Males’s Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Assessment

Backside Line

If you would like barefoot-style mountain climbing boots for three-season mountain climbing with wonderful traction, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is for you. It’s the one zero-drop boot on our finest mountain climbing boots for males information due to its excellent pure really feel, strong traction, and burly design. Senior gear analyst Ian Krammer has examined these over 150 miles and 10+ days of mountain climbing within the Colorado Rockies. He put them by their paces on and off path, the place they supplied wonderful flexibility and memorable floor really feel. 

Due to a large toe field and zero-drop design, your toes are capable of unfold out and flex naturally, serving to you preserve a relaxed and ergonomic gait. The large 7 mm lugs present dependable traction on most surfaces, though the only real depth stays skinny and versatile. So skinny, in actual fact,  that the sneakers can truly be rolled up right into a small bundle for storage on and off path. We like these for his or her sturdiness and elegance, too – the wild-hide leather-based uppers are powerful sufficient for wilderness adventures however trendy sufficient for the suburbs. 

Nonetheless, the Tracker Forest ESC isn’t the most effective match for everybody. This can be a actually minimalist barefoot boot: they function a zero-drop design, virtually no arch assist, and a really large toe field for pure flexion. In different phrases, in case you’re searching for basic construction and assist in a mountain climbing boot, you might wish to look elsewhere. They’re additionally impressively water-resistant, however meaning they’re on the heavy aspect for barefoot boots, which could not work properly for light-weight hikers and backpackers. Lastly, the only real depth is skinny, which makes them much less sturdy general in comparison with burlier boots.

These are additionally a few of the priciest boots we’ve examined – though you received’t discover higher high quality or safety within the barefoot boot class. In case you’re searching for versatile, comfortable zero-drop footwear for cooler temperatures and need pure motion over most assist and safety, the Forest ESCs are an ideal selection.

Consolation

For barefoot hikers taking up diversified terrain, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is one among our high picks. Not like conventional footwear, zero-drop boots don’t have any heel-to-toe peak distinction. Which means your toes can bend, flex and unfold naturally in these boots – as if you’re barefoot – to maintain your stride impartial over lengthy miles. In case you’re available in the market for zero-drop boots, these are within the candy spot for a foot-shaped profile, versatile soles, and malleable uppers.

We additionally love the massive toe field in these boots. This design permits toes to unfold out naturally and the foot to flex uninhibited, which is necessary on off-camber trails and rocky routes. Due to the ultra-thin 2.5 mm sole depth and really minimal arch assist, you’ll discover most rocks and roots within the Forest ESC, making for excellent sensitivity to the bottom that extra structured boots lack. We additionally discover them simple to placed on and take off due to the softer supplies and huge heel loop.

Gear analyst Ian Krammer discovered that after simply 10 miles of mountain climbing, the wild conceal leather-based and rubber paneling adapts properly to your toes for a versatile and comfortable match, which makes them an ideal choice for various foot sizes and styles. And as soon as the laces are dialed in, they maintain stress throughout the highest of the toes properly, and want minimal changes. 

On the draw back, the Forest ESCs design isn’t for everybody. In case you want extra safety from the bottom or added assist by the foot, the skinny soles and lack of construction can really feel uncomfortable. And, in case you’re used to extra conventional boots with a excessive heel-to-toe drop, switching to zero-drop sneakers can take a number of weeks to regulate.

Throughout testing on scorching summer season days in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, we discovered the leather-based can really feel too scorching above 80°F. At these temperatures, our toes have been sweating, which might result in blisters and rubbing on longer hikes. The lacing system is a bit cumbersome: the three lace hook pairs on the high of the boot curve inward, which catches the laces as a substitute of letting them slide simply. Usually, it takes a bit extra focus and time to tie the Forest ESC, which isn’t splendid once you’re in a rush or have to make a fast adjustment.

Ankle Assist

If you would like minimal ankle assist, these are the boots for you. Their wild conceal leather-based and rubber overlays present a sturdy however versatile higher for agile, pure ankle movement in comparison with conventional mountain climbing boots. The taller ankle peak provides waterproofing and a little bit of safety in brambles and overgrowth, nevertheless it’s greater than mushy sufficient to maintain a pure gait. Plus, Vivobarefoot’s wild conceal leather-based will get softer and extra pliable the extra you put on it, making these an ideal match for various foot shapes and mountain climbing wants.

We suggest the Forest ESC on virtually any terrain the place groundfeel issues. We’ve taken these on severe off-trail terrain like rocky scrambles and thick bushwhacks in Colorado’s Entrance Vary, the place we needed to really feel the form of the rocks, the curve of a log, and angle of the bottom as we moved. When exact foot placement issues, otherwise you merely like a extra versatile boot, these are an ideal selection.

Nonetheless, these boots lack the agency ankle assist present in bulkier, conventional mountain climbing fashions. In case you like inflexible boots, particularly boots with ankle assist for heavy masses or rugged situations, you’ll wish to look elsewhere. Hikers with weak or injury-prone ankles might discover the minimalist design underwhelming, particularly on steep inclines and routes with combined terrain. Their zero-drop platform additionally shifts extra stabilization work to the ankles, which might instantly result in pressure on longer or intense hikes. 

Weight

If you would like minimal ankle assist, these are the boots for you. Their wild conceal leather-based and rubber overlays present a sturdy however versatile higher for agile, pure ankle movement in comparison with conventional mountain climbing boots. The taller ankle peak provides waterproofing and a little bit of safety in brambles and overgrowth, nevertheless it’s greater than mushy sufficient to maintain a pure gait. Plus, Vivobarefoot’s wild conceal leather-based will get softer and extra pliable the extra you put on it, making these an ideal match for various foot shapes and mountain climbing wants.

We suggest the Forest ESC on virtually any terrain the place groundfeel issues. We’ve taken these on severe off-trail terrain like rocky scrambles and thick bushwhacks in Colorado’s Entrance Vary, the place we needed to really feel the form of the rocks, the curve of a log, and angle of the bottom as we moved. When exact foot placement issues, otherwise you merely like a extra versatile boot, these are an ideal selection.

Nonetheless, these boots lack the agency ankle assist present in bulkier, conventional mountain climbing fashions. In case you like inflexible boots, particularly boots with ankle assist for heavy masses or rugged situations, you’ll wish to look elsewhere. Hikers with weak or injury-prone ankles might discover the minimalist design underwhelming, particularly on steep inclines and routes with combined terrain. Their zero-drop platform additionally shifts extra stabilization work to the ankles, which might instantly result in pressure on longer or intense hikes. . 

Traction

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESCs have dependable traction due to skinny, sticky rubber outsoles with large lugs that supply wonderful floor really feel. The only real depth is simply 2.5 mm, which implies you’ll expertise the lumps and bumps of the path greater than most mountain climbing boots. When cautious foot placement is vital, otherwise you merely need most floor contact with each step, these are an ideal selection. Their Michelin model outsoles are tremendous versatile and maintain fixed contact with the bottom once you’re heading off-trail and want dependable traction on difficult, forested inclines and rocky routes. 

Their lug depth is a whopping 7 mm, a few of the deepest lugs we’ve seen within the mountain climbing boot class. Which means the Forest ESC feels extremely safe on ascents and descents. On a climb of Colorado’s 13,154’ Ogallala Peak in summer season, we discovered this design was particularly efficient for traction on unfastened, dry terrain like gravel, grime, and sand. It additionally carried out properly on quick, technical sections the place sensitivity to edges was necessary. The lug design is unfold out sufficient that it sheds mud simply, too. In case you’re clamoring up sharp inclines and braking on gnarly downhills, these kicks deal with tough trails like an SUV in low gear.

The draw back? These are minimalist boots with much less padding than conventional choices. We observed the shortage of cushioning most on flat, groomed trails and human-made surfaces, the place the skinny soles and deep lugs nonetheless grip properly, however can really feel a bit awkward and knobby. In case you want boots with thicker midsoles produced from foam, or in case you’re mountain climbing solely on flat, groomed trails, these boots will miss the mark.

We additionally discover these boots aren’t probably the most dependable on icy, tremendous slick terrain. They have been dependable when crossing moist logs and rocks after rainstorms within the excessive Rockies, however in relation to laborious surfaces the place the lugs can’t dig in, like moist grass, boulders, and ice, they have an inclination to slip. That stated, this was a small subject – in relation to traction, these boots get the job carried out.

Climate Resistance

The Forest ESCs provide strong climate resistance, so that they’re a superb decide for mountain climbing in early spring till late fall. Their wild conceal leather-based uppers present a protecting layer towards moisture and damp situations that may maintain your toes dry throughout fast storms. A waterproof leather-based construct, mixed with a cosy ankle collar, helps forestall water from seeping in. When Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer was crossing shallow streams, puddles, and shifting by moist underbrush throughout testing, he discovered the ankle peak and supplies minimized splash-back and stored twigs, gravel, and dirt out.

That stated, the Forest ESCs do have some limitations. They’ve a water-proof coating, rubber overlays, and double-stitched outsoles to assist resist moisture – however that’s their main line of protection. They don’t have a water-proof membrane like extra conventional choices. Though we haven’t discovered this to be a difficulty in our testing up to now, you’ll want to remain on high of normal waterproofing therapies with leather-based care merchandise to maintain the leather-based performing its finest.

The leather-based additionally offers a little bit of added heat, making this mannequin a sensible choice for cool shoulder season situations the place you want a bit of additional insulation with out overheating. These boots felt snug on frigid 35 to 45°F days within the backcountry. Nonetheless, we don’t suggest them beneath freezing – they don’t have a lot padding in comparison with thicker choices, so that you’ll wish to use heat mountain climbing socks when the temperatures dip. On the flipside, you might wish to look elsewhere in case you’re headed into particularly scorching climates. The leather-based isn’t breathable and has no mesh, to allow them to really feel highly regarded in 80°F and above.  

One other draw back of those boots is that they dry slowly. Although Vivobarefoot claims quick-drying synthetics on the within, we discover the other once we by accident dunked our toes in a creek crossing. The Forest ESC took many hours to completely dry at room temperature, and it was an uncomfortable stroll out, which could possibly be an actual drawback on longer journeys in unpredictable climate. 

Sturdiness

With sturdy wild conceal leather-based uppers, artificial rubber overlays, and powerful rubber soles, the Forest ESC’s provide strong sturdiness. These supplies are powerful however versatile within the backcountry and successfully resist abrasions from sharp rocks, brambles, and roots whereas protecting the boot’s integrity and form. 

Like most leather-based boots, this mannequin requires common upkeep like leather-based cleaner and waterproof therapies to forestall drying and cracking, protect their flexibility, and improve their water resistance. Our testing reveals probably the most vital put on on the uppers happens on the forefoot flex level and throughout the ankle’s higher space. We’ve additionally observed harm to the stitching in the back of the foot, the place the outsole is connected to the heel.

Easy metallic parts, spherical laces, and a burly heel loop increase the longevity of the Forest ESCs. The versatile rubber outsole is stitched instantly onto the leather-based of the boots for added sturdiness, lowering the possibilities of the outsole separating from the uppers. Though the soles are skinny, Vivobarefoot makes use of Michelin’s proprietary rubber composite that balances grip and sturdiness.

Our largest gripe about these boots is the shortage of sturdiness of the outsoles. General, Vivobarefoot’s rubber mix is sticky and cheesy on most surfaces, however it isn’t as long-lasting because the uppers or boots with heavier, thicker, and stiffer composites. We’ve but to check these boots to their level of failure, however primarily based on how the lugs have worn down on the 250 mile mark, we count on to get no less than one other 250 miles earlier than the soles put on out. Fortunately, Vivobarefoot companions with Nushoe.com, a resoling service for cherished footwear – so when it’s time for a brand new pair, you have got choices.

The Vivobarefoot Tracker 2 is a superb selection for minimalist hikers who need zero-drop boots with a pure foot form for day hikes and fast adventures in cool and truthful climate. The Tracker 2s have a large toe field, tall ankle and padded tongue that makes them really feel snug mile after mile – however due to leather-based and rubber uppers, these boots nonetheless provide strong safety from brambles and sharp rocks. Combining deep lugs with a skinny sole depth,  the Tracker 2’s really feel gentle however dependable on all the pieces from rocky routes to groomed trails. In case you’re searching for a close-to-the-ground mountain climbing expertise, the Tracker 2s presents best-in-class floor really feel and adaptability that barefoot hikers will love.

Nonetheless, we don’t suggest the Tracker 2’s for mountain climbing solely on easy, flat trails – or in case you’re tackling icy or extraordinarily moist environments, the place the deep lugs aren’t as grippy. The soles aren’t as sturdy as boots constructed with stronger and thicker supplies, and in the event that they do get moist inside, they will take a very long time to dry out. Lastly, the ESC is a bit heavy and spendy. Nonetheless, for hikers who need robust barefoot-style boots with strong safety, an ergonomic design, and unequalled floor really feel, the Tracker 2’s will test each field.

What Different mountain climbing boots Ought to You Think about?

Head over to our checklist of the Greatest Mountain climbing Boots for Males to take a look at the complete checklist of suggestions. The Vivobarefoot Tracker 2 is the one minimalist choice among the many boots we’ve examined. In case you’re not offered on minimalist, zero drop footwear, take into account a few of the different mountain climbing boots we’ve examined and reviewed: 

La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Assessment – These La Sportivas are on the dear finish just like the Forest ESC and in addition provide minimal ankle assist and distinctive building These boots are additionally a superb wager for moist shoulder season situations the place heat and and traction matter, though they don’t match as ergonomically because the Tracker 2s and have minimal floor really feel.

Salomon X Extremely 4 Mid GTX Assessment – The Salomon X Extremely 4 Mid GTX are one among our favourite boots for low weight, minimal ankle assist, and traction. From winter day hikes to technical trails, these boots are a slam-dunk with ample cushioning, correct sizing, and stellar climate resistance, though in comparison with the Tracker 2s these are extra  structured, basic mountain climbing boot design with larger price ticket.

Merrell Moab Assessment – The Moab 3s are some of the standard mountain climbing boots of all time due to their consolation and flexibility. Whereas they’ve the next stack peak than the Forest ESC, they provide comparable sturdiness and minimalist ankle assist. We want the Moabs for hikes the place floor really feel is much less necessary however you desire a extra soft journey – and aren’t as spendy, both.