I will annoy anyone who comes on a walk with me about these boots. I'm not even sorry about it, because the amount of joy they give me, the world needs to know.
You know that feeling, when you had your shoes or boots on for long time. And you are really looking forward to the time where you can get to take them off and have a sit down, feet up and a cuppa.
Well I don't, totally forgotten about that feeling, though I will never say no to a sit down and a cuppa, no milk or sugar, just leave the bag in, ta.
Honestly, I forget I'm wearing these or try to figure out something I need to do so that I can wear them longer.
So Comfy!
Over the last four years I've put the Tracker Forest ESC through the paces. From wet buggy Yorkshire moors to dry rocky Spainish mountains. For long periods they have been my daily drivers, erm walkers erm footwear - dog walks, to the shop or just out to the bins.
The soft leather just makes them so comfy and flexible. The Michelin soles are very grippy, a bit hard - yet still flexible - at first but I soon got used to that. The hardness is because there's no cushion in barefoot boots, no spring so to speak, you have to do that.
Some people say they are heavy, I think not, if compared to ordinary stiff and solid hiking boots.
They aren't waterproof and after a day on a wet moor your toes do get wet. But if you remember to wax up the leather, it will be a fair while before your toes are wet. So pair up with some waterproof socks, if you are out hiking on muddy and raining days. Which I did on a canoe trip a few years back, worked a treat.
I wonder if the thermal insoles that Vivo makes would help too. Just got some, so I'll report back when I'm in colder climate and hiking.
That's the greatest thing about barefoot shoes wearing, your whole foot is moving about and not held still. So your toes keeps warm or warms up faster. (Yes I know if your toes are already cold, it's nigh impossible to get them warm again unless you got a dog or willing partner to press your cold toes against)
Since I'm not doing ice climbing, or mountaineering on routes that needs ropes and cramp-ons, I think these boots will cover all my hiking needs.
They are even good enough for me on trail runs. I don't find them too heavy, more rather a perfect choice of footwear when on a muddy wet moor.
Yes, on tarmac they are hard and a bit heavy when running. But I'm not going for records, more all day comfort.
I have two gribes with them, one got solved rather fast. The bit that connects the tongue to the rest of the boot, when tied up hit the bone one the side of my foot/ankle, especially when walking uphill. Though that got sorted when I "trained" the booth to fold differently when lacing up.
The main issue is that the sole loves mud, especially sticky mud. You really have to kick, bang and scrape to clear the sole. Other boots I just had to stomp hard a few times and then thread was clear. But the Michelin soles just clings onto the mud.
