Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus how are they in cold wet weather? I’m fixing to take mine on a 2nd rifle hunt in CO but have never proved them in that type of weather; bringing a back up pair just in case.

Last year wearing the Tracker ESC’s was the first year I didn’t have wet feet- whether leaking from melting snow or sweat. Most of the year was spent hunting in snow. They are uninsulated, as long as you account for that in socks you should be fine.

 

[HighUintas]

Last year wearing the Tracker ESC’s was the first year I didn’t have wet feet- whether leaking from melting snow or sweat. Most of the year was spent hunting in snow. They are uninsulated, as long as you account for that in socks you should be fine.

Do you regularly apply that renapur leather balsam they sell with them or did you apply some other leather treatment?

I just realized the ones on their website for $200 do not say they come with a tin of that stuff. The $280 ones do say they come with it. That's a steep price for a tin of leather protectant.

 

[Formidilosus]

Do you regularly apply that renapur leather balsam they sell with them or did you apply some other leather treatment?

I just realized the ones on their website for $200 do not say they come with a tin of that stuff. The $280 ones do say they come with it. That's a steep price for a tin of leather protectant.

I do use conditioner 3-4 times a year on them, but none that I know of came with any. I’ve used multiple brands and they’ve all done fine.

 

[Stu]

Thanks for the info. loose doesn't bother me one bit. I've gotten into the habit of keeping my scarpas real lose to ease pressure off my Achilles. Plus, I HATE locking my foot and ankle down. It makes for awkward unathletic movement when traversing a boulder field or other rocky terrain.

As for sizing, did anyone use their sizing calculator thingamajig on the vivo website?

I typically wear 9.5 in running shoes and I think my scarpa r-evolution leather boots are 8.5. I was thinking a 9 ought to do just fine and give room for thick wool socks in winter.

I didn’t follow their guide, and went with the size I’m accustomed to which was bigger. Resulted in them being too big, but kept them and wear them in the cold with Heavy socks and they’re perfect for that role.

 

[BBob]

As for sizing, did anyone use their sizing calculator thingamajig on the vivo website?

I tried it (the camera scanning thing) but it was hit or miss. I'd say it hit the correct size 75% of the time out of 5 or 6 tries but calculated low on the other 25%. I had better luck printing the sheet and added what I wanted. The Magna's came in a touch longer than measuring and adding but not so much that it really mattered since we wear them loose ish anyway and it gave a bit more sock room if you wanted for an extra cold day.

FWIW I wear an 11 in most things, 44's in Gobi and Magna's. Scarpa I'm a 45, Lowa's in the past were 11/44.5.

 

[HighUintas]

I tried it (the camera scanning thing) but it was hit or miss. I'd say it hit the correct size 75% of the time out of 5 or 6 tries but calculated low on the other 25%. I had better luck printing the sheet and added what I wanted. The Magna's came in a touch longer than measuring and adding but not so much that it really mattered since we wear them loose ish anyway and it gave a bit more sock room if you wanted for an extra cold day.

I did the camera measurement and it gave me a size 9, which seems correct, with 12mm room at the toe. I'd say for real cold weather I might want a tiny bit more room but not sure.

I'll print the sheet and test that out. Do you know if the sizes on the sheet are the actual dimension of the footbed inside that size?

 

[BBob]

I'll print the sheet and test that out. Do you know if the sizes on the sheet are the actual dimension of the footbed inside that size?

The sizing on the sheet is what your foot actually measures so you need to add your desired extra length to arrive at the size you want.

 

[fwafwow]

Again, how are they different?




Not one piece of that is correct. Please be specific- how are “real” bits better in extreme heat? Extreme cold? How do the Trackers not work in Rokslide? Shovel use? Crampons work on them.






Really? So the sole is what gives out on these boots first? The sole is what wears out on other boots generally?






Regale us about them then. You must have lots of experience with these boots? How many miles do you have on your pair?






So stiff “supported” shoes didn’t come out of marketing?




No. None of that is correct.

Looking forward to more on this discussion.

 

[fwafwow]

Sorry for the tangent/detour. I stumbled on this thread and I’m now looking into these boots. I have a handful of Crispi boots and today I wore some to climb into a deer tree stand. Would the Vivos have been a more comfortable option? I have a Nebraska whitetail and pheasant trip coming up and I’ve normally taken Lacrosse Alphaburly Pros (for the long stand sits) and upland boots for the pheasant. Could these do both, maybe with Arctic Shields for the stand?

 

[HighUintas]

Sorry for the tangent/detour. I stumbled on this thread and I’m now looking into these boots. I have a handful of Crispi boots and today I wore some to climb into a deer tree stand. Would the Vivos have been a more comfortable option? I have a Nebraska whitetail and pheasant trip coming up and I’ve normally taken Lacrosse Alphaburly Pros (for the long stand sits) and upland boots for the pheasant. Could these do both, maybe with Arctic Shields for the stand?

If arctic shields are those puffy boot coverings, that's what I figured I'd do if I'm in negative temps.

I ordered a pair this evening.

As long as these things are gentler on my Achilles (look like they will be) I think I'll love them. Having strong feet and wearing flexible shoes for hunting vs wearing a friggin board on the bottom of your foot is a night and day difference.

My only wish is that they made a taller version for 12" stream crossings.

 

[fwafwow]

If arctic shields are those puffy boot coverings, that's what I figured I'd do if I'm in negative temps.

I ordered a pair this evening.

As long as these things are gentler on my Achilles (look like they will be) I think I'll love them. Having strong feet and wearing flexible shoes for hunting vs wearing a friggin board on the bottom of your foot is a night and day difference.

My only wish is that they made a taller version for 12" stream crossings.

I’m sorry, I meant to say Boot Suits, but I think they are the same.

Did you use the sizing app? I did and my result was bizaro small. Like 2 US sizes. Not sure if I should just go with my normal size. And bummer the @twall13 discount code has expired!

Your stream crossing comment makes me think we are thinking alike. I was dreaming of consolidating two boots into one, and being consistent with the view of breathability improves warmth, but I remember one stream crossing (one year only) for which the Lacross Alphaburlys were pure gold.

(By way of background, after years of suffering from cold feet, my current setup has allowed me to sit in a stand for 12 hours in 20 degrees with an even lower windchill. And I’m a total wimp when it comes to cold. I have Alphaburly Pro 1600s and use a thin sock plus the thickest merino I can find that doesn’t impair my room in the boots (currently the Woolpower 800s) and, maybe most importantly, a pair of BootSuits with hand warmers in the inside pockets.)

It would be cool to ditch the heavy AF Lacrosse and other Crispi or Filson boots I use for pheasant for one boot.

 

[sndmn11]

Anyone can get that discount, https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/share

 

[BBob]

Did you use the sizing app? I did and my result was bizaro small. Like 2 US sizes. Not sure if I should just go with my normal size.

Print the size sheet to measure and add the extra length you want to derive your size. The app for me advised too small about 25% of the time I tried it. More comments on sizing in posts above.

 

[Blowdowner]

Again, how are they different?




Not one piece of that is correct. Please be specific- how are “real” bits better in extreme heat? Extreme cold? How do the Trackers not work in Rokslide? Shovel use? Crampons work on them.






Really? So the sole is what gives out on these boots first? The sole is what wears out on other boots generally?






Regale us about them then. You must have lots of experience with these boots? How many miles do you have on your pair?






So stiff “supported” shoes didn’t come out of marketing?




No. None of that is correct.

Bro you’re either in a footwear cult or were born With hooves. Every single thing you objected to is completely true and obvious. But maybe big boots are unnecessary for you somehow. Doesn’t change the fact that more shoe is better. Would you tell a tackle football player to wear less pads? Ok:

“stiff soles coming from “marketing departments” no they predate marketing and advertising by over a thousand years. Those wily cobblers though, you never know.

“All shoes wear out in the soles” yeah but normal shoes are simply thicker.

Heat/cold - why don’t firefighters use your moccasins.

Shovel - obvious

Rock slide - think about stepping on a lego barefoot.

Construction - the stitching process is not something anyone can/would do frivolously prior to machines but they were doing it for a good reason. Do you think saddles are artless and pointless and ride horses bareback? Don’t actually respond to any of this. There’s no discussion. For what they are the Vivo are probably great. More goes into traditional boots no less skill in making them, so the prices shouldn’t be that close.

 

[Alpineelk]

Definitely my favorite hiking boot comfortable and good grippy sole. but they are overpriced for how long they last. Mine started to wear on the inside on the heel and also the one boot wore through the leather on the toe had them for a year but not steady wearing

 

[fwafwow]

Anyone can get that discount, https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/share

Thanks. And my apologies for a few things. First, for not reading the thread more closely. I got caught up in the back and forth about “real” boots vs data. I made a noob mistake. I’m printing the size guide now. I’m also sorry these didn’t work out for you. Are you looking at other options?

It looks like this discount (from that specific link) works after I get someone else to purchase. Do you (or does anyone else) mind sharing your code?

Is there a Form gear list somewhere?

 

[sndmn11]

Thanks. And my apologies for a few things. First, for not reading the thread more closely. I got caught up in the back and forth about “real” boots vs data. I made a noob mistake. I’m printing the size guide now. I’m also sorry these didn’t work out for you. Are you looking at other options?

It looks like this discount (from that specific link) works after I get someone else to purchase. Do you (or does anyone else) mind sharing your code?

Is there a Form gear list somewhere?

Yeah, I will fill it out and post the referral code. Or you could have your wife or another account do the same.

I am currently waffling between taking advantage of Schnee's sale, ordering Altras, or ordering Innov8s. I could also do no ordering and likely survive.

See if this works

Get 20% off

Get 20% off at Vivobarefoot.

vivobarefoot.mention-me.com

 

[HighUintas]

Thanks. And my apologies for a few things. First, for not reading the thread more closely. I got caught up in the back and forth about “real” boots vs data. I made a noob mistake. I’m printing the size guide now. I’m also sorry these didn’t work out for you. Are you looking at other options?

It looks like this discount (from that specific link) works after I get someone else to purchase. Do you (or does anyone else) mind sharing your code?

Is there a Form gear list somewhere?

I'll PM you a discount code I didn't use

 

[HighUintas]

Sidenote for these boots and any other mid/short boots.

I found I can do deeper stream crossings by using a super tight Velcro buckle strap around the outside of my waterproof gaiter where the strap is just above my ankle and creates a good enough seal on the cuff of the boot to get through a 30 foot wide 12" deep crossing. I tested it a couple of times last week. Walking quickly. I'll try to get a picture up, but that's what I'm planning on doing with these when I get them.

 

[Titan_Bow]

My first year in my Tracker ESC’s. So far I’m loving them. Last elk season I used Lems Boulder boots, and while they are comfortable, the lack of traction could get downright dangerous. The Trackers sole basically sticks to rock and slick surfaces though.
I’ve been wearing barefoot and minimalist footwear exclusively, for a decade or so now. For me and my body, it was one of the best things I ever did. I never have foot pain anymore. I can spend all day “on my feet” and not have pain. I can walk miles and miles, get back to camp and not have that feeling that I have to get my boots off my feet. Over time, your body adapts to whatever you throw at it. If that’s big heavy stuff boots, then you aren’t going to be able to just jump into these and be happy. But the same works in reverse. If you gave me the highest rated, highest quality, most expensive conventional stiff hunting boot there is, I would hate them as my body has adapted to minimalist footwear.


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