User Review: Vasque Sundowner

Vasque Sundowner
Above: The current Sundowner, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 13, 2000 by Jack The Yak

Rating:
Materials: Leather, full grain
Use: light hiker/backpacking
Break-in Period: 20-30 miles
Weight: 3 lb/pair
Price Paid: $200

This was far and away the most popular hiking boot amoung AT thru-hikers in 1999. I wore them for the first 1500 miles; my wife made it all the way in her pair. They are a nice fitting, waterproof boot but I would caution serious hikers prone to pain in the balls of the feet or people planning to carry over 40 lbs against investing in this boot. The 3/4 length shank causes the boot to bend abruptly right at the balls of the feet, leading to excessive exertion on those joints and surrounding tendons and nerves.