Got them a few weeks ago, and i love them! In fact i like them so much that i use them from time to time in daily life, not only out there in the nature... Thanks, Andrew, for your -again- great review... Cheers, D
Hey Daniele, right on, glad they're working well for you! Bout time Vivo came out with a low-cut leather shoe again. It's a versatile style indeed. Thanks for stopping by, have fun out there!
Hello Andrew, my first pair of vivo since 8 years ago the primus trio wich i still use, iv done some hiking with them the last 2,5 month, i gotta say wet conditions and roots and rocks can be so slipery, more than i ever experienced with a vibram mega grip from Topo, first time i got them wet the left shoe gave me a wound spot on the pinkie to from the decent, last complain i got is the rubber on toe box seems to cool down so much in cold wearher when you are not walking just sitting, doesnt matter what insole or how thick socks you wear, after a few hours your toes get too cold, at that point its colder in the shoe than outside just in socks, other than that i like the shoe
Woah, hadn't heard of the Trio, but it looks rad! So much open mesh. Yea, when a tread is thicker (more protective), it'll have a harder time wrapping around wet objects. Also, the funny thing about rubber is that thicker soles will provide a bit of insulation initially, but then once they become cold, they stay cold. I've been to 0º F in my Vivo Gobi Boots, which are 3.7mm, and they stay warmer than my thicker VIvo's, because there's less rubber for my body to keep warm.
Saw a Facebook ad for these shoes and immediately checked your channel for a review. I was gonna suggest making custom leather insoles for added durability and to bring your ankle up past that pressure point a hair. But you kinda did that with the wool sole.
Yea, a leather insole could def help, although then you run into problems with the toebox being too tight. After a week I'd say the ankle leather does get softer. Not super soft, but enough that it's not a dealbreaker for anyone who likes the style.
Yea, there's really no tread that grips well on flat slippery surfaces, because there's just nothing for it to hold on to. The only thing I've ever seen work is that sandpapery "Ice+" tread that Vibram makes. It's so fine grained, though, that it wears down quite fast. Better to just exercise caution.
One problem i got in the beginning of wearing them was the toung that folds on the sides of your foot was not folded corectly and it gave me a hard pressure point almost where the metal lace lid is so i thought thats where the preassure comes from, untill i realized its from the toung, but if folded nicely you dont feel it at all
I’m doubting these and the high version. Which one do you prefer? Expect to use it during forest hiking and as bad weather urban shoes. Preferably year round in Western Europe. Thanks for the review!
I would not use either one for urban shoes, since the sole is quite firm and meant for handling extreme trails. I like the Tracker high version much better, because the low is cut to high and rubs on my ankles. For urban and trails you'd be better off with the Magna FG. ruclips.net/video/iiaCr2eXBGY/видео.html, which is my favorite all-season, do-everything shoe/boot.
I loved the design - however returned two pairs and wont get a third due to really badly feeling the lugs (specifically the red V) though the sole. Pretty upset that these "barefoot"shoes felt like i was always stepping on something in small uncomfortable pressure points... Maybe a thicker insole like you suggested is the answer. Shame though, as the textile tracker boots (last year's ones) have a very similar lug pattern/depth and don't feel like I'm stepping on lumps.
Yea, the AT sole seems nice for extreme terrain, but I also found it to be overkill for roads and regular hikes. Maybe they got complaints about the soles wearing out and put a denser rubber in there to compensate. I'd rather just be mindful of wear and enjoy more flexibility. I really hope they bring back those old Primus Trek's I showed. They were literally the best hiking shoes of all time.
Would you recommend these for a vacation that will be 40% normal urban exploration, 15% hiking 30% urban exploration with snowfall/icy roads 15% hiking in snowy environment? And which other options should I consider
No, they're best for trail only, IMO. The lugs are overkill for roads. If you don't need 100% waterproof, I'd consider the Xero Denver (leather or canvas). ruclips.net/video/aF9-dIg2ioo/видео.html It's got a versatile sole for roads and trails and you can treat it with beeswax for improved water resistance. Plus a nice mid-cut.
@AndrewFolts Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into them, but I generally dislike shoes that are stiff (read leather or warm thick fabric) above my ankles. I will probably go with one of the Magna variations or Primus trail allweather
@@CaraKönigsblau Not that are water resistant, no. Vibram's are great for roads and trails ruclips.net/video/gN07dkOloU4/видео.html, as well as the Freet Vibe ruclips.net/video/TBJeliX7zIk/видео.html, but neither are water resistant. The Magna FG is good for road walking and hiking and is WR, but are too thick for running. ruclips.net/video/iiaCr2eXBGY/видео.html You're better off getting two shoes, one for roads, one for trails. They'll last twice as long and work twice as well vs trying to make one shoe do different things.
No, they're uninsulated and leather breathes well in all climates. I wear them with a layer or two of Injinji merino wool toe socks ruclips.net/video/_e6BC2vfl4w/видео.html, which are super breathable and have much better temp regulation than cotton or synthetic.
I'm struggling which shoe i should buy, this leather tracker or the primus tracker all weather... For winter and all year bad weather days and also hiking...
Hey Cara, for casual and regular hike's my favorite is the Magna FG. ruclips.net/video/NYIWI47hooA/видео.html It's got a medium 5.5mm sole, which is perfect for both roads and trails, and a slip-on upper, which is super easy to get on. I didn't care for the Tracker All Weather, since it's more narrow, and the Tracker Leather Low is a bit stiff, in addition to being thicker and more for really extreme terrain.
I find these too stiff. But I guess they are good for people who need all of this protection and waterproofing. For intense wet trail runs off road for example.They look cool though. I never tried the primus trek but those look fantastic.
Yea, I sent a note to my Vivo rep today about the Primus Trek. That shoe is killer, I really hope they bring it back, because it'd make a great lightweight alternative to the Tracker Low.
Agree about the stiffness. I've only worn them around town a couple times. They feel sort of half way between a "regular" shoe and a barefoot. The front edge of the tongue is also cutting and painful on the front of my ankles (I had the same problem with Vivo Primus Trail III AW SG, which I *loved* for running but I actually bled from them, so back they went. The Magna Lite SGs are a killer replacement). They do have a bump cut, so time will tell if the shoes soften up and get better. They are heavy. The shoe I want Vivo to make is a leather or nubuck Magna SG. I love my FGs, but the SG is the absolute best sole for hiking on New Mexico's sandy, rocky, and in Winter, snowy, slushy, icy trails.
@@jamieorc Woah, yea, leather SG would be wild! Still have a scar from my old Vivo Primus SG's rubbing, so they do make things a little to hard sometimes.
My feet are 10.5 in or 26.67 cm and the 11 fits me with a good amount of room at the end. I could also go 10 if I wanted a snug fit. Overall they're pretty true, but maybe a tad long, if anything.
@@AndrewFoltsalso crazy compared to vibrams the same size, i brought both pairs on one hike, and two vibrams fit in the same space as one of these, also they are about one 1inch longer on the outside
The Tracker Leather Low uses the new AT sole, which is kind of similar to the FG2, but more dense and with greater surface area to resist wear. Despite the name the FG2 seemed more like a soft ground sole to me.
*Barefoot Hiking Shoes* (referral links)
foltsy10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10% off vivobarefoot
foltsy20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20% off vivobarefoot
all hiking shoes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3TpJsC8
vivobarefoot tracker leather low - - - bit.ly/3NmVx8L
xero denver leather - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/45zV8q1
injinji wool toe socks - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/3dvdcgk
wool felt insoles - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - bit.ly/46EsKEu
Got them a few weeks ago, and i love them! In fact i like them so much that i use them from time to time in daily life, not only out there in the nature...
Thanks, Andrew, for your -again- great review...
Cheers, D
Hey Daniele, right on, glad they're working well for you! Bout time Vivo came out with a low-cut leather shoe again. It's a versatile style indeed. Thanks for stopping by, have fun out there!
@ Yes, indeed…they are a game-changer in some many different situations! Have a great day, till next time…
That's pretty nuts mate, just took mine out of the box today!
Wild! Let me know how you like them after you test them out.
Been waiting for these. Thanks for posting 😃
Sure thing, if you have other questions on them, just lmk.
Hello Andrew, my first pair of vivo since 8 years ago the primus trio wich i still use, iv done some hiking with them the last 2,5 month, i gotta say wet conditions and roots and rocks can be so slipery, more than i ever experienced with a vibram mega grip from Topo, first time i got them wet the left shoe gave me a wound spot on the pinkie to from the decent, last complain i got is the rubber on toe box seems to cool down so much in cold wearher when you are not walking just sitting, doesnt matter what insole or how thick socks you wear, after a few hours your toes get too cold, at that point its colder in the shoe than outside just in socks, other than that i like the shoe
Woah, hadn't heard of the Trio, but it looks rad! So much open mesh. Yea, when a tread is thicker (more protective), it'll have a harder time wrapping around wet objects. Also, the funny thing about rubber is that thicker soles will provide a bit of insulation initially, but then once they become cold, they stay cold. I've been to 0º F in my Vivo Gobi Boots, which are 3.7mm, and they stay warmer than my thicker VIvo's, because there's less rubber for my body to keep warm.
Saw a Facebook ad for these shoes and immediately checked your channel for a review. I was gonna suggest making custom leather insoles for added durability and to bring your ankle up past that pressure point a hair. But you kinda did that with the wool sole.
Yea, a leather insole could def help, although then you run into problems with the toebox being too tight. After a week I'd say the ankle leather does get softer. Not super soft, but enough that it's not a dealbreaker for anyone who likes the style.
Grip is good exept on wet flat stones and wet wood and roots, grass and gravel girps the best, doesnt matter if wet or not
Yea, there's really no tread that grips well on flat slippery surfaces, because there's just nothing for it to hold on to. The only thing I've ever seen work is that sandpapery "Ice+" tread that Vibram makes. It's so fine grained, though, that it wears down quite fast. Better to just exercise caution.
Oh man…another shoe I need to have in my collection
"need" is always an important word to define for yourself, ha. (:
Oooh I've never even heard of the Primus trek leather low shoe!
Yea, no idea why they stopped making it. Best low-cut hiking shoe of all time. I still use it after seven years.
Thank you for the review
Sure thing, happy fall! (:
One problem i got in the beginning of wearing them was the toung that folds on the sides of your foot was not folded corectly and it gave me a hard pressure point almost where the metal lace lid is so i thought thats where the preassure comes from, untill i realized its from the toung, but if folded nicely you dont feel it at all
Ah, good tip! Tongue positioning's def important when it has a thicker, more protective weight, like with the Tracker.
I’m doubting these and the high version. Which one do you prefer? Expect to use it during forest hiking and as bad weather urban shoes. Preferably year round in Western Europe. Thanks for the review!
I would not use either one for urban shoes, since the sole is quite firm and meant for handling extreme trails. I like the Tracker high version much better, because the low is cut to high and rubs on my ankles. For urban and trails you'd be better off with the Magna FG. ruclips.net/video/iiaCr2eXBGY/видео.html, which is my favorite all-season, do-everything shoe/boot.
I loved the design - however returned two pairs and wont get a third due to really badly feeling the lugs (specifically the red V) though the sole. Pretty upset that these "barefoot"shoes felt like i was always stepping on something in small uncomfortable pressure points... Maybe a thicker insole like you suggested is the answer. Shame though, as the textile tracker boots (last year's ones) have a very similar lug pattern/depth and don't feel like I'm stepping on lumps.
Yea, the AT sole seems nice for extreme terrain, but I also found it to be overkill for roads and regular hikes. Maybe they got complaints about the soles wearing out and put a denser rubber in there to compensate. I'd rather just be mindful of wear and enjoy more flexibility. I really hope they bring back those old Primus Trek's I showed. They were literally the best hiking shoes of all time.
Its the new all terrain sole. I bought the new at moc boots. Same issue, lumps under ball of foot. Returning the boots ☹
I have no problem with that at all, i wear a wildlings wool insole i think 2mm thick
Would you recommend these for a vacation that will be
40% normal urban exploration,
15% hiking
30% urban exploration with snowfall/icy roads
15% hiking in snowy environment?
And which other options should I consider
No, they're best for trail only, IMO. The lugs are overkill for roads. If you don't need 100% waterproof, I'd consider the Xero Denver (leather or canvas). ruclips.net/video/aF9-dIg2ioo/видео.html It's got a versatile sole for roads and trails and you can treat it with beeswax for improved water resistance. Plus a nice mid-cut.
@AndrewFolts Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into them, but I generally dislike shoes that are stiff (read leather or warm thick fabric) above my ankles.
I will probably go with one of the Magna variations or Primus trail allweather
@@AndrewFolts Any low shoes you can recommend for trail and road running + hiking? In best case water resistent.
@@CaraKönigsblau Not that are water resistant, no. Vibram's are great for roads and trails ruclips.net/video/gN07dkOloU4/видео.html, as well as the Freet Vibe ruclips.net/video/TBJeliX7zIk/видео.html, but neither are water resistant. The Magna FG is good for road walking and hiking and is WR, but are too thick for running. ruclips.net/video/iiaCr2eXBGY/видео.html You're better off getting two shoes, one for roads, one for trails. They'll last twice as long and work twice as well vs trying to make one shoe do different things.
Are they hot in the winter ???
No, they're uninsulated and leather breathes well in all climates. I wear them with a layer or two of Injinji merino wool toe socks ruclips.net/video/_e6BC2vfl4w/видео.html, which are super breathable and have much better temp regulation than cotton or synthetic.
Had to return these because of the ankle pressure points where the upper shoe digs in your ankles.
Yea, the original Primus Trek ankle was lower cut and softer, like the Magna series. Really hope Vivo brings that shoe back.
I got that preassure too when i first put them on and was very put off by it, but after 2hours walking it was all gone and fiting softly
I'm struggling which shoe i should buy, this leather tracker or the primus tracker all weather... For winter and all year bad weather days and also hiking...
Hey Cara, for casual and regular hike's my favorite is the Magna FG. ruclips.net/video/NYIWI47hooA/видео.html It's got a medium 5.5mm sole, which is perfect for both roads and trails, and a slip-on upper, which is super easy to get on. I didn't care for the Tracker All Weather, since it's more narrow, and the Tracker Leather Low is a bit stiff, in addition to being thicker and more for really extreme terrain.
I find these too stiff. But I guess they are good for people who need all of this protection and waterproofing. For intense wet trail runs off road for example.They look cool though.
I never tried the primus trek but those look fantastic.
Yea, I sent a note to my Vivo rep today about the Primus Trek. That shoe is killer, I really hope they bring it back, because it'd make a great lightweight alternative to the Tracker Low.
Agree about the stiffness. I've only worn them around town a couple times. They feel sort of half way between a "regular" shoe and a barefoot. The front edge of the tongue is also cutting and painful on the front of my ankles (I had the same problem with Vivo Primus Trail III AW SG, which I *loved* for running but I actually bled from them, so back they went. The Magna Lite SGs are a killer replacement). They do have a bump cut, so time will tell if the shoes soften up and get better. They are heavy.
The shoe I want Vivo to make is a leather or nubuck Magna SG. I love my FGs, but the SG is the absolute best sole for hiking on New Mexico's sandy, rocky, and in Winter, snowy, slushy, icy trails.
@@jamieorc Woah, yea, leather SG would be wild! Still have a scar from my old Vivo Primus SG's rubbing, so they do make things a little to hard sometimes.
Whats your foot length and what size did you get these in?
My feet are 10.5 in or 26.67 cm and the 11 fits me with a good amount of room at the end. I could also go 10 if I wanted a snug fit. Overall they're pretty true, but maybe a tad long, if anything.
@ thanks for the info!
@@AndrewFoltsalso crazy compared to vibrams the same size, i brought both pairs on one hike, and two vibrams fit in the same space as one of these, also they are about one 1inch longer on the outside
FG2 soil is just not durable enough, they need to change it. Rugs get flat after 600km....
The Tracker Leather Low uses the new AT sole, which is kind of similar to the FG2, but more dense and with greater surface area to resist wear. Despite the name the FG2 seemed more like a soft ground sole to me.