For much of my hunting equipment, I have very little brand loyalty. I want the best piece of gear for my intended use. Brand plays a minimal role in my purchasing decisions. However, I stray from this principle when it comes to my feet. My daily kicks, my running sneakers, and especially my hunting boots are all siloed into specific brands that fit my feet well and that I’ve worn for a long time. When I’ve placed my toes (literally) into other brands, I’ve always regretted it to some extent.
Vivobarefoot
Despite previous experiences, when my lightweight hiker and early-season hunting boot finally failed me, I decided to look around to see what else might be out there. I heard the brand Vivobarefoot on Rokslide several times, which led me down the research path of the brand and user experiences. Everything I read about the brand was promising, and the specific model I was interested in – the Tracker Leather AT – had fantastic reviews. See them here.
Some Reservations
Still, I had two major reservations. First, this was a brand that I’d never tried before, and I’d been burned trying new footwear in the past. Second, as a teen, I dealt with a condition called Sever’s disease, which is not dissimilar from plantar fasciitis. Both are just a fancy way of saying my heels would hurt badly without proper support. I’ve seemed to outgrow that, but moving to a barefoot shoe with limited cushioning still didn’t seem like the smartest idea.
All my reservations about trying a new footwear brand and a barefoot shoe quickly went out the window with the Vivobarefoot Tracker Leather ATs.
Working Great
Fortunately, I can say that after months of regular wear, I did not get burned and my feet feel great. I’ve come to really enjoy the feeling of a barefoot shoe. There’s way too much information and science of minimalist shoes and feet for me to discuss, but the idea is that barefoot shoes allow our feet to function as God intended – all while increasing balance and strength. Vivobarefoot dives deep into the subject here.
Quality Boot
My impression of the Tracker Leather AT out of the box was very positive. The boot’s upper is made of a supple, lightweight leather, and the outsole is incredibly flexible, grippy, but firm enough to handle hard terrain. The boot is not waterproof by design. The redesign of previous versions removed the waterproof liner to increase breathability. The boot remains water resistant via the quality leather and bonded (not stitched) outsole. The Tracker Leather AT also boasts a removable thermal insole, which Vivobarefoot says is designed to keep your feet comfortable in hot or cool conditions. The design, materials, and craftsmanship are all top-notch.
My Useage
I’ve used the Tracker Leather ATs for late-spring turkey hunts, many family hikes and camping trips, as a daily wearer, summer scouting for fall hunting seasons, and finally, on some early season whitetail hunts in Pennsylvania’s northern tier. By all counts, they’ve kept my feet comfortable and held up in all of those scenarios. I could certainly feel the roughness of the terrain below my feet, but not always in a bad way. I never felt like my ankles were under-supported. And my feet stayed mostly dry and comfortable.
What About Cushioning?
The lack of cushioning turned out to be no big deal for me. The feel of a barefoot shoe certainly took some getting used to, but not in the way I expected. I expected some heel or foot pain during the first few wears, but I didn’t have any. Instead, it just felt different to walk in a barefoot shoe. And by different, I mean good. I simply felt like I had a better feel for the ground, and the barefoot design and flexibility of the shoe made it feel like I had gecko feet. I was comfortable walking trails, hiking with moderate loads, and standing on gravel and concrete for extended periods. Certainly, rock edges, larger gravel, sticks, and the like were much more noticeable, but this wasn’t always bad. Sharp rock edges, however, did inflict some pain through the thin soles, and I wouldn’t want to wear the Tracker Leather ATs through a boulder or gravel field or in the desert on sharp volcanic rock.
Wide Toe Box
The wide toe box was also a welcome change. My feet are narrow, so shoe brands that seem to run more narrow are typically my go-to. The Tracker Leather ATs still fit really well. The supple leather hugs the shape of your foot, much like I imagine a leather moccasin would; the wide toe box simply allows for your toes to spread out more naturally as your forefoot and toes support your weight. I jumped right into wearing the boots without taking any effort to break them in, and I didn’t experience any hotspots or blisters.
Will They Replace My Hunting Boots?
All of my dedicated hunting boots are stiff, and they often serve double-duty for day hikes and outdoor family activities. But sometimes I long for a lightweight and fast hiker, even while hunting. The Tracker Leather ATs fit that bill. They won’t replace your alpine hunting boot, and I’m not going to grab them when I’m doing significant side hilling in steep terrain, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Trackers did in a variety of terrain. Of course, they were at home on trails and around the campsite, but I wore them on hunts and scouting trips that I knew would test their stability. And my ankles and feet felt great! The boots felt like a supportive sneaker; I wasn’t concerned about ankle support or fatigue, and I was able to move quickly and with confidence.
Durability
Finally, I was really impressed by how well the Tracker Leather ATs held up to the elements – both in terms of weather and physical abuse. As mentioned above, these boots are not waterproof. I knew that when I got them, and, notably, Vivobarefoot does make waterproof models. But I was surprised at how well the boots resisted water. The Tracker Leather ATs kept my socks dry on mornings with heavy dew that soaked my pant legs. I even opted to skip waders for a water crossing that typically requires them. Water levels were way down, but I still wasn’t getting across without submerging most of the boot. Ultimately, some water seeped through the tongue, but the leather did not wet through. And they dried quickly.
So am I adding another brand to my footwear loyalty program?
Maybe. And I only say maybe because I’m still determining if barefoot shoes are for me. I’m certainly impressed by the fit, function, and quality of the Tracker Leather ATs, and I’m really interested in trying another Vivobarefoot shoe. I like the feel of barefoot shoes, and I haven’t experienced any real negatives. But I’m also not ready to trade in my purpose-built, stiff hunting boots for all barefoot shoes. The Tracker Leather ATs are built for a purpose, and they excel at that purpose. Just like my other boots serve a specific purpose. But if you’re interested in making the jump to barefoot, the Tracker Leather ATs are the perfect boot to help you take that leap.
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