Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[JoeK]

have you found any boots that don't slip on wet steel? wet steel is just Sketchy...

I will say this. Wet steel is slippery with these boots. Scarily so.

View attachment 956902

 

[JoeK]

If your into the moccasin style the bellevilles are worth a try for sure. Exactly how I've thought of them and more than one person has commented the same. I'll still rave about'em for minimalist boots and I hope I can get back to wearing them more. A lot of the upper around the ankles is cordura, with a leather bootie around the foot, and a sheet of vibram underfoot. that's it. super lightweight, flexible and great for stalking, excellent natural foot flexing grip on rocks or terrain, the sole tread is somewhere between the Jim Green and the vivos but I'd say closer to JG.

I guess they're just a little too minimal for my daily wear at this point because I've been in the vivos for like 2 weeks now and my chronic foot ache is diminished significantly. I've worn out maybe 4 pairs of bellevilles the last 2yrs since I switched to mainly those on the daily, but the foot ache has been buggin me bad for a few months now.
Got jabbed right in the big toe through the bottom by a mesquite today because the vivos are waaay more comfortable than my safety boots and we were only working on a nasty tree for like an hr. wasn't even that big of thorns, but big enough...

 

[USADPT]

I ordered the Winter Trackers for myself and 14yo son. They are super comfortable. We are headed to WY in 3 weeks. I’m confident our feet will be fine/warm hiking, but what about long glassing sits?

Any suggestions for socks? Need booties or hand/foot warmers?

I can start a new thread if this isn’t appropriate here. Was hoping some other actual Vivo users could give some insight to cold (teens) weather use, particularly stationary sits. Thanks

 

[RussDXT]

Just did a mule deer hunt with the winter trackers. They are awesome. Packed out a deer with them and the esc’s. No issues.

In the teens they are great for glassing. Below that get boot covers.

 

[Austin Kaufman]

@USADPT I run the winter trackers and love them too. I wear mid weight darn tough socks if hiking a bunch and if not covering a ton of ground I’ll wear the heavy hunt darn tough socks in the cold. If you are concerned just pick up a pair of the over boots that give you a little added insulation and wind break. I don’t have any of these, but some of my friends that whitetail hunt a lot say these cheap ones are nice. Sit down, toss them on to hold the heat in, and start glassing. Not much of a weight penalty for added warmth!

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[HighUintas]

Good to know. I've got the winter trackers as well but haven't done any extended sitting/glassing in them. I really like mine so far.


Has anyone tried the softstar switchback II?

 

[jonpall]

I bought a pair of the winter trackers for the waterproof feature as my escs don't always keep me dry but my feet were sweating just sitting in my house trying them on so I considered returning them. Wish they had some without the lining. My feet get cold easily but also sweat easily which isn't a great combo.

 

[USADPT]

My WT’s “feel” warm for sure, but I’m also in south Louisiana.

I’m planning on Injinji toe sock liners, with a medium weight merino sock over while hiking, and bring booties and hand warmers just in case for glassing.

 

[Formidilosus]

Unfortunately, I am not as tough as an Indian or fur trapper, so I want my feet to stay dry as much as possible.

No boot or shoe is waterproof long term. Goretex sucks in everything- all liner types do. The leather of the ESC’s isn’t “waterproof” but it is highly water resistant and they dry out far faster then Gortex lined boots do.

If vivo could fix the QC issues (eyelets pulling out, rubber/leather delam, stitching waterproofing and breakage prevention) I think it would be perfect and I'd be asking for a tall version.

I’m not so sure it is a QC issue. All of the people I know that have had the eyelets pull out, or the leather and rubber come apart- try to use and treat them like they are boots. They aren’t. They are leather tennis shoes with tread.

These aregoing on their second fall season, a couple hundred days worn, more than 30 big game animals packed out-


The laces do not get tied tight at all- not even really snugged, and they don’t go past the ankle rivet. The last pair lasted just over 3 seasons and more than a hundred animals packed out all over the west.


There are lots of reasons that you may not get the same lifespan out of shoes that others do- weight, shape and size of foot, dry and rocky versus soft ground, etc etc. What you are asking for in your posts isn’t a barefoot shoe- it’s a modified version of a boot. Courtney makes boots that are probably much closer to what you are asking for.

 

[Formidilosus]

FWIW:

The Tundras got their first real use-

 

[Austin Kaufman]

FWIW:

The Tundras got their first real use-
View attachment 958908

Definitely keep us updated on these. I’ve been looking at them for deep snow and true late season stuff. Pretty spendy but at 20-25% off on a sale isn’t bad. I think they look like a decent “pack boot”. What are your initial thoughts?


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[Formidilosus]

Definitely keep us updated on these. I’ve been looking at them for deep snow and true late season stuff. Pretty spendy but at 20-25% off on a sale isn’t bad. I think they look like a decent “pack boot”. What are your initial thoughts?

One week of hunting and one bull elk packed out- so far expactly what I had hoped for. They are like a Steger Mukluk and a Tracker ESC blended. Not quite as solid on hard ground as the Trackers- but perfectly fine. Not quite as warm as the Mukluks- but perfectly fine. First time on a cold weather backpack hunt that my feet weren’t in agony.

 

[USADPT]

So if I’m only rocking the Winter Trackers instead of the Tundras, I should mentally prepare myself for some foot agony?

Seriously, those look very warm, while maintaining the other benefits.

 

[HighUintas]

No boot or shoe is waterproof long term. Goretex sucks in everything- all liner types do. The leather of the ESC’s isn’t “waterproof” but it is highly water resistant and they dry out far faster then Gortex lined boots do..

Agreed. There are times though that I prefer a WP membrane.

I’m not so sure it is a QC issue. All of the people I know that have had the eyelets pull out, or the leather and rubber come apart- try to use and treat them like they are boots. They aren’t. They are leather tennis shoes with tread.

These aregoing on their second fall season, a couple hundred days worn, more than 30 big game animals packed out-
View attachment 958906
.
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I can't speak to the rivet issue other than some having that problem here. Mine haven't had that problem and I also keep mine very loose. By not going passed the ankle rivet, do you mean you don't use the speed hooks?

In your picture, the leather looks like it has separated from the outsole above the stitching. Has it not?

Your stitching also looks far better than mine after 2 seasons. Mine was broken in some spots.

The leather is awesome. My pair was very water resistant until I had the 2 issues mentioned above. I noticed as soon as the leather had separated it started allowing immediate water entry. Just walking through a narrow gentle stream that was just above the outsole would get my foot wet. This i see as a QC issue. Since I've glued them back together and added a random with aqua seal sr, I've not had any problems.

I wonder if it could have been caused by too much leather conditioner or something, although I have only coated them 4 times I think.

There are lots of reasons that you may not get the same lifespan out of shoes that others do- weight, shape and size of foot, dry and rocky versus soft ground, etc etc. What you are asking for in your posts isn’t a barefoot shoe- it’s a modified version of a boot. Courtney makes boots that are probably much closer to what you are asking for.

I'm only 160lbs and use them in the rocky Wasatch and Uintas. No terrain or conditions that would be particularly rough on them i don't think, except the rockyness in some areas may contribute to the stitching breaking.

Courteney boot company?

 

[Formidilosus]

By not going passed the ankle rivet, do you mean you don't use the speed hooks?

Correct sir. Using the top speed hooks on the shin puts a lot of pressure on the ankle attachments points of any boot, and flexible minimal ones don’t have the structure to withstand it.

In your picture, the leather looks like it has separated from the outsole above the stitching. Has it not?

I just looked and only about a .75” spot on the toe. No more than I would expect with the use. I’ll probably put some she glue there as I imagine they’ll get replaced after this season regardless.

Your stitching also looks far better than mine after 2 seasons. Mine was broken in some spots.

From what I’ve seen with 30-40 people using them, it’s due to how people lace and tie them. The people that I have personally ally seen have all these issues were all because of them trying to using them like a soft boot. After changing how the wore them, I don’t believe any have had any farther issues with their next pair.

I wonder if it could have been caused by too much leather conditioner or something, although I have only coated them 4 times I think.

I don’t know. I don’t condition mine as often as I should.

I'm only 160lbs and use them in the rocky Wasatch and Uintas. No terrain or conditions that would be particularly rough on them i don't think, except the rockyness in some areas may contribute to the stitching breaking.

My guess is it is the lacing/wear of them.

Courteney boot company?

Yes sir.

 

[Austin Kaufman]

One week of hunting and one bull elk packed out- so far expactly what I had hoped for. They are like a Steger Mukluk and a Tracker ESC blended. Not quite as solid on hard ground as the Trackers- but perfectly fine. Not quite as warm as the Mukluks- but perfectly fine. First time on a cold weather backpack hunt that my feet weren’t in agony.

Awesome good to know! Thanks for the update. I’m curious how they will last, I wasn’t sure how durable they’d be looking at the photos but time will tell. I’ll probably pick a pair up to try.


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[43.6N]

FWIW:

The Tundras got their first real use-
View attachment 958908

Those tundras come with a removable felted wool liner correct?

How did it hold up? Any liner shifting or scrunching while packing out loads on off camber terrain?

 

[Formidilosus]

Those tundras come with a removable felted wool liner correct?

Correct.

How did it hold up? Any liner shifting or scrunching while packing out loads on off camber terrain?

Had no issues at all with that. I kept them tied on the foot as in the pictures and no laces at all above the ankle- foot shifted a bit as expected, but worked well.

 

[ElPollo]

No boot or shoe is waterproof long term. Goretex sucks in everything- all liner types do. The leather of the ESC’s isn’t “waterproof” but it is highly water resistant and they dry out far faster then Gortex lined boots do.





I’m not so sure it is a QC issue. All of the people I know that have had the eyelets pull out, or the leather and rubber come apart- try to use and treat them like they are boots. They aren’t. They are leather tennis shoes with tread.

These aregoing on their second fall season, a couple hundred days worn, more than 30 big game animals packed out-
View attachment 958906

The laces do not get tied tight at all- not even really snugged, and they don’t go past the ankle rivet. The last pair lasted just over 3 seasons and more than a hundred animals packed out all over the west.


There are lots of reasons that you may not get the same lifespan out of shoes that others do- weight, shape and size of foot, dry and rocky versus soft ground, etc etc. What you are asking for in your posts isn’t a barefoot shoe- it’s a modified version of a boot. Courtney makes boots that are probably much closer to what you are asking for.

I am not a tight lacer by any means, but I do use the top speed hooks. I can easily stick a whole flat hand into the top of these when they are tied. These were purchased in August 2024, have been worn pretty much daily, and have probably averaged 10-12 miles a week of actual hiking not counting general in town use. I think I’ve put the Vivo conditioner on them about 4 times since I got them. I do live in a dry climate but I think too much conditioner makes glued seams and rivets more prone to fail. These are getting ready for their second quail hunting season. The soles are wearing thinner where I’m paying more attention to mesquite spines. But I think I can get another season out of them.

 

[HighUintas]

The tundras look great and sound great, but I'm kinda wondering if they'd be worth the price tag for me. I don't think I see enough low activity days in sub 10F temps for them to be worth it.... Yet. Hopefully that changes in the next year or so