The TRUTH About Barefoot Hiking Boots - Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Review
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- Опубліковано 23 чер 2023
- My pros and cons of the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC boots after several months of use.
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Once you fully transition to barefoot shoes, there's no return back. I can't wear normal shoes anymore. I feel exhausted after walking in them. No more back pain, no more pains of any sort to be fair. Love it love it love it!
indeed
Strikes me that barefoot shoes are better if you fully transition, so rather than switching back and for for specific activities - but you have to take time over it.
Winter mountaineering? Just get some B2/3s bearfoot kinda goes out the window. 😅
Just get some Altra boots. You get the zero drop wide toe box that these barefoot boots off but they have a traditional sole. Great for transitioning to barefoot or just to solve the bunions
That's definitely true
Agreed. I've worn nothing else for 2 years now, but it took a good 6 months to fully adapt - until then I had sore heels because of heel-striking and sore calves because of the extra demand on them.
I used to wear heavy combat boots with thick socks 24/7.
Since fully transitioning to barefoot shoes over a year ago, and only wearing thin merino wool blend liner socks, ive found that my feet have been way warmer and drier in the winter.
And way cooler and drier in the summer.
Likely to do with unrestricted circulation, breathability and the fact your feet are more active.
Full barefoot shoe convert. I have these boots, theyre great, my favourite day to day shoes are the magna fg though i wish they had stitched soles like the tracker forest esc
Thin merino socks 👍
You have issues with the sole delaminating?
@@obsoletecd-rom no, they have been great tbf. I thought they were gonna delaminate pretty quick as thought there was signs of it from not long after buying them. But it's been a year and a half, nearly? They haven't delaminated. I'm ready for a resole due to wear, the heel area has rubbed through and they've faded a fair bit, but I've worn them almost everyday, gardening at work, got hit by a car which ripped the sock bit slightly a few months ago, I cycle in them and workout in them daily. Literally use them for everything. Been a great investment. 👍
This is for the magna FG.
I've also really been impressed by the trackerforest esc but haven't worn them nearly as much, as they are soley used as hiking boots.
Would you consider the forest esc as a day to day boot? Or is the sole just for very specific activities like hiking?
@@ajo12Oba if you are going to be walking on asphalt or hard surfaces, while the boots are comfy, I don't think the lugs on the soles would last very long, they are deffo an "outdoors" boot. Very nice though
I was walking in zero drop shoes for about a year before I went on a backpacking trip with them. Such an amazing feeling hiking in barefoot shoes.
Honestly and every step up a rocky trail makes your legs feel so springy and your ankles adaptable to the terrain.
Took me 2 years to fully adapt. After one year I tried hiking but my feet were exhausted after half a day.
I have the forest ones too (not in high) and I love them.
Did a few via Ferrata (C/D) in them too. Works.
I love these boots. I bought them after having a spinal fusion and needing to walk alot during recovery. I decided to get these because it was winter and I needed extra gripping during my walks in snow and ice. I love that I am so connected to the ground and it really has prevented a lot of falls. Even on the rare occasion I am walking on a sheet of ice and they slip I can recover and not fall very easily. I wore these all through last winter and walked every day. Now that it is summer, and im more recovered, I have taken them on day hikes up the cascades (here in washington state) and absolutely love them for hiking. I hiked up Mt. Mansfield (vermont) in five fingers when i was younger and hated the experience SO much. My toes constantly got stubbed by rocks that by the end of the hike I swore off barefoot shoes. I went immediately to buy traditional hiking boots to finish my vacation. Im so glad that vivobarefoot made these boots because unlike those five fingers my toes are protected in this boot and in general, my foot stays super comfy all through my walking and hiking. There is something very special about feeling the terrain below your feet and being able to wrap your toes around the edges of rocks and stuff, its just a very tactile experience and the grip on the boot gives me loads more confidence when on the trail. Oh, and walking out here in Washingtons rainy weather hasnt been a problem, I recommend regularly cleaning and treating the leather to make them more weather proof. Also, the leather does need maintenance becauae they scuff pretty easily, probably due to how soft and light the leather is.
Glad to see your review is positive! I was curious if other people loved these boots as much as I do. 😁
I also had a somewhat negative experience with fivefingers shoes. This style is definitely the way to go! Yeah the connected feeling adds a whole other level to being out.
@@StephenJReidI think 5 fingers are more for time served minimalists who wear nothing but..
I wear the thinnest 5 five fingers to work (construction, ladder work, carrying loads over crushed hardcore etc) no problems. If you combine minimal shoes and no socks (which are supportive in many cases) and load carrying over distance, your feet get crazy strong. I'm so proud of my feet after despising them for years and being in constant pain. Walked Pen Y Fan in 5's and looking to do the shale side of Scarfell in the new year.
I'm here cos I need a new winter work boot to stop me nearly losing my toes again. Thanks for the great review. I'm a bit torn between these, the lems boulder (which I have already but grip is terrible and sole compresses in the forefoot so no longer 0 drop) and taking a punt on the be lenka winter range.. unsure of durability tho..
Do you think the escapes would stand up to winter construction work? I tend to parade gloss the shite out of work boots so would they stay waterproof?
Thanks again..
@@Dang_Lin-Wang 5 Fingers definitely have more of a learning curve than most other barefoot shoes I've. I was running completely barefoot on grass for well over a year before I got my Five Fingers and it was still a shock to my feet when I walked on the sidewalk for the first time. I wouldn't recommend only wearing Five Fingers so getting a backup shoe with a little more cushion can be good so you're not making your feet do too much work they are not ready for.
@@gmaxsfoodfitness3035 nice to have some clean grass to run on buddy! Asphalt doesn't bother me cos I've been 100% minimal for about 7 years but it did take 2 years before I could run, my feet were that bad.. my PF were like chewing gum every morning 😂 Can't stand cushioning anymore but gotta deal with the low temps, I'm outside for at least 10 hours a day.. I bit the bullet and ordered the magma esc but they were way too big and now the replacements seems to have been lost in the post! 😂
Out of all th reviews.
I'm from Mississippi, US.
You had the exact details that I was looking for.
Thank you.
Your point about not rolling your ankle in barefoot shoes is spot on. I used to roll my left ankle all the time and it's always when wearing "standard" shoes. I only wear barefoot shoes now and I haven't rolled my ankle once. I think those squishy soles make rolling easier. With barefoot shoes, you feel more of a connection to the ground and I think it absolutely makes a difference. There's definitely a learning curve to going barefoot. It takes time for your feet to adjust and learn how to walk differently, not heel pound but land in the middle of your foot.
I used those mainly as winter boots. I have different thicknesses of wool socks for differences in temperatures.
I double knot my laces and never untie them. I just unhook them when I take them off then rehook when I put them on.
This looks so professional, you presented this so professionally and nicely!
Thank you! 🙂
Ive done 12 month in these now and around 400 kilometers over all terrains and even a full day trek of 47km with soaking wet feet through a Qld rainforest and never once have i had a blister rubbing,sore feet or any other ailments.
My feet always feel planted to the point i dont even think you could role your ankle in these boots.
The grip is next level on all terrains and never do i second guess my placing of my feet because i know they will perform.
The pain ive read in alot of the reviews for these boots regarding the pain in the inner ankle from rubbing pressure is easily fixed with spring loaded lace lockers and not tying them,this way you can dial them in to perfection.
Will i buy another pair,most definitley.
Best boots i have put on my feet.
And no i dont have any affiliation with vivobarefoot but they deserve my raving review 😁👍
That's great! I'm hoping I can build up to long distance in them
Always useful to find a review from someone who’s worn barefooted for a decent amount of time! I had the same issue with the pressure on my heels, still a bit of an issue up slopes even though I’ve been wearing them for over 6 months but I would still far prefer them over my normal boots in 9/10 walks.
Interestingly I have very cold feet also but they have rarely got cold even spending hours in -5 last winter. I think as long as I stayed moving my feet stayed warm and think this is due to using my feet moving actively rather than having them strapped still in big boots. It often takes me over an hour of walking in the winter before my feet have warmed up enough to feel properly 😅
Wish my feet stayed warmer in sub-zero winter conditions. Tried all the recommendations but the only thing that worked was electric socks 😂
@@StephenJReid Vivobarefoot has thermal soles that come in their cold weather specific boots (just ordered the Tracker Winter SG) and when they have them available you can order thermal soles to put in the Forest ESC or any other of their shoes. Customer service also mentioned that their boots are compatible with 3rd party thermal soles as well so you can order any sole from any brand and put them in your boots. Oh and Merino wool socks I hear are what to wear for extra warmth. Hope that was helpful and great review since it made me be reassured that I got the right boot for the New England winter (-23 C last winter) and while the Michelin tread on the Forest ESC was tempting, the lack of thermal soles made me feel better that I ordered a warmer boot.
Great review Stephen. I love my Vivo shoes and boots and they are the only hiking footwear I purchase now. I have supination on my right foot and it's caused me all sorts of issues with traditional boots. But with these it's almost eliminated the problem, because the boot is letting my foot step more naturally. The Forest ESC is probably my favourite in the Vivo range.
Keep up the great videos mate. 👍
Thanks for the comment! 🙂 I'm off to google what supination is!
I found I was rolling my ankles all the time in modern performance running shoes and hiking boots (nice brands too). Switched to Vivo and immediately got ALL my stability back. Haven't had a rolling issue since! Should also barefoot if you can for grounding benefits. All good stuff :D
Hoping I get stability back too, rolled my ankles a lot in the last two years mountain running in thick soled shoes
Fantastic video! I’m gonna order a pair. Thanks for the info and a few good laughs!
I only ever wear barefoot shoes. They have really helped with my balance and blister problems. For activity stuff I like Altras, for mooching around, Lems and Vivos. Lems Boulder boots in canvas and Lems Primals are my favourite mooching about shoes.
This is a great video & so beautifully presented! Thanks so much for covering all the information I was looking for. I’ve been wearing LEMS boots the last few years & recently discovered they’re not true barefoot. Just for kicks I placed my bare foot on the provided sole & my narrow sized foot actually splayed out further than the sole! I’m a bit bummed but I’ve also been having an increasing number of ingrown toenails & foot pain. I think it’s time to make the switch!
Really interesting points and thoughts on the Vivo Trackers. I have the standard Trackers, slightly less aggressive lugs on the soles, and I don’t wear them much because I find them a pain the get laced up and then getting them in and off isn’t fun either. Once on they are fine, and my wife wears her pretty much everyday in the winter. Maybe like you say I need to wear them more to brake them in and make them easier to get in and out of. Great review thanks for putting it out here 😁👍
I used them for work. I love them.
I started my barefoot-shoe experience a few months ago with Feelgrounds sneakers. Next step I will take are barefoot hiking boots. Thank you for this review. I think I will try Vivobarefoot boots. Just have to decide whether I take the Tracker Forest or Tracker Decon...
Barefoot shoes transformed my life! My posture got better. Neuropathy became manageable. My mood improved! High arches blocked blood flow in my feet, causing numbness. Barefoot shoes returned full sensation to my feet, which really helped my state of mind. I can’t explain it but it was very noticeable. All that said, my feet do get tired faster and I do walk more slowly because I’m paying attention to how I walk, rather than plodding along in big heavy boots or even more cushioned zero drop shoes. Luckily I’m not planning to do long distance backpacking, just day hikes. I did meet someone who did the Muir trail in Vivobarefoot trackers and he LOVED them.
Vivos are my fav shoes! I wear them for walking/running and hiking! ❤
I'm in the East Antrim Harriers and I ran the Mourne Way Half marathon in a pair of Vibram Fivefingers. Loved it. Of course I had a few years practice and a couple of Causeway coast runs beforehand. I could hike anywhere in the Fivefingers as long as it's warm enough, though the toes tend to pick up weeds when you run trail and cross country 😂 For that, I've switched to a pair of zero drop inov8
Can highly recommend the magna esc. Switched to "auto lacing". Best shoes Ive had. Thx for sharing!
That connection to the ground you talk about, it’s a real thing. It’s because these shoes have soul 😉
I see what you did there 😂
Am a Xero shoe and boot wearer. It just happened that I started with them and haven’t tried other brands. I hike on rough ground but only a few miles at a time. I love barefoot shoes and boots! Been wearing them for years now. The only time I wear my Keen hiking boots is in the winter when the Xero boots aren’t keep me warm and dry, but they are not near as comfortable, and are actually hurting my feet after a couple times wearing them in a row.
I just switched from Keen to Vevo a few months ago. I put my Keens on the other day and my Keens felt too tight!!
I had the same issue with the heel bite from the leather. Was much better after breaking them in though like you also mentioned. good review thanks stephen
Always good to know I’m not the only one!
I've been wearing Vivobarefoot trail running shoes and more recently the Magna Forest Esc with the same sole as your Trackers. The transition to barefoot-style or minimalist shoes can be a challenge and this is often where people experience issues. I would never go back to "normal" shoes. There are winter thermal insoles you can buy which are warmer so worth investing in a pair of these for the colder months.
Honestly dont think insoles will help me much in winter, I've had to resort to electric heated socks for sub-zero hikes even in big boots. but I'll test it this winter
The people who have issues are the ones who basically jump in at the deep end. You’re not supposed to go to full barefoot shoes straight away. Especially when they’ve worn “normal” shoes all their lives. These boots are not suitable for someone to buy straight away. Feet have to adapt just like everything else. These are an advanced boot for someone who’s spent at least 6 months wearing barefoot shoes
@@toomuch9762what do you recommend starting with then? As in shoes wise? I was thinking these would be a good start because you don't wear them on concrete and at least the ankle is supported, but now not so sure?
@@emmatulloch4199 I have a pair of Lems boots and they are a dream. If you do running Altra are a great brand. These all have a cushioned sole with a wide toe box. If needed you can put in insoles. They are an excellent entry point shoe or boots
@@emmatulloch4199 Altra makes wide toe box zero-drop shoes but they're not barefoot style because the soles are usually much thicker. They do have some minimal sole options all the way up to super thick road running shoes. I've tried them on before and they were comfortable and had plenty of cushion. I'll probably get a pair for my first 5K race hopefully next year.
Great review. The big question I have is the down hill part without a heel. Where I hike you are going up or straight down. I was wondering if you find them slippery with out the heel to catch the ground. It would be hard to land toe 1st on such down hill hikes. Thanks
Amazing boots! I do land surveying. On my feet most of the day. Hiking in rough terrain and often in brush and briars. These boots have held up! One of the lace hooks broke from the black rubber pretty early on and I made the same repair with super glue twice. Not ideal, but this very low skill fix did the trick.
I do have tired feet sometimes, especially the first 6 months, but my pair are two years old and only thing I notice now is my heel hurts when I am on pavement for much of the day. But that could very well be because they are pretty much worn out after two years, can’t complain about that longevity. There was an adjustment period for sure with what feet muscles were used and balance changed and I fell down a couple times fining stability in them. It has proven to be very much worth that effort and transition time.
I will be buying another pair soon. Highly recommend. They are relatively pricy but mine have been productive and comfortable for two years, much longer than the average for my use.
I got a pair of the tracker Forest ESCs last week and they arrived with a lace hook completely broken off and the store that sold them to me said they’d seen that before, so it sounds like a known issue they need to fix. At $430 CAD + tax I wouldn’t chance it again. I returned them.
Great video. Thank you. Kinda feel exactly like you , had some trackers- loved for 4-5 miles - but more meant traditional boots required
In general agree with your points. I typically only buy Vivo’s with a stitched outsole like these ones. You can somewhat improve the cold resistance by replacing the stock insoles with Vivo thermal insoles. I really like my Tracker II boots, but the outsoles are not stitched. The TF ESC have a noticeably thicker outer sole, with better grip on most surfaces as compared to the T2. The T2 have more ground feel and flexibility. Just depends on what you prefer. Only my opinion anyway.
good tip about the thermal insoles, didn''t know they existed!
Slowly transitioning to barefoot shoes corrected every foot issue I had including really bad plantar fasciitis. Jumping right in and doing everything in them will lead to trouble because your feet have been braced inside shoes that don’t allow them to function correctly. They need to slowly build muscles that are weak from little use. Putting on non-barefoot shoes is a horrible experience now. I would never go back. I run in them, walk in them, hike and backpack for miles in them. Every person I personally know that has gone back to supported shoes didn’t take time to properly adjust to barefoot shoes.
Hi, great review, I'm going to give them a try; I too have a foot injury and minimalist shoes have changed my life; my favorite dry weather hikers are Vivos so I will try these .. thank you and best wishes
Enjoy! I hope you have the same experience with them that I have 🙂
It is not about the "support" but because of lack of padding.
BTW: Topo has traditional shoes with a space for all fingers. I recommend having a look. I own two pairs.
This is a really good review, open & forthright with all points. Thank you for doing it!
Re: feet getting sore/painful with longer hikes, something I've heard is that stronger, better-developed muscles are less tender to pressures, and this applies to the muscles of the feet.
Which insert did you get with yours? There are a couple different types that Vivobarefoot does. Mine came with some thin, perforated ones. There's also a cork type and a thermal one. I'm not sure what the specs are, but might be worth a look :~)
-- My experience: About 18 mos ago I bought the same boots after a few months of looking, learning, and consideration. I'd been using my Altra Lone Peak trail runners for about 4 yrs and wanted a natural-function-friendly boot for more mountainy, mud-snowy hiking and property chores. I've had the chance now to use them in every circumstance I wanted them for, and appreciate them more every time I use them :~) I treated mine with Sno-Seal (an old favorite natural beeswax waterproofing product) before winter and they have continued to perform essentially waterproof for me.
Hmmm mine just look like fairly standard inserts. Didn’t realise there were options there. A lot of people have mentioned Altras. So I’ve just ordered an older version to test out 🙂
@@StephenJReid Besides the Birkenstocks I've been wearing for decades, the Altras were my first 'barefoot' shoes. As I started to really put some miles in them my feet essentially outgrew them. I got a few more months use by taking out the inserts. Now I've replaced them with some SplayShoes canvas sneakers for casual/dry and the ESC boots for more off-roady or wet stuff.
Which Altra model did you get? I wish you lots of good times with them.
Bought the Lone Peak 6
Just ordered the TRACKER DECON FG2 JJF, but I am thinking of breaking them in with some Enertor D3O insoles, because I have great experience with those. Fixed my lower back pain immediately. Plus it gives great protection from kinetic shocks.
Im thinking about ordering them too, they look so nice. I need some winter/autumn shoes. How would you review them so far? Do you think it won't soak walking them in rain or snow?
I've worn vivobarefoot for maybe 10 years or so. These forest esc are the best of them that I've bought - they were literally like putting on a nice soft leather glove that needed no brake in for me - I don't use them in the summer as it's too hot but I miss how comfortable they are. I used them for winter boots here in Norway but you need a thermal insole and thick woolen socks. Also never had water ingress but I keep them well conditioned with leather cream.
I've been wearing the Primus Lite III shoes for around a year now. I would get sore feet after an hour or so at first, but now they feel fine. I'm on my feet all day for work and they do get a little tired, but I'm soon going on a 5 day jungle trek in Indonesia, and considering buying these. I do own some traditional hiking boots, but they will take up so much storage and I also want to keep using a wide toe box and use them for future hikes too. Does anyone think it's a bad idea?
I also have vivos and I have sore feet after hours but my feet feel way better the next day! My feet heal way quicker. I’m 56 it takes a bit and damp feet problems were handled with wool socks….I HATE wet feet but happens without a doubt hiking but totally tolerable with my darn tough wool socks!
Had been looking forward to this! Nice review. Most of the cons you mentioned will mostly disappear over time. I’ve been wearing nothing but Vivos (aside from hardcore winter mountaineering boots and cycling shoes) for 13 years now and don’t give any of that a second thought. I did the Caledonian Challenge back in 2013 (3 years into wearing them) which was 54 miles and my feet were fine. Yours will be too! I reckon yours are sore because the muscles and tendons haven’t fully strengthened and developed yet.
Super interesting point you raised about the waterproofing. I do regularly clean and proof mine with a mix of Liquiproof spray (so it gets into every area) and Renapur and haven’t had any sign of water ingress - even in a heavy Lake District downpour that lasted for 3h or so. I did have waterproof trousers covering the top of the boot though.
So pleased they’re working for you! Next pair should be a trail shoe, to use when the weather is guaranteed to be good. Love them during the summer months. The ESC sole hasn’t made its way to anything other than the Hydra ESC yet, but I do believe it’s the best sole Vivo have. The FG sole is great when it’s dry but only adequate if it’s damp - I thought it was amazing until I got my hands on the ESC sole.
Regarding the ankle sprains - I knackered mine way back when I was at school. I did it 3-4 times in fairly quick succession and the right is now definitely weaker. As you mentioned, you are much less likely to roll an ankle in barefoot shoes because there’s no platform to roll off. If you keep wearing them, your ankles will become even stronger.
Hope you’re doing well otherwise. Keep up the cracking content!
Ste.
Thanks Ste! Yeah I prob need to train a bit more in them. I’ll see how that develops over time. I should have talked about the sole more actually, I meant to. It’s an amazing sole, crazy grippy
After years of trying different Vivo's I had to give up on them. Yes, they have a wide toe box but across the board they are low volume, and after a few years my foot muscles developed to the point where most models in my size are just too small to squeeze into. Thankfully other companies came online with higher volume barefoot shoes and boots and I have other choices, which fit better and are generally cheaper.
@brimstone33 what brands do you use now?
@@StephenJReid I generally hike in Altra trail runners. I have Lem's, Xero, Whitin, Freet. If I wanted barefoot hiking boots I'd probably go with Lem's or Xero. I still have some Vivo snow boots that are good for carrying to the ski slope. But a barefoot sole does not provide enough protection for rocky trails. I need something thick enough to pad me from rocks and roots, and anything that thick can't flex like a true barefoot shoe. I tore my left foot up to the point of permanent deformity wearing a pair of Topo zero-drop shoes on a two-week Appalachian trail hike and swore never again.
Can you wear them on Ashphalt or will they wear out quickly?
Im looking at these to try hunting in NZ, I might through them in as well as my regular boots.
Thanks for this! I’ve never been here but I’m current going down the rabbit hole, researching these types of shoes. I’ve always preferred to go bearfoot since childhood, where possible. Then we moved south (USA) and I’ve kind of grown tired of getting stung by ants. But I HATE wearing shoes! When I heard of these I thought maybe they’d provide a happy compromise. I feel disconnected with normal shoes on…kind of like I did when I first started driving an automatic car after learning on a manual. I guess I like being able to “feel” the ground beneath me, even when driving.😂
But anywho… thanks again!
Btw… the rest of the content here looks great too! I just subscribed 👍🏼
My foot collapsed 40 years ago and I was brainwashed into orthotics which due to their supportive nature eventually did help. The cost was the strength and functionality of my foot. -All to be pain free. I have been wearing barefoot type shoes for the past few months and there is a noticeable increase in muscle mass in my feet. I am still getting pain in my foot at times and on longer walks will bring a pair of orthotics if the foot starts to get sore again, No point in walking through pain if the goal is to functionally pain free. Hopefully in the next year or so the foot strength will improve.
Fun little tip. On easy / moderate trails with less rocky surfaces, use them naturally. When you know you'll be doing rough terrain on hard trails put in a " superfeet hiking insole," this will help during the transition phase.
I’ll have to try this!
Nice review. Have been looking longingly at these but can't quite decide if they're worth the risk.
I have quite wide feet, and I haven't gone the barefoot route properly yet, with the combo of quite a high instep, so finding decent shoes to try on here in Ireland is challenging to say the least. How did you find these in terms of width fitting, and volume? I'd prefer to get the lower cut ankle shape of the Magna Forest ESC but I don't think my foot would even fit past the sewn fabric collar :)
Fitting for me was perfect. I used the guide on their website to get my size. Ended up a size smaller than my usual and fit perfect
I did the Cape Wrath trail wearing these in May. I loved them but they aren't perfect. First off I found there was weird pressure point from where the last lace eyelet is, maybe its the black plastic or maybe it's the eyelet itself but someone I spoke to on trail said they had to return them for that reason, I just wore thick socks which removed this problem. The other issue I had was they were too warm on hot days and my feet were damp from sweating (maybe it was the thick socks). And also on man made forest tracks or roads my feet would start to hurt but I did like 20 miles some days, I think its something I might get used to the more I walk in barefoot shoes though. Overall I liked these but will probably go for trail runners next time because these take a while to dry out once wet and I just want to try trail runners.
Would these survive I Patagonia shoulder season? More worried about warmth than comfort, been on the barefoot train for 5 years.
9:06 Regarding your feet getting cold in cold weather while wearing these boots, are there insoles that thermally insulate your feet that you could place in the boots alongside wearing thick socks?
Love these boots. Bought them immediately when they were announced in spring '21 and was honestly kinda skeptical even though I'd other Vivos and barefoot shoes. Was proven very wrong. They're just fantastic and every bit as durable as any leather hiker I've had over the past 3 decades, moreso than some.
Good to hear they are holding up for you
Thanks for the vid. Very curious how these would affect someone with high arches
I’ve heard it can actually help them. Although not sure what the evidence is or where exactly I heard that
Excellent balanced review, without the fanaticism you get in a lot of barefoot boot reviews!
you'd think they could create world peace the way some people talk about them!
@@StephenJReid I created foot pain when I ran in them, still feel it 2 years later! Moved over to Innov8 for a bit of cushion while maintaining zero drop, and now hike in them as well (Trailfly 270)
You could also go the cheap route to get accustomed like I did. That is, walk barefoot the majority of time until your calf, feet, and leg muscles start getting much stronger. This took me from march of this year until about July - August of walking barefoot nearly every day. In cases where I did not have that option, I would walk with inexpensive whitn trail shoes from Amazon. I walked on grass, rock, and street. I live in a mountainous region.
Most barefootware like shoes, boots, and sandals feel way more comfortable once you get accustomed to the raw feel of barefoot
I had these boots but returned them due to the Achilles rub issue, unfortunately they didn’t break in for me. I’ve the Magna Forest ESC which have the same Michelin sole as the Tracker Forest, just a tad shorter in height, and I love them. Totally get your description of that ground feel and connectivity. I wore my Magnas in snowy Finland in -17C with a wool insole inside and my feet were toasty. Synthetic ‘thermal’ insoles do not warm my feet at all in the winter, so it might be worth you trying pure sheep wool ones. As for foot discomfort over long hikes, it’s probably a conditioning issue. I also wear Vivobarefoot Tracker boots and Primus trail shoes and have done 12 mile walks no problem. That said I do regular foot strengthening drills which helps I think.
Good to know that the thermal insoles don't help, I suspected they didn't but loads of people recommending them. The Achilles rub took a while and didn't mention that I rubbed a lot of conditioning cream into the back of the boots as well to try and soften and stretch that part. Only seems to affect some people so I dunno if it depends on differences between ankles or if the boots aren't all made to the same tolerances
@@StephenJReid Im also using wool insoles and wool socks in winter as in summer in my thinner barefoot trailrunners. I had always cold feet, since using barefoot shoes not anymore.
How are the magna forest around 20-25c and do they feel more barefoot less supper than the big version?
@@HenryKlosok I’ve worn both in those temps and they’re fine. The barefoot feel is pretty much the same as both the Magna and Forest have the same Michelin sole, there’s just less ‘boot’ up the ankle and lower leg with the Magna so overall they are a lighter boot.
Weirdly I've taken no time to adjust, I got some cheap barefoot shoes on Amazon for £40 and wore them a bit here and there when I could (I'm a motorcyclist so most of the time I'm in horrible thick stiff boots). Against all warning I did Glastonbury festival as a steward wearing those cheap Hobibear shoes and - I never once got knee pain, no blisters, and just had some sore calves and by the end my feet were pretty tired, but overall I felt amazing. I did four waterfalls walk in those same very not waterproof not grippy shoes and felt so stable in them. So I'm just completely converted. I need these!
That’s great! The standing on relatively flat ground maybe helped as calves aren’t stretched as much as they are when climbing.
@@StephenJReid I did wonder if the warning was also mainly for walking on man made surfaces, because most of Glastonbury was on grass but every time I had to walk on concrete or the horrible knobbly plastic paths it did drain my energy because of how much impact I'd be getting. The waterfalls walk was all up and down inclines and scrambling on rocks though
Been running and walking in sandals and barefoot shoes for a while now and it’s hard to go back to normal running shoes. I found it forces me to run better and as a result of that my knee pain disappeared. RIP my calf muscles though :)
I enjoyed running in them at the time but the main issue for me was again my cold feet. In winter my feet would go numb fast and I kept getting injured as wasn’t getting proper feedback.
@@StephenJReidyeah that can’t be fun.
I’m on about my 3rd week of transitioning to barefoot shoes, I hike so that’s what my main intention is with wearing them. Using Vibram Five Fingers and I love them. I have metatarsalgia in my right foot and it definitely isn’t bothering me as much as it used to already after a few weeks. I’m doing workouts and stretches to strengthen my ligaments and tendons in the ball of my feet as well. Has anyone else on here transitioned to barefoot with metatarsalgia? Does the injury go away completely at some point or do you always have that little “ligament pop” type sensation?
Can you use a sole pad in the winter?
My favorite barefoot boots are the Be Lenka Ranger
Great! Always looking for better shoes, this is interesting.
6:18 I came here to hear exactly this. I had such a painful hike, I had to come down from the mountain BAREfoot. That was painful also due to the rocks, but was still better than the previous cutting with the shoes. I am considering selling them, but I want to give them a chance, make them somehow more comfortable, because otherwise they've got a big potential.
I love them now and they fit and feel like gloves on my feet now. The leather on the ankle softened up. I rubbed some leather balm into it too and worked it with my finger a bit as well.
@@StephenJReid thank you for the advice :)
just got these and they're so nice and ligth in cmoparison wiht my normal hiking boots!...but yeah they bit *so* hard on the back of my leg, probably cause it sits right above the ankle, and it's driving me nuts and i was thinking of returning them just for that just like you said adsfsdfs. I'll try them for longer and see if it gets better!
Took a while for me but they are so soft and comfy now.
That’s it, I’m buying these. I’ve been exclusively wearing barefoot shoes for over a year and I need a pair of hiking boots. I bought the tracker 2’s and while they feel great they’re a bit stiff and they’re a bit slippery. My feet also get super hot and sweaty in them and I think it’s because they have an insulated sole and a waterproof membrane. Just the fact that these don’t have that waterproof membrane nor an insulated sole just makes me want them more, not less😅
I found that at the front of the ankle there were hot spots. But the rivets in the plastic bits ripped off. Now I wrap the lace around the ankle and I have no issues
3:49 Just came back from a round trip through sweden and norway for 2 weeks, camping with a group of people traveling by car and then hiking to the nice routes and stuf
and the first 2 days i did the effort to relace my laces everytime i gotta get out of the tent and i got tired of it
and then i just tucked the laces into the boots and walked around camp much faster and easier lol
9:13 I use Vivobarefoot Thermal insole for in the colder months and it works great (with thicker socks ofcourse)
10:05 in Norway it rained in the mountains for hours and I used this boot as well, the water got through but i didnt really notice it because i was wearing waterproof socks from Sealskin plus liner socks and it worked really good! (feet didnt get wet or cold, just a bit sweaty that's all)
and the hike i did through the mountain range was like 12km long
I did however use the included insoles as i knew the rocks were gonna be jagged and pointy so i get ever so slighty more padding against it
good advice 🙂
i have these boots too. i put felt insoles in them, that works really well against the cold
I’ll have to try that
I use mink oil on my trackers, kept the water out and the leather nice.
I tried these for a few months. Thought the bottom of my feet would get used to the pain, they did but not completely. After about 150km over that time still i find them painful after a big day like you. And I want to be as comfortable as possible on a hike so gave up. I changed to Altra Lone peak all wthr mids after these. Zero drop, big toe box foot shaped but with cushion for me these are the best. Not the most durable but also not so expensive so not a big deal to get a new pair each year. Honestly mate your experience sounds like mine, get the altras its like these but zero pain!
Just bought a pair of the Altras 🙂 I want to do some fast packing this year so needed some new runners
150km is nothing! You need to give yourself much more time to adjust than that. Length of time obviously depends on how much you’re walking per week but I’m currently doing about 40 miles per week, so I’d do the 150km in just over two weeks - the transition should take months so don’t give up! Little and often, gradually increasing.
The problem with your Altras is the cushion. It’s great that they’re wider and zero drop but the cushion is preventing your muscles and tendons etc from strengthening, not to mention it's absorbing so much of your power, and giving your ankle a platform to roll off on uneven terrain.
Would highly recommend giving it another shot and sticking with it. 👍🏼
I love mine. I have bunyans. Tradboots are very painful and almost impossible to walk in. Vivobarefoots have transformed myoutdoor life. You need to work upto wearing over distances for sure but once you get there it's hard to back. Perservere
Anyone know if the these or the same shorter version (magna forest sg) have much difference in support, barefoot feel and presumably the bigger boot runs a bit warmer? I have been waiting for the magna to come back in Bracken
I had the same issue where it hurt the back of my ankle. It really hurt. I gave up on them because of this reason. After this video I think I am going to give it another chance.
Yeah it took several hikes and also I stretched and pulled at the leather on the heels a bit too. Perfect now
I'm curious to know whether you use these on steep descents. I have a pair of Tracker FGs that I bought in 2017 and haven't worn very much for a couple of reasons. First, the leather and padding of the uppers, while being comfortable, means that they are best suited for colder days rather than hot summer days. Second, all this leather and padding means that I found it very difficult to achieve the (for me) necessary locking of the foot to the back of the shoe. Let me explain. When I wear barefoot trail shoes, mostly Merrels, for sports where I frequently need to stop abruptly or where I'm running down hill then I lace them up in such a way that my foot is secured to the heel of the shoe and also held over the top of the foot. That leaves my toes free to move but prevents my foot sliding forward into the toebox to crush my toes. When I tried the Tracker FGs on a reasonable hike I had exactly this problem, an inability to secure my feet inside the boots. My feet kept sliding forward into the toebox and it was very unpleasant. I swapped them with a pair of barefoot trail shoes I'd brought just in case, and the day was saved. So the Tracker FGs are now used when it's cold and wet, otherwise not much and certainly not for the thing I bought them for - hiking. In fact now I just hike in barefoot trail shoes, and like many people I love being able to feel the ground and feel far more secure than in clumpy hiking boots. So there's the question. Are the Tracker Forest ESC's better in this way to allow you to walk down steep inclines too?
Hmmm most of the steep descents I’ve done in them has been on ground that is like steps on the way down rather than a continuous steep slope. So can’t say I’ve noticed it. TBH I find on very steep terrain my toes get a bit squashed in most shoes including my hoka & Salomon trail runnees
Yup, that's why the extra lace hole on trainers that we never use is so important. The hole that's further back and a little lower down than the normal lace holes. Using this correctly you can clamp the shoe on to your ankle, and goodbye squished toes. :) I see that the Primus Lite III has this additional lace hole, though the Primus Trail FG that I just ordered has a different fancy-assed lacing system.
I've not tried those barefoot boots but do have some altra lone peak 6 the problem I had with them was the feeling of all the stones under my foot especially with my camping pack on.the wide toe box is great tho so now I only use them for day hikes without any weight
Just bought a pair! Been hearing good things about them for a while and found the 6 going for half price.
@@StephenJReid they are really comfortable with lighter weight packs I just found them 2 soft underfoot on stoney ground and be careful on wet grassy down hills they can be slippy with no heel brake but for general day hiking there great
@@StephenJReidHow does the ground feel compare between the two? I'm currently trying to transition to barefoot shoes and am looking to replace my rugged leather hiking boots needed for my outdoor hiking job. I'm concerned about my tender feet in the Vivos (maybe some North Sole insoles would help). I tried on some lone peaks and they were very comfortable, almost too squishy, but the lack of a leather upper makes me concerned about foot protection off trail. Any thoughts? This seems to be a niche gap in the current bf market.
Thermal insoles are supposed to help with your feet not being as cold. Not sure if Vivo still makes them
Great review man have you tried a brand called freet there very good
heard of them, not tried
I have fully transitioned to barefoot shoes for my every day walking and normally go barefoot completely when actually hiking. how ever i need something during winter, i got these boots and had the same problem as you with the digging in my ankle i tried wearing them for a long time and they never broke in unfortunately
I spent a bit of time manipulating and stretching the heel area by hand too
Just got a pair of these along with another pair of minimalist-style shoes for everyday use, hoping to help address some persistent lower back pain. I was a bit skeptical, but they're super comfortable so far. I've got to do a bit of adjustment before taking them out into the mountains, but I'm curious how my feet will hold up after a longer-distance hike.
Do you feel like you're able to comfortably go beyond 6 miles after continuing to acclimate to the boots?
Yeah I’ve done longer days in them now without issue and while carrying a heavy pack too
@@StephenJReid I brought them along up to The Cobbler (Ben Arthur) today and was impressed! They handled the mud and snow quite well. Definitely needed some crampons though. 😅
The saying 1 kilo on your feet takes same energy to transport as 5 kilos on your back. My experience of these is that my long multi day hikes are far more enjoyable. When I've infrequently use my "heavy" boots in winter on the mountains they do feel like swinging lead pendulums thus support that first statement and can't wait to get back to the Vivo's... Barefoot stuff has given my legs a new lease of life, knee injuries etc are now a thing of the past, I can now run again, for me I wish I'd known about this 30 years back. I'm three years in to this and took my time transitioning, 18 months it took and won't be returning to the casts. You must take your time.
As for the pain in feet... it's a bit like the matrix... A lot of your muscles in your feet (100+) most have never been developed.. You've had them in casts for years. They've been supported and thus weak. It's like wearing an arm cast when your arm gets broken... does you arm come out of this support cast stronger! Most have been wearing that cast for 30 years on their feet so what do you expect... no pain when using the foot with support for the first time. You will build them up over time, your feet muscles will strengthen, be far stronger, and more importantly on those long hikes, takes it's fair share of the work and reduce wear and fatigue elsewhere, knees , hips.
Sharp objects, stones, terrain over time again become a distant memory, again this is down to weak feet. As your feet become stronger this also becomes a non problem, you enjoy the sensation of different textures... and the way you feet will allow more contact around rocks thus giving you more traction and grip.
Look forward to your follow up review in a years time!
Last week I hiked 8 hours through the Tatra Mountains in my Vivo boots from which I even removed the insole. Not this version but an older vegan version.
I have the primus lite knit for my first barefoot shoes. I love them, BUT when walking on gravel it is painful as I feel every rock really push into the bottom of my foot. Are the hiking boots a bit more protective? Or do you have to get used to feeling every single rock under your foot?
The soles on these are quite thick so it’s not like walking in a really thin pair of shoes. But you do feel the ground a lot more than normal boots.
@@StephenJReid Thanks! That is what I was hoping to hear. I'm fine feeling the ground more, but with my everyday shoes, every little rock digs into my foot, and that isn't gonna work when I'm hiking.
Nice review dude, you'll have to get yourself a pair of Vivo Manga Forest Esc next 😉.
I can also concour that these are amazing boots
Haha, I’ve too many shoes as is. What did you find the waterproofness to be like?
It’s very similar, just lower and with a stretchy ‘sock’ over the top of the midfoot and around the ankle. Less waterproof because of that and I would argue less durable around the ankle/heel too. Never the less, a great boot but if I was to recommend getting something else, it would be something entirely different that caters to the warm weather - a trail shoe.
@@StephenJReid grand like, if needed I'd wear a waterproof sock. Mighy for the summer.
@@SteRumbelowI have a pair of primus trials great for dry hiking or running. I was thinking of getting the magna forest sg as more of an all round hiking boot. How’s it with heat? Sadly at the moment it’s not available in bracken
@@HenryKlosok I don’t have a pair of those - only the Magna FG which is a lovely boot. The lite models will be more breathable due to the non-leather material. Also I would take the ESC sole over SG. It will be longer lasting and definitely grippier - also better when you do get onto hard ground. SG is only really useful if the ground is very soft.
I must try this brand of footwear sooner or later 😊
Still very happy with them!
My youngest son insisted on doing a hike in the Smoky Mountains (east Tennessee, USA where we live) using toe shoes when he was 15. He is very stubborn (gets it from his mother and even she admits it). So we hike 5 miles in to a campsite where we plan to have lunch. When we are finished eating and planning to hike out he complains that his feet hurt. I had tried to get him to carry a pair of tennis shoes (trainers I believe you call them). He refused. Basically I told him there was only one way out: he walked in he had to walk out. He gave up on the toe shoes after that. I have very tender feet. I think the increased flexibility would certainly help with traction but I think I will have to stick to my super heavy Asolo backpacking boots. To each his own.
Ouch. Did he prepare for it at all? The first time I tried running in for shoes I hurt both legs in less than 1mile. 6 months later I was running 18miles in them. But the problem for me was I couldn’t feel my feet in cold weather and got injured
@@StephenJReid He wore them to school and walked around our neighborhood. No trail work at all. He was stubborn! He is now 25 years old and still stubborn! But now that he is older, occasionally he will now listen to his old Dad.
That's 100% a training issue for both of you. I also used to have "tender feet" but now I can walk and hike in barefoot shoes all day long with 0 pain. And I'm talking true barefoot not the ESC Vivos with the big soles. Our feet did not evolve to need huge cushion to function..
Have you try these boots walking on slippery ground? I mean like river rocks that's covered in algae, or muddy tracks. Because if these boots are intended for forest then it should be able to handle slippery surfaces, as in rainforest the surfaces often very slippery because of algae or mud.
Yeah they grip better than my winter hiking boots. But of course will slip on some surfaces
You shuold add an additional thermal sole for cold weather. I've used mine in winter and in snow and didn't have cold feet.
But your feet get colder if you only stand around. You need to move more because your feet will get the warmth from the fact that you use your foot muscles more. Therefore, I wouldn't wear them if I know that I'm standing around a lot.
I’ve had completely cold feet from running in barefoot shoes in cold weather. Moving didn’t help me much there. Think I just have bad circulation to my feet.
I tired these and just couldn't get in with them. Maybe I am far too used to wearing a sturdy leather boot? But one thing I did learn wearing these was that I bought a wider forefoot - the Hanwag Tetra II Wide
Definitely one of those things that won't suit everyone. More boots should have a wider toe box though!
@@StephenJReidI found the Tatra 2 wide a bit narrow. I wear Lowa wide fit instead. Also like a trail runner every now and again as they're more flexible and fun for summer.
I have altra lone peak trail runners and now im sold on wide toe box.
Going to have to try the Altras!
I have been walking with barefoot shoes (not hiking) through all of winter and I recommend just getting the thermal inlay. It‘s a very thin IR-reflective sheet, that really makes a difference. Interestingly enough, my feet are always warmer in barefoot shoes than in normal ones (without any addons) and mind you I have very cold feet usually. I’d attribute that to the increased activation of foot muscles, but anyways, get the thermal inlays, it‘s like 5 euros!
I'll have to try them!
It's probably the extra space. Even a bit of pressure when cold can block an already sluggish blood flow and make you feel colder. This is why boots for really cold weather (like serious minus temperatures and snow) are always recommended to be bigger than what you would normally wear for hiking.
@@tfrtrouble That‘s an interesting theory. You could very well be right, however I am not sure how much heat it trapped im Vivo Georacer shoes since they have a very permeable knit on top.
@@WhiterockFTP Oh yeah there are multiple factors. But lack of pressure could well be one contributor to why you feel warmer in barefoot shoes than normal ones. It's amazing how much difference even a small amount of pressure can make. I cycle in winter and I have to buy thick winter gloves where the fingers are made shaped curled inwards, because if I use equally warm ones that are made with the fingers lying flat so I have to push the thick fabric into a curve, my fingertips freeze.
I tried the thermal insoles - they did nothing. Resorted to wool felt (6mm) insoles - these can replace (or go under) the standard insole. These were much warmer and improved comfort on long hikes.
I finally sourced some adhesive backed felt sheet - stick this to the underside of the insoles and trim to size.
Mine were fine on the West Highland Way. Good boots 😊
Good to know! 🙂
A "small group of people" having issues with injuries from barefoot/minimalist running is a massive improvement over the majority of people (80% over the course of a year) having injuries from contemporary running shoes. Not sure how many decades it needs to be around before it stops being a "craze", particularly since is a return to our natural movement that worked for hundreds of eons. Maybe your injury was a result of running improperly, as opposed to running barefoot/minimalist. Maybe you would have had other injuries running with the experimental and heavily padded footwear on offer now.
A tip on breaking in hot spots on leather footwear is to wet it with alcohol where it's tight and it will conform to the movements of your foot almost immediately. Leather workers who wet form things like leather sheaths and holsters do this. It's how they get a piece of leather to mold to whatever it's protecting, and it works great. Much faster than water, dries faster than water, and I've never seen it effect the leather negatively.
My injury I think was because I was running in cold, wet weather and my feet were numb for the 2-3hours I was out marathon training, so I didn’t have proper feedback.
There have been some studies done in the last few years that shows that there isn’t a difference in injury rate between barefoot and normal shoes.
So it’s really a case of preference now.
hi, how does this sole hold up when the stone gets wet? Can you trust her when walking down wet rocks? Is it slippery on wet stone?
Depends on the rock but it’s grippier than my normal Bearghaus boots.
You are very blessed to live in a place where snakes don’t exist. Here in Florida, the go to boot are “snake boots”. Semi-water proof (they lose their protection as time goes on) but makes trouncing about in thickets etc a breeze as well as prevents an otherwise pleasant outdoor hike from a defensive snake that you didn’t see.
I kinda wish we had snakes 😂 not very venomous ones, but friendly ones
The only thing that stands between footrot, or frostbite, is a dry pair of Sox, it’s good to have at least two pairs of Sox, when climbing or hiking in survival situation, a pair of gum boots in the pack is good also , sweat can happen , does happen, no matter how good the boot.
My favourite thing about barefoot shoes is the grip, the flexibility of the show allowed you to dig your toes into something.
Yeah I really like that!
As with the bare foot running craze that swept through the running fraternity a while back, walking folk need to give time for thier physiology to alter, especially calves.
Yup definitely! First time I tried barefoot running I didn’t manage 1k, 6months later I could run near 30km in them
Do you have a video discussing your injury that gou sustained from barefoot shoes? I'm interested in trying them, but I'm a bit concerned!
My injury was specifically from running in barefoot shoes. Not hiking. The pressures and forces are very different between the two.
I’ve never had it diagnosed but I think it’s a Morton’s neuroma. It’s on my left foot and can be caused by repeated hard pressure or by tight shoes. In my case I was running on roads in barefoot shoes.
First started about 7 years ago and has never fully gone away again.
@@StephenJReid oh okay! I'm considering converting to barefoot shoes full time, so I'm a bit nervous about sustaining injuries. But I don't hike or run, just cycling, gym, and HVAC work, so I'm still trying to figure out if it's a good idea or a bad one! Lol. Thanks!
Do you use insoles with them to help with the longer hiking days
No just the ones that came with. I’m doing longer days in them now without too much trouble.
How long would these boots lastbif doing around 12 hikes per year ?
Not sure tbh. I’ve done more than 12hikes in them and very little wear. I apply leather treatment after every single hike
Would you recommend these if you have planters fasciitis
Honestly not sure, haven't looked into it
I really love mines, the only problem is that if you plan to do for example 3 days of trekking of for example 20km each day, it would be really hard and painful with these boots. I use the for 1 day hikes.
Is there less path erosion with these type of boots? Might seem like a small point, but we have major issues with erosion in the UK and footwear that decreases it would be a selling point to those who care. Also, with traditional hiking boots you end up with half the trail stuck to the bottom, which you then have to spend half an hour removing with a stick or toothbrush. Chris Brasher’s company used to produce incredible boots that felt like a slipper to wear, didn’t cause the usual foot problems and had a special sole pattern that didn’t pick up mud and stones. They were kind of a half-way point between a barefoot shoe and a traditional boot, but sadly got bought up by Berghaus and outsourced to China. Are there any similar ‘transitional’ style boots on the market today?
Interesting question, but I suspect not. The worst erosion happens in bog areas when they are wet and the ground is soft. I think it’s more about the weight of the hiker and how far into the ground they will sink rather than how heavy the boots.
@@StephenJReid I was thinking they might spread the weight better, and the soles might form themselves around protrusions rather than having a flat stiff surface that will dislodge things to the sides, and might not have those stiff deep cleats that vibram soled boots have. I certainly feel that if I wear very lightweight boots or trainers that I’m not hitting the ground with the same force, possibly because I don’t strike it with my heel so much.