How to Choose Hiking Boots

This product is not available.
Sundowner GTX hiking boots go back to the future, combining an original Italian-inspired look with today's performance designs. These are the boots to take you as far as you want to go on any trail.
Shop similar productsImported.
View all Vasque Men's Backpacking BootsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Upper | Leather |
Lining | Waterproof breathable membrane/textile |
Midsole | Polyurethane |
Support | Thermoplastic urethane shank |
Outsole | Rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 3 lbs. 3 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | |||||||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 39 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 13 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
I don't know, I got a pair three years ago and I love 'em. They fit great and show no sign of wear except for a little scruff on the toes which just makes them look like I use them. I hike and back pack mostly in the North East with lots sand lots of rocks. I have hundreds of miles on 'em. My feet feel invincible when I wear them. I see the reviews but that is not my experience. The first few times I wore them I blistered on the heel a bit and I put some tape on the stitch that created the blister but I would consider that normal for such a stiff boot. I don't know , unless these suddenly fall apart on me I would have no hesetation getting another pair. Tried and True.
When I first received my Sundowners, I was excited as I have had several other pairs of Vasque boots that lasted well and performed in harsh conditions. I wear them daily as a work boot and found the Sundowners to be both very stylish and comfortable. They were excellent boots for about 5 months until i noticed my feet were getting wet. After I inspected them, I discovered that the sole had broken in half on both the right and left boot. As my foot would flex you could see the entire cross section of the sole. Not long after, the crack had spread through the entire sole and the boots have been rendered uncomfortable as my feet that were once always dry are now always wet. I will think twice about purchasing Vasque boots in the future and I recommend you do the same.
We are sorry to hear that your Sundowners have cracked in the sole area. We do have a one year warranty on our boots. Have you taken them back to the original retailer? If they are not willing to help, please feel free to contact us at customer.service@vasque.com.
Shown are my wife's 1985ish Sundowners made in Italy, I wore mine out. Replaced them with heavier Vasque boots in 1998, can't wear them out and I have been wearing current Sundowners, literally every day, since April 2017. No kidding. I take care of my boots and they take care of me. Best fitting boots I have ever had and quality is just like those that came from Italy in 1985.
I sent my boy off to Boys Scouts on his first 35 miler in 1991. They encountered bears that watched them till sundown--then attempted to get the high hung bags to drop so they could pilfer food. It didn't work but when I heard the story I thought maybe I should go along on these adventures--so I bought a pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX style 7126. I still have them some 31 years later. This has got to be among the best boot and sole ever designed and sold. They are comfortable, they are waterproof, and the soles (by Vasque) are not excessively worn. We hiked the Marin County trails. I became the Hiking Master for a few years. We would do 5-10 milers and one 20 miler for the merit badge each summer. We did 35 milers in the Sierras for 9 summers and one in Scotland Highlands. This boot was under foot for the first mile nd the last and now only occasionally goes out for a hike. Thank you for making one of the best Boots on the market! Dave Mc--Marin County USA
Have bought 3 pairs of sundowner gtx over the last 15 yrs. and all had sole problems. I have hiked with these boots all over the Smoky Mountains and a good bit of Glacier National Park. I really loved these boots but the soles never stayed intact for more than a year
I bought my Vasque Sundowners 33 years ago (in 1990). I’ve had them re-soled from time to time but they look, perform, and feel GREAT. I just got them back from the cobbler for the latest re-soling and take a look at them (see attached photos).
Thanks for this great review! We are excited to serve you again!
Love these boots but the soles have chunks out of them. I have two pair and one pair is worse than the other.
Thank you for the review. We stand behind our products with an industry leading warranty. Give us a call so we can help you out and try to get you fixed up as best as we can. You can reach us at 800-733-9464.
I bought my first pair of Sundowners on a whim. Little did I know they’d become my boot for life! I wore those boots all day every day for about 3 years straight. Did they wear out? Yes! Holes in the soles and cracks in the leather upper. But bear in mind I beat the crap out of them doing metal fabrication and working outdoors. I can’t see another boot doing better with what I put it through. I love the rigid but comfortable support of the boot and the waterproof gore tex liner. They are even somewhat fashionable in my opinion. The only bad thing about these boots is that they spoiled me and I can’t buy anything else now. Just got my second pair and as soon as I put them on they felt like an old friend(with renewed support!).
Thank you for your stellar review! I am glad to hear your boots continue to bring lasting comfortability, and they work well for your day to day. We hope to continue to serve you.
I have been wearing Vasque boots since I mowed grass all summer long to buy a pair of Montanas back in 1983. I bought my first Sundowners in 1992 and they lasted 15 glorious years. My last pair of Sundowners was bought about 4 years ago and it was my first experience with the Chinese boot. I was very saddly dissapointed with the fit and feel of them. I didn't wear them long enough to experience any of the quality issues most complain about as they just weren't comfortable. I then got a pair of Clarion GTX's They were completely differen't from the Clarions I had in the 90's but have nontheless been a good and comforable boot. When I found out about the Fall 2015 "Re-Boot" of the Sundowner I IMEDIATELY bought a pair. After 6 weeks of everyday wear the are breaking in nicely! AAAAAHHHH!!! My old friends are back! Although they are constructed in Vietnam, the leather is good ole' American Red Wing, and it shows! Thank you so much Vasque! I am THRILLED with the new Sundowners! The leather on these seems thicker and sturdier than I remember in the Italian models but as these are breaking in I think this is a good thing. The soles are the exact same pattern as my first pair (1992 models) with the grippy rolled heel that dissapeared in the mid 90's but they seem a bit "luggier" than I remember but not heavier so this isn't a bad thing. The color is different though. They were quite famous for the "cordovan red" leather hue but the new ones are called "Red Oak" it's more of a reddish brown but honestly a more contemporary look. So far I'm thinking Vasque has hit a home run that will, with a little time, put them back in their rightful spot as the best boot on the trail. Even though the trend has been toward lighter and faster, those of us who know that the most important piece of gear you have is what is on your feet realize that some things just can't be skimped on and now that the most beloved boot ever is once again available, there is just no reason to spend $100-150 every year or so on lug soled running shoes. Add SuperFeet inserts and you just may never take them off!
Like many people I bought my first pair about 25 years ago and wore them until the soles were almost flat. It took about 8 years to do that. I then threw them away. I did not know it was possible to resole them at the time. I bought a new pair 11 years ago. I only used the newer boots a few times a year. I just went hiking for 5 miles today.When I took off the shoes the sole just fell off one of the shoes. Half of the glue just wore out and half the sole was exposed. I just read about manufacturing going from Italy to China about 10 years ago. Now I need a new pair of boots. I don't trust these anymore. Time to do some research on other manufacturers.
Thank you for your honest review. I am sorry to hear your boots did not have a longevity up to your expectations. We hope you will give our brand another chance in the future.