Vasque Summit GTX Hiking Boots - Men's

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

I recently purchased the “Summit” boot and have done several day hikes and one short weekend backpack trip. My previous pair of Vasque boots lasted eleven years. The fit and comfort is exceptionally good; however, the rubber sole around the toe area is beginning to separate. I am in a bit of a quandary about returning the boots because the fit and comfort is so exceptional. However, now that Vasque has moved its manufacturing to China, I have concerns about the long term durability of this product. The next time I am near the local REI store, I will let them inspect the boots and get their opinion on the problem and possible solutions.

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

I replaced my old Raichle boots with these and have been pleasantly surprised. After two years these boots have seen the worst conditions, from hot to freezing, from boulders to sand, and did better than anyone could ask. The only con is that they are heavy and the leather on the top easily scratches.

Now to the pros... these boots keep me dry, even when crossing streams or snow, and keep out sand (I backpack at the beach a lot). Even though they are insulated and heavy, they keep my feet cool in very hot summer months (100+ degrees). I've had these boots freeze overnight on me, and yet they still kept me warm despite being damp. The treading promotes good posture and walking form, which allows you to go faster for longer. The laces keep a good grip on your foot but don't constrict blood flow.

The price tag may seem a little pricey but it is well worth the cost. You'll forget about the weight and your body will thank you for buying these boots after those 15 mile days of backpacking. The size is accurate and they allow you to expand and contract the boot without a problem... I can still fit a good heavy sock in there without a problem, but they also fit without a heavy sock, just tighten them more.

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

This is a follow-up to a review I made in April 2008. The soles started separating on both boots. I brought them to the REI store in Boise and they gave me three options; return the boots, send them in for repair or attempt to repair them (“Shoe Goo” was recommended). Since I was going on a hike the following weekend, I made the repairs. Upon returning from my hike, the repairs held up pretty well, but the soles began separating in other areas.

I brought the boots back to REI and they were replaced. The new pair of Vasque Summit GTX boots have now been on a number of day hikes and two moderate backpacking trips. The last trip was twenty seven miles along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon (4,100 feet up and 4,100 feet down) with often wet and muddy trail conditions. The boots are very comfortable, they kept my feet dry and warm, the ankle support is good, the soles of the new boots show no signs of separation and I thought it only fair to give a new evaluation. I would now recommend these boots to a friend. However, given the experience I had with the first pair, the consistency of the quality still concerns me. I would strongly suggest purchasing them at a reputable retailer such as REI in case they need to be returned or replaced.

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

I purchased these boots 2 months before spending 5 months in Denali, AK. My last pair of Vasque boots lasted almost 8 years, so it was to be a no-brainer purchase. I spent a couple months (about 70 miles) hiking light to moderate trails in order to break them in. Not feeling any progress, I took them to my local REI to have them stretched at three different times during this break in time. By the time I left for Denali, I was getting light blisters in the rear of both of my heels despite the fact that I was using moleskin. In Alaska I probably spent about 80 miles in these boots on moderate hikes before finally giving up on them due to blisters forming on the rear of my heals every time I wore them. Manufacturing of these boots has changed locations since I purchased my last boots and I wonder if there have been changes in the quality of materials & craftsmanship.

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

The first pair of these I ordered came with a manufacturing defect that left a buldge on the outside edge of the right sole. Unfortunately I did not notice it until a hot spot started to develop 3 miles into a 4 mile backpack that I had intended to use as a break-in for the new boots. By the 4th mile I had a big blister. And after the 4 mile hike out I had the absolute worst blister I've ever had running down the outside edge of my right foot. Pulling the insole out it was apparent that either there was a 1/8" buldge on the footbed. Needless to say I returned the boots.

I recieved pair number two right before I was about to leave on a 9 day backpacking trip. I planned to take it easy the first two days to break them in. My feet have never been so sore, nor had so many blisters than with these boots. I figured my bad, I should not have taken untested boots on such a long trip. Four days into the trip the sole started to seperate from the boot near the heel. By the fifth day the seperation was 3" long and over an inch deep.

Many of the blisters I experienced were due to the boot feeling too narrow. Although I experienced a good fit from my previous vasque sundowner 2's in a size 13m, I ordered these in a size 13w because I thought the regular width seemed too narrow. It seemed weird that the wide width felt identical to the regular ones until the label inside the tongue fell off revealing the original label that listed the size as 13m. Vasque had pasted a label saying 13w over the top of the original that said 13m. I'm not kidding!!!

I swore by Vasque (redwing) boots before this and my wife and I have owned EIGHT PAIR of Vasque boots before these. These are not the same boots that Vasque used to sell. My old ones were manufactured in Italy and were great!! These are made in a different factory to different standards.

I do plan to measure the width of these boots before I return them so I can compare them to some 13m's in the store to see if they are simply re-labled medium width boots. I highly suspect that they are.

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

This was to be my second pair of Vasque. I loved my first pair. I was very excited about these. When I got home after the purchase I noticed some stitching on the tongue that was loose. I gave it a little tug and it unraveled about a half an inch. I thought, weird, must be a little flaw. Then I looked at the second boot...same problem!!! This boot just came out. I hope this is just an early run flaw, but it is very disappointing. I know Vasque recently starting making these boots in China. Maybe that was a mistake?

Bottom line.

I love this boot. I may see if a replacement has the same flaw. If you buy this boot, I would look close at the stitching on the tongue and make certain that it is done right!

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

I had my first pair of Vasque Clarion boots for 8 years and upgraded to the summits last year. Since then they have been up Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Lassen, and gone backpacking in the High Sierra through 8 inches of snow. These boots are comfortable, durable, and to my surprise pretty warm in the snow. They are heavier than my other boots but what do you expect with this type of boot. I use a different pair of boots for day hikes but if you can only have one boot this is a great choice.

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

I have owned MANY hiking boots over the years and I have to say that I've never been "blown away" until I bought these. They are not only the most comfortable boot... they are the most comfortable shoe... I have ever owned. On dress down days at work I wear these and I am noticeably less fatigued at the end of the day. I have put 30+ miles on them on rugged trails ranging from pavement to marshland and my feet have stayed comfortable and dry. OUTSTANDING!

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

I've been an outdoor education instructor in Australia for the past few years, and I've been through all sorts of terrain. From tropical rainforests up in the Daintree to dry rocky scrub in the ranges. These boots have done an amazing job compared to my old pair of La Sportiva's. They lasted only 14 months before I resigned them to duties like cutting the grass. These however have been going strong and look like continueing that trend for years to come. I have the pair with the rubber toe rand which has proved quite useful when trying to get up steep rocky sections with my pack on.
The sole provides an amazing amount of traction on loose surfaces due to its quite aggressive pattern, but it wears very slowly because the compound is quite hard. Much harder than what I was previously using.
Whilst they are a bit heavy, you get what you pay for. Heavy fullgrain leather, waterproof solid hiking boot will outlast a lighter synthetic/suede waterproof boot any day in my opinion.
Vasque are not a big brand over here. The market is mostly covered by Scarpa, LaSportiva, Asolo and Merrell. Its a pity though, I think these boots fare as well if not better than other brands, only nobody stocks them.

If you can find the Summit GTX with the toe rand get it, but if not, its still a bomber boot, and your feet will thankyou on days 2, 3, 4, 5...

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

I have had this boot for 2 years. This is a well constructed solid performer. It is hands down the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. Never a sore spot or blister. Very durable.