Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[yeky83]

Submitting another review of the Desert ESC for the thread...

I really like the outer material, it looks nice and seems durable.

But the fit is completely differently than the Forest ESC. Both in size 11, the Forest laces down nice and as tight as I want. The Desert ESC on the other hand is much more roomy, and even when laced down tight all the way so the tongue disappears, the shoe is too loose. And the slippery insole makes this all the more worse.

It's not a bad shoe, but wear it back to back with the Forest and the fit is so bad, so loose for me. Really puzzling how different the fits are, since with the Forest I'm barely covering up the sides of the tongue when I tighten down the laces. Maybe it's the stiffer material they used for the Desert, and they didn't want it poking at your feet? Dunno.

If I played around with the insole, put a really thick one in there, this might be a winner. But I don't care to play around with that, so it's getting returned.

 

[ArmyAg97]

Yeah, I would for sure agree the deserts have a different fit. The insole is really slick if you try to use it with socks brand new.

What worked for me was to wear them around with no socks for a while (website says they were designed to be worn that way). After a couple days around the house working and prob 2-3 miles walking in them (I did get a couple of hotspots as they weren’t yet broken in) the leather soles really started to take the shape of my foot and got much less slick even with socks. There is for sure a break in period with these. Have prob 12-15 miles on them and still not all the way broken in. They are much less prone to scratches etc than the wild hide. Seems to be a legit tough leather not just marketing.

They breathe very well. I’m in Texas so it’s hot as all get out right now and they are noticeably cooler than my mangas.

Also to address the fit I did add the green performance insole from my magna and BAM same fit, no more sliding etc.

 

[ElPollo]

Submitting another review of the Desert ESC for the thread...

I really like the outer material, it looks nice and seems durable.

But the fit is completely differently than the Forest ESC. Both in size 11, the Forest laces down nice and as tight as I want. The Desert ESC on the other hand is much more roomy, and even when laced down tight all the way so the tongue disappears, the shoe is too loose. And the slippery insole makes this all the more worse.

It's not a bad shoe, but wear it back to back with the Forest and the fit is so bad, so loose for me. Really puzzling how different the fits are, since with the Forest I'm barely covering up the sides of the tongue when I tighten down the laces. Maybe it's the stiffer material they used for the Desert, and they didn't want it poking at your feet? Dunno.

If I played around with the insole, put a really thick one in there, this might be a winner. But I don't care to play around with that, so it's getting returned.

Had a similar sizing experience with the Forest and Magna ESC models. Bought the Forest first from Vivo and loved the fit. Bought the Magnas second from Revivo in the same size, but the fit was equivalent to a full size smaller than the Forest. Both are EU 42 and use the same sole. Strange…

 

[Howler65]

Submitting another review of the Desert ESC for the thread...

I really like the outer material, it looks nice and seems durable.

But the fit is completely differently than the Forest ESC. Both in size 11, the Forest laces down nice and as tight as I want. The Desert ESC on the other hand is much more roomy, and even when laced down tight all the way so the tongue disappears, the shoe is too loose. And the slippery insole makes this all the more worse.

It's not a bad shoe, but wear it back to back with the Forest and the fit is so bad, so loose for me. Really puzzling how different the fits are, since with the Forest I'm barely covering up the sides of the tongue when I tighten down the laces. Maybe it's the stiffer material they used for the Desert, and they didn't want it poking at your feet? Dunno.

If I played around with the insole, put a really thick one in there, this might be a winner. But I don't care to play around with that, so it's getting returned.

I agree with much of what you have here. My Forest version pair are super comfy and have held up well in the year plus I've had them. I haven't returned my Desert version yet, but I just don't think I need the extra durability of the Deserts when the Forests have held up so well. I'll probably

Yeah, I would for sure agree the deserts have a different fit. The insole is really slick if you try to use it with socks brand new.

What worked for me was to wear them around with no socks for a while (website says they were designed to be worn that way). After a couple days around the house working and prob 2-3 miles walking in them (I did get a couple of hotspots as they weren’t yet broken in) the leather soles really started to take the shape of my foot and got much less slick even with socks. There is for sure a break in period with these. Have prob 12-15 miles on them and still not all the way broken in. They are much less prone to scratches etc than the wild hide. Seems to be a legit tough leather not just marketing.

They breathe very well. I’m in Texas so it’s hot as all get out right now and they are noticeably cooler than my mangas.

Also to address the fit I did add the green performance insole from my magma and BAM same fit, no more sliding etc.

Are you running the Performance insole on top of the leather insole?

I’m still on the fence with the Deserts…leaning towards sending them back though…

 

[twall13]

After a bit more time in my Desert's I think I'll keep them. I'm still figuring things out with them, they are definitely different from the Forest ESC's. I've found my feet slide around in them less if I tighten the upper more than the Forests. The lower section around the foot I can still leave pretty loose, but above the ankle I have them fairly snug (it leaves the laces with a lot of length when tied). I may try the tip above about using them without socks for a bit. I have around 12 miles on them and do feel they require a bit of a break in, the Forest's did not require a break in period. The way they have the extra leather puts the break in creases in a slightly different place. I'm actually optimistic that this will prevent the rubber from coming unglued. Time will tell.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[dirtshooter]

Are the mangas worth it being so low?

 

[ArmyAg97]

I agree with much of what you have here. My Forest version pair are super comfy and have held up well in the year plus I've had them. I haven't returned my Desert version yet, but I just don't think I need the extra durability of the Deserts when the Forests have held up so well. I'll probably


Are you running the Performance insole on top of the leather insole?

I’m still on the fence with the Deserts…leaning towards sending them back though…

Yes performance sole on top of the leather.

 

[ArmyAg97]

After a bit more time in my Desert's I think I'll keep them. I'm still figuring things out with them, they are definitely different from the Forest ESC's. I've found my feet slide around in them less if I tighten the upper more than the Forests. The lower section around the foot I can still leave pretty loose, but above the ankle I have them fairly snug (it leaves the laces with a lot of length when tied). I may try the tip above about using them without socks for a bit. I have around 12 miles on them and do feel they require a bit of a break in, the Forest's did not require a break in period. The way they have the extra leather puts the break in creases in a slightly different place. I'm actually optimistic that this will prevent the rubber from coming unglued. Time will tell.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

I have landed on the same strategy as you. Tight upper with loose laces around the foot. Take the extra laces and go around the back of your leg before tying.

 

[Nine Banger]

I'm 2 weeks in on the Forest Tracker ESC's as a daily shoe and the only trouble I've been having is on my left foot right here:




I thought it was athlete's foot at first because we've been cranking 80% RH for 3 weeks now, but at this time I think its from friction related from parts of my foot that didn't move in my other footwear.

I'm trying iniji liners today inside a light compression liner.

 

[molliesmaster]

I'm 2 weeks in on the Forest Tracker ESC's as a daily shoe and the only trouble I've been having is on my left foot right here:


View attachment 924441

I thought it was athlete's foot at first because we've been cranking 80% RH for 3 weeks now, but at this time I think its from friction related from parts of my foot that didn't move in my other footwear.

I'm trying iniji liners today inside a light compression liner.

Does it feel like rocks under your toes or your socks are bunched up?

 

[Nine Banger]

Does it feel like rocks under your toes or your socks are bunched up?

Neither. I'm fine when laced up and active. When I take them off at the end of the day just those surfaces I circled are raw feeling and irritated.

Similar to your skin when you take a bathing suit off after you've been kayaking or canoeing, etc.

I was originally thinking fungus because its 100 here and 80-90% RH for last 3-4 weeks.

I think it's just the liner sock abrading the skin surface.

I'm probably building up callouses where I've never needed them.

 

[blkqi]

Neither; I'm fine when laced up and active. When I take them off at the end of the day just those surfaces, I circled are raw feeling and irritated.

Similar to your skin when you take a bathing suit off after you've been kayaking or canoeing, etc.

I was originally thinking fungus because its 100 here and 80-90% RH for last 3-4 weeks.

I think it's just the liner sock abrading the skin surface.

I'm probably building up callouses where I've never needed them.

Agreed - this will most likely go away after a short period of adaptation. Wool toe socks, lube, and tape, are all good strategies to fend this off.