Vasque Skywalk

Review Date
October 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: LPicardster ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $120.00 at Blue Ridge Mountian

Summary:
I loved my Vasque boots but they weren't meant to last over two decades. This post is to help caution fellow weekend hikers to replace key equipment, like boots, more frequently than I have. I purchased my Vasque Skywalk 7534M's between 1985-88 and had been hiking in them without any problems for over 20 years -until this past weekend. I was in the Mt. Rainier National Park, about 5 miles into the Eastside Trail (near Stevens Canyon Entrance) when almost the entire sole of my boot blew out. I should have sacrificed some clothing or strap and tried to wrap the boot together but I was a tard and hiked way too many miles with the bottom of the boot flapping and screwing up my gate. The consequences weren't evident until the next day when I was 4 miles into a hike on the Skyline/Mazama Ridge/High Lakes Trails near Paradise (wearing Privo walking shoes). The knee on the leg with the busted boot gave me the big F-U, locking up so stiff that it wouldn't bend. When I forced it, I enjoyed the kind of shooting pain that made my whole body shake. Advil and Tylenol didn't reduce the swelling and it was at least 4-5 miles of steep switchbacks before I hobbled off the last trail and into my car, having drug my stiffened peg leg for hours. The warm bear spore and a single-log bridge made for a most memorable hike. I'm shopping for new boots now but plan to take the old ones by Dave Page, Cobbler (Seattle) to show him the damage. Meanwhile, I've got a raging case of granny-knee that may prevent me from going back up the mountain this coming weekend. I'd say 20+ years of great hiking is a testament the quality, but they busted at the worst possible time.

Review Date
January 11, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Bristol(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $45.00 at B-Jays's

Summary:
I only wear Vasque Skywalks. I have been wearing them for 20 years. My first pair was $161 at Tent&Trails in Manhattan. Once I found out that they were being made in China, I went out & bought all of the Italian versions I could find in my size. Worked out well because I got them for $45/$50 apiece.

Customer Service:
Great

Similar Products Used:
Asolo, Dolemite.

Review Date
January 11, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Orey(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $80.00 at I forgot again

Summary:
Excellent shoe AFTER you break them in to use. Stiff shank that lasts. My brother stole mine while I was away and it was a tragic loss.

Review Date
January 17, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: zacharymckay ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $110.00 at Adventure Sports

Summary:
I LOVE THESE BOOTS. They are the greatest foot wear. I bought them in 1994 and still wear them (2005). I just bought Asolo boots to replace them but I still wear my Vasques when I don't want to dirty the others.
All the tread eventually wore off and the GoreTex gave way. I attribute this to just wearing them for a good long time. I got more than my money's worth.
The heavy mud at work finally caused the seams to bust to I ocasionally get twigs stuck in the side of the boots.
Even after all that they are still confortable and very durable for heavy use.
I never once got a blister even when I was breaking them in, I don't remember how long it took but they did come pretty stiff.

Customer Service:
Never had to use it

Similar Products Used:
Had some Nike crap that only lasted one week long trip over Mount Whitney. Maybe not even the whole trip
Asolo FSN 95 (A little too pretty to be work boots).

Review Date
November 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: tonyking ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $175.00 at local store

Summary:
If you like cushy boots then this is not the boot for you. The skywalk soles are great for lightweight loads, say under 35 lbs. and are light on the feet.

Your feet are going to sweat in any GoreTex boot when walking in warm weather so use liner/wool socks to minimize moisture build-up. Not all liner socks are the same and you should try every different brand and material that you can. It does make a big difference in working with your feet and is worth the effort. The lining dries quickly and they have a d-ring lacing system so they come off easy when stopped for a rest or view to let the feet dry out in blazing heat.

I like thinner soles that keep the foot closer to the rock for a better feel and the Skywalk soles might be considered agile and surefooted. The grip is great all round and sheds mud easily. They work well on rock on and off trail, and on Mountain approaches and easy ascents. The heel is built to grab which is a relief on the downhill. On hard flat trails the feet do take a pounding, since they are not padded with thick soles. So these are better suited to rocky, mountainous terrain and are great to move with off-trail. After all, they are Italian-made boots.

Customer Service:
These boots are 15 years old and are no longer waterproof, as would be expected. the soles and leather held up great. Did not need to deal with service. Again, they're Italian boots. Now they make boots in China as well, but that's another topic.

Similar Products Used:
Merrill, Technica, One-Sport