Vivo Barefoot Tracker II FG

 

Hard-wearing, lightweight and waterproof, the Tracker II FG lets you tackle any terrain while reconnecting you to nature. This is the natural alternative to normal hiking boots with heaps of flexibility and ground feel.

 

Made using hydrophobic treatments, non-absorbent materials, sealed seams and an inner breathable membrane to make it waterproof .

 

These Vivos are made with sustainable materials and production methods, and feature a removable thermal insole so you can customize your coziness level depending on the weather.

 

The Tracker II FG features a slightly firmer, lugged sole designed for hiking and trail, so you can tackle technical terrain with great grip. The wild-hide leather uppers soften up as you break them in to move when you do.

Sizing and Fit

Vivo suggests moving one size up in this model as it can tend to fit small compared to their other models. All Vivobarefoot shoes use the European sizing system, so for example if you normally take a 40, try a 41 in the Tracker II FG.

 

The Tracker II FG comes in gendered sizing with men's sizing (M sizes) and women's sizing (L sizes). Men's sizing is wider and higher volume, and women's sizing is narrower and lower volume.

 

Vivobarefoot shoes in general tend to suit naturally narrow to average width feet. Their toebox design suits a sloping toe shape the best, and the toebox is fairly low profile. The lacing allows customization for a variety of foot volumes. Their overall footprint is between rectangular and tapered.

 

Ground Feel

Vivobarefoot is known for having tons of groundfeel, and compared to conventional hiking boots you will still get a lot of feedback from the terrain in these boots. However, compared to Vivo's running shoes and other super thin and flexible minimal models, the Tracker IIFG may feel slightly stiff. They've designed these for hard terrain, so you get a little bit of protection while still having lots of room for your feet and natural movement:

 

"The Firm Ground Sole offers multi terrain traction and a sticky rubber compound for all round grip and durability. 2.5mm base and 4mm lug height designed to maximize ground feel and grip on everything from wet and dry, rocky and firm terrain. The textured arch provides zonal grip for technical trail movement."

 

Customers used to a lot of support and cushioning may find these a big departure. If you're transitioning to minimal shoes you'll want to work on developing your muscles and mobility for a while before doing long and technical hikes! Work on shorter hikes or more gentle trails for a few months first, and research foot exercises and stretches to do regularly to enhance the experience.

Customers who are looking for a totally barefoot feeling may find these too firm, though they do get softer and more flexible as you wear them in, resulting in medium ground feel . It's common for both waterproof models and trail models to have a bit of a firmer sole compared to minimal running shoes, but we are happy to help you find the closest match for your needs.

 

Care

You can read our  care tips for leather  here in our Learn area. You can wipe the soles down with a damp cloth as desired.

 

Make sure to store your leather footwear such as the Tracker II FG away from heat sources like radiators, as this can dry out the leather making it brittle over time.

 

Taking care of your leather goods will ensure they look good, and extend their lifespan so you get the most out of your investment.

 

Best Uses

The Tracker II FG is an all-terrain, all-weather hiking boot.

 

With built in waterproofing, the optional thermal insoles, durable leather uppers, and a tready lugged sole, we can see these being perfect for rainy or dewy summer walks, through city slush in winter, or through the mud of spring and fall trails. Whether you're taking them to Algonquin or just to the pick-your-own farm, they offer a mix of comfort and sensory feedback that you'll love for all day wear.