Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[BBob]

A couple of comments on the stickiness of the ESC sole and rocks. They are fine and totally workable for general hiking and hunting over and around rocks but they are not as sticky as some other boots I’ve owned. I’ve worn them as a rock approach shoe but don’t anymore, not sticky enough. I can do it but it was sketchy at times. I also found them slightly lacking on wet rocks. Not that they are bad but I have had better. Like anything you’ll figure out their personality and then carry on as normal. I’ll second what was said above if you are coming from a traditional stiff soled boot. Don’t expect to just jump into these full time, definitely give yourself some transition time.

 

[fwafwow]

Anyone know how much these weigh? I found a quote online (not on the Vivo site) that says 550g - or about 1.2lbs. If that’s right, is that per boot or for the pair?

 

[Antares]

Doesn’t change the fact that more shoe is better.

So do you hunt in plastic mountaineering boots?

You seem to have a lot of thoughts about these boots. How many pairs have you had?

 

[sndmn11]

Anyone know how much these weigh? I found a quote online (not on the Vivo site) that says 550g - or about 1.2lbs. If that’s right, is that per boot or for the pair?

I didn't weigh mine, but 18oz sounds really close per boot.

 

[fwafwow]

I didn't weigh mine, but 18oz sounds really close per boot.

Wow - thanks. My Lacrosse boots weigh 44oz - each.

 

[BBob]

Magna Forest size 44, 18oz ea, 36oz pr actual weight.

 

[Formidilosus]

To all as a public service- if you are not already wildly conditioned to minimalist shoes, take it very easy and slow if you try these or any minimal. Conventional shoes are casts and your feet are weak as a result- you can hurt yourself quickly if you just jump straight to a minimal shoe especially under weight on broken terrain without conditioning first. Minimal shoes are awesome and your body will thank you if you slowly and methodically build your feet up.

 

[Dobermann]

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.

My pair came with the leather balm, and it seems to work really well ... I've mostly used them on our local 3D course so far, which has some muddy sections, and the boots have remained waterproof and cleaned up well afterwards.

 

[HighUintas]

To all as a public service- if you are not already wildly conditioned to minimalist shoes, take it very easy and slow if you try these or any minimal. Conventional shoes are casts and your feet are weak as a result- you can hurt yourself quickly if you just jump straight to a minimal shoe especially under weight on broken terrain without conditioning first. Minimal shoes are awesome and your body will thank you if you slowly and methodically build your feet up.

I can attest to this. I run a LOT and used to wear minimal shoes. there were slight injuries frequently for a couple of years before my feet and lower legs strengthened enough to use them all the time. I can't go completely minimal on running shoes now due to terrain, but still enjoy them wear I can.

 

[HighUintas]

For a leather conditioner/water proofer for these what seems to be the most effective other than the renapur stuff they recommend?

I have obenaufs heavy duty LP, which is great, but as I understand it is not a water proofer but a leather preservative. It does provide some water resistance but seems to lose its surface water repellant nature fairly quickly when wearing the boots.

@Formidilosus what type of conditioner or water proofer have you used on them?

 

[BBob]

I’m using Nikwax. I already had it, it works and you can get it just about anywhere.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus what type of conditioner or water proofer have you used on them?

I’ve used several including obenaufs. Last one was Courtney, however next I will try the Renapur.

 

[Stu]

I got my first pair of more minimal shoes (which still had some hard arch support) and went for a two mile run immediately like I did with conventional trail runners. Didn’t go well and spent a couple of months recovering from it. My feet had no strength in supporting the arches and got hurt. I eased back big time and now wear the lightest Inov-8 shoe they make for daily use which is basically a modern moccasin.

I will second easing into it and not being afraid to wear supportive shoes on days where you’re standing for hours or moving several miles while you strengthen up.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

You have to run like someone who hasn’t had their body deformed by sitting in chairs or wearing heeled Nikes for decades. Watch how toddlers run. Here’s the best video I’ve seen on doing so:

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[Stu]

You have to run like someone who hasn’t had their body deformed by sitting in chairs or wearing heeled Nikes for decades. Watch how toddlers run. Here’s the best video I’ve seen on doing so:

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That's a very interesting video and I can personally attest to at least some of what he says. I think everyone who has taken off through their house at a sprint in their socks can at some level identify with some of that content if they stop and think about it.

Thanks for sharing that. I'll be nerding out on that for a while.

 

[Formidilosus]

Probably the best thing people could do for lower body and spine preservation, longevity, and durability, is to methodically move from modern footwear (foot casts) to a minimal or barefoot shoe/boot.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

Probably the best thing people could do for lower body and spine preservation, longevity, and durability, is to methodically move from modern footwear (foot casts) to a minimal or barefoot shoe/boot.

Form, what are your recommendations everyday shoe/boot?

 

[Formidilosus]

Form, what are your recommendations everyday shoe/boot?

Something minimal. I tend to wear Inov-8, Vivo, etc. flat and minimal shoes, or flip flops.

 

[Dobermann]

Form, what are your recommendations everyday shoe/boot?

I'm not Form, but FWIW, Vivo also do their 'Tracker' (not the ESC model), which is billed as an everyday / light hiker crossover.

I wear this every day at work, which allows me to hit a trail on the way home from work if I want.

It also has a similar feel to the Tracker ESC, which I tend to live in on weekends - so the transition feels more seemless ... for me, at least.

 

[Titan_Bow]

I wear Xero shoes sandals all summer, and Merrel Trail Gloves a lot. The newest version of Trail Gloves are no longer as minimal as I like however. My latest running shoes are from Xero as well. Also have some nice leather shoes from Vivo, as well as the Tracker ESCs. Lems boots are good too for around town or work. Belleville Mini-mil army boots are also good


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