User Review: Vasque Men's Breeze

Summary

I found these boots to be comfortable and lightweight. The only reason I rated these down is because the boot is not as durable in the sole as it should be.

As a woman, I have the men's version of the Breeze. I have a hard time fitting shoes of any kind, and this boot fits me exceptionally well. I use pretty heavy inserts, and they accept the inserts well. It feels like an oversized sneaker for comfort to me.

The boot does not have any noticeable heel slippage, and the toe box has plenty of room, and I have a fairly wide foot. I do use an alternate lacing pattern so I can tighten up the toe box and ankle separately.

When I first bought the boot, I found it was too tight after I had been hiking for awhile, but after I lost weight, I felt like the boot had been built for me. It took no break in period after that. I often have blisters, and on a 70 miler this summer, I only had one with these boots. I like the little higher ankle since I tend to kick debris into my boot.

When I did the 70 miler, I loved how the boot performed, but I did note that as the hike wore on, the boot wore down. I was carrying a 40+ pound pack, but in reading the other reviews, I saw they too were frustrated by how quickly the boot broke down after +/- 200 miles. By the time I was done with my summer hiking/backpacking, the boot's support definitely had changed over the course of the summer. As noted in other reviews, the heel of the boot has begun to break down.

The weather has not given me the opportunity to truly test major water resistance, but I have noted that dew or water slops do get inside the boot. The way water has gotten in through incidentally exposure to water, I would tend to believe other reviewer's comments about the lack of water resistance.

I have been very happy with the traction of this boot. I never felt any slippage during normal hiking. I had some very hard going over scree, and the boots worked great, and performed ok on the rolly-rock on dirt on the decline.

The temperature was never an issue for me in these boots. In fact, I would often just wear the boots around camp instead of changing into my camp shoes, but I would say there are certainly a summer use boot.

I really like these boots overall, but my main frustration is over how they lack overall durability in the sole. The rest of the boot looks terrific, not reflecting the use I gave them over the summer.

These boots have been used around on Mt. Rainier's trails, and a 70-mile section of the PCT. I generally only use these boots now when I go walking carrying my granddaughter in her kid pack.

A part of me would really love to get these boots again, but only if Vasque has improved the durability of the sole.