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Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
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Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's

Item # 748170

$170.00

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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On tough day hikes or short backpacking trips, these all-nubuck Switchback hiking boots offer slightly more protection than the popular Vasque Breeze.

  • Waterproof nubuck leather uppers provide protection, support and durability for rugged trail use
  • Breathable Gore-Tex® liners are seam sealed to stop water leakage and allow warm moisture vapor to escape
  • Three-bar knit nylon linings wick moisture away and dry quickly
  • Padded, contoured nylon collars wrap comfortably around your ankles for support and protection
  • Removable, dual-density EVA footbeds add cushioning to lightweight, compression-molded EVA midsoles
  • Compression-molded EVA midsoles deliver ample cushion for long, strenuous day hikes
  • Integrated Flexframe 1 thermoplastic urethane (TPU) midsole plates control flex, provide support and protect feet from uneven terrain
  • Durable, high-traction Vibram® Contact outsoles supply superb control on all types of surfaces

Average weight specification is per pair, based on size 9.

Imported.

Item 748170

Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's Specs

Specification

Description

StyleBackpacking
CutHigh
WaterproofYes
UpperNubuck leather
LiningGore-Tex/nylon
MidsoleEVA
SupportNylon plate
OutsoleVibram rubber
Average weight2 lbs. 14 oz.
Average weight - metric1.30 kilograms
GenderMen's

Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's
 
3.4

(based on 12 reviews)

58%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Great traction (10)
  • Comfortable (8)
  • Stable (6)
  • Water resistant (6)
  • Comfortable/no break-in (4)

Cons

  • Not water resistant (3)

Best Uses

  • Day hikes (7)
  • Backcountry (6)
  • Everyday (3)
  • Wet weather (3)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (6), Casual adventurer (5)

Reviewed by 12 customers

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Sep

23

2007

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

 
2.0

Comfy but Questionable Durability

By Sam Jones

from Belfair, WA

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Great Traction
  • Water Resistant

Cons

  • Sole Wears Out Quickly
  • Uppers not Durable

Best Uses

  • Backcountry
  • Cold weather
  • Day hikes
  • Everyday
  • Wet Weather

Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

I know these are not meant to be used in a "heavy backpacking" application, but I am an ultralite hiker (that wanted more ankle support for cross country travel) and figured that these boots would be able to handle 20-30 pound loads for up to 10 day trips at 10-20 miles per day. Apparently that is asking too much. I have had them a little over five months and I would already describe them as being "trashed". Initially I loved the comfort, traction and virtually no break in period, but within two months of use the sole began seperating from the upper and stiching began to fail in various places (especially around my big and pinky toes). At this point, after five months, the stiching has failed to the point where I can stick a couple fingers in the holes by my pinky and big toes and the sole is visibly seperating around the toe box of both feet. I have used these boots very heavily with at least five hundred miles, possibly more, over the last five months, but for the price I would expect to get at least a year, hopefully more, out of them. These boots are very comfortable, but, because of durability issues, they are best reserved for day hiking or casual backpacking on established trails. [...].

  • Sizing:
  • Feels true to size
  • Width:
  • Feels true to width

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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Jan

21

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Not Bad but Needs Improvement

By frioat

from massachusetts

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Great Traction
  • Stable
  • Water Resistant
  • Wicks well

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Not durable

Best Uses

  • Backcountry
  • Wet Weather

Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

I bought these boots with the intention of using them for more rugged terrain than my mid-cut boots allowed. I knew I wanted something from Vasque because it has served me well and the narrower shape is good for my feet.

I did exactly what everyone says not to and bought this a week before a strenuous but short backpacking trip in the White Mountains. They worked well especially on loose surfaces or wet rock. The boots were comfortable and didn't give me blisters if I wore sock liners. The one complaint I found about these boots is they are too heavy to work well with a daypack unless it is a cross-country hike.

The next trip I took with these boots was very rainy. Despite the downpour these boots stayed very dry and gripped excellently on wet rock.

But then I went to the Sierras a couple months later and carried a 30-pound pack cross-country for several days. Now I know this is not a heavy-duty backpacking boot but I was hiking less than ten miles a day. By the end of the trip the boots were pretty far gone, especially the toe cap and heel. Though I can still use them I would not buy them again.

I can't really fault Vasque (all the other shoes I have gotten from them are great) but it is a mistake to use them for anything except dayhiking.

  • Sizing:
  • Feels true to size
  • Width:
  • Feels true to width

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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Dec

18

2007

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

 
2.0

Comfy, but not very durable

By Davie10toes

from St Paul, Minnesota

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Stable
  • Water Resistant

Cons

  • Sole Wears Out Quickly

Best Uses

  • Day hikes

Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

I was overjoyed with the boots at first. They are very comfortable, waterproof and required no break-in for me. However, after 8 months the Vibram sole is cracking under my big toe. They don't really get a lot of heavy use, mostly I wear them to work (computer programmer) and take a short walk at lunch. I really expected better durability.

  • Sizing:
  • Feels true to size
  • Width:
  • Feels true to width

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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Oct

7

2008

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

Decent boot

By Enchanted Hiker

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Casual/Recreational

Pros

  • Ankle Support
  • Arch Support
  • Comfortable/No Break-In
  • Flexible
  • Great Traction

Cons

  • Not Water Resistant

Best Uses

  • Day Hiking
  • Light Loads

Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

Hiked with these boots about 20 times so far.I originally bought them for a day hike in the San Juans (Uncompahgre), and they held up well. My usual hikes are day hikes, about 5-10 miles total. These boots are very comfortable, and I only received one blister on my heel after the first hike with them. I like the design and look of the boot, and the lacing is pretty simple, don't have to tweak the laces too much. The traction is pretty good for the most part, haven't slipped yet even crossing streams using wet rocks as stepping stones. They might not be sturdy enough to carry a pack over 30 lbs or so. My one complaint: Even after waterproof treatment sold by REI, the seems remain wet even after a few hours of contact with water. I believe these boots are a little small in sizing, but with a good pair of lite hiking socks, seem to fit ok. Overall, a pretty solid boot.

  • Gift:
  • No
  • Sizing:
  • Feels true to size

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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Apr

3

2009

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Decent, but could be better

By srlee

from Los Alamos, NM

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

  • Comfortable/No Break-In
  • Flexible
  • Great Traction

Cons

  • Not Durable/ Wears Easily

Best Uses

  • Day Hiking
  • Light Loads

Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

These boots are decent, lightweight and comfortable. Durability is questionable at this point. I've got about 40 miles on these boots, all day hikes so far. They are still mechanically sound, but pretty beat up at this point. I was trying to replace the Vasque 7146 Brown Zephyr GTX, but these were discontinued in 2007. These were great boots. I put hundreds of miles on them and finally wore out the soles.I would recommend the model reviewed here to a friend, but only for relatively light day hiking.

  • Gift:
  • No
  • Sizing:
  • Feels true to size, Feels true to size

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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Sep

12

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

solid boot

By dayhiker Patrick

from Denver

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Site Member

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Great Traction
  • Stable

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backcountry
    • Day hikes

    Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

    These boots are apparently a leather version of the Vasque Breeze. I was looking for a stable mid-high boot that would be kind to my weak ankles. These boots measure up. They don't seem to require much in the way of break-in; I wore them for a couple hours around the house and then took them out on a couple of 10 mile hikes. No blisters or hot spots, and good flexibility while giving the stability I need. These boots are well-made, look durable, and would fit the bill for day-hiking or weekend trips. I highly recommend them.

    • Sizing:
    • Feels true to size
    • Width:
    • Feels true to width

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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    Oct

    18

    2009

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Performed as stated

    By Gray Ghost

    from St Croix Falls WI

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Pros

    • Ankle Support
    • Arch Support
    • Comfortable/No Break-In

    Cons

    • Not Durable/ Wears Easily

    Best Uses

    • Everyday
    • Heavy Loads
    • Long-Distance Hiking

    Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

    I bought these boots for hiking the Appalachian trail. They performed as advertised: a lightweight hiking boot. I was only able to get an average of 700 miles out of each pair - about what I expected - but I liked their weight and no break-in period. This summer I hiked the Ice Age Trail: lots of road walking; still the big negative was premature sole wear. The remaining parts of the boots are in good shape.

    • Gift:
    • No
    • Sizing:
    • Feels half size too small, Feels too small

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jul

    5

    2009

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    Not waterproof!

    By Walkalot

    from San Diego, CA

    About Me Environmentalist

    Pros

    • Comfortable/No Break-In
    • Flexible

    Cons

    • Not Water Resistant

    Best Uses

      Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

      The boots are not waterproof. They are barely worn, but I got my feet wet after rinsing for a couple of minutes with the garden hose. Good that it was not up in the mountains at freezing temperatures. Anything related to mountaineering should match the specifications.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • Sizing:
      • Feels true to size

      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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      Jun

      30

      2008

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Tough light hiker!

      By Das

      from Santa Fe, NM

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Great Traction
      • No break in period
      • Water Resistant

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Day hikes
        • Everyday
        • Short Backpacking

        Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

        Bought a pair, wore them to a work for a few days, then took them out. No blisters on the first overnight trip, 10mi/2500 ft elevation up and down all off-trail, talus and boulders with a good deal of snow and streams.

        Wore them around the office the next two weeks, no serious break-in... then took them out for another 2 nights/25mi/4500ft. Plenty of stream crossings, never once got wet socks. No problems with external seams, few scratches on the softer nubuck but no big deal.

        Only slight break-in hiccup was very minor piling on the back of one heel... before I realized what it was I had a small blister. If I'd stopped for 60 seconds and checked the boot, I could have pulled the pilled material off and been on my way.

        Contemplating buying a second pair, these will eventually wear out, but I'm a fan.

        • Sizing:
        • Feels true to size
        • Width:
        • Feels true to width

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        29

        2007

        (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Switchback

        By Lobo2011

        from Albuquerque, NM

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Durable
        • Great Traction
        • Non-slip sole
        • Stable
        • Warm
        • Water Resistant

        Cons

        • Heavy

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry
        • Cold weather
        • Day hikes
        • Wet Weather

        Comments about Vasque Switchback GTX Hiking Boots - Men's:

        I like the boot a lot. It is incredibly comfortable, though it is a little heavy. It fits my foot perfectly, which is unusual for me, because most shoes don't fit my feet well. The only problem that I have with the boot is that when the shoelaces are new, they have a tendancy to come untied.

        • Sizing:
        • Feels true to size
        • Width:
        • Feels true to width

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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