I ditched my Timberlands for these Vivobarefoot hiking boots — and I’m not going back

Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT hiking boots — (Image credit: Jeff Parsons / Tom's Guide)

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I don't know what the weather's been like where you are (if you're on the East Coast, probably cold), but for me it's just been wet. I live in London, U.K., and it feels like we've had near-constant rain since 2026 started. After another rain-soaked commute home, I began to wonder if switching to a pair of hiking boots could help save my feet.

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT II are a pair of durable, waterproof hiking boots from a brand known mostly for its low-profile running shoes. What appeals to me is that the all-black "Obsidian" color is stylish enough to wear into the office or to meet friends without drawing attention.

Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile Hiking Shoes — (Image credit: Jeff Parsons / Tom's Guide)

Working in a city, I walk or cycle most places rather than drive, squeeze onto the subway, or wait hours for the bus to transport me where I need to go. At first, I assumed the Tracker Textile ATs (the "AT" stands for "All Terrain") would serve as my weekend lace-ups for walks out in the countryside. But given the onslaught of rain so far this year, I found myself reaching for them, even when I knew I was spending the day in the office.

Three things have particularly impressed me about the Tracker Textile AT boots, and I'm going to lay them out for you.

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT II hiking boots come with a reengineered leather upper on a new All Terrain sole that lets you feel the ground more than traditional hiking boots. The Thermal Insole has built-in temperature-regulating technology that absorbs, stores and releases heat. Vivobarefoot's no-sew construction gives you waterproof protection. Metal lacing hooks make it easy to adjust for comfort, and the rear cutaway gives your ankle more maneuverability when climbing steep inclines.

They're a perfect middle ground

My regular footwear revolves around a set of Adidas sneakers for summer and Timberland boots for the winter. I love the sneakers for their comfort and flexibility and the Timberlands for their warmth, waterproofing and durability. But I've found that the Tracker Textile ATs sit amazingly well as a middle ground between the two.

This is my first experience with any "barefoot" shoe, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The outsole is noticeably thinner than any traditional hiking boots I've worn before, but the 4mm lugs give you (what I assume is) more grip and padding against the trail than you'd feel in regular barefoot shoes.

In practice, without the layers of cushioning getting in the way, you can really feel ground undulations, but without the fear of a sharp stone stabbing you through the underside of your foot. I do have to say the grip faltered a couple of times on slick paving slabs and some muddy slopes, which caused the occasional skid.

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Like many hiking boots, the Tracker Textile ATs have a wide toe box, which makes them comfortable to wear for long periods if you have wider feet. I cinched the boots tight at the ankles with the laces to keep them in place, but I really appreciated the additional room for my toes.

They're completely waterproof

While the U.S. has dealt with huge snowfall this winter, the U.K. has been deluged with biblical amounts of rain since 2026 arrived. Therefore, the most crucial thing I was hoping for from the Tracker Textile ATs was that they'd keep my feet dry — and they didn't disappoint.

During my time with them, I wore these boots out in lashing rain again and again and again. The boots have non-sew seams and an upper made from 95% recycled polyester and 5% spandex. There's an inner membrane that lets nothing through, even in torrential conditions. If you're routinely hiking through damp or soggy conditions, I'd venture these would serve you well.

I'm wearing them in winter right now, so I can't comment on how they fare during the hotter months, but there's a thermal insole (it's removable) that kept my feet warm with just a single pair of everyday work socks.

They feel light — even if they aren't

One of the reasons I've really started to appreciate the Tracker Textile ATs over my battered and beaten Timberlands is that they're lightweight and flexible, whilst still offering ankle support and that aforementioned waterproofing.

The 2.5mm midsole is crazy flexible — I can pretty much roll these boots up, which makes them ideal for packing into a backpack for a trip away. There's a slight cutaway at the rear, which gives your ankle some additional room to manoeuvre when you're descending (or ascending) a steep slope.

What's interesting is that although they felt light to me, they're actually heavier than some of the other hiking boots we've tested here at Tom's Guide. Tracker Textile ATs weigh in at 470g / 16.5oz for the men's size 9 shoe. That's light, but not as light as the 14.6-ounce Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX boots, which top our list of best hiking boots you can buy.

Moreover, the Salewa Pedroc Pro PowerTex Mid PTX boots come in even lighter at 13.8 ounces, and the Hoka Anacapa Mid GORE-TEX are lighter still at 13.5 ounces.

So yes, technically, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile ATs aren't the lightest hiking boots you can buy — but compared to regular sneakers or work boots, they're a huge improvement. Combine this with the low-profile sole, and it really does feel like you're wearing nothing at all. Which, I guess, is the whole point.

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Jeff is UK Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide looking after the day-to-day output of the site’s British contingent.

A tech journalist for over a decade, he’s travelled the world testing any gadget he can get his hands on. Jeff has a keen interest in fitness and wearables as well as the latest tablets and laptops.

A lapsed gamer, he fondly remembers the days when technical problems were solved by taking out the cartridge and blowing out the dust.

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I ditched my Timberlands for these Vivobarefoot hiking boots — and I’m not going back