Vivo forest tracker esc durability

[TheUgly]

On my 3rd pair of Forest Tracker ESCs in 4.5yrs. Forgot how deep the lugs are on a new pair. Last pair was worn for ~2.5-3yrs

 

[Amathanda]

I don’t know anyone who hikes more than my Son (even has his own hiking podcast). He hikes literally thousands of miles per year and now wears the Vivo barefoot trackers exclusively. I learned of these boots from Form and they are a game changer for foot comfort, once you get through the adjustment period. I buy him a new pair every year for Christmas. He abuses those things.

 

[Braaap]

On my 3rd pair of Forest Tracker ESCs in 4.5yrs. Forgot how deep the lugs are on a new pair. Last pair was worn for ~2.5-3yrs

View attachment 1031013

Why did you replace that pair? Did the upper have issues? Or just to get a new sole with the deep lugs? My first pair looks similar and I noticed the sole compound getting harder with age and not gripping rocks as well.

 

[TheUgly]

Why did you replace that pair? Did the upper have issues? Or just to get a new sole with the deep lugs?

Mainly due to noticing the lack of grip.

Also, one of the inside seams on the leather upper split so water leaked in extremely easy. First noticed the split last summer, but I still wore them for the past 9mo.

My first pair looks similar and I noticed the sole compound getting harder with age and not gripping rocks as well.

Not very scientific, but I ran my fingernails over the rubber soles and the new soles feel a little softer than the well worn compound.

FWIW, I still have my very first pair so I pulled them out to check the hardness:
from L-R (1st, 2nd, 3rd pair)


The rubber on the 1st pair of trackers feels softer the 2nd, but not as soft as a new pair. The feel is much more apparent on the sides of the soles than the bottom.

The 1st pair I ever had I only wore for 1yr (maybe 1.5yrs?) compared to 2.5-3yrs for the 2nd pair. So it seems like use is more of a factor than age when it comes to sole compound hardness

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know if Vivo (or any other barefoot brand) has a model that won't deform and swell when subjected to oil, like in a work environment? I'm having a heck of a time finding this.

 

[ElPollo]

On my 3rd pair of Forest Tracker ESCs in 4.5yrs. Forgot how deep the lugs are on a new pair. Last pair was worn for ~2.5-3yrs

View attachment 1031013

I am still amazed at how durable these soles are. I’ve been wearing my current pair for almost two years and have an estimated 1500 miles of non-pavement hiking, plus daily town wear. My soles look about like yours or maybe slightly more worn. Before I switched to these I wasn’t getting a year out of a pair of hiking boots.

 

[dtrkyman]

Anyone have the Magna forest and the forest trackers? Curious if sizing is the same?


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[Quercus]

You can get them re-soled for ~half the cost of a new pair if the leather is in good shape.

VIVOBAREFOOT REPAIRS

NuShoe is the official Vivobarefoot repair factory. We replace all components with Vivobarefoot materials to rebuild your shoes to like-new condition.

nushoe.com

 

[PathFinder]

After eyeballing these for a couple years, reading this entire thread, and getting tired of heavy boots, I'm getting close to trying some barefoot style boots. Still have some questions and assumptions that are keeping me from pulling the trigger.

• I've used very stiff boots for 12 years, and initially they were fantastic for me. After transitioning to slightly lighter boots over time, it was obvious that they were much better overall to walk in. The "high heels" in particular have started to cause some issues with rolled ankles/general stability.
• Life changed a bit with family, and I spend a lot less time outdoors these days. With longer intervals between hiking in heavy boots, they are now very uncomfortable both to wear and hike in. Almost can't stand to wear them at all now. That has been the final straw in pushing me this direction.
• Waterproofing seems to have been sorted out on these with the 3m 5200 bonding and rands, plus leather conditioning. My general practice for all leather goods (gloves and boots) is to heat and apply SnoSeal over and over until they absolutely will not absorb any more. This is done with a heat gun on low. Most things will take 5-6 applications to "top off." After that, they are extremely waterproof and generally only require re-application of one or two coats for every couple weeks of field use. Has anyone tried anything that drastic with these? It seems like they would be as waterproof as any other leather boot with the same treatment. I've never once had a leather boot leak unless water came in through the top with this method. I agree with the consensus on this thread that the "waterproof" membranes are basically useless sweat traps.
• At this point, I'd probably be a fool to go on a full backpack hunt in barefoot shoes. I'm planning to try some casual shoes and work shoes to start getting used to it. What is the general timeline for getting spooled up in barefoots for full backpack hunts? Is running in them recommended, or just hiking?
• Anyone have an idea of the Nushoe company above would put a Forest Esc sole on a Tracker with the rand? Seems like that would be an ideal combination.
• Is it a rule that using barefoots over time will result in a 1 shoe size increase? Should that be accounted for in the initial purchase, or buy the original size for the first pair?
• Also looking at Jim Greens (maybe with a Vibram sole swap) or Freet Impala/Chamois. Jim Greens look quite a bit heavier duty overall. Any input on those vs the Tracker/Forest ESC?

Thanks for the info in this thread. It seems like the ideal barefoot hunting boot doesn't quite exist yet, but the industry is getting closer. The idea of a slightly supportive shank and sharper outsole appear to me, but maybe that defeats the purpose of the barefoot concept altogether.

 

[dtrkyman]

I’ve been in barefoot shoes for going on 2 years, only shoe that isn’t are runners which are zero drop.

Seems my feet are slightly longer though nowhere near a full size.

I have ridiculous amounts of miles on Vivo Magna leathers and absolutely love them, it’s like putting on slippers but I mountain hunt in them.

Your sno seal method would probably work well but kill any chance they would Breath.

I’ve gotten wet feet a few times, they dry out quick and an extra sock would go a long way in drying out the inside while the original sock dries out.

I got a pair of waterproof socks for wet conditions that work well.

I think wearing barefoot training shoes at the gym and casually helped the transition quite a bit.


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[Ajsomp]

After eyeballing these for a couple years, reading this entire thread, and getting tired of heavy boots, I'm getting close to trying some barefoot style boots. Still have some questions and assumptions that are keeping me from pulling the trigger.

• I've used very stiff boots for 12 years, and initially they were fantastic for me. After transitioning to slightly lighter boots over time, it was obvious that they were much better overall to walk in. The "high heels" in particular have started to cause some issues with rolled ankles/general stability.
• Life changed a bit with family, and I spend a lot less time outdoors these days. With longer intervals between hiking in heavy boots, they are now very uncomfortable both to wear and hike in. Almost can't stand to wear them at all now. That has been the final straw in pushing me this direction.
• Waterproofing seems to have been sorted out on these with the 3m 5200 bonding and rands, plus leather conditioning. My general practice for all leather goods (gloves and boots) is to heat and apply SnoSeal over and over until they absolutely will not absorb any more. This is done with a heat gun on low. Most things will take 5-6 applications to "top off." After that, they are extremely waterproof and generally only require re-application of one or two coats for every couple weeks of field use. Has anyone tried anything that drastic with these? It seems like they would be as waterproof as any other leather boot with the same treatment. I've never once had a leather boot leak unless water came in through the top with this method. I agree with the consensus on this thread that the "waterproof" membranes are basically useless sweat traps.
• At this point, I'd probably be a fool to go on a full backpack hunt in barefoot shoes. I'm planning to try some casual shoes and work shoes to start getting used to it. What is the general timeline for getting spooled up in barefoots for full backpack hunts? Is running in them recommended, or just hiking?
• Anyone have an idea of the Nushoe company above would put a Forest Esc sole on a Tracker with the rand? Seems like that would be an ideal combination.
• Is it a rule that using barefoots over time will result in a 1 shoe size increase? Should that be accounted for in the initial purchase, or buy the original size for the first pair?
• Also looking at Jim Greens (maybe with a Vibram sole swap) or Freet Impala/Chamois. Jim Greens look quite a bit heavier duty overall. Any input on those vs the Tracker/Forest ESC?

Thanks for the info in this thread. It seems like the ideal barefoot hunting boot doesn't quite exist yet, but the industry is getting closer. The idea of a slightly supportive shank and sharper outsole appear to me, but maybe that defeats the purpose of the barefoot concept altogether.

I have the Jim green as my every day boot and the Vivo as my mountain boot. I have hunted in the Jim green but eastern white tail and public land.

I got the Jim greens after the vivos. Seeing them resoled changed my mind about them as a back country boot (and I’m considering it before next season). That said, I’ll keep the vivos and hunting with them until I need something different.

If you are new to barefoot, you just need to get time in them. Start now if you plan to hunt this fall.

 

[alloydnix]

Have you guys done microspikes on vivos? I have some trackers but I could feel pressure of where the spikes were through the boots. This was tried on my old pair of tracker SG, but I’ve also tried this on newer tracker textile. I’ve carried some 40+ lb loads in the trackers, but on rocky terrain I much prefer my Altra lone peak boots.