Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Vivobarefoot Magna Forest ESC, a barefoot hiking boot with a tough leather upper, stretchy wool collar, and rugged Michelin sole for serious adventures.

Features

Last winter I reviewed the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC, which is a beast for trekking over rocky ground in cool and cold weather, but the higher leather upper isn’t as breathable for hotter days.

So I asked Vivobarefoot for a pair of Magna ESC’s to test, and with the same base but a lighter weight ankle sleeve for temperature regulation…

They’re basically what Godzilla would wear if he took up backpacking and sprouted a nice pair of Mothra wings.

Upper/Lining

Because the Magna’s have an extra-wide toebox with a water-resistant leather upper, textured laces and metal grommets for security, side straps for support, and a stretchy wool blend collar for easily slipping the boot on and off.

Inside the fabric has a ribbed texture for padding and breathability, while the front of the boot is lined with mesh for airflow and moisture wicking, and Vivobarefoot also includes a removable insole for some minimal padding.

Sole/Tread

Underneath you’ve got a thicker 9.5mm zero-drop sole with great flexibility in all directions, as well as a set of beefy Michelin lugs that are spaced and angled to handle both dry and wet terrain and stitched for durability.

Testing

Given the difference in height and thickness the Magna ESC’s are a full hundred grams lighter than than the Tracker ESC’s.

Walking

So going out for a walk on pavement the Magna’s Michelin sole was still overkill, although the upper made them feel more like a higher cut shoe than a bulky trekking boot, which was nice for some extra versatility.

Hiking

Predictably, the Magna ESC’s felt much more at home tromping along a dirt path, and although the lugs are 7mm thick, the sole itself is only 2.5mm, so it actually provided a surprising amount of flexibility.

For colder spring mornings the dense rubber and tough leather upper kept my feet dry plowing through wet grass and muddy fields, and for hotter days the wool collar was more breathable than the higher cut Tracker ESC, although water can splash up over the top in deeper puddles.

Trekking

Clambering up a steep hill the Magna’s Michelin tread bit into the loose dirt for some excellent traction, while being open enough not to get clogged, and going back down the thinner midsole was still plenty agile for navigating sticks and roots.

That said, where the Magna ESC’s really thrived was on treacherous rocky slopes where the heavy lugs and side support kept my feet from getting beat up on the sharp edges or pinched in the shifting crevices and pretty much made me feel like Godzilla, conquering anything in my path.

Conclusion

Overall the Vivobarefoot Magna Forest ESC is a great option for anyone who needs some hardcore protection and support, while still having a good amount of flexibility and airflow.

Pros/Cons

Because the upper is extra-wide and water-resistant, the wool blend collar adds some great temperature regulation and agility, and the monster 7mm Michelin lugs are super durable and grippy on both dry and wet terrain.

However, the thicker sole does feel like overkill for casual walks, the wider toebox will fit more loose for medium width feet, and the support straps can add some light pressure around your ankles.

Alternatives

In terms of similar barefoot hiking boots…

Resources

If you’d like to support the channel, you can use the code FOLTSY10 for 10% off Vivobarefoot, browse and filter more products at my website barefootwear.org, or watch my Zero-Drop Transition video to learn more about barefooting.

Finally, if you have a question about the Vivobarefoot Magna Forest ESC, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading, catch ya next time. Peace!