esc to the tundra?

 

[chindits]

Anyone got snowshoe time on these?

 

[Speaks]

Thanks for the tip on splitting laces. Improves the fit quite a bit to do it the way you guys showed.

 

[Speaks]

Where does the winter tracker stand in vivo's lineup for you guys? It are you just going straight from the tracker esc to the tundra?

I dont have this 100% dialed in yet as is my first season using both.

Next week deer hunting in WI I plan to wear the Tundra on the morning and evening sits where temps will start in the 20s and we will be inactive after the hike in. Mid day when we are moving around and glassing cuts I will likely use the winter trackers.

I will also use the winter trackers bird hunting. They are a better hiking boot then the tundra when you dont need the additional warmth. They are significantly warmer than the regular trackers for late fall when it can be fairly cold but not consistently into the 20s or below and with minimal snow. I did also order some thermal insoles for the trackers but they are still not a warm boot.

I could totally see an argument to just run the regulars and the tundras but a high percentage of the time between Oct 15 and Dec 15 the winters are actually the ideal boot around here for hiking mixed with short glassing where the tundras are more than you need but the regulars will get you cold.

 

[Shraggs]

Where does the winter tracker stand in vivo's lineup for you guys? It are you just going straight from the tracker esc to the tundra?

For me the winter tracker follows the forest tracker until below zero or deep snow then the tundra

 

[Shraggs]

Thanks for the tip on splitting laces. Improves the fit quite a bit to do it the way you guys showed.

Your welcome. Walks so much better especially on rough going

 

[PSDBowhunter]

For me the winter tracker follows the forest tracker until below zero or deep snow then the tundra

That makes sense. I have the Magna ESC since the Tracker ESC wasn't in stock when I got them. I love them and plan on getting the Tracker ESC. May need to to try the Winter Tracker or Tundra out as well for stand hunting here in PA.

 

[TradLife406]

Between Aron Snyder, Ryan Avery and Form it's a wonder I can still feed my babies and keep a roof over their head.
Snyder, dude you need a WM Badger
Avery, man get a 6 UM
Form, the tundras are badass

 

[Nine Banger]

Where does the winter tracker stand in vivo's lineup for you guys? It are you just going straight from the tracker esc to the tundra?

I just got a pair of Winter Trackers so I have all 3 shoes you mention.

The Forest Tracker and Winter Tracker are more similar than they are different.

If the Forest Tracker was waterproof you could "make" them into Winter Trackers by putting heavy fuzzy socks and a liner on.

I was wearing the winter tracker today to break them in with just a liner sock and got hot and took them off and put forest trackers on.

The Tundras are a whole different animal. Eskimo stuff.

 

[TradLife406]

First trip with the Tundras. When the kid and I left town it was 19. Hiked about a mile and a half up this old logging road.
Sitting here and it's probably in the mid 20's to low 30's.
My feet didn't sweat out on the hike up. Wearing some really thin darn toughs as a liner and some super thick wool socks.
Feet are perfectly comfortable.
Hiking in them was great. I love how light they are.

Usually my feet freeze in traditional pack boots with a liner. Especially having bad raynauds.

I did bring my glassing booties but they're not needed.

Yet again Form was right.

 

[Speaks]

Used mine deer hunting in WI this weekend, was not cold enough for a full warmth test but was surprised how little my feet sweated in them. Very much appreciated the ankle mobility compared to my crispis crossing logging slash. Laces I swapped in didnt stay as tight as I wanted, it was fine but I ordered some new ones that hopefully grip a bit better. Very happy so far.

Also used the winter trackers which I am a big fan of and I think are my favorite general purpose MN and WI fall / winter boot. Mine are size up to accommodate heavier socks but might get another pair in the same size as the regular ones.

 

[twall13]

I'm a big fan of the winter trackers for hiking in cold weather but they aren't enough when stationary in the cold. For as often as I see temps low enough to use the Tundra ESC's I'm struggling with the price. Has anyone tried them with snowshoes? Any issues using them in that scenario? If I bought them they would likely last me a lifetime but I could get a bit more use out of them on some snowshoe trips if they work with snowshoes. I've had some larger boots in the past that are too big to fit in MSR snowshoe bindings so I'm curious how these will work.

I just took my Schnee's pack boots out of storage and putting them on reminds me how much I hate the raised heel and narrow toe box... The lack of breathability isn't great on them either but at least I have a spare set of liners for them. That's a big miss on the Tundras in my book.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Shraggs]

I'm a big fan of the winter trackers for hiking in cold weather but they aren't enough when stationary in the cold. For as often as I see temps low enough to use the Tundra ESC's I'm struggling with the price. Has anyone tried them with snowshoes? Any issues using them in that scenario? If I bought them they would likely last me a lifetime but I could get a bit more use out of them on some snowshoe trips if they work with snowshoes. I've had some larger boots in the past that are too big to fit in MSR snowshoe bindings so I'm curious how these will work.

I just took my Schnee's pack boots out of storage and putting them on reminds me how much I hate the raised heel and narrow toe box... The lack of breathability isn't great on them either but at least I have a spare set of liners for them. That's a big miss on the Tundras in my book.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

The second time I contacted customer service for information was able to transfer to someone to explain mountain hunting/hiking in winter for multi days and how an extra set of liners or at least the wool insole would be beneficial for many, similar to any existing pac boot maker today in North America at least. I’m certain Form my have a better feel for vivo’s customer feedback, but she did listen and asked questions to better understand the use cases or whys.