Vasque makes an excellent boot all around. this particular model fits the medium to wide foot nicely. If you have narrow feet, it is best to look at their other models. They are lightweight and rugged for dayhiking to extended trekking

Customer Service

first pair i owned came undone at the rubber sole...manuacturer replaced without question.

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other Vasque hiking boots as well as K2.

Absolutely superb boot! This boot is unbeatable for mid to heavy duty on and off trail backpacking. I have used it everywhere from Minnesota to California to Alaska. This boot is built great, lasts forever, and is extrememly comfortable...once you break it in!

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I love my Sundowners. I had three hours in them before my plane left for Costa Rica, and I never developed even one sore spot, let alone blister. I have used them on approaches for climbing all over the US, backpacked through Panama and Costa Rica with them, (the waterproofing is great until you step out of a primitive boat into two feet of water--it kind of defeats the purpose!!) and they take me on my miles of walking around on campus. The only thing that I have noticed is that the eyelets have rusted. I don't know anyone else with that problem, though. It may just have been the tropical rainforest environment and salty water. Kudos!

The Sundowners are a very well made shoe. You can feel how solid they are and they give a high level of support for the moderate weight. I've had no problem with water leaking in, but I've only hit 2 or 3 inch deep water. Haven't yet had the chance to put them to the 6" test. They broke in quickly but the portion around the ankle initially dug into the wide portion of my foot just above my ankle. (That little round bone on the inside of your leg, just to the left and below your shin.) At this point, it's so comfortable I have to fight the urge to use it as an everyday shoe. (Gotta save it for the real challenges . . . ) I have a narrow heel and actually found that the women's model fit me better than the men's. (Swallow that pride . . . ) It feels the slightest bit loose if I wear very thin socks, but with ordinary socks, it fits like a glove. It's not insulated, which is great if you're in a warm climate, but might not be the greatest shoe to keep your toes warm on a freezing day.
The Goretex leads to a little more perspiration in the shoe than I would have liked. (I haven't tried synthetic socks yet; I've been using cotton. I know, I know . . . .) Overall I'm very pleased largely because of the extremely high level of confidence I have in the shoe. The price is high so try to get it one sale. (I paid $149 plus tax). At least two of the dealers up here in CT seem like they're about to stop carrying the model--Trailblazer, Eastern Mountain Sports--but both places claim that it has nothing to do with quality. Might be worth asking your dealer.
I tried the shoe largely based on outdoorreview.com's review of the men's Sundowners. The reviewers who had purchased the shoes more than several years ago seemed more pleased (on average) than those who had bought them more recently. My pair, however, is new and I'm very pleased. In fact, when I tried mine on I met a guy who was wearing a pair [that he bought in spring 1999] that he raved about. His only complaint was that the sole wore down much faster than those hard core soles. [I think they're called V-rubber] His shoes were beat up--use polish!--but he admitted that he used them everyday. He loved the shoe and said he'd put it through hell with no problems at all.] I recommend and, with me as his proxy, so does another satisfied customer.

Customer Service

I called for extra laces and explained that I was going on an extended trip. (No problem with the laces, which are great; I just wanted to be ready in case they broke several months down the road). Customer service was cool, friendly and helpful and sent out a couple pairs of laces at no charge and with no hassle. Great first impression and I expect to have very few dealings with Vasque in the future. Too bad, they're nice.

Problem feet...that's what I have and I tried them all before finding the Sundowner. My feet love them. Comfortable, not heavy, they actually feel like they are molding themselves to my feet with each use. I highly recommend.

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