Average Rating:
Sort by:
Backpacking boots are challenging to buy By heynanc from charlotte, NC on 02/01/2009 Pros: Great Traction, Look good, Respected manufacturer Cons: Lacks insole support Best Uses: Backpacking, Hiking Describe Yourself: Backcountry wannabe, Outdoor adventurer Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: OK. I've been working on trying to find acceptable mid to heavy weight backpacking boots for awhile (you can ask the returns dept. at STP).
It's not easy to do, especially if you're trying to not spend a small fortune.
These boots fit true to size (women's 11), with good toe room for swelling and downhill, but the heel is a tiny bit wide. I'll see what happens in the real world - I've only been walking them around in the house.
These boots are cut on a Straight Last. (I don't know if all hiking boots are.) The insole, just like the ones in expensive running shoes, (well cheap running shoes too) are 99 cent pieces of junk. Aftermarket insoles for pronation control and cushioning are a must. At least for me.
But heavy duty boots for heavy load multiday backpacking at a GOOD price are a tough find, so I think these are going to work. For leather boots, their break-in has gone more quicky than I expected.
By Lainer from Seattle from Seattle Wa on 08/16/2008 Cons: Cumbersome, Heavy, Very stiff Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend Comments: I love Vasque and have never been disappointed until now. I am 58 and an avid hiker who needs good ankle support - that is what drew me to this boot. When I tried them on, it felt like I was wearing boots made out of cement. They are heavy, stiff and cumbersome. I walked around in them for awhile and it was painful. Had to return. This has not turned me off to Vasque but I will be cautious when I pruchase again.
Tough, reliable, waterpoof boots By daera from San Jose, CA on 08/07/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Great Traction, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I love these boots! I took them on an eight-day Arctic backcountry hike and they held up beautifully. Paired with Gore-Tex gaiters, they kept my feet dry through hundreds of streams and standing water bogs. They provided excellent ankle support on tough terrain, including tussok and shoe-sucking swamps. I've only had them for a few months so I can't speak to their durability, but they broke in very easily after only a few days of hiking and I look forward to taking them on more day hikes and backpacks. As other reviewers have pointed out, the rubber over the toes is a great feature because it protects the shoe from damage when going over rocky terrain. I also like the flat laces because they don't get torn up as much from gaiter hooks as round ones, and are easier to tie and untie as well. All around, this is a great shoe and an incredible deal at this price.
By dlpwaters from Duluth, MN on 07/13/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I love the toe cap on these boots. I haven't used them a lot yet, but they are very comfortable. They are a bit heavy for me, but I suppose they need to be because of how sturdy they are.
By Backpacking enthusiast from Wisconsin on 05/01/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: So far so good! I am currently breaking in these boots and love them! It feels like the soles are actually gripping the ground! They are pretty stiff right now but that only goes to show how durable I believe they will be. Comfy too, even for being not broken in! Can't wait to put some serious miles on these bad boys!
Great price for old faithfull By Ann from PDX on 04/20/2008 Pros: Available in wide, Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, Stable, Water Resistant Cons: Heavy, Wide is less wide Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Day hikes, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I have a pair of 9.5W Nubuck Sundowner Vasque boots I bought in 2002. They are still in great condition, looks wise, even after hundreds of miles of hiking but they have lost their cushioning (in the sole - tried inserts but did not bring back the lost...) Having wide feet, I am used to paying retail ([$]six years ago), so for less than half price I could not pass them up for certain types of hikes. These days I wear lighter weight New Balnce hiking boots most of the time because they are almost a pound lighter.So were the Vasque Breeze boot I recently tried in wide. But I had to send it back because it did not fit true to size like previous Vasque boots. Are you listening Vasque?
By Patti from Chicago, IL on 04/17/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole Best Uses: Backcountry, Cold weather, Wet Weather Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: I'm going on an extended hiking trip and i wanted to get a durable boot that would be able to handlee some pretty tough terrain and these shoes delivered. They do take a while to get broken in, but its worth it. Plus there very stylish for hiking boots.
By flaadawg from minnesota on 04/16/2008 Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Great Traction, Non-slip sole, solid built, Stable, Water Resistant Best Uses: Backcountry, Day hikes, Everyday Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational Sizing: Feels true to size Width: Feels true to width Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Comments: a deal even at 50% more than I paid.
|