Males’s Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Evaluation

Backside Line

In order for you barefoot-style climbing boots for three-season climbing with glorious traction, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is for you. It’s the one zero-drop boot on our finest 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 climbing within the Colorado Rockies. He put them by means of their paces on and off path, the place they provided glorious flexibility and noteworthy floor really feel. 

Due to a large toe field and zero-drop design, your toes are in a position to unfold out and flex naturally, serving to you preserve a relaxed and ergonomic gait. The massive 7 mm lugs present dependable traction on most surfaces, though the only real depth stays skinny and versatile. So skinny, actually,  that the footwear can truly be rolled up right into a small package deal 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 very best match for everybody. This can be a actually minimalist barefoot boot: they function a zero-drop design, virtually no arch assist, and a really extensive toe field for pure flexion. In different phrases, in the event you’re in search of traditional construction and assist in a 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 nicely for light-weight hikers and backpackers. Lastly, the only real depth is skinny, which makes them much less sturdy total in comparison with burlier boots.

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

Consolation

For barefoot hikers taking over assorted terrain, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is one among our prime picks. In contrast to conventional footwear, zero-drop boots don’t have any heel-to-toe top distinction. Meaning 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 the event 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 large 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 straightforward 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 climbing, the wild cover leather-based and rubber paneling adapts nicely to your toes for a versatile and comfy match, which makes them an excellent possibility for various foot sizes and styles. And as soon as the laces are dialed in, they maintain stress throughout the highest of the toes nicely, and wish minimal changes. 

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

Throughout testing on sizzling summer season days in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, we discovered the leather-based can really feel too sizzling above 80°F. At these temperatures, our toes had been sweating, which may result in blisters and rubbing on longer hikes. The lacing system is a bit cumbersome: the three lace hook pairs on the prime 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 perfect whenever you’re in a rush or must make a fast adjustment.

Ankle Assist

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

We advocate the Forest ESC on virtually any terrain the place groundfeel issues. We’ve taken these on critical 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 excellent selection.

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

Weight

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

We advocate the Forest ESC on virtually any terrain the place groundfeel issues. We’ve taken these on critical 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 excellent selection.

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

Traction

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

Their lug depth is a whopping 7 mm, a number of the deepest lugs we’ve seen within the climbing boot class. Meaning 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, filth, and sand. It additionally carried out nicely on brief, technical sections the place sensitivity to edges was necessary. The lug design is unfold out sufficient that it sheds mud simply, too. In the event 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 dearth of cushioning most on flat, groomed trails and human-made surfaces, the place the skinny soles and deep lugs nonetheless grip nicely, however can really feel a bit awkward and knobby. In the event you favor boots with thicker midsoles created from foam, or in the event you’re climbing completely 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 had been dependable when crossing moist logs and rocks after rainstorms within the excessive Rockies, however relating to laborious surfaces the place the lugs can’t dig in, like moist grass, boulders, and ice, they have a tendency to slip. That stated, this was a small problem – relating to traction, these boots get the job finished.

Climate Resistance

The Forest ESCs provide strong climate resistance, so that they’re an excellent choose for climbing in early spring till late fall. Their wild cover leather-based uppers present a protecting layer in opposition to moisture and damp circumstances that can hold your toes dry throughout fast storms. A waterproof leather-based construct, mixed with a comfortable ankle collar, helps stop water from seeping in. When Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer was crossing shallow streams, puddles, and shifting by means of moist underbrush throughout testing, he discovered the ankle top and supplies minimized splash-back and saved twigs, gravel, and dust out.

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

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

One other draw back of those boots is that they dry slowly. Despite the fact that Vivobarefoot claims quick-drying synthetics on the within, we discover the alternative after we unintentionally 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 might be an actual drawback on longer journeys in unpredictable climate. 

Sturdiness

With strong wild cover 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 stop drying and cracking, protect their flexibility, and enhance 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 hooked up to the heel.

Easy metallic elements, spherical laces, and a burly heel loop enhance the longevity of the Forest ESCs. The versatile rubber outsole is stitched straight onto the leather-based of the boots for added sturdiness, decreasing 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 dearth of sturdiness of the outsoles. Total, 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 based mostly 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 liked footwear – so when it’s time for a brand new pair, you’ve 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 comfy 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 mild however dependable on every part from rocky routes to groomed trails. In the event you’re in search of a close-to-the-ground climbing expertise, the Tracker 2s gives best-in-class floor really feel and suppleness that barefoot hikers will love.

Nonetheless, we don’t advocate the Tracker 2’s for climbing completely on easy, flat trails – or in the event 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 sturdy barefoot-style boots with strong safety, an ergonomic design, and unmatched floor really feel, the Tracker 2’s will verify each field.

What Different climbing boots Ought to You Take into account?

Head over to our checklist of the Greatest Climbing Boots for Males to take a look at the complete checklist of suggestions. The Vivobarefoot Tracker 2 is the one minimalist possibility among the many boots we’ve examined. In the event you’re not bought on minimalist, zero drop footwear, think about a number of the different climbing boots we’ve examined and reviewed: 

La Sportiva Extremely Raptor II Evaluation – 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 an excellent guess for moist shoulder season circumstances 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 Evaluation – 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, traditional climbing boot design with increased price ticket.

Merrell Moab Evaluation – The Moab 3s are probably the most standard climbing boots of all time due to their consolation and flexibility. Whereas they’ve a better stack top than the Forest ESC, they provide related sturdiness and minimalist ankle assist. We favor the Moabs for hikes the place floor really feel is much less necessary however you desire a extra comfortable trip – and aren’t as spendy, both.