Vivobarefoot Tracker Boot vs Lems Boulder Boot

[@DoctorBen]

I forgot to mention a huge plus for the Vivobarefoot Trackers. They're waterproof. The Boulder Boots are not. That was a major oversight on my part. Sorry about that.

[@brolan5150]

what kind of conditions have you experienced that shows the quality of waterproof-ness for the tracker FG?

[@DoctorBen]

@@brolan5150 All day working in the rain, hiking through creeks, streams, and various standing water. I've never had any concerns with the Tracker's waterproofing. They're actually designed waterproof.

[@JohanTheSwede]

@@DoctorBen I must beg to differ on this point. I've had 2 pairs of trekkers and just had to get rid of the second pair because I thought they soaked up like sponges. Leather treatment did not do the job either. This was when walking through high wet grass for a day. My opinion on the trekker's are that the leather is too cheap and there is too much fabric that will let through moist when you are out in wet conditions. A nice shoe to have if you are strolling around town - not so much hikes in wet weather. Thanks for the review by the way! Was looking for something similar but more dureable than the trekker and stumbled over Lems. So really nice to see a video that compares them.

[@liammorgans7329]

JohanTheSwede- just confirming, do you mean the trackers? You keep saying trekkers?

[@liammorgans7329]

Do you wear the trackers on pavement much? And if so how long would you expect them to last if worn mostly on pavement? I’ve heard the boulder boots soles wear out quickly

[@ashleyeifeldt708]

What a fantastic review! Thorough, had all the info I needed, thank you so much for making this.

[@cfrost87]

the trackers are better for trail, boulder for street/everyday use

[@gabriele.thompson3566]

Trackers are AWESOME! I’ve had some issues with rubber outer sole coming loose and starting to peel off the leather. But some shoe goo, clamps, and some TLC and they’re still kicking. 2.5 years and they’re holding up

[@DoctorBen]

I’ve had the same issue and used the same solution!

[@elhazwoodcraft]

Had a couple of Trackers and found the sole splitting from the leather pretty majorly and quickly! Also the Hooks snapped off pretty easy, shame as they feel amazing and grip SO well even in slippy wet conditions....

[@DoctorBen]

I rarely lace mine all the way up to the top when I wear them. I could see where that may be a problem if you did regularly. I do wish they didn’t cost as much as they do.

[@elhazwoodcraft]

​@@DoctorBenPerhaps we should just go hobbit style barefoot barefoot; Inexpensive, best grip, renewable tread, ergonomic design, breathable, no additional weight, inbuilt terrain sensors....

[@DoctorBen]

@@elhazwoodcraft HA HA HA HA!

[@kato1kalin]

This is a common complaint on the trackers. Vivo's quality has really slipped since Terra plana days. Used to be able to buy anything and it will fit like a dream, now it's a crap shoot.

[@Rain_power]

The Boulders are super comfortable. I've had mine for about a year. Yesterday I went for a walk through the neighborhood and these boots turned a small spot of mud on the path into what felt like a sheet of ice. I'm not sure the Boulders really work as a boot. What kills me is that I bought the waterproof ones so I could take them out when it's wet or snowy. I really wish they would update the tread on these. Until they do that I would not recommend them.

[@DoctorBen]

They’re good for what they are. A minimalist boot for around town. My experience with them off pavement and as you mentioned in mud is that they’re problematic.

[@Mike-gz4xn]

I’ve had the same issues. Great around town but not hiking

[@Rain_power]

@@Mike-gz4xn Lems has a new model of Boulders with a better traction sole. It looks pretty sweet. They also have one called the Outlander. I’m debating which one to try out.

[@johannbach1903]

Could you do an update video comparing the new waterproof Lem boot vs the Vivo?

[@therealchickentender]

Vivo has a new waterproof, more casual "Scott II Leather" that I'm in love with. Perfect balance between the two.

[@stormyinspace6422]

Wish they wouldn't do the loafer hem on boulder boots they would look so cool

[@toshibavoodoo]

love my VIVOBarefoot shoes, have 8 different styles!

[@reyne8424]

I got my Trackers in early 2017 and am only now looking for replacement. Went on many treks and climbed many mountains in them. The sole has seen some glue here and there, but it’s still in good enough shape and the leather is really tough! I’m only looking to replace them because I want an even more minimalist shoe with thinner lining so my feet won’t sweat as much. The trackers will keep serving me as work boots, they are still the most comfortable barefoot shoes I’ve ever had!

[@DoctorBen]

I put seven miles on mine in Rocky Mountain National park just a couple days ago. Lots of snow and ice and as always they did great.

[@kujda22]

@@DoctorBen Do you have any tips for blisters? I got my Trackers II a couple of months ago. I always wear plasters with new shoes just in case but I got a false sense of security and wore them twice without "protection". I got massive bloody blisters on my inner heel where the skin is super thin - and takes ages to heal. The skin got rubbed off the foot within 20 minutes of walking around the neighborhood. So I'm trying to figure out wheter they need more breaking in or what other issue it is (maybe I'm tying them too loose at the heel/ankle). I'm legit scared of wearing them now because of the pain lol.

[@DoctorBen]

@@kujda22 man that sucks. I’ve never really had problems with blisters so I haven’t dealt with it much. The only recommendations I can offer was what was shared with me in the military… Thicker socks may help, or you can add moleskin to the problem area ahead of time. You can also hit your heel on the ground several times to make sure it’s deep in the heel pocket before you lace up. The last offering I have is do a quick search for how mountaineers lace up their boots. I can’t remember what it’s called right now but it’s to keep your heel firmly in the boot. Hope that helps.

[@kujda22]

@@DoctorBen great, I’ll have a look at the lacing techniques, thanks!

[@anthonymiller8979]

I too think the Vivo are closer to size, I had to go one up with the Boulders. Tried buying a newer pair of Boulders and they were nearly 3/8" narrower. Be sure to check the return policy on Lems Boulder boots...in the past sale items were not returnable and even the regular priced ones have severe restrictions on returns. Vivo has a 100 day, no questions asked return policy.

[@DoctorBen]

I haven’t owned a pair of Lems in a fair few years then. Even then Vivo had a much better return policy. I’ve also had Vivo reach out to me ask about improving their products.

[@brandontorres9181]

“Welcome back everyone, Dr. Ben, Not a real Doctor here” 😂😂👌🏻💀

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate]

Those vivobarefoots look quite a lot like those early medieval boots people used bifore the invention of the stirrups. They were more shaped like normal human feet, and had little to non cushing at all.

[@DoctorBen]

Cool bit of info! Thanks for sharing.

[@Jugistoteles]

This was a really useful review/comparison. Thanks for sharing.

[@DoctorBen]

Glad you found the review helpful! Thanks!

[@kraz11funk5]

Have you picked up the waterproof boulder boot? If so, please do an updated review comparing the waterproof boulder and tracker shoes!

[@DoctorBen]

I haven’t picked them up but if I do I’ll do an updated review!

[@petermclean8243]

@@DoctorBen yes please do, thanks

[@frwb3351]

nice video buddy, i will consider the Lems now as well... thx

[@DoctorBen]

You’re welcome!

[@kathleenhancock6425]

Hi, thanks for doing these reviews. Have recently purchased the Lems Boulder Boot.... found them almost imposible to get on (and off!). I have a very high arch! Has anyone else found this problem. Even my husband and daughter (all take the same size!) struggled to get them on. Had to snip the material that was holding the tongue. How wide does the opening go on the tracker boot? would be really helpful if I could actually see how you get them on. Many thanks

[@DoctorBen]

It has been a while since I wore the Boulder boots now but I’m pretty sure the opening for the trackers is more generous than the Boulder boots. The trackers just fit my needs far better than the boulders so I haven’t picked up a new pair in a long time.

[@waterdrinker_]

good video, literally exactly what I was looking for (officially scared of google now). If I had one suggestion for the future, the music was a little loud and distracting for me and I would have preferred to just listen to the Doc

[@DoctorBen]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Davmm96]

If you are in Canada, you can also look at mocassincanada / Laurentian Chief. Mocassins boots are just the traditional "barefoot" footwear. You can look at huntprimitive's video here on youtube for a review.

[@drygnfyre]

Thanks for the comparison! I might be interested in getting a pair of Lems for work. I've gone through many work boots thus far and none of them have been comfortable for me.

[@DoctorBen]

I’ve given up on work boots at this point. I wore several pairs of lens over the years at my utility company job.

[@giggityeffyou]

The lems boulder boot looks really good in smaller sizes. I tried it on in my size (i think it was a size 45 or 54. Whichever is similar to a 10.5 US mens) and it's hideous. The front is too big and looks a lot like a clown shoe.

[@DoctorBen]

From my experience the Boulder Boot is longer than I would like and not quite as wide as I would like.

[@nissman1753]

I bought the boulders and had high hopes for them but the were too narrow and felt horrible, also very disappointed in the tread. was looking into the trackers but there’s lots of reviews saying that they soak through just walking through wet grass.

[@DoctorBen]

That was sort of my thoughts on the boulders too. I have had that issue with the trackers even on heavy rain. Something may have changed since my last pair though.

[@jessetabak]

Great review mate, which of these two would you say is the widest? I currently have the tracker, but it is too narrow

[@DoctorBen]

I think as you size up the Lems are proportionally larger. They just got a little longer than I liked as I sized up. The longer toe was less of a concern in the stiffer trackers.

[@jeremebonesaw]

Great video man! I am interested in both and this was the perfect video. Does the Boulder boot breathe better?

[@DoctorBen]

Glad the videos helped! I’d say the not all leather Boulder boot does. The all leather and the tracker are about the same. The partial leather Boulder go on sale fairly regularly for $50-$60 if that’s what you lean toward.

[@Generic_Username_0331]

Hey not a doctor Ben. I’ve broken my toes a few times more and need a tall toe box. Which one of these has more height at the big toe? I tried a Vivo a few years back and it rubbed and caused an ingrown nail on my big toe. But I might have needed a size up. 49 was hard to find both both make them in my size now.

[@DoctorBen]

The Lems boot has a longer to box. They're also a much lighter boot as far as pliability. The Vivos are a much less forgiving leather.

[@tjkennedyphoto]

I appreciate the thinner sole of Vivo but the price tag makes me choose Lems.

[@DoctorBen]

I totally understand that. I went through many pairs of Lems before deciding to try the Trackers. They’re pretty pricy.

[@tjkennedyphoto]

@@DoctorBen If money were no object, I'd choose Trackers every time. One day 😄

[@sliceofinfo9547]

Thanks for the video!

[@DoctorBen]

Glad you liked it!

[@JohnMoseley]

I have both and I never wear the boulder boots because my feet are too wide. They're wide toe-box boots, but not enough for me. One of the nice things about the Trackers is, the material between the laces is really flexible, so it genuinely makes a difference how tight you lace them. People with narrower feet can still feel snug in them. That said, my quest for a toe-box that's truly wide enough for my freakish feet continues. Have just ordered a pair of Freets that claim to have a 5in1 toe box, which is unbelievably wide, but my toes fully splayed nearly reach that and neither of these boots do.

[@DoctorBen]

This is the first I've heard of Freets. I'll have to check em out. Honestly, at this point the vast majority of the time I'm in a pair of Earth Runners. I just don't like having my feet trapped any more. I almost never put shoes on any more.

[@JohnMoseley]

@@DoctorBen I feel the same. If I lived in a warmer climate, I'd never wear anything but my Xero Shoes sandals - the basic ones you make yourself from a kit. Freets are a British firm (that's where I'm based) and, from their website, look to be unusually thoughtful about the design and manufacture of barefoot shoes - particularly in ensuring adequate space for toe splay. They're also comparatively cheap, especially now with some shoes on sale. The shoes I ordered should be here in a day or two. I'll report back.

[@JohnMoseley]

@@DoctorBen I said I'd report back on my Freet Connect 2s and they've arrived. First off, I'm an idiot, but I'll forgive myself on the grounds that I'm just that desperate for a wide toe box that I let myself be deluded: 5in1 does not mean five inches + it's just some branding thing. So a little disappointment on that score, but other than that, first impression is that these may well be the best minimalist shoes I've ever bought, and I've bought a lot - too many really. The toe box is still pretty generous. They look less so than my notoriously wide Softstar Primal Runamocs, but feel about the same, and in many other ways are more comfortable. You can lace tightly or not to suit your need. For my wide feet, they seem to be better with the removable insole in, probably as it raises my feet above the rubber lip of the sole. I prefer a lot of ground feel, but this is a trade-off worth making, especially as they're still very flexible and thin-soled. Aesthetically they're super simple - almost entirely black, which makes them a vast improvement on any other minimalist sneaker I've seen. The only one that does slightly better on looks is Tadevos from Poland, which are also superbly comfortable in many ways, but I never wear mine, mainly because the toe box is far too narrow and partly because the rubber gives off a strong burned tyre smell. I vastly prefer the Freets for both look and feel to better-known competitors like Merrell or Vivobarefoot, and the Freets are also way cheaper. I've never tried Lems sneakers, but, again, the Freets look better and are probably about the same for things like width and ground feel, and, again, a lot cheaper. All this is, I realise, a little off-topic here, but Freets also do some walking boots that look really good and, again, are cheaper than most competitors, including Lems and Vivo. I'd be going for some if I didn't already have the Trackers, which I like. I swear to god, I have no affiliation with Freet! And this is just a first impression, but it's a very good one.

[@DoctorBen]

These sound like they’re definitely worth a look! Thank you so much for telling me about them!

[@JohnMoseley]

A pleasure, @@DoctorBen.

[@rodellwilliams871]

I have three pairs of vivobarefoot and the tracker is one of them I love it👌🏾

[@DoctorBen]

They’re great boots!

[@mikejohnson7768]

Hold on, super necassary to ask have you tried the lems boulder tracker? Best of both worlds,look it up,its really "that boot!"

[@annetteedwards9860]

I have both too. Boulder boots for work and the trackers for walking my dog on coastal paths near my home in Cornwall. I've had a lot of trouble with my feet and so has my partner (nurse) She thinks the trackers are the most comfortable things she's ever worn and keeps wearing mine! Just got some more ( cream colour) in a sale for £95 which is amazing! Probably not a popular colour but I don't really care...comfort is the main concern for me now. 😉

[@DoctorBen]

That’s crazy cheap for those boots! I’m with you comfort is king.

[@annetteedwards9860]

Doctor Ben yes I was really lucky to get them! Worth looking out for the occasional sale. I genuinely think they didn’t sell because they’re a cream colour.

[@johnmoran959]

Have you seen the freet hiker ?

[@DoctorBen]

Some one mentioned them to me but I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet. They looked promising.

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

Is the sizing the same, for example if you use a 41m eur size for the Tracker will the Boulder be a good fit or should you size up or size down?

[@DoctorBen]

I used the same euro size in Boulder boot and Tracker. The tracker fit my foot a little better.

[@jean-pierrewuestenberghs]

Nice review. Thanks. The music in the background is annoying.

[@jamesbailand4311]

The vivos are to narrow and the sole delaminates from the shoe.

[@kato1kalin]

It's really hit or miss with the trackers, some people get good ones others fall apart. I've seen the same with feelmax.

[@JohnMoseley]

As I've just said in another comment, it's the boulder boots I actually find too narrow. Most Vivos are hopeless on toe-box width, but the Trackers are actually adjustable to all intents and purposes: keep the laces loose over the foot (you can still tie them up tight on the ankle) and the flexible material between them stretches out and makes them wider. Fully splayed, my toes are around 5 inches across and the Trackers are actually the closest I've had to a pair of shoes that are wide enough for me.

[@SamuelZamora]

Good stuff

[@CenterTree777]

While I appreciate your video effort, it is frustrating that you give absolutely no close-up shots of the boots. Kinda hard to even see what you're holding.

[@j.dieason7527]

One difference is about $60

[@DoctorBen]

True. There is a significant price difference. Even with the price difference, I find the Tracker a much better, more useful boot.

[@4StonesHandcraft]

2022: $50 for Lems? Haha

[@DoctorBen]

Been doing this channel a lot of years. Not from 2022…

[@4StonesHandcraft]

@@DoctorBen Sorry I wasn’t clear. I was trying to say in a few words, It is now 2022, we’re long way from what the price was a few years ago.

[@DoctorBen]

@@4StonesHandcraft No worries. I feel ya there.

[@TheHugginMonkey625]

Dr. Dre is not a real doctor either.

[@DoctorBen]

Ha ha ha excellent point

[@aaron___6014]

Softstar chukka

[@sarahmacleod2008]

if you arn't a doctor why would you call yourself so on the channel name? where is credibility gone right from the start?

[@DoctorBen]

It’s a joke…

[@otpays8552]

Just got new tracker for 180

[@DoctorBen]

Very nice!