Usually, I like to depart my closing ideas a couple of piece of drugs till the top of a evaluate, however I’ll say it proper up entrance with this one: The model new Vasque Breeze LT GTX ($170) boots are probably the most snug hikers I’ve ever worn. Not simply snug—they’re badass hikers. They climb. They grip in dust, on rocks, in mud, and within the snow. They help. They maintain water out. Greater than some other boot I’ve used, these merge the help of a boot with the consolation and lightness of a path runner. Like, for actual. They’re spectacular.
After all, there are caveats. I’ve solely put about 35 miles on these since I’ve had them, so I can’t converse to their sturdiness but. I’ve lengthy, very flat ft, so consolation on the subject of boots could be a bit extra subjective in my floppy-footed case. I’ve additionally owned Vasques that I adored at first that step by step grew to become toe mashers later (and lots extra that all the time felt nice). However I don’t anticipate that being an issue with the Breeze LT GTXs. They’re extra snug than my two-year-old Vans. It looks like I’ve worn these boots day-after-day for a decade.
The fourth model of the Breeze is the very best.
Vasque has made the Breeze line of shoes for occurring 15 years now, a reliable sequence of light-weight, easy-wearing boots meant for all-around efficiency. The latest iteration is an enormous departure from the Breeze IIIs, which we already preferred. The Breeze LT GTXs weigh only one pound, 11 ounces per pair (claimed weight for males’s 10). That’s a pound lower than the Breeze IIIs and on par with a path runner/mountaineering low just like the Brooks Cascadia.
That lightness seems to be because of the Vibram Litebase outsole, a comparatively new outsole materials that may be discovered on a couple of totally different hikers, Scarpa, for instance, makes use of it on a couple of of their path runners. It purports to chop the burden of a typical outsole by 25 p.c merely via making it thinner; as a lot as 40 p.c or so thinner than most Vibram outsoles. The tread isn’t affected (Vasque makes use of the Vibram Megagrip outsole for these), it’s only a lighter than you’d count on however with the identical grip.
It’s simple to see the thinness of the Vibram Litebase (higher left) vs a regular Vibram outsole.
Midsole really feel is soft with loads of rebound. For a shoe this gentle, they don’t have the marshmallow really feel that some path runner-based hikers, like a number of the bigger choices from HOKA ONE ONE do. They really feel assured, snappy, and supportive on the path. Mountain climbing with a 40-pound pack didn’t stress my ankles or foot help with these boots the best way path runners generally can. Downhill sections didn’t lead to toe crushing, uphills didn’t see any heel slippage. My measurement 12s are dead-bang true to measurement.
The uppers are gentle and, um, breezy, with microfiber panels that really feel a bit like suede and are abrasion resistant. A stiff rubber toe cap gives extra safety than path runners, however can’t evaluate to a beefy leather-based boot. You received’t need to kick a granite boulder flush together with your toes, for instance, although, why you’ll ever do that’s past me. There’s simply sufficient of a stiff rubber cup on your ankle/achilles to offer backfoot help too.
Nice footwear for moist trails.
I stood in water crossings. Planted my ft in snow. Traipsed via mud. Toes stayed good and dry the entire time. For boots lined with Gore-Tex, they breathe pretty properly. I’d contemplate carrying these on heat climate hikes really, they’re that snug. The truth is, you could be tempted to interrupt right into a path run in these—okay, nice, I did—and so they felt proper at dwelling.
Again to these caveats. There’s a lightness right here that doesn’t precisely scream longevity. I’ve no cause to imagine the Breeze LT GTXs received’t be round in my gear closet for the subsequent few comfortable years, however till I’ve had them for a whole season, it’s laborious to say for positive. The footbed may morph too, I suppose, however I feel they’d find yourself feeling much more snug at that time. Arduous to seek out any fault with these. I even assume they give the impression of being fairly cool.
I’ll be having fun with this view so long as these puppies will final.
In the event you’re a boots-only hiker, you’ll discover quite a bit to love right here. A path runner devotee? You’ll be shocked at how pure these really feel. I first noticed these finally summer time’s OR, and dutifully bided my time till they hit the market and I may give them a attempt. It was well worth the wait.
$170 • BUY
Different tremendous gentle boot choices
Even lighter than the Vasques, the HOKA ONE ONE Sky Kaha are an astonishing 1 pound, 1 ounce, waterproof, and really feel just about like a HOKA operating shoe. In the event you like a shoe with a giant drop and a spongy-soft really feel, these are your hikers. $220
The Salomon X Extremely three Mids are a go-to for a lot of hikers who need the very best of each worlds, light-weight and with a boot’s ankle protection. Only a couple ounces heavier than the Vasques. $170
They’re burlier and heavier, however the Scarpa Zodiac GTXs are true boots that stride the lightness/toughness line higher than most. $269
Journey Journal doesn’t settle for sponsored content material, native promoting, or paid critiques. Right here’s why.
The AJ workers is smaller than you assume. Right here’s a peek behind the scenes.
Right here’s why Journey Journal was launched and the way we observe moral enterprise and publishing practices.
Journey Journal in print is like Journey Journal on-line x 100—and print tales can solely be discovered there. Subscribe to get it now—we assure you’ll like it.
