Vasque boots have been hikers' favorites for more than fifty years. Specializing in leather hiking boots, Vasque is a good brand for men and women who prefer sturdy, mid-duty hiking boots; however, they also feature a few good hiking shoes, plus a light-weight version of its classic Breeze, which may appeal to other hikers, too. Why should men and women consider Vasque boots and shoes? What are the brand's pros and cons? How do they fit? What are the best Vasques for hikers and backpackers? My Vasque brand review answers these questions, based on hiking more than 1000 miles in Vasque myself and also selling them as an outdoor industry professional.
Vasque brand review
day-hiking the Grand Canyon in Vasque hiking boots
Vasque has been making quality hiking boots since the 1960s. They're a part of Red Wing Shoe Company, an iconic Minnesota brand that's been making high quality leather boots for more than a century. The brand boasts a strong heritage in leather footwear, and its hiking boots have a solid reputation in the outdoor industry. Vasque is a solid U.S. brand and one of the overall best brands for hiking boots.
best features: Vasque boots & shoes
What is Vasque known for? The brand built its reputation several decades ago with classic, full-grain leather hiking boots for hunting, hiking, and backpacking. They’ve updated their technologies and designs from those boots of yesteryear. Still, traditional, mid-duty hiking boots remain Vasque’s biggest strengths. Their time-tested hiking and backpacking boots feature plenty of leather, good foot and ankle protection, GORE-TEX water proofing, Vibram outsoles, and moderately stiff builds that support moderate to heavy packs.
Leather
Made for hikers with a leather fetish.
Most of Vasque's best sellers feature high quality leather. Their full grain leather options are especially protective and durable while their nubuck leather options are softer, but still protective. That's part of Vasque's legacy since its parent company, Red Wing, has been tied to premium leather tanneries for more than a century. Vasque is one of the best brands for traditional, brown leather hiking boots.
Support
Made for hikers who value support over price and weight.
Along with that durable and protective leather, Vasque hiking boots provide good foot and ankle support. Most of the brand's lineup features sturdy outsoles that are moderately stiff through the midfoot or forefoot for added support and torsional rigidity, which can prevent some foot and ankle injuries. Their moderately stiff ankle collars also add ankle support for treacherous terrain, heavy packs, and men and women's with a history of ankle injuries.
Third party upgrades
GORE-TEX waterproofing & Vibram rubber outsoles.
Like many of the best brands for hiking footwear, Vasque sources its waterproof membranes from GORE-TEX and its outsoles from Vibram. GORE-TEX remains the industry standard for durable and breathable waterproofing while Vibram remains an industry leader for traction on both dry and wet surfaces. You'll find both on several Vasques.
Hikers should consider Vasque's fit and best features to make sure the brand fits their feet and matches their hiking style.
Vasque is a good brand for mid-duty hiking and backpacking boots. It's not the best brand for men and women who prefer lightweight footwear. Vasque hiking boots provide above average support and weather protection, which means they run a little heavier than some brands. Overall, Vasque generally runs true to size with a narrower fit than most US brands with a few styles available in wide. Wide footed hikers may be able to wear Vasques by sizing up a full size.
best Vasque boots for hiking & backpacking
Vasque's best niche is mid-weight hiking and backpacking boots—what most people picture when they think of a "hiking boot." What are the best Vasque boots for hikers? The Vasque Breeze is the brand's best hiking boot with the St. Elias standing out as the best Vasque backpacking boot. Lightweight fans may consider the Vasque Breeze LT as an alternative to the standard, sturdy Vasque boots.
Vasque Breeze: best hiking boot
Main Benefits:
Vasque's best seller, the Breeze has been one of the best mid-duty hiking and backpacking boots for a minute. It's a classic hiking boot that's comfortable enough for day hiking and burly enough for backpacking. For years, it's also featured better breathability and ventilation ("breeze") than most hiking boots with breathable GORE-TEX waterproofing and ventilating mesh to keep your feet cooler when the miles pile up. The GORE-TEX is gone for 2023—as are the premium Vibram outsoles of past Breezes—as Vasque has dropped the Breeze's price (as other brands raise their prices). That makes the new Breeze a good value, but not as performance-oriented as it used to be. Overall, the Vasque Breeze is a good, all-around hiking and backpacking boot and a good buy.
Vasque Breeze LT: lightweight hiking boot
Main Benefits:
Vasque entered the lightweight hiking boot market a couple of years ago with a new version of the Breeze, the Breeze LT ("lightweight"). The Breeze LT has little in common with the classic Breeze. It's cut weight by trading leather for synthetic microfiber and abrasion-resistant mesh and replacing sturdy Vibram outsoles with lighter Vibram Litebase outsoles. That makes the Breeze LT much lighter, thinner, and more flexible underfoot than traditional Vasque hiking boots. There's nothing clunky about the LT. It's not the boot for hard hikes that require significant support. It's the best Vasque hiking boot for fast hikes on well maintained trails and hikers who prefer a lightweight hiking boot to a supportive one.
Vasque St. Elias: best backpacking boot
Main Benefits:
The St. Elias is a classic leather hiking boot. Big-time foot and ankle protection. Industry-leading GORE-TEX waterproofing. Thick soles. Plenty of cushion. The kind of sturdy, mid-weight boot that hikers and backpackers have picked for decades. It’s not a clunker, but it's a little heavy by today’s standards. That being said, there are still plenty of people who'll happily carry a few more ounces for the foot and ankle support, durability, and comfort of a full-grain leather hiking and backpacking boot. The St. Elias may be overkill for average hikes, but it's a solid buy for serious trails, off trail hikes, and backpacking trips. It’s one of the best leather boots around for recreational hikers and backpackers who want a traditional hiking boot.
best Vasque hiking shoes
Overall, I'd say Vasque boots edge Vasque shoes for hikers. That being said, Vasque does make three hiking shoes that should appeal to some men and women who hike: the Vasque Breeze LT for fast-and-light hikers, the men's Juxt for hikers with lower budgets, and the Talus low for men and women who want a comfortable, mid-duty hiking shoe.
Vasque Breeze Lt Low: lightweight hiking shoe
Main Benefits:
The low-cut Vasque Breeze LT (“lite”) is the lightweight version of the best-selling Breeze. While its burly big brother is a supportive shoe for serious hikes, the LT’s light and flexible soles are made for fast-and-light hikes on well maintained trails. The Breeze LT features lightweight mesh uppers and Litebase Vibram outsoles that are thinner than traditional hiking shoes with your choice of Gore Tex (GTX) or more environmentally friendly NTX waterproofing. The Vasque Breeze LT could be a great, light-duty hiking shoe if it fits your feet and matches your hikes.
Vasque Juxt: budget hiking shoe
Main Benefits:
The Vasque Juxt is a budget-friendly hiking shoe for men. With a TPU shank under the midfoot and flex in the forefoot, it has enough support for the average day hiker and also features a Vibram outsole, which is good for this price point. The Juxt features a snug fit with approach shoe-style laces and performs better in dry conditions. There's no waterproof membrane and its outsoles perform better on dry rock and desert trails than on wet rock, snow, or mud. If your budget is tight and you don't hike in damp conditions, it's a good, entry-level hiking shoe for (male) hikers on a budget.
Vasque Talus: best hiking shoe
Main Benefits:
The Talus low is a comfortable and durable leather hiking shoe that should appeal to Vasque fans. More of a classic hiking shoe, it's pretty supportive with relatively sturdy soles and soft, EVA foam cushioning that takes some pressure off hikers' feet. The Talus features Vasque's proprietary waterproofing and Vibram outsoles with aggressive lugs that dig into soft and loose surfaces better than they stick to solid rock. It's not the hiking shoe for lightweight fans. However, it's a good hiking shoe for the average day hiker and offers enough support and traction for moderate to difficult trails, too.
Vasque boots for hikers: Pros/Cons
Vasque has decades of credibility and many loyal customers. (My wife and I both had good luck with the Breeze—and I also wore the St. Elias for off trail hiking in Arizona.) However, smart shoppers weigh each brand’s pros and cons before pulling the trigger on their next pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes:
the verdict on Vasque:
Ultimately, your best brand is the one that best fits your feet and best matches your hikes. As a certified brand expert and former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors, I've found that Vasque may be the best fit and best match for these hikers:
best fit
standard to narrow feet
regular size runs narrow; some wides available
best match
leather boot fans,
hikers who prefer traditional, mid-duty hiking boots
buying Vasque boots (or shoes) for hiking
Vasque boots include some of the best best mid-duty hiking boots on the market. More and more people may be swapping their hiking boots for trail runners and low-cut hiking shoes. But there's a reason why generations of hikers have chosen boots for their hiking and backpacking: foot and ankle support, comfort, durability. Vasque is a classic brand for quality, mid-duty hiking and backpacking boots. Their hiking shoes should also appeal to certain niches of hikers.
Does Vasque seem like a possible fit for your feet, your budget, and your hikes? If so, please consider purchasing your next pair through the affiliate links above. The retailer may slip Hiking Feet a small commission if you click a link and make a qualifying purchase. (That costs you nothing, but those small commissions help me out a ton.) If not, please browse my other recommended brands or my brand reviews to find another brand that may be a better match for your body and your hikes.
You're bound to find your next favorite hiking boot or hiking shoe featured somewhere at Hiking Feet!
