Review Date
May 14, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ricky Raccoon(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Price Paid:  $175.00 at Central Sports, Toro

Summary:
My Vasque Newbrier boots are made from seemles2.6mm waterproof Nubuck leather, with a Goretex lining. Though these boots are no longer offered by Vasque, I was able to find a new pair tucked away and forgotten in the store and, as a result, I got a very good price.
The Nubuck leather is strong and protective, but soft enough that these boots do not require a long period to break-in. They are available in narrower widths and my boots fit me perfectly, when wearing my fitted wool hiking socks.
They are perfect for my uses, which are light hiking, backpacking (average 50lb. load), and canoe camping.
They offer excellent ankle support, very good traction on many varied types of terrain/surface, and the Goretex keeps my feet dry from external moisture. When these boots wear out, I intend to buy a pair of Vasque Sundowners (which are the newer version of the Newbrier boot).
The $175 total price paid was in Canadian dollars (March 2003). An awesome deal!

Customer Service:
These boots are very durable and, so far, I have not required and customer support services from Vasque.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Review Date
August 26, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: don pennington(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from lake park, florida, usa

Price Paid:  $200.00 at backpackers general store

Summary:
I have owned several pairs of Vasque boots and have been verry pleased with the fit ( i wear the wider width with inserts in the left boot) and the comfort. They are very waterproof. I have walked through water almost up to the top of the boot and they kept my feet nice and dry. As long as they continue to make a quality product, I will keep on buying them when they wear out.

Customer Service:
If you buy Vasque boots, go to a dealer who will take the time to fit you properly. It will make a huge difference in your comfort and fit.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 4, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Jim Cook(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Columbus, Georgia

Summary:
Used these on the AT in Virginia and liked them a lot. I originally didn't consider them because of the price but the Sundowner has such a great reputation. They are lighter than many boots, comfortable and easy to break in. They seem to be pretty waterproof but I haven't submerged them yet. They work best with SuperFeet inserts (I use the blue ones). The toe box tends to rub a little toward the end of the day on the sides of my little toes (the ones that went "weee weee weee" all the way home).

Similar Products Used:
Previously owned a pair of Merrell GoreTex from '94 (Blazers, I think). Good boots but heavier than the Newbrier

Review Date
February 18, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Philip Baumann(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Casper, WY, USA

Summary:
I have had these boots for about a year and a half. They have been used in varied terrain (mountainous, desert, and canyoneering). The leather and stitching has held up well. There are no signs of cracking or deteriorization. The soles are starting to wear. I will probably need to have them re-soled some time next winter. These boots are available in narrow widths, which for me was a real plus. Ankle support is adequate under loads up to about 50lbs. I personally would like a bit more padding in the tongue and ankle areas.

Similar Products Used:
Asolo poor sole durability

Technica leather began cracking after 6 months

Review Date
February 18, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jay(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Arkansas

Summary:
this review is actually for the Escape, a non-gore tex version of the newbrier. basically the same boot - newbuck, same sole, etc. to be honest, i'm not sure that gore-tex is really that important. i've treated them with nikwax, and my feet have NEVER gotten wet as long as i don't get in water over the tops. i've used them in snow, rain, rocks, hot, dry, playground basketball in italy & montana, and even had to run 1km with a 50lb pack to catch a train in munich. i teach school in them every day, wear them to church, fishing, phish shows, and just about anything else except for running and training for marathons. in short - super boots, esp. for the $90 i paid. after 5 years the heel stitching is wearing out, but that can be fixed. i'm moving to kenya in august so they'll get a shot at kili and the masai mara too.

Customer Service:
customer service was good, they said they'd be happy to restitch the heels, but encouraged me to get a local cobbler to do it. they suggested it'd be cheaper than shipping them and would work fine. they were right!

Similar Products Used:
asolo rogue, vasque superhikers (just got 'em - the old ones are too ugly for teaching in now)