MAGNA FOREST ESC / vivobarefoot boots for rugged hikes

[@AndrewFolts]

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[@orenaissance]

Glad you're back and still posting!

[@AndrewFolts]

New camera, same Andrew, thanks to a bunch of support from my KZbin fam! (:

[@daven.7685]

Thank you, Andrew! I really appreciate your observations about ground feel with the various lug types. Very helpful!

[@AndrewFolts]

You're welcome, Dave. Glad it was useful. Thanks for hanging out!

[@BWT599]

Man, I might have to grab these as I've been wearing the Forest Tracker ESCs all summer at hot and dusty motocross tracks as well as heavier hikes (they are too cold to wear during Canadian Winters). I never felt they were too warm but a lot of people asked me if they were hot as I often wore them with shorts. Most comfortable barefoot boot/shoe that I own. They have also been perfect on my off road full suspension esk8 board, feels like I'm surfing!

[@AndrewFolts]

Nice! Yea, the Magna ESC's are more breathable, but the Tracker ESC's do have that inner mesh, which helps quite a bit. Glad they worked out so well for you! Adding a wool felt insole bit.ly/46EsKEu can significantly increase the warmth of a barefoot boot if you haven't already tried that.

[@BWT599]

@@AndrewFolts thanks brotha. Your Vivo code doesn't work for us Canadians 😪

[@AndrewFolts]

@@BWT599 Yea, there are country limitations, sadly. Presumedly because import taxes are too high to offer a discount. Revivo has deals on refurbished Vivo's tho.

[@BWT599]

@AndrewFolts I've turned into a Vivo/Xero sneaker head now. I have a growing collection of shoes because of your dang channel lol. Those Polish zip up boots you reviewed a whole back are actually growing on me despite the ESC being te goat of widest toe box out of all my Vivos.

[@GravelHerault]

I just received mine after purchasing them using your 20% coupon, they're great, probably the most comfortable shoes I ever had. Thanks for the review which made me pulling the trigger, no regrets. Cheers mate.

[@AndrewFolts]

Merci, Nico! Glad you vibed with the Magna ESC, that sole is a beast and can handle anything. Bon pieds nus là-bas!

[@GravelHerault]

@@AndrewFolts merci 😄🦶

[@srqFF]

Do you recall what the 20% code was?

[@AndrewFolts]

@@srqFF FOLTSY20

[@Felix_The_Easy_Runner]

These are really good. Used them on the Skye Trail and Alta Via 1 and other hikes.

[@AndrewFolts]

Woah, just scoped some pics of them. Beautiful! Magna ESC def seems like a great option for that terrain.

[@Gman1024]

Great comparative analysis between this and the other offerings from vivo in this category. It's interesting to see the evolution in construction over time with them also.

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, I want to try Wildling's resoled options. Seems great for wetter conditions.

[@daven.7685]

Andrew, I know you have a lot of love of Vivo, but have you looked at any of the similar offerings from Freet? I would be interested in seeing some comparison reviews. Again, thanks for your wonderful and insightful reviews!

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, I have more Freet reviews lined up as soon as I catch up on my current batch. Need to clone myself, ha!

[@daven.7685]

@@AndrewFolts I would support that! Ha!

[@ekjellgren]

Comparison to the Tracker Forest ESC perhaps would have been interesting as well!

[@AndrewFolts]

For sure! I'll def make that video after I make the full Magna ESC one.

[@ekjellgren]

@@AndrewFolts I got the Trackers first and liked the comfort except perhaps the anchle support was too big. After 5 walks the leather at the toes delaminated and I returned them for the Magnas instead. Feels less cosy but I think they are a better compromize all around with less anchle support.

[@fraac]

my all time favourite hiking shoe

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, it's beast with some upper flex to boot!

[@edgarmancenido6045]

Hey Andrew, good to see you back. Great review too 👍

[@AndrewFolts]

Thanks, Edgar! Appreciate the love. Cheers!

[@HenryKlosok]

How are these with puddles / heavy rain?I had the forests which I returned as they are too hot. Hopefully these and some gaiters for heavy rain will work 🤞

[@AndrewFolts]

The Tracker Forest ESC, you mean? The tall ones? The Magna upper is def more breathable, although it can still get steamy above 80º. Adding gaiters seems like it would work well, as the lower leather has some good water resistance.

[@gilldoyle3295]

Yay youre back ❤

[@AndrewFolts]

Back on track and more barefoot than ever! (:

[@bella-bee]

Hi Andrew, please can you advise me about how much room to leave beyond my toes? I’ve followed the measurements VIVOBAREFOOT give to choose my size, and the scanner method, and yet I’ve got 3/4” fresh air down there! And yet the width is good for me in my esc trackers. But the toe box bends and furrows this way and that when I take a step, even bulging diagonally. Looks weird and the fold can press downwards. They’re brand new so I’ve not done more than walk around the house in them, but I think the toes have too much room! I can see in your videos that the upper does squidge around a lot, so I’m trying to gauge what’s normal. Any thoughts please? Thank you

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey there, my rule is 1/2 to a full thumbnail's length between the end of your toe and the end of the shoe. You can press down with your thumb to check it. An overlarge shoe could certainly cause weird bending issues, but if it turns out to be the right size, then another consideration is that the leather will become softer and more pliable once it wears in. If it's too uncomfortable (more than just minor annoyance), then you'd want to exchange it.

[@bella-bee]

@@AndrewFolts thanks Andrew. I appreciate your answering me. Yes they’re too big by your Rule of Thumb! My thumb, your rule😀

[@simoneala3]

hi andrew thanks for the video, I'm looking to purchasing these shoiiies but also looking in to the tracker forest ESC, how you decide between these 2?

[@AndrewFolts]

The Tracker Forest ESC is taller and better for colder weather, while the Magna ESC is a bit more breathable for warmer days in summer, although it can work well for winter too. Also just depends on how high you like to have your ankle cuff.

[@jankubista3335]

Hey Andrew! Love your reviews. I am new to barefoot shoes, but after buying a pair of Vivos and experienced the comfort they provide i don´t see myself coming back to "normal" shoes. Anyway - I am a mountain guide in Madeira and Canary islands and looking for a breathable, yet water resistant barefoot shoe/ boot. The terrain here is a mix of rocky trails with some sharp rocks, some softer ground and occasional wet/muddy surfaces. I am abit undecided between the Magna Forest ESC (like the more rugged sole as the one in my current Tracker decon low wears quite quickly) and the Magna lite WR, which in theory looks more breathable. Which one would you recommend for warmer climates for surfaces as described? Thank you!

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey Jan, props on taking the barefoot leap! The Magna Lite probably wouldn't be a good pick if your Decon's wore out, because the tread is even more geared toward soft ground. The Magna ESC could be a good pick and offers excellent protection, but it does feel heavier. The Magna FG would be a good alternative with some solid protection and much better flex, more like the Decon's, but also more versatility for firm ground and rocks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIqsiHxqbM2ipaM

[@jankubista3335]

@@AndrewFolts Thanks and greetings from Madeira island!

[@luluah1198]

How do these compare to zero drop minimalist Altra lone peaks? I will be using it on mountain and forest walks. Last year walking 4 hours in (saucony peregrines )my knees were in lots of pain, coming down the mountain . I know they’re not zero drop, but I had no walking boots so thought I’d make do. We never planned a long walk with the family 😂 If I could have collapsed I would have sat there and not moved again until The next day :( . So any barefoot or minimalist shoe recommendations for comfort against this problem? Also waterproof if possible, but I do overheat on my feet easily so if it means I have to just spray the boot that’s ok . I’m thinking barefoot or minimalist and trekking poles should help with any knee issues on descent

[@AndrewFolts]

The Magna's are thinner and more flexible yet also more durable with deeper lugs than the Lone Peak's, which is mostly comprised of cushion with a medium tread. IMO, the ESC sole is overkill for casual hikes, though, and might cause more knee pain. The Tracker FG kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJyyfZVne8d_gtk is a better option and also waterproof, although prone to overheating in warmer weather. The Magna FG kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIqsiHxqbM2ipaM might be a good option in your case, because it's got some solid water resistance below, but the wool upper breathes better is hot weather than full WP. For breathability it helps a lot to use merino wool toe socks. Injinji are all I wear now, because I have sweaty feet, and the separate toes are excellent for improving airflow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZaZc3Zoq8ufatk

[@hawkstein4464]

Hey Folts love the vids! I don't know if you've been using these much since April, but does the sole feel tough enough for everyday wear on linoleum and concrete? I know its total overkill 😂 but I'm think of them as my main EDC shoe for everything short of fast runs and heavy lifting. Will be working in a hospital. Hope everything is going well for you!

[@AndrewFolts]

Hey there, yea, the sole's certainly tough enough, but they'd be overkill for everyday use on concrete. Just way too thick and heavy. For every day you'd want a sole that's 3-4mm thick, so that your feet can roll smoothly and not get tired. The Vivobarefoot Ababa kzbin.info/www/bejne/l36UYqOLfJtqhdE or Sensus kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4O5kJ95qt2lmdE would both be great picks. I wore the original 3mm Primus Lite's as a shoe salesman standing for 8+ hours on concrete and they were fantastically comfortable. My feet never got tired.

[@richardh7231]

How does this compare to magna lite wr

[@AndrewFolts]

The Magna Lite is much lighter, more flexible, and better for faster hikes and trail runs on soft ground with some medium water resistance, while the Magna ESC is heavier but even more water resistant and better for hardcore trekking (not running). kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmK4l6WXrd9qsA

[@isaacchapman393]

Hey glad you back man!

[@AndrewFolts]

Back and barefoot as ever. (:

[@weew0e767]

Andrew you're back 😢😢 I'm sorry about your camera

[@AndrewFolts]

Back from the dead with some help from my KZbin fam! (:

[@weew0e767]

@AndrewFolts that's amazing

[@wombat1178]

sorry, but the sole is 2,5mm, not 9. the ugs are 7mm. yes i know, you counted that together, buts its a big difference if the sole is 9mm or 2,5mm :)

[@AndrewFolts]

Yea, when I have time I want to add an extra feature on my website to break the total thickness out into sole and lugs, it's def helpful to know.

[@mjojrjr6231]

Is it true to size?

[@AndrewFolts]

I'd say it's slightly longer and wider than other Vivo's, but my normal size (44) still works fine.

[@mjojrjr6231]

​@@AndrewFolts just wear thick socks?