This is an updated review for the MX2 Gore-tex model, made in Italy. Bought a 2nd pair of these while having the first pair resoled. This is the only backpacking boot that fits me (size 10W). I'd managed to wear the heels down on my first pair after about 600 miles (about 1.5 yrs). They've been good, solid boots. I could wish for vibram soles and more stiffness, but then they've never blistered me, whether in the desert, scree, or early-season alpine snowpatches. Price: Farm-way has them cheaper than the usual $210, as does Sierra Trading Post (though I suspect STP is advertising an earlier model) Resoling: don't use Resole America (Virginia) - they used a different kind of Vasque sole that performed poorly, and then had the nerve to tell me it was because the original MX2 sole was no longer available (false). I had better luck with the Cobbler/Cordwainer (www.cobcord.com) in NY - bit pricier, took longer, but used the right sole, and did a solid job. Also, there's an MX2 mode w/o Gore-tex: this model gave me heel blisters !!

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

Zamberlan Civetta II, Asolo 535, Lowa Scout (all gave me blisters)

these new made in china versions are not what the Italian made version was far superior. if you have a pair of Italian made Sundowners get them resoled !!!!

Customer Service

pretty good they sent me a pair of boots however the made in Chinas suck

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I am gonna get some Montrail Mazamas

I have owned two pairs of Vasque Sundowners. I hike primarily in the Catskills of NY State, usually twice a week, always with a pack of at least twenty #. When backpacking, my pack weight is usually around forty-five # or more. My weight is in excess of 200 #; I'm tall and hardly rail-thin. By preference, I like to bushwhack ridge approaches and usually do multiple peaks, often through extremely dense terrain, though I do trail hikes as well. Given all of this, I'm tough on boots. For my feet, the Sundowner reputation for easy break-in was well deserved. I always double-sock, even in summer, which helps. However, though the leather is durable, it does tend to stretch after a year or so, significantly diminishing lateral support. This has happened to both the pairs I own (the second I purchased because it was on sale at a significant reduction). This is a serious detriment. The soles do wear fairly fast but not desperately so and the boots can be resoled. I have chosen not to do this because of the stretching. In addition, on wet rock (which tends to be quite slippery in this region), the traction leaves something to be desired. Even with the water-resistant leather and Gore-tex insert (about which I have mixed feelings), these boots should be periodically treated. I use two layers of spray silicon then a layer of Nik-Wax, which I melt on with a hairdryer (some prefer an oven but I think this risks ruining the boot). As boots go, these are adequate but not durable in the sense that you will be wearing them years hence, if you are in the least a serious hiker. They are good as a primary boot for a year or so but not good for the long term. I also understand that there may be quality issues with the Chinese made versions but cannot speak to that from experience -- both pairs I have are Italian made. I would not recommend this boot for any mountaineering application -- though it takes strap-on crampons, the flex makes front pointing well nigh impossible though French technique is OK in them. This is not a defect, but an observation; they are, after all, not billed as a mountaineering boot. I've come to the conclusion that this is not a great boot for serious hiking and backpacking. It is a decent enough boot for occasional hikers.

Customer Service

Not used

Purchased the Italian version four years ago and I love them, but now it is time for a new pair...called the folks I bout them from to see if they had any of the old Italians laying around because of the reviews I''ve read about the China import...they don''t and they don''t even carry the China shoe...I think that says a lot about the quality and consistancy right there...I wish Vasque would bring back the old, maybe in four more years they''ll have it togather but for now I must look elsewhere since the MX@! just doesn''t fit right.

This is a revised review of the Vasque Sundowner MX2. Last July I posted a review after having worn these boots daily for four months. At the time, I gave them high marks for comfort and because they were one of very few boots that would fit my 4E feet. Alas, they have stretched to the point where I no longer trust them in any situation requiring a tight boot for controlled footing. In my judgment, they have failed. My first hiking boots, Fabianos (Scarpas), lasted more than 20 years even though I wore them to work when I lived in Maine. The MX2s haven''t lasted 20 months. My wife''s regular Sundowners (made in China) sure look like a great bargain compared to the MX2s (made in Italy)

The old sundowners I purcahsed eight years ago are the best boots money can buy.I recently bought a new pair and the are the worst boots I have ever had. The problem is they moved production of the sundowner classic from Italy to China and in the process change some things about the boot. Vasque customer survice is great and are going to give me a full refund. They told me the new sundowner MX2 are made in Italy and are very similar to my old boots. I''ll be trading the classics for the MX2 this weekend, I hope they are as good as my old ones. Watch out for the China made boots and make absolutly sure they fit your feet before spending the cash.

Customer Service

Great as mentioned above.

Similar Products Used:

timberland,redwing

I have owned two pairs of sundowners before (non-gore-tex) and decided to buy a third pair recently. I have worn these boots (gore-tex "classic" sundowner) just about every day for four months. I CAN SAY CONFIDENTLY THAT THESE ARE THE WORST PAIR OF HIKING BOOTS I HAVE EVER WORN! The fit and comfort out of the box is O.K., as they claim. But the leather will stretch considerably after wear and you will get an entirely different fit. What is worse is that each boot stretched differntly! so now I have two boots that when laced don''t even look like they go together!! The real problem here is that they started to make these boots in CHINA. The new "classic" sundowners are absolut GARBAGE compared to the ones that Redwing used to make in the US. If you want a much better boot, buy the sundowner GTX, I think they are made in Italy and seem to be better made (I passed on these due to the cost). Avoid these boots like grim death!

Customer Service

don''t kid yourself, there is no such thing as Customer Service

Similar Products Used:

Raichle ("Black boot"), Raichle Spirit II, Old-style Vasque sundowner

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ok boot after break in. Mine had toe bite I like LLBean cresta hikers better

Customer Service

great

Similar Products Used:

LL Bean

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Best all-around hiking boots I''ve ever had, and I''ve had lots. Quite narrow, though; after a few blisters I had to have the toe boxes widened. Now I''m in love with these. Good support. Comparatively light. I always have a great feel for footing. Durability and waterproofness are far better than my old Vasque Skywalks. Definitely too light for glacier travel, however.

Similar Products Used:

Raichle, Vasque & Monte Rosa bkpkg/mountaineering boots. Vasque Skywalks. Hi-Tech & Asolo day hikers.

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I was given a pair of these at no cost to me through my uniform allowance from the nat. park service and wore them extensively through the 2 years i worked in acadia nat park. The negatives that i found were that the boots were horrible on wet rocks, shoreline and basically all of them, the soles began to separate and led to there dimise in the 2nd year i had them, this was after almost all the tread had been worn off though so i think they held up pretty good. The terrian they were used on was almost all rocky. The leather held up great, no problems there and the boots are as waterproof as a rubber boot, absolutely always keep my feet dry. I went with LLbean Cresta''s for my next pair of boots and feal that they are a better boot, llbean stands behind there products like no other. Overall they were a good well made boot, i had the italian made version, the older ones, and would still recommend them although they really do suck on wet rocks.

Similar Products Used:

llbean cresta