Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[SouthPaw]

As a follow up to all of this gaiter talk…
My hope is to wear these next fall for Colorado elk (second rifle maybe).
Thinking Black Mt area at 7-10K’ elevation range in the Northern part of the state.
Questions are as follows,
Will these be warm enough with injinji liners and yak socks? Add over boot for glassing?
Or… Should I be thinking Winter trackers or even Tundra’s?
I’m currently testing in cold weather, some single digits so far, just not sure how cold to prepare for.

I highly recommend grabbing a set of their thermal insoles. It helps a lot in the cold with the Forest ESCs.

 

[packgoatguy]

Question for the collective… What are y’all doing to attach gaiters? More specifically, the front of my gaiters has a hook to engage with boot laces, but this lands well beyond where the laces start on the Vivo Trackers. I wore them once, hooked to nothing, but it looks like there will be a wear / rubbing issue if done this way regularly.

I've modified some cheap gaiters off of Amazon.

 

[Lawnboi]

As a follow up to all of this gaiter talk…
My hope is to wear these next fall for Colorado elk (second rifle maybe).
Thinking Black Mt area at 7-10K’ elevation range in the Northern part of the state.
Questions are as follows,
Will these be warm enough with injinji liners and yak socks? Add over boot for glassing?
Or… Should I be thinking Winter trackers or even Tundra’s?
I’m currently testing in cold weather, some single digits so far, just not sure how cold to prepare for.

In 20* ish range you really feel the cold ground in these boots. But even at that temp an insulated boot really isn’t needed. How’s the time to test. I’m going to try some wool or felt insoles. The thermal soles didn’t do squat for me.

I also highly recommend getting a pair or two of waterproof sock. I used them a significant amount of time on my last elk hunt in the snow/mud. They work well just keep them dry up top, gaiters or rain pants are a must.

Was literally in sloshing water in my Jim greens this fall packing out a bull in snow that turned mud mid day with snow and rain. These boots do not excel in that sort of environment imo but with the right socks they can be made to work, while still taking advantage of the barefoot nature of the boot.


Good luck, I don’t think the right barefoot boot yet exists for shoulder season/early winter in the mountains.

 

[MEdude]

@Lawnboi
Thank you for sharing your experience and observations.

 

[Ajsomp]

I've modified some cheap gaiters off of Amazon.

What insulated insoles do you run in there?

 

[packgoatguy]

What insulated insoles do you run in there?

Little Hotties Thermal Insoles. They are like $6 at Walmart IIRC.

 

[ledflight]

I run my Trackers with a fleece overboot when setting up on the stand. I think it's an old Day One thing. Put a warmer in it if needed.

 

[HighUintas]

Someone else mentioned it on here but Kahtoola makes a pair that works well with these boots. The strap that goes under the boot seems to be less of a problem and I haven't had an issue with the lace hook. Past season models are on sale for about $40 right now.

Hiking Gaiters & Trail Running Gaiters | Lightweight, Durable Protection https://share.google/6OQQ4BusYqAtmsxul


Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

I have had a pair of these for a few years. They work pretty well and are slimmer than the OR Crocs but definitely won't be as durable. The arch loop and hook are plastic, which worries me they'll break at some point. The elastic cuff at the top likes to loosen up. Otherwise I like them. I probably wouldn't have bought them myself but were given to me as a gift. I was surprised at how much I like them.