Vivo forest tracker esc durability

Alternative use case… I have a pair that is a skosh big. Thinking I may take them to AK in place of wading boots. They also fit well w socks topped w gortex socks (not sure how well these work).
I’ve tried the goretex socks. You will definitely need the Vivos in a bigger size. Those socks take up a lot of space.
 
I have used Sitka and Kenetrek scree gaiters in the past and both took on damage of some sort within a season. I've had the Kahtoola scree gaiters for two years, going on third, and they have been bomber! I use them rucking, elk, deer, sheep, chukars, everywhere until snow time then I switch to waterproof boot/Kings gaiter. I use them with Xeros and Topos and imagine they'd work great with Vivos. 👍
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The under foot straps on the Kahtoolas are pretty damned tough. And nice ram btw.
 
I’ve tried the goretex socks. You will definitely need the Vivos in a bigger size. Those socks take up a lot of space.
I have a "correct" fit and a size with space in them, trying to figure out which one to keep on the 100 day trial. Do the gortex socks actually work as well as gortex in a boot would?
 
I have a "correct" fit and a size with space in them, trying to figure out which one to keep on the 100 day trial. Do the gortex socks actually work as well as gortex in a boot would?
I use the seal skin socks and they work really well. I can wear my esc’s with a medium sock all the way to a liner and the seal skin socks. They’re a little loose with just the single medium weight sock but still work well. Since they’re not stiff in any way I can wear them sorta loose without blisters.
 
I have a "correct" fit and a size with space in them, trying to figure out which one to keep on the 100 day trial. Do the gortex socks actually work as well as gortex in a boot would?
I live in the desert so I’m not a good judge for their long term effectiveness. I tried them for a whitetail hunt back east last fall and didn’t have enough space to make them comfortable. Then it quit raining.
 
Alternative use case… I have a pair that is a skosh big. Thinking I may take them to AK in place of wading boots. They also fit well w socks topped w gortex socks (not sure how well these work).
I’ve done knee-high water crossings in mine, the problem is they don’t really drain unlike true wading shoes. Ended up taking them off and letting the water out. They did dry out fairly quickly though on hot days.

I would assume they will break down faster being constantly submerged.
 
I'm in now...for science.

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I'm having flashbacks to when I started in construction. My first job with a big outfit was with this brilliant guy from rural Mississippi that was quite eccentric. We primarily did work over cedar roofs on expensive (read tall and steep) houses on a gated barrier island.

He bought everyone in the company a Scandanavian lace up shoe with soft leather ankle height body and a thick felt sole to stick to a roof better. I can't find them online but imagine an ankle moccasin with laces but beefier with a fat felt sole.

We were well known in the area because we stood out and when we were in public at gas stations, etc. folks would make jokes or murmur to each other about our "elf shoes".

I'm going to date myself on this one but our inside joke in the company was:

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Question for the crowd: what type of socks (material) do you prefer when using the forest tracker esc (or really any other leather boot) during warm weather extended hunts or short strenuous efforts with lots of miles on the feet?

For context, I did a quick blast this weekend to scout, just running ridges and canyon bottoms looking for current trails, water, scat, maybe hoping to bump into some elk. I ended up accumulating nearly 30 miles using one pair of darn tough merino blend socks. It was 75 degrees and relatively humid and I tend to sweat more than most. I tried to let my feet and socks air out when I would stop to eat but I ended up with terrible hot spots on the balls of my feet. No blisters at all but they’re tender just walking around in my favorite pair of Lems.

My plan for my hunt in 2 weeks is to pre tape my feet but was wondering if other people have experienced this and a change of sock material fixed the issue. I don’t love the idea of a liner sock but might try it.
 
Question for the crowd: what type of socks (material) do you prefer when using the forest tracker esc (or really any other leather boot) during warm weather extended hunts or short strenuous efforts with lots of miles on the feet?

For context, I did a quick blast this weekend to scout, just running ridges and canyon bottoms looking for current trails, water, scat, maybe hoping to bump into some elk. I ended up accumulating nearly 30 miles using one pair of darn tough merino blend socks. It was 75 degrees and relatively humid and I tend to sweat more than most. I tried to let my feet and socks air out when I would stop to eat but I ended up with terrible hot spots on the balls of my feet. No blisters at all but they’re tender just walking around in my favorite pair of Lems.

My plan for my hunt in 2 weeks is to pre tape my feet but was wondering if other people have experienced this and a change of sock material fixed the issue. I don’t love the idea of a liner sock but might try it.
I wear a liner, but I also did this when I wore stiff traditional boots. For me they work for what you’re describing. I did switch to the Injinji toe sock synthetic liner a couple years ago and they’re quite good imo. I have also pre taped with kinesio tape and it also works and usually will stay on for several days. Most of your issue is likely that your feet just need to toughen up from more frequent hikes, and try a liner.
 
Question for the crowd: what type of socks (material) do you prefer when using the forest tracker esc (or really any other leather boot) during warm weather extended hunts or short strenuous efforts with lots of miles on the feet?

For context, I did a quick blast this weekend to scout, just running ridges and canyon bottoms looking for current trails, water, scat, maybe hoping to bump into some elk. I ended up accumulating nearly 30 miles using one pair of darn tough merino blend socks. It was 75 degrees and relatively humid and I tend to sweat more than most. I tried to let my feet and socks air out when I would stop to eat but I ended up with terrible hot spots on the balls of my feet. No blisters at all but they’re tender just walking around in my favorite pair of Lems.

My plan for my hunt in 2 weeks is to pre tape my feet but was wondering if other people have experienced this and a change of sock material fixed the issue. I don’t love the idea of a liner sock but might try it.

Injinji liners and camel wool socks are pretty much all I wear for any real hiking anymore. There really is no comparison to merino blend socks, especially when wet.
 
Question for the crowd: what type of socks (material) do you prefer when using the forest tracker esc (or really any other leather boot) during warm weather extended hunts or short strenuous efforts with lots of miles on the feet?

For context, I did a quick blast this weekend to scout, just running ridges and canyon bottoms looking for current trails, water, scat, maybe hoping to bump into some elk. I ended up accumulating nearly 30 miles using one pair of darn tough merino blend socks. It was 75 degrees and relatively humid and I tend to sweat more than most. I tried to let my feet and socks air out when I would stop to eat but I ended up with terrible hot spots on the balls of my feet. No blisters at all but they’re tender just walking around in my favorite pair of Lems.

My plan for my hunt in 2 weeks is to pre tape my feet but was wondering if other people have experienced this and a change of sock material fixed the issue. I don’t love the idea of a liner sock but might try it.
Ultra light weight merino blend for AZ summers for me.
 
Thanks for the replies. I realize getting out more to toughen up my feet is the best long term solution.
I’ll give the Injinji liners a try and be ready with Leuko tape and grit.
 
Question for the crowd: what type of socks (material) do you prefer when using the forest tracker esc (or really any other leather boot) during warm weather extended hunts or short strenuous efforts with lots of miles on the feet?

For context, I did a quick blast this weekend to scout, just running ridges and canyon bottoms looking for current trails, water, scat, maybe hoping to bump into some elk. I ended up accumulating nearly 30 miles using one pair of darn tough merino blend socks. It was 75 degrees and relatively humid and I tend to sweat more than most. I tried to let my feet and socks air out when I would stop to eat but I ended up with terrible hot spots on the balls of my feet. No blisters at all but they’re tender just walking around in my favorite pair of Lems.

My plan for my hunt in 2 weeks is to pre tape my feet but was wondering if other people have experienced this and a change of sock material fixed the issue. I don’t love the idea of a liner sock but might try it.
I wear darn tough full cushion socks year round, thought they might to warm in the summer but they don’t seem to be
 
I wear a lightweight wool sock year round. I've never walked 30 miles in a weekend though. Hell I don't even hike. I'm a southeastern whitetail hunter and might walk 30 minutes one way.
 
Darn Tough and Marino/smart wool socks shrink up and get too tight for me over time, which aggravates my nerve injury. Lately I’ve been using Thorlo padded hiking socks. They are really durable. My wife has some that are 20+ years old that she uses for field work and hiking. I can’t get that many years out of them, but they definitely last a long time. I really don’t need heavy wool socks much unless I’m sitting in cold weather.
 
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