The new Jungle model is the latest in Vivobarefoot’s Eco Survival Collection.
Designed to surmount the challenges posed by the jungle, namely inescapable heat, 100% humidity and unpredictable hazards, the boot is the result of nine years of R&D with a testing team including the likes of Stuart and Ben McNutt.
They have dealt with these challenges by building a boot that drains everywhere, not just through a couple of drains. Additionally, water can flow in and out, but debris and sediment stay where they belong, outside the boot.
McNutt went on to say this about the environment, “the jungle is so hostile, if you’ve only ever worn this boot there, you won’t appreciate how much better it is than anything else on the market.”
Dave Strachan, Military Officer and Expedition Medic, said “These are, without a doubt, the best pair of jungle boots I have used; functional when walking, adept at shedding moisture and critically comfortable and blister free, even with the demands of arduous days carrying heavy loads. They were light – around half the weight of a pair of US ‘issue’ boots… the whole boot sheds water and breathes, allowing rapid drying after immersion. The rubber ‘scales’ which give the boot its distinctive ‘look’ give some abrasion resistance, and help to shed the mud from the fabric as the boot moves.”
Like all footwear in Vivobarefoot’s ESC, the Jungle Boot uses the core barefoot design principles: wide, thin, and flexible for strength, flexibilit, and natural stability. There are, however, some unusual and highly functional design features in there too. For instance, the mesh lining is the right level of fluorescence so that insects can be detected but won’t be attracted.
Along with the launch of the boot, is another innovation, an in-depth online educational course from Vivobarefoot, led by wilderness experts Ben McNutt and Debs Nickolls, who bring decades of experience to the table. This course equips learners with proven knowledge on how to safely explore the tropics, ensuring harmony with the jungle environment.
Filmed in the vibrant and teeming tropical rainforests of Borneo, the course is structured into the following modules:
– Understanding the Jungle: Offers insights into the geography, weather patterns, and the unique ecosystem of the jungle biome.
– Planning and Preparation: Covers essential planning for the jungle environment, including what to pack, acclimatization strategies, and common illnesses.
– Campcrafting and Trail Skills: Teaches crucial camping skills for the jungle, such as navigation, search and rescue operations, knot tying, tropical tracking, fire building, and water collection.
– Wilderness Travel Safety and Emergency Techniques: Includes lessons on swimming, river crossings, 4×4 skills, emergency camp setup, and procedures for dealing with various wildlife hazards.
According to Vivobarefoot, this is the third launch in the collection, behind the Forest ESC and Hydra ESC, and ahead of the Desert and Tundra, which will launch later this year.
To learn more, visit www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/collections/esc.
Cosmetically the boot looks hideous.
But thinking about it over the last month, some of the design details have grown on me. I’m strongly considering purchasing a pair to try out. Plus I’m a huge fan of the Vivo ESC outsole. I’ve been really impressed with how well the tread performs.
Finally! Vibobarefoot was my first Barefoot Shoe in 2013. I worn them in miliyary service as mountain ranger and highly appreciated this school of concept rather than the sturdy, heavy, raised, cushioned heel.
Many people told me I will hurt myself due to less ankle support – which turns out not only to be wrong even when jogging, or marching with a ruck in the moubtains for more than 1500m in Altitude per day,
Its the opposit! Your ankles, all your muscles, they become stronger again and support you!
My knees where hurting and cracking 10 years ago. Today they are fine – recovered by themselfs!
Im not keen of Vivobarefoot any longer as their products are quite fragile and a pair of shoes only lasts a year, maybe less, but I will try these ESC lineup!
Worst case is I got to use my leather Barefoot Boots by Zaqq again – which are the single best pair of boots I ever owned.
I’m curious on which Zaqq boot model you use! I have 2 pairs which I use for military dress shoe and a business shoe.
The Tracker is an great boot in my opinion and the ESC sole is a nice addition.
1. This outsole is not suitable for jungle.
2. Google the article “Science, American legal system confirm barefoot shoes are bullshit”
Lol, It only takes someone with half a brain to realize all the issues with that article.
We literally were created to walk barefoot. The issue is that years of 10mm drop footwear has created muscular dependence on something that shouldn’t be there to being with. Now when you try to reverse the process, you have issues. This is not the problem of barefoot shoes, this is the problem of you wearing the incorrect shoes for so long that you can no longer walk correctly and you have weak supporting muscles. Additionally, as already mentioned, the advantages of low drop skyrockets as load increases. High drops require your torso to compensate for the lean.
Everyone on earth would have better foot and leg health if high drop shoes never existed in the first place.
Just watched the pictures on their website. It has thick airmesh lining. Not good for jungle boots
These look perfect for jungle use.
Kanye, is that you?
What I would like to see is a real test comparing the McRae original jungle boot with these. That would require a large group of testers going into real jungle conditions for a relatively long period of time. Variables between the two groups would have to be kept to a minimum. Large groups randomly assigned.
And real world type activities/missions. A true jungle destroys gear (and humans) like no other environment. This test will not be done, but it would be interesting. My old McRae’s might do better than many would expect.
As someone who has spent a considerable number of years in jungles of Central America and Africa, my very first perception of these is the texture and how it appears likely to hold on to mud thus making the boots heavier and heavier. They also look soft (the folds in the ankle in one pic). Do they provide solid ankle support? carrying kit and rucks in steep, muddy terrain in the pouring rain sucks. It sucks worse if your “jungle” boots have crappy soles and poor ankle stabilization.
I think the shell of this boot is some kind of rubber to prevent the boot to hold on moisture and mud. That’s my guess from the look, looks like the shell is rubber injection molded onto fabric.
They are very flexible and offer no ankle support. That’s how it’s designed and how our feet work, unless you’re in high alpine terrain.. The ESC sole should clear out mud and provide lots of grip.
Fascinating concept.
I’m thinking I need to try these out myself.