Vivobarefoot Tracker Boot vs Lems Boulder Boot 

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

@@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.

@@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.

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

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

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

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.

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

@@elhazwoodcraft HA HA HA HA!

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.

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.

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

@@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.

Cool bit of info! Thanks for sharing.

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.

@@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.

@@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.

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

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.

Glad you found the review helpful! Thanks!

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

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.

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

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

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

Thanks for the feedback.

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.

You’re welcome!

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

@@DoctorBen yes please do, thanks

They’re great boots!

Glad you liked it!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

@@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.

@@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.

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

A pleasure, @@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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

@@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.

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

Very nice!

Ha ha ha excellent point

It’s a joke…