“Jungle" or "hot weather" boots predate the Second World War. The original design used an innovative, at that time, rubber-soled canvas-upper construction with drainage holes and performance insoles, developed by the U.S. Rubber Company.

Back in the day they weighed around 1,3 Kilos for a pair, or around 3 pounds, and were definitely taxing on the U.S. soldiers who tested them in the hot environment of Panama. But the design definitely outmatched standard military issue boots.

The original design philosophy of the boot, that was adopted by the military in 1942, took into account the impossibility, with the use of the technology of that era, of fully keeping the water out and providing the required ventilation for the feet in the environments of South Americas, the Pacific theater and beyond. Thus those boots did the next best thing and permitted water and perspiration to get out through the water drain eyelets, keeping the feet dry while preventing the entry of debris and insects.

One of more interesting technological developments for footwear at that time were specially developed woven mesh ventilation insoles, made of Polyvinylidene Dichloride, that helped with moisture and odor resistance for the jungle boots.

Later known as “Saran”, widely used for plastic wrapping, household and industrial objects, this material elevated the boots and its insoles to a new height of functionality by trapping air that would circulate through the interior of the boot when walking, exchanging moist interior air for outside air.

All of these advancements were a big push forward to helping people live and perform their duties within these harsh environment, yet the progress of finding a better solution has not been made for a long time and a lot of adventurers and militaries, even the famed SAS, are still using very similar types of jungle boots to this day.

ESC and Vivo as a whole are trying to change the “man versus nature” narrative that is widespread within performance outdoor gear, and their approach is a reimagining of product utilisation as a tool for “conquering the great outdoors” to finding coexistence and balance.

Jungle ESC, as all footwear in Vivobarefoot’s range, utilises a very wide toe box for a natural fit, thin and flexible outsole unrestrictive to your foot movement, giving you better control of foot placement and stability, impossible in regular thick sole boots or sneakers. ESC Michelin rugged outsole adds grip potential for uneven terrain, slippery surfaces and provides an extreme, yet organic look to the shoes.

The upper is made out of an abrasion resistant Cordura 900D. The internal mesh lining is the right level of fluorescence so that insects can be detected but won’t be attracted. The interior is designed to allow fast drainage for moisture and water, while keeping debris away. Moulded KPU overlays on the toe box and throughout the upper add to the protection of the wearer, and add to a very unique to Vivo organically inspired design language.

“Embarking on this remarkable journey, from the sands of the Kalahari with the San people to the icy expanses of the Arctic with the Saami community, has been a profound experience. Each step of the way, we've learned invaluable lessons from these custodians of the land, who have lived in harmony with their environments for generations”,

says Galahad Clark, Co-Founder of Vivobarefoot:

“Their wisdom has been pivotal in shaping our approach, blending traditional ecological knowledge with the technological advancements. Seeing the Jungle ESC ready to take its first steps in the wild is a great moment of pride and a milestone for Vivobarefoot. It symbolises not just where we've been, but where we're headed – towards a future where footwear isn't just designed for the environment, but with it".

The Jungle ESC marks the third launch in the collection, behind the Forest ESC and Hydra ESC, and ahead of the Desert and Tundra, which will launch later in 2024.