Vasque Breeze

I was devastated to recently learn that Red Wing Shoes was discontinuing the ENTIRE Vasque line. I still have a pair of Vasque boots purchased in 1998 that have some life in them! They were THAT good, and the best upland hunting boots I've ever owned. And I've had them all: Danner, Irish Setter, Red Wing, LaCrosse, etc. My old Vasque boots are hands down the best. I get that they are no longer made in the USA, where my old ones were; I get that they no longer have Vibram soles, like my old ones do. But these are STILL an excellent pair of boots and a GREAT value at the price they're now blowing these out for. I'm tempted to buy a second pair to just make sure I own a pair of Vasque boots until the day I die!The lowdown: I followed the advice of others who stated that these run small - they do. I'm not typically prone to wearing really thick socks, and I don't expect I will will these. Accordingly I bought a half size larger than my typical 10.5 medium width shoe and they are spot on. They are ever-so-slightly snug (I don't even know if "snug" is the appropriate word) but they will form into a Goldilocks fit after a short break-in period, of that I am certain. If you are the type to wear heavier socks, or otherwise expect to use these in colder environments that necessitate heavier socks, then go a full size larger. I don't think you'll have to worry about any slop once they break in, either, and you too should have a Goldilocks pair of hiking boots. I find these to be respectably light and not heavy at all (and I have had me some heavy boots!). I bought mine simply to have a winter knock around shoe/boot for our Michigan winter weather. Lastly, it helps that much of the boot is made from recycled materials. I'm no "tree hugger" by any stretch (even having spent a career in environmental remediation of hazardous chemicals) and believe that every little bit helps where possible. You'd never know it, either. And these are made in Vietnam, NOT China.SUMMARY: Are these boots as good as the original $160 asking price? Maybe, maybe not, though they did compare favorably to other hiking boots from a value perspective (RunRepeat did a very in-depth, "cut-in-half" review of every aspect of this boot - and I mean EVERY aspect). But for the current blow-out asking price of $71? All.day.long. Hell, you can go into any Wallyworld or similar big box store and find hiking boots nowhere near this good for $70!!!! In fact, I just hit my son up for his true shoe size. I'm going to grab a pair of these for him.

I'm glad I tested them before my spring hiking trip. I very carefully put one of the boots in 3 inches of water in my basement sink for 24 hours, using a weight to keep it from floating. When I checked the boot after the test there was 1/4 inch of water on the bottom inside the boot. These boots leak through the welt and possibly water enters from other places as well.

Excellent hiking boot for the price. Have taken many rugged hikes in the desert and the boot held up very well. I like Vasque boots because I have been able to order several and the size has been constant. Makes it easy to order from Amazon with out having to try them on in a store.

Good boots but I had to replace 4 eyelets after they bent then broke clean off

Vasque used to be the most comfortable shoe I'd ever worn. This time they are a little on the right side.. almost a little narrow. Left one has a slight hump on the outside near the rear, forward of my heel. I used to buy them from the Redwing store, but a few years ago, they quit sticking them and they had to be ordered..used to be a great brand and I knew I could expect high quality. This is about my 10th pair. I go through them about every six months or so. I really liked being able to go into the store and try them on and know how they fit. I will keep them...

Fits well and well built. Long term will have to wait and see but they are great right out of the box. Got a half size larger based on other reviews and that was perfect.

These are my go-to boots! Very comfortable. Great non-skid the in the winter.

The laces are too short to tie in a double knot