User Review: Vasque Sundowner (1998)

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

Reviewed May 7, 1998 by Patrick McKenna

Rating:
Materials: One piece leather
Use: Medium duty
Break-in Period: It took me about a week
Weight: Not sure, but pretty light
Price Paid: $198

I picked these boots after deciding that I wanted one piece leather, Gore-Tex, medium duty boots for a ten day hike on the AT. After trying them on, and liking them, I bought them and the sales lady at Hudson Trail told me that they were the most popular boot for their own employees so I went home feeling satisfied. A few days later, after wearing them and water-proofing them I discovered this page and read many many bad reviews on the Sundowners. Honestly, if I had come across this info before getting the boots started on their break-in, I probably would have taken them back. I would have regretted it. Nervous about their reliability, I gave them another coat of waterproof and ran super glue into all of the stitching and hit the trail with reservations. The day of the trip, the trail was entirely under water and I walked right through it. The second day brought snow, which turned to slush as the day went on. For these two days, and every one after, not ONE DROP of water found it's way into my boots. My partner, unfortunately, had lower quality boots on (Sorry Karim) and got wet very quickly. He consequently had problems with wet socks for the rest of the trip and, while I felt very bad for him, was extremely glad that wet feet were not one of my problems. I did get two blisters, both minor, which healed quickly and with almost no pain as we hiked. The third day of the trip brought severe rocks along a ridge and I found the ankle support excellent. And so far the durability is excellent as well, with some scuffing at the toes from all of those rocks, but no other problems as yet. The boots are also light enough that you don't feel like you're walking on air when you take them off at the end of the day. I was also concerned about the sole not being Vibram, which is supposed to have excellent wet rock performance but, even after more wet rocks on the trail and stream crossings than I can remember, I don't recall slipping at all and certainly never fell. All in all I was incredibly satisfied with the Sundowners. The only thing I can think to explain the criticsm in here is that these boots are so popular and maybe considered too average because of it. Don't believe it.