Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[ledflight]

Some tough, zero drop workboots listed here:

The Best Wide Work Boots That Won't Kill Your Feet | Anya's Reviews

Wide toe box barefoot work boots protect your feet without the long-term damage from traditional narrow steel toed shoes.

anyasreviews.com

 

[2Stamp]

I decided to try these and they arrived last week. So far I like them, even a hike with the dog yesterday in the foothills was comfortable. However, I can tell I'm going to have to do a thick leather insole or something for rocks. I'm no stranger to zero drop and minimalist shoes, it has been a few years since I wore them consistently. But as rocky as it is here in some of the places I go, I can tell I'll need a little more protection.

 

[ElPollo]

A day in the Sonoran Desert with my Vivo Forest Tracker ESCs. The only blood spilled came from reaching into the bottom of my pack to search for my gloves and impaling my finger on a spine that went through the pack when I had set it down. No spines went through the soles of the Vivos.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

A day in the Sonoran Desert with my Vivo Forest Tracker ESCs. The only blood spilled came from reaching into the bottom of my pack to search for my gloves and impaling my finger on a spine that went through the pack when I had set it down. No spines went through the soles of the Vivos.

The cholla and most cactus won’t puncture through. Get a thick enough mesquite thorn at the right angle and it makes it through.

 

[ElPollo]

The cholla and most cactus won’t puncture through. Get a thick enough mesquite thorn at the right angle and it makes it through.

Have not had that happen yet, but I can see it happening. Lots of time in mesquite over the winter. Just haven’t hit the right angle yet. Did have it happen once through the sole of a pair of Keens. Went right through into my arch.

Missed the Sonoran and jumping cholla. I kicked up a dry, dead joint and stuck it in my calf today. Love the dead ones because the spines break off in you and come out weeks to months later. But I also fondly remember the time when a ran a agave spine in my shin. Good times.

 

[tkabzems]

Been using these for scouting spring bear this year and I'm impressed. Handled the gamut of spring conditions.

 

[silasbowhunter]

Well I pulled an eyelet/grommet/metal deal off the other day. Randomly found the inside piece on my workout room floor the next day.
Going to contact vivobarefoot as this is a relatively common problem according the internet.
(Disregard the glue stains. That’s my own doing)

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[twall13]

Just coming back from a quick bear hunt in some rugged terrain in Idaho. I love these boots in steep country.

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[grahambiel]

Should have enough use this year to compare. But, the Vivo’s are a different animal. My prediction is that they will prove to be the best true cold weather all terrain/use boot.

@Formidilosus any update on how the tundra ESCs performed this winter? I have poor circulation so have problems with cold feet even when moving. considering these for a late season boot

 

[FZMT]

The Tundra ESC are superior to the Stegers for moving around in the mountains during cold weather. The ESC sole provides excellent traction and the liner is very nice. The Steger simply can’t compete if traction is required.

The mukluk style (outer shell/inner liner) system is the way to roll when it gets much below 20 for me, if I lost mine I’d immediately replace it with another pair.

It is disappointing that they don’t sell liners as an accessory, it’d be nice to have a backup and there’s no doubt the liner wears at a greater rate than the shell.

 

[jazzturkey]

I got the Tracker ESCs based on all the posts here a few months back and have been loving them! I have only ever worn heavy logger heeled fire boots or trail runners when I'm in the woods, have never worn a barefoot shoe before and it felt like these were almost made for my feet as soon as I put them on. I really want to thank everyone for the great info in this thread, well worth the "price" of admission!

 

[elkhunter505]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

 

[ledflight]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

I have given up on wearing Vivos in the city/concrete environments. I aim for zero drop and foot shaped footwear but don't go full minimal for those surfaces.
Altra sneakers for example.

 

[fwafwow]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

IMHO the key is to adjust your gait and how your feet land. I'm not an expert and there are other posts here and info elsewhere, but striking your heel is the issue - not the boots. It took me a while, but after I changed how my feet hit the ground, I never looked back.

 

[silasbowhunter]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

Same thing happened to me. I just focused on shortening my stride a bit

 

[grahambiel]

Same thing happened to me. I just focused on shortening my stride a bit

Same. I found wearing even more minimalist vivos (Gobi and primus) helped force my gait to adjust because it’s nearly like walking barefoot. At first it caused me to walk SUPER slow but after a few months I felt like I could get back to walking at a normal speed. After 6 months in minimalist shoes my feet still get sore but no real pain. I’ve even started running short distances in them but taking that very slow

 

[Dobermann]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

Just confirming you're talking about the Tracker ESCs, not the Trackers?

I personally find the Trackers a bit punishing as an all day, everyday option - but then I also stand all day at work on a hard surface.

However, I do wear the Tracker ESCs all day, every day with no issues. I did add a Superfeet Green to mine, but that's because of high arches.

While I know the usual advice is to start small, walking and then running, for example, when I first got into barefoot shoes, I found running on treacherous rocky ground to actually be helpful - it forces you to take the small, flat strides that @fwafwow and @silasbowhunter mentioned.

There are also some great videos online that go into gait, footfall, and so on - worth finding quality ones and experimenting.

 

[elkhunter505]

Just confirming you're talking about the Tracker ESCs, not the Trackers?

I personally find the Trackers a bit punishing as an all day, everyday option - but then I also stand all day at work on a hard surface.

However, I do wear the Tracker ESCs all day, every day with no issues. I did add a Superfeet Green to mine, but that's because of high arches.

While I know the usual advice is to start small, walking and then running, for example, when I first got into barefoot shoes, I found running on treacherous rocky ground to actually be helpful - it forces you to take the small, flat strides that @fwafwow and @silasbowhunter mentioned.

There are also some great videos online that go into gait, footfall, and so on - worth finding quality ones and experimenting.

Yep ESCs. Sounds like I just need to work on my gait, thanks everyone!

 

[Lawnboi]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

You have to adjust the way you walk. Your muscles should be taking the brunt of the impact not your bones. Smaller strides, more control central in your foot when you put it down.

I do like a little cushion for everyday stuff. The tracker esc gives some cushion in the rubber but below that I still have to put a little more thought into how I’m walking or running.

For all day comfort in a barefoot minimal feel I like the Jim greens more with a l&s gel insole. Has been the best I have found for all day on your feet on concrete barefoot shoe.

 

[mtnbound]

For those of yall that are experienced with these, I am loving them so far but I do heel strike pretty bad when I walk so my heels seem to get bruised a little. I’m basically 6 months in at this point of wearing them all day every day. They’re great in the woods but on the concrete it seems to give me heel pain from just striking. Did anyone else have the same experience? And if so did you place a thicker insole to fix it or just roll with it and wait for your feet to adjust?

After about 300 miles on my ESC’s I started having a pain in the ball of my right foot which made me switch to the Altra Lone Peak Hiker. The foot is getting better but each time I wear the ESC’s after a few hours the pain starts coming back. I have been looking for some insoles to try but haven’t found ones that feel right in them. The Altras feel great and have better traction but there is zero water resistance in the model I got.