User Review: Vasque Zephyr GTX

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

Reviewed October 6, 2005 by Steve Jones

Rating:
Materials: Leather with Gore-Tex interior
Use: 19-day/220 miles of mountains.
Break-in Period: Three weeks/60 miles
Weight: 175 with 30-40 pound pack
Price Paid: $160

I bought this boot specifically to hike the John Muir Trail thinking that it was a "heavy backpacking boot." Instead of listening to a salesman and other reviews I should have read Vasque's description "A lightweight backpacker with a streamlined, lower-volume fit, the Zephyr's tri-density EVA midsole is designed to carry smaller loads on athletic, fast-paced overnights."

The fit was about right but tended to blister my middle three toes on both feet -- should have gone 1/2 size larger, but other reviews indicated the shoe was large. Arch support was solid at first, but about 15 days into a 19-day hike I began to experience arch-related pain and Morton's Nuroma in both feet that I attribute to increased flex in the mid-sole as the boot began to break down under 10-15 mile days on rough trail. Also, as the flex increased, the upper material creased and began to "bite" me on my left instep.

This makes it sound like a problem boot, but I used it for the wrong application. As a day or overnight hiking/backpacking boot I would not hesitate to take it on the hardest trails. It has a great lacing system that lets you tighten the upper and lower sections differently, the sole gripped very well (very dry conditions), and the uppers saved my ankles during several serious twists.