Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[croben]

My son and I are tagging along with an experienced friend on what will be our first elk hunt the week before Thanksgiving in WY units 86/87.

I’m planning to order the Forrest Tracker ESC for myself as a general hiking boot, but will we be better served by the Tracker Winter II SG for the cold?

We wear Altras and Lems for years.

I would order a pair ASAP and make sure you can tolerate wearing those in similar conditions as you’ll be in there in Wyoming. While you’re ahead of the zero/low drop game coming from Lems and Altras, the Vivos are different.

As far as insulated vs non-insulated, I quit wearing insulated boots unless it’s stationary hunting out of a stand, which I don’t do much of anymore. I would shy away from insulated if you’re going to be moving much at all. My feet sweat more when moving while in insulated boots and then get colder when stationary because they’re wet. I go non-insulated and bring a heavier pair of socks with me. I change into or add those heavier socks on top of my other socks when I stop and maybe utilize toe warmers if need be. My feet stay drier and warmer overall. Depending on how cold it will be, how active you will be, and how your feet tolerate the cold should all be considered when determining which you should go with.

 

[USADPT]

Thanks all.

I ordered the Winter II SG for each of us on Revivo. The ESC I had in my cart sold almost immediately after I posted here, before I could complete the purchase. Lesson learned. Hopefully these fit us well. I printed the properly scaled measurement sheet, and followed the instructions. Ordered size 11(44) “Great” and 12 (45) “Excellent” which is what we normally wear. I’ll be on the lookout for a pair of ESC 12s for myself. He’s growing so fast I hope they still fit by November!

Now sock shopping.

 

[Deli]

Another random question and maybe it has already been answered but I couldn't find it in the search. What gaiters is everyone using with the vivo's? My OR crocs are really loose due to the lower profile of these shoes and I'm worried the straps will be worn through faster since they would be in direct contact with the ground as there is no heal. I was considering a pair of kahtoola's but I'm reading mixed reviews so wondering what some other options are.

 

[Braaap]

Another random question and maybe it has already been answered but I couldn't find it in the search. What gaiters is everyone using with the vivo's? My OR crocs are really loose due to the lower profile of these shoes and I'm worried the straps will be worn through faster since they would be in direct contact with the ground as there is no heal. I was considering a pair of kahtoola's but I'm reading mixed reviews so wondering what some other options are.

I use Rab gaiters and the strap just goes across the bottom of the boot also. It looks like it would wear through very quickly but they haven’t and I’ve been wearing them with the Vivo’s for several years now. I did replace one strap and Rab sells them separately which is nice but it only broke because I caught it on something while chukar hunting, not wear from hiking. Just try it and see.

 

[Hunt_Jefferson]

Another random question and maybe it has already been answered but I couldn't find it in the search. What gaiters is everyone using with the vivo's? My OR crocs are really loose due to the lower profile of these shoes and I'm worried the straps will be worn through faster since they would be in direct contact with the ground as there is no heal. I was considering a pair of kahtoola's but I'm reading mixed reviews so wondering what some other options are.

I am using the Kahtoola Navagaiter GTX in size Medium for my size 44 Tracker ESC. The thin strap fits between the lugs and generally does not catch on things. They are not as tall as I had expected, more of a summer weight/height gaiter.

Past Season - NAVAgaiter® GTX

The NAVAgaiter waterproof gaiter is designed for comfort and maximum protection from snow and wet weather, this is our take on a traditional mountaineering gaiter.

kahtoola.com

 

[Austin Kaufman]

Update on the deserts. I’ve worn them everyday on the farm like I have the forest trackers the last few years. I put my superfeet insoles over the leather inserts. I love the rubber on the toe and the tougher camel leather is nice. I only have two complaints and that is the top laces aren’t just hooks and then the tongue being the stretch fabric. All the way down where the tongue starts on the boot if you get in wet grass then the water will get your socks and wet right at the top of your toes, because the water bleeds through the synthetic fabric. Overall these boots are built for desert and dry conditions so they’ll be great for early season in the low country for me.

Second note. I know a few guys were asking about the quality of revivo. I had a “great” pair of forests and they were like brand new. Last week I ordered a pair of the winter trackers to tryout. They had a “good” condition in my size so I gave them a shot. They have brand new soles, rubber rands, and shoe laces. For $140 I’d definitely buy “good” condition again. (They appear dirty because I wore them around a bit before the photo).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dailyherold]

Man, I'm bummed I missed those deserts. If any not happy with size 12 fit I'd offer to buy.

 

[ElPollo]

I am using the Kahtoola Navagaiter GTX in size Medium for my size 44 Tracker ESC. The thin strap fits between the lugs and generally does not catch on things. They are not as tall as I had expected, more of a summer weight/height gaiter.

Past Season - NAVAgaiter® GTX

The NAVAgaiter waterproof gaiter is designed for comfort and maximum protection from snow and wet weather, this is our take on a traditional mountaineering gaiter.

kahtoola.com

I use the Kahtoola Renagaiters for summer stuff. Not particularly waterproof but are good shorty scree gaiters for keeping dirt and rocks out. For the wet stuff, the new version of the OR crocodile gaiters are really good with the Forest ESCs. They were supposedly designed to work with smaller volume boots. I really like them.

Here’s a link:

Men's Crocodile Gaiters | Outdoor Research

The Crocodile® Gaiter features durable and waterproof bluesign® approved materials and premium technologies to keep snow, mud, dirt, and debris out of boots and footwear while hiking, climbing, backpacking, or traveling through rugged terrain.

www.outdoorresearch.com

Crocodile Mid-Height Gaiters | Outdoor Research

The Crocodile® Mid-Height Gaiter combines waterproof, breathable bluesign®-approved GORE-TEX 3L ePE, rugged Cordura®, and durable 70D nylon with convenient, intuitive adjustments for versatile protection against debris and the elements in mixed mountain weather and terrain.

www.outdoorresearch.com

 

[ElPollo]

I got a new pair of the Forest ESCs in the mail today. First pair are 11 months old and have been worn daily including bird dog training, lots of desert quail hunting and hiking in the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Great Basin Deserts and SW mountain hiking. They’ve held up really well. Ordered the second just as a backup and to be able to rotate and let them air out. They do get a little ripe. I use a set of Superfeet hiker insoles in them and like to take them out and wash them regularly.

 

[ElPollo]

Here is the Kahtoola Renagaiter. They are not coated on the inside and therefore not waterproof.