Males’s Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Overview

Bottom Line

If you want barefoot-style hiking boots for three-season hiking with excellent traction, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is for you. It’s the only zero-drop boot on our best hiking boots for men guide because of its outstanding natural feel, solid traction, and burly design. Senior gear analyst Ian Krammer has tested these over 150 miles and 10+ days of hiking in the Colorado Rockies. He put them through their paces on and off trail, where they offered excellent flexibility and remarkable ground feel. 

Thanks to a wide toe box and zero-drop design, your feet are able to spread out and flex naturally, helping you maintain a relaxed and ergonomic gait. The huge 7 mm lugs provide reliable traction on most surfaces, although the sole depth remains thin and flexible. So thin, in fact,  that the shoes can actually be rolled up into a small package for storage on and off trail. We like these for their durability and style, too – the wild-hide leather uppers are tough enough for wilderness adventures but stylish enough for the suburbs. 

However, the Tracker Forest ESC isn’t the best fit for everyone. This is a truly minimalist barefoot boot: they feature a zero-drop design, almost no arch support, and a very wide toe box for natural flexion. In other words, if you’re looking for classic structure and support in a hiking boot, you may want to look elsewhere. They are also impressively water resistant, but that means they’re on the heavy side for barefoot boots, which might not work well for lightweight hikers and backpackers. Finally, the sole depth is thin, which makes them less durable overall compared to burlier boots.

These are also some of the priciest boots we’ve tested – although you won’t find better quality or protection in the barefoot boot category. If you’re looking for flexible, comfy zero-drop footwear for cooler temperatures and want natural movement over maximum support and protection, the Forest ESCs are a great choice.

Comfort

For barefoot hikers taking on varied terrain, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC is one of our top picks. Unlike traditional footwear, zero-drop boots have no heel-to-toe height difference. That means your feet can bend, flex and spread naturally in these boots – as though you’re barefoot – to keep your stride neutral over long miles. If you’re in the market for zero-drop boots, these are in the sweet spot for a foot-shaped profile, flexible soles, and malleable uppers.

We also love the huge toe box in these boots. This design allows toes to spread out naturally and the foot to flex uninhibited, which is important on off-camber trails and rocky routes. Thanks to the ultra-thin 2.5 mm sole depth and very minimal arch support, you’ll notice most rocks and roots in the Forest ESC, making for outstanding sensitivity to the ground that more structured boots lack. We also find them easy to put on and take off thanks to the softer materials and large heel loop.

Gear analyst Ian Krammer found that after just 10 miles of hiking, the wild hide leather and rubber paneling adapts well to your feet for a flexible and cozy fit, which makes them a great option for different foot shapes and sizes. And once the laces are dialed in, they hold pressure across the top of the feet well, and need minimal adjustments. 

On the downside, the Forest ESCs design isn’t for everyone. If you prefer more protection from the ground or added support through the foot, the thin soles and lack of structure can feel uncomfortable. And, if you’re used to more traditional boots with a high heel-to-toe drop, switching to zero-drop shoes can take several weeks to adjust.

During testing on hot summer days in Rocky Mountain National Park, we found the leather can feel too hot above 80°F. At these temperatures, our feet were sweating, which could lead to blisters and rubbing on longer hikes. The lacing system is a bit cumbersome: the three lace hook pairs at the top of the boot curve inward, which catches the laces instead of letting them slide easily. Generally, it takes a bit more focus and time to tie the Forest ESC, which isn’t ideal when you’re in a hurry or need to make a quick adjustment.

Ankle Support

If you want minimal ankle support, these are the boots for you. Their wild hide leather and rubber overlays provide a sturdy but flexible upper for agile, natural ankle motion compared to traditional hiking boots. The taller ankle height adds waterproofing and a bit of protection in brambles and overgrowth, but it’s more than soft enough to keep a natural gait. Plus, Vivobarefoot’s wild hide leather gets softer and more pliable the more you wear it, making these a great fit for different foot shapes and hiking needs.

We recommend the Forest ESC on almost any terrain where groundfeel matters. We’ve taken these on serious off-trail terrain like rocky scrambles and thick bushwhacks in Colorado’s Front Range, where we wanted to feel the shape of the rocks, the curve of a log, and angle of the ground as we moved. When precise foot placement matters, or you simply like a more flexible boot, these are a great choice.

However, these boots lack the firm ankle support found in bulkier, traditional hiking models. If you like rigid boots, especially boots with ankle support for heavy loads or rugged conditions, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Hikers with weak or injury-prone ankles may find the minimalist design underwhelming, especially on steep inclines and routes with mixed terrain. Their zero-drop platform also shifts more stabilization work to the ankles, which can directly lead to strain on longer or intense hikes. 

Weight

If you want minimal ankle support, these are the boots for you. Their wild hide leather and rubber overlays provide a sturdy but flexible upper for agile, natural ankle motion compared to traditional hiking boots. The taller ankle height adds waterproofing and a bit of protection in brambles and overgrowth, but it’s more than soft enough to keep a natural gait. Plus, Vivobarefoot’s wild hide leather gets softer and more pliable the more you wear it, making these a great fit for different foot shapes and hiking needs.

We recommend the Forest ESC on almost any terrain where groundfeel matters. We’ve taken these on serious off-trail terrain like rocky scrambles and thick bushwhacks in Colorado’s Front Range, where we wanted to feel the shape of the rocks, the curve of a log, and angle of the ground as we moved. When precise foot placement matters, or you simply like a more flexible boot, these are a great choice.

However, these boots lack the firm ankle support found in bulkier, traditional hiking models. If you like rigid boots, especially boots with ankle support for heavy loads or rugged conditions, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Hikers with weak or injury-prone ankles may find the minimalist design underwhelming, especially on steep inclines and routes with mixed terrain. Their zero-drop platform also shifts more stabilization work to the ankles, which can directly lead to strain on longer or intense hikes. . 

Traction

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESCs have reliable traction thanks to thin, sticky rubber outsoles with huge lugs that offer excellent ground feel. The sole depth is only 2.5 mm, which means you’ll experience the lumps and bumps of the trail more than most hiking boots. When careful foot placement is key, or you simply want maximum ground contact with every step, these are a great choice. Their Michelin brand outsoles are super flexible and keep constant contact with the ground when you’re heading off-trail and need reliable traction on challenging, forested inclines and rocky routes. 

Their lug depth is a whopping 7 mm, some of the deepest lugs we’ve seen in the hiking boot category. That means the Forest ESC feels incredibly secure on ascents and descents. On a climb of Colorado’s 13,154’ Ogallala Peak in summer, we found this design was especially effective for traction on loose, dry terrain like gravel, dirt, and sand. It also performed well on short, technical sections where sensitivity to edges was important. The lug design is spread out enough that it sheds mud easily, too. If you’re clamoring up sharp inclines and braking on gnarly downhills, these kicks handle rough trails like an SUV in low gear.

The downside? These are minimalist boots with less padding than traditional options. We noticed the lack of cushioning most on flat, groomed trails and human-made surfaces, where the thin soles and deep lugs still grip well, but can feel a bit awkward and knobby. If you prefer boots with thicker midsoles made from foam, or if you’re hiking exclusively on flat, groomed trails, these boots will miss the mark.

We also find these boots aren’t the most reliable on icy, super slick terrain. They were reliable when crossing wet logs and rocks after rainstorms in the high Rockies, but when it comes to hard surfaces where the lugs can’t dig in, like wet grass, boulders, and ice, they tend to slide. That said, this was a small issue – when it comes to traction, these boots get the job done.

Weather Resistance

The Forest ESCs offer solid weather resistance, so they’re a good pick for hiking in early spring until late fall. Their wild hide leather uppers provide a protective layer against moisture and damp conditions that will keep your feet dry during quick storms. A water-resistant leather build, combined with a snug ankle collar, helps prevent water from seeping in. When Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer was crossing shallow streams, puddles, and moving through wet underbrush during testing, he found the ankle height and materials minimized splash-back and kept twigs, gravel, and mud out.

That said, the Forest ESCs do have some limitations. They have a waterproof coating, rubber overlays, and double-stitched outsoles to help resist moisture – but that’s their primary line of defense. They don’t have a waterproof membrane like more traditional options. Although we haven’t found this to be an issue in our testing so far, you’ll need to stay on top of regular waterproofing treatments with leather care products to keep the leather performing its best.

The leather also provides a bit of added warmth, making this model a good choice for cool shoulder season conditions where you need a bit of extra insulation without overheating. These boots felt comfortable on frigid 35 to 45°F days in the backcountry. However, we don’t recommend them below freezing – they don’t have much padding compared to thicker options, so you’ll want to use warm hiking socks when the temperatures dip. On the flipside, you may want to look elsewhere if you’re headed into especially hot climates. The leather isn’t breathable and has no mesh, so they can feel very hot in 80°F and above.  

Another downside of these boots is they dry slowly. Even though Vivobarefoot claims quick-drying synthetics on the inside, we find the opposite when we accidentally dunked our feet in a creek crossing. The Forest ESC took many hours to fully dry at room temperature, and it was an uncomfortable walk out, which could be a real problem on longer trips in unpredictable weather. 

Durability

With robust wild hide leather uppers, synthetic rubber overlays, and strong rubber soles, the Forest ESC’s offer solid durability. These materials are tough but flexible in the backcountry and effectively resist abrasions from sharp rocks, brambles, and roots while keeping the boot’s integrity and shape. 

Like most leather boots, this model requires regular maintenance like leather cleaner and waterproof treatments to prevent drying and cracking, preserve their flexibility, and increase their water resistance. Our testing shows the most significant wear on the uppers occurs at the forefoot flex point and across the ankle’s upper area. We’ve also noticed damage to the stitching at the back of the foot, where the outsole is attached to the heel.

Simple metal components, round laces, and a burly heel loop boost the longevity of the Forest ESCs. The flexible rubber outsole is stitched directly onto the leather of the boots for added durability, reducing the chances of the outsole separating from the uppers. Although the soles are thin, Vivobarefoot uses Michelin’s proprietary rubber composite that balances grip and durability.

Our biggest gripe about these boots is the lack of durability of the outsoles. Overall, Vivobarefoot’s rubber blend is sticky and tacky on most surfaces, but it is not as long-lasting as the uppers or boots with heavier, thicker, and stiffer composites. We’ve yet to test these boots to their point of failure, but based on how the lugs have worn down at the 250 mile mark, we expect to get at least another 250 miles before the soles wear out. Luckily, Vivobarefoot partners with Nushoe.com, a resoling service for loved footwear – so when it’s time for a new pair, you have options.

The Vivobarefoot Tracker 2 is a great choice for minimalist hikers who want zero-drop boots with a natural foot shape for day hikes and quick adventures in cool and fair weather. The Tracker 2s have a wide toe box, tall ankle and padded tongue that makes them feel comfortable mile after mile – but thanks to leather and rubber uppers, these boots still offer solid protection from brambles and sharp rocks. Combining deep lugs with a thin sole depth,  the Tracker 2’s feel light but reliable on everything from rocky routes to groomed trails. If you’re looking for a close-to-the-ground hiking experience, the Tracker 2s offers best-in-class ground feel and flexibility that barefoot hikers will love.

However, we don’t recommend the Tracker 2’s for hiking exclusively on simple, flat trails – or if you’re tackling icy or extremely wet environments, where the deep lugs aren’t as grippy. The soles aren’t as durable as boots built with stronger and thicker materials, and if they do get wet inside, they can take a long time to dry out. Finally, the ESC is a bit heavy and spendy. However, for hikers who want strong barefoot-style boots with solid protection, an ergonomic design, and unrivaled ground feel, the Tracker 2’s will check every box.

What Other hiking boots Should You Consider?

Head over to our list of the Best Hiking Boots for Men to check out the full list of recommendations. The Vivobarefoot Tracker 2 is the only minimalist option among the boots we’ve tested. If you’re not sold on minimalist, zero drop footwear, consider some of the other hiking boots we’ve tested and reviewed: 

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Review – These La Sportivas are on the pricey end like the Forest ESC and also offer minimal ankle support and exceptional construction These boots are also a good bet for wet shoulder season conditions where warmth and and traction matter, although they don’t fit as ergonomically as the Tracker 2s and have minimal ground feel.

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Review – The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX are one of our favorite boots for low weight, minimal ankle support, and traction. From winter day hikes to technical trails, these boots are a slam-dunk with ample cushioning, accurate sizing, and stellar weather resistance, although compared to the Tracker 2s these are more  structured, classic hiking boot design with higher price tag.

Merrell Moab Review – The Moab 3s are one of the most popular hiking boots of all time thanks to their comfort and versatility. While they have a higher stack height than the Forest ESC, they offer similar durability and minimalist ankle support. We prefer the Moabs for hikes where ground feel is less important but you want a more cushy ride – and aren’t as spendy, either.