Earlier this month, Vasque released their updated St. Elias, a classic leather hiking boot. Since I’m a leather hiking boot aficionado, I knew I had to try them when I first heard about the boot about 5 months ago. I got an early pair for testing last fall and they’ve been my primary hiker ever since. Through autumn and a very wet winter, I’ve been impressed.
Construction is pretty standard for modern hikers. The uppers are nubuck, and though I prefer full-grain leather, it feels to be of nice quality, offering the right amount of protection and stiffness. There’s a dual density EVA midsole, which has a pleasant, springy rebound; this adds a ton of comfort at the expense of being able to re-sole the boot, but that’s sadly normal these days. The outsole is a Vibram Megagrip compound in the Vasque clover lug pattern. I like that outsole and have found it to be plenty grippy, even on Vasques I otherwise didn’t care for. Weight is pretty good for a leather boot, at about 2 pounds, 14 ounces. And, these have a Gore-Tex membrane, for better or worse (I’m a fan).
These also come with a polyurethane footbed for a little more feel-good, and they’re decently comfy right out of the box. Again, this is what lots of mid-range bootmakers go for these days, which is great if you’re buying boots the day before a hike. Otherwise, I prefer a long break-in period, because if a boot needs that, you know it’s built to last.
Since I’ve had them, they’ve been at the front door of my house, the first boots I reach for on a hike. Part of that is simply assuring I have enough miles in them to write about them, but also because they just simply work. And that’s all you can ask for in a boot.
They hike very, very well. As most modern hiking boots are, they’re kinda tweeners. You could tote a massive load in these and feel supported on a week-long backpacking trip; they’re also great for a quick afternoon hike around the lake. Ankle and overall foot support both climbing and descending is confidence-inspiring and secure. Yet, they’re suitable for all-around walking too. I find myself grabbing for them even to walk to the store. They’re comfortable, supportive, and generally feel pretty good to wear. They feel like boots that cost at least $100 more than their $230 price tag.
Now, I can’t quite say what the lifetime is for a boot like this. The hardware feels solid, the boot feels sturdy in the hand, the uppers appear triple-stitched, and the rubber rand is reassuringly tough. I’ve put well over 100 miles on them in the 5 months I’ve owned them and they still look and feel pretty new once I scrub off all the mud. They won’t last as long as my beloved, full-leather Scarpas or Zamberlans, but they appear as though they should serve well as the only hiking boot in your collection for at least a few years.
My only issue with Vasque boots over the past few years is the price often didn’t match the quality. The new St. Elias however, feels every bit like a $200+ boot. Since I’ve had them, they’ve been at the front door of my house, the first boots I reach for on a hike. Part of that is simply assuring I have enough miles in them to write about them, but also because they just simply work. And that’s all you can ask for in a boot.