Okay, fine, “bargain” is in the eye of the credit card holder. But in a day and age when people don’t even blink forking over $250 for hiking boots, that Vasque has managed to keep a boot as good as the Breeze at about $150 is, indeed, a bargain. Relatively speaking.
The Sundowner is, I suppose, Vasque’s flagship boot, but nine times out of ten, if I see Vasques on the trail, it’s the Breeze. They’ve made the boot for two decades and it’s easy to see the appeal. Comfy, burly enough for serious hikes and backpacking, but flexy and forgiving enough to wear as a daily shoe. Nothing flashy. Dependable. Pretty well made. I like that.
The Breeze is named that, has always been named that, because of its breathable uppers. It’s a polyester mesh, made with between 75 and 100% percent recycled material, depending on the particular area of the uppers you’re looking at. The shoes are also waterproofed, not with Gore-Tex this time, but with VasqueDry, their new proprietary membrane, made with 25% recycled stuff. Is it really that different than, say Danner Dry, or Gore-Tex, or any other waterproof membrane? No idea. But does it work? Yes.
I’ve had multiple pairs of Breezes over many years and I’ve never had a waterproof version. They’ve always been my hot weather boot. But I’m happy to report this new 2022 model with VasqueDry feels, as far as I can tell, exactly the same as the non-waterproofed earlier editions I’ve had.
I put them through their paces in very hot NorCal weather this summer, followed by long-distance hiking and scrambling up in the high Sierra for dozens of miles. First thing I noticed when scrambling around on dicey-ish tallus and slick granite was the shoes grip really well. Vasque uses its own soles with unique four-leaf clover pattern lugs and I’ve had mixed luck with some of their trail runners and lesser boots in terms of grip. Not these. I was super confident even in snow.
Both the footbed and the midsole are EVA foam and they are nice, pliant, supple, and pretty dang comfortable. No real break in period needed here at least in my case. I just put them on brand new and started hiking. This is standard for these kinds of mid-range boots, but still, you never know until you get these puppies out on the trail.
I like the nubuck panels on the uppers, they shrug off sharp boulders and wicked, thorny brush without adding too much weight. The boots clock in (according to Vasque) at about 2.5 pounds, but they felt lighter than that to me. I’d guess because they’re simply comfortable to hike in.
Always, with any product, there’s a nit to pick somewhere. And I usually find something to gripe about, but I can’t think of anything that has bugged me about these boots. Maybe they could offer them in more colors?
My only problem is I already have specialized hiking boots for just about any possible terrain, so a jack of all trades like the Breeze can get lost in my gear closet. But if you’re not a gear nerd like me, this could easily be the only hiking boot you own and make you quite happy.
I have a pair of these over 25 years old and still going strong.
Sorry but i’ll add $60 more and get the best boot I’ve ever put my feet into and those are Crispi hands down the best boot you’ll ever wear!
Solid, solid boots. For desert dwelling & most desert hikes, these boots & the Merrell Moabs are reliable go-to boots. Have not yet tried Erem boots, new brand.
I have a pair of the Erems – haven’t spent enough time in them yet to review, but will.
You refer to it as the 2022 version. Is this the Vasque Breeze III? IV? V? None of the above?
No numbers this year – I know I was confused too. Just the Breeze.
For everyone saying they’ve had a pair of these for however many years and continue to enjoy them, I hope this isn’t the same boot all this time.
1000 miles (preferably 500 hard miles) is all the typical hiking boot is made to endure. After that, with UV and leathers drying out – a shoes with less than those miles but many years of UV is often a ticking time bomb where the rubbers and foams aren’t as supportive as they should be.
I fully adhere to replacing my shoes as soon as a wear indicator shows it has been met, or there is major wear in one spot due to pronation/etc.
The Clarion Impact was my favourite boot. The all leather model was perfect. I hiked many thousands of miles in Clarions, both trail and cross country. Never had a problem on those all-day monster hikes. Once they started making them in China, the quality started to suffer, but they were still best fpr me.
Have had these boots for about 12 years and I can absolutely say they are comfortable to wear. Don’t really feel like I’m wearing boots. Good grip and waterproof too!