Very comfortable, but not very durable

Vasque Synergist GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

Vasque Synergist GTX Hiking Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 2 December 31, 2008

I want to start off by noting I'm sorry to have to write a negative review for this item. I've been the proud owner of Vasque boots for more than a decade, and this is the first time I've been unhappy with one of their products. However, the cons far outweighed the pros in this instance (at least for the type of hiking that I do).

On the plus side (and the reasons for the two stars rather than just one star), it is relatively light weight, offers a fair amount of ankle and arch support for its weight, and it started off as one of the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. And, if you want to purchase it to walk around town or around the park as a way to exercise (i.e., for very easy and undemanding trails or sidewalks), this would likely be a good way to go.

On the minus side, after only three short hikes(less than 25 miles total) on only minor to moderate terrain, the tip of the boot (which is a nubuck leather) was scuffed to the point that I would not wear it for anything except hiking. I might have been able to live with that since their primary function is to hike, and appearance is less important than function when it comes to the boot I pick. But, the biggest problem is that after these three hikes, a few of the treads on the bottom of the boots fell off (the ones right in the middle front where you often need traction the most)! And worse yet, several more were well on their way to falling off or being completely worn away (all in about a month and less than 25 miles of hiking)!

I need more in a hiking boot, and expect more from Vasque boots in particular. In sum, I'd give this a very good+ rating for simple trails and sidewalks, but a poor- rating for any level of hiking beyond that.

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