Tried on lots of boots, none of which felt comfortable, yet the instant I put on the Clarion, I knew it was right. Comfortable from the first step, no need to break them in. Lightweight and solid. Hiked in the pouring rain, and the feet stayed totally dry (I've got the gortex inner liners), despite having the older design with the fabric over the front of the boot. Haven't put many miles on them yet, only 3 weekend trips so far and some day hikes, but I'd buy them again, and definitely recommend the gortex liners.

Similar Products Used:

Timberland boots.

These boots have been suprisingly waterproof and always comfortable. I had problems at first with the insoles not only being too large, but falling apart within two weeks. I called Vasque and they mailed me a new (smaller) pair within a week, now they fit like a glove.

Waterproof as can be expected (don't expect miracles) but a quick creek crossing, or some rain are no problem. More torrential downpours, or unskilled rock hopping will yeild wet feet.

They've developed some gashes in the leather upper, not all the way through, but worrysome. I filled these gashes in with crazy glue in hopes of keeping them from getting any worse. If you don't like the geeky tan color, I use mink oil on them anyway to improve water resistence, they darken the boot a number of shades of brown too. Try it out on a small spot before you coat your boots in mink oil though.

Customer Service

Previously mentioned problem with insoles...great customer service.

Similar Products Used:

old Hi Tec's (when I was a kid...learned to hike in them, wore the soles down until they were bald...they had purple laces :)

Vasque Alpha (think they qit making them, wore them unti I outgrew them, the metal parts were starting to rust, and the tread was balding... a great pair of boots that made me want to stay with Vasque)

I have an older version of the Clarion GTX. These boots have felt good from the first day I tried them on. They have never given me a blister and have kept my feet dry under all conditions. I've had them for 2 years and they have held up fine. I wouldn't recommend them for extensive heavy backpacking (they just don't have the stiffness or support in the soles) but that's not what they are designed for. They're great for getting around town, day hikes, and short overnight trips. Last New Years' I was traveling with friends in Europe, each of them suffered from blisters, tired, cold, and wet feet, while my feet remained warm, dry, and blister free. I have noticed that these boots do not grip well and become slippery on packed snow, ice, and wet glossed over conditions. Hopefully, the new current skywalker soles have eliminated this. When my boots need to be resoled, I will have to see if this is the case. Aside from that these boots have and continue to serve me well. I wouldn't hesitate in buying another pair and highly recommend these boots to others.

Similar Products Used:

Zamberlan, Technica, Lowa,

Bought the leather ones at Galyan's for $165. Haven't had them on the trails yet, but they have broken in nicely in a short time. My feet don't seem to sweat very much compared to my old Timberland Eurohikers, and they are much more surefooted on wet rock or pavement. The construction quality is excellent, but I am disappointed that they are manufactured in China--I would prefer shoes at this price be made in the USA

Similar Products Used:

Timberland Eurohiker, Raichle, Hi-tech and some other cheap hikers

I bought these boots primarily for backpacking and dayhikes. They are very comfortable and never caused any blisters. Unfortunately I made the mistake of backpacking with them in Alaska. These boots did not hold up to my 40 pound pack and were not waterproof or even close to it. Even with weekly treatments of Nikwax I could squeeze water out of the toe of the boot. Obviously this did not make for happy feet. But for dayhikes and driving around town they make a great boot.

Similar Products Used:

Merrel Grand Traverse

I have had these boots for only 2 months and I am very pleased with them. I have gone on several 4-5 mile Wisconsin bluff/glacial moraine country hikes and they have been very comfortable. They feel like sneakers...I can run at a pretty good clip with my boys! I will be testing them with some rugged 15 mile plus hikes later this summer..I will add another review at the end of the summer to let you know how they did.

Similar Products Used:

None

I have an older version of the Clarino GTX, and I LOVE my boots. I've had them for almost 4 years, but I just can't bring myself to part with them. While I wouldn't recommend them for mountaineering or heavy winter trekking, they do what they were designed to do very well. They've been all over the world with me, and they travel very well. After trips to Europe, Colorado, California, Africa and countless miles in the Southeast including the AT, the Smokies, and Pisgah National Forest, I can say that these boots were the best $108 I ever spent (I got them on close-out).

Similar Products Used:

None

Very nice boots. After about 2 weeks of everyday use and a few day hikes they have broken in perfectly. Also the have retained their water repellency and breatheability over the last year and a half. I have taken them on numerous day hikes although they are meant to be stiffer backpacking shoes. They have also been on many a backcountry trip into Northern Cal and the high Sierras. Also they are scheduled for a 32 day NOLS course in Alaska which I am sure they will handle well. I paid $145 for these babies and it was a damn good investment.

Similar Products Used:

Montrail TRS Ultra

These boots are the best all around boots you can buy. I have had mine for years. They have endured everything from hiking around campus to backpacking in lava rocks in Oregon. If you were a day hiker or a backpacker these boots will be a good investment.

Similar Products Used:

I also purchased the vasque shoes. Those to have lived up to my expectations. I really enjoy the vasque product overall.

As promised, I am reporting on these boots after my Vermont Green Mountain excursion. They performed extremely well. My feet were ALWAYS comfortable. The trails were steep and rocky and these boots gave me the ankle and arch support I needed. These boots were so comfortable that on the way down from one of the high peaks I was able to jog a bit without fatigue! The only negative I could see was that on wet rock they were not as ""sure-footed"" as I would have liked.

Similar Products Used:

None