VIVOBAREFOOT Tracker Forest ESC £180

TESTED BY: Nick Hallissey, Deputy Editor Vivobarefoot’s range is for those who want to feel the ground beneath their feet – but without feeling vulnerable to it. Their USP is that ultra-slim sole unit, which feels like slippers, puts the soles of your feet within a few millimetres of the earth, yet somehow offers robust protection too.

This new model is designed for woodland walking, and it is beautifully made. There’s no membrane (which keeps it breathable), but you can still rely on it in the rain: it’s made with naturally waterproof Wildhide leather which you can bolster with a balsam treatment that comes with the boots.

I’m a tenderfoot and I hate the feel of hard surfaces, so I usually like a fair bit of support and cushioning. But taking these into the woods over the past few months, I’ve come to understand the liberation and joy they can bring. Over muddy, earthy paths they feel great, as if you are genuinely part of the land and not a visitor. In woodland, I totally get it.

Sadly, I still can’t think of them as my favourite footwear: I miss my underfoot comfort, and the fact they leave me aching if I take them onto rockier terrain really limits their versatility for me. But here’s cleverness: Vivobarefoot offer a 100-day trial, with no-quibble refund if you decide they’re not for you. And if they are for you, I think you’ll be very happy not to get the refund. vivobarefoot.com