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Vasque Sundowner GTX SKU #7201589(View on Zappos.com Classic)

(4 Stars) (based on 33 customer reviews)
$180.00
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Product Information:
  • Video Description View the Video Description for this product! (Please note that the color shown in the video may no longer be available.)
  • A mid-weight backpacker that has a reputation for comfort and old-school style, which may explain why it's as common at the grocery store as on the trail. It's also equally at home under the weight of a pack or on a casual day hike.
  • 2.6mm Waterproof Smoothout Leather Upper for outstanding comfort and durability.
  • Trailweight Monoflex insole for support, stability and flexibility.
  • Medium Density Rubber Plate lining.
  • Tri-Wick Contoured footbed.
  • Features GORE-TEX® technology in which external water is repelled while internal moisture is allowed to pass through the membrane, keeping feet dry and comfortable.
  • Padded Collar for extra comfort.
  • Features Vasque's Integration Technology (I.T.) System in which each technological element is biomechanically designed to maximize performance.
  • Shoe weighs 3lb 6oz.
  • 1 1/4" heel.
  • 5.00" shaft height.
  • 14.50" circumference.
  • 26.00 oz.
  • Product measurements were taken using size 8. Please note that measurements may vary by size.
  • Questions? Please call 888-927-7674 to speak to one of our Outdoor consultants!
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Customer Feedback

Overall Rating:
  • (5 Stars) 63%
  • (4 Stars) 15%
  • (3 Stars) 15%
  • (2 Stars) 6%
  • (1 Stars) 0%
Customer Fit Survey:

Customers surveying this product said...

  • 67% "Felt true to size"
  • 87% "Felt true to width"
  • 75% "Excellent arch support"
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Recent Customer Reviews - 33 Reviews Total

Posted: May 20, 2009
Reviewer: from Philadelphia, Pa
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Have had for a few days great fit, true to size and width. Very comfortable right out of the box. So far very pleased and happy with them as I do a lot of walking during the day.
Posted: Apr 13, 2009
Reviewer: from St. Albans, Vermont
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great Hiking Boot - This is my third pair of Vasque Sundowners in the past 20 years. The last pair I had over 10 years. The soles were too worn but the leather was still in good shape except for a few cracks. I stopped taking care of them after a while. I know how good the new boots look. The Italian leather is so nice. You can wear these boots all day and your feet won't get sweaty. Very light boots, hardly know they're on your feet. They look like quality and they are.
Posted: Feb 26, 2009
Reviewer: from San Diego, California
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Over 1,000 Miles and Going! I bought a pair of Sundowners after a buddy walked with these over 2,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail. He convinced me that these were the boots to live in. I've had my pair for nearly 10 years now and I'm certain that 1,000 trail miles is an underestimate. I cringe hearing the word "break-in" and though long ago, I remember my "downers" taking a few dozen miles to soften up. What solid boot doesn't!? The fit is perfection to my narrow foot (cinched down) that readily accepts technical socks with liners. Even on hard trail days with heavy loads, I've never experienced discomfort from the downers, only from the duration of the terrain. For years, I've walked through streams and experienced downpours staying dry while maintaining secure footing. After lots of abuse, the downers look rough and tough, surely a no BS pair of solid shoes. Today, I wear them while riding my motorcycle and when I know I'll be on my feet all day as well as my yearly backpacking trip and weekend excursions. They continue to provide all day comfort with rugged protection.
Posted: Feb 22, 2009
Reviewer: Brett K. from San Francisco
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (3 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Old standard, new problems... Well like many of the reviews I owned two pairs of these boots dating back to 1980! Not the same boot, sadly. Being made elsewhere shows its faults, the fit, the stitching, and regrettably the comfort. After wearing them for a day the crease above my toe knuckle was being pinched, it hurt to the point of making me limp. The world has changed and so the old standards. Thanks, and may you hike well and often.
Posted: Feb 20, 2009
Reviewer: Mike from Berkeley, CA
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (3 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Older version of this shoe better - The simpler model from 5-10 years ago was much better. All the backpacking brands seem to be doing this, but the the additional stitching and “improvements” in this one make it work for fewer people. I would say at this point you should have a narrow foot and high ankles...perhaps. It doesn't work for me now.
Read Additional Customer Reviews Below

Additional Brand Information

At Vasque, they are committed to making functional, innovative and aesthetic footwear that performs to the highest standards. Their ultimate goal is to make shoes that inspire you to get outdoors and embark on an adventure. Incorporating and developing new and innovative technologies into their boots is what keeps Vasque at the top of their game.

Vasque offers various outsole systems, and components targeted to your outdoor activity. Whether you’re backpacking, trail running, or mountaineering, they have the right shoe for you. Vasque holds a reputation for making shoes that stand up to the test of time. Simply put, they don’t make throw-away footwear.

In addition to their commitment to high-performance, outdoor footwear, Vasque also cares about the environment. From their boots, to their packaging, to their marketing materials and day to day operations, Vasque scrutinizes all elements of their business, striving to make a lighter, ecological footprint.

Additional Customer Reviews:

Posted: Dec 19, 2008
Reviewer: Gabriel from W-S, North Carolina
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Everything you want in a boot - I've wanted this boot since 1993-1994 in high school, and I finally got them. The perfect hiking and recreation boot. The look is classic and not everyone has them as the wheat color Timberland Crazy is still in full force. If you want to stand out in the areas of performance and look this is your boot!
Posted: Dec 17, 2008
Reviewer: Denzil from Detroit
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Crazy Durability! I bought this boot in 1995 and the salesperson told me that the average owner gets 10-12 years of wear out of this boot. Of course I thought he was nuts, but I liked the boot so I bought it. My boots just broke down on me (the sole began to separate from the boot) last year. That’s 12 years of seasonal wear. Well worth the price I paid for them back then. This boot is awesome! It's extremely well constructed, a bit stiff at first and takes a while to break in. I'm glad I found this boot on Zappos and plan on buying my second pair! That's crazy durability!
Posted: Dec 9, 2008
Reviewer: Charidea from MN
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
A decent boot - Big fan of Vasque, this shoe has been a bit stiff and hard to break in, and doesn't have the "glove fit" other Vasques have had for me. But nevertheless, I'm happy with it.
Posted: Jun 22, 2008
Reviewer: from North Carolina
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (1 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
If it doesn't fit you must acquit - I used to own a pair of Vasque Sundowner GTX and for years it held-up excellent as I hiked along the Appalachian Trail. I put hundreds of miles on them. Then naturally the sole has just worn out and when I ordered another pair, wow was it awful. It turns out Vasque now makes these boots somewhere else and the fit is not the same as in the old days when Vasque made them in Italy. I really wish they would go back to the Italian version. Buyer beware until they make this boot back in Italy were it belongs. It’s sad to see a company regress.
Posted: Jul 16, 2007
Reviewer: Light H from NY
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Classic Sundowner Still on Top - I had a pair of classic Sundowners before they were labeled classic. They are simply the best boots that I have ever had. I switched for a while to Merrill and Asolo, but finally came back. Bought a pair in black because no one had brown in stock. They took a while to break in this time (pressure from the steel lace eyes on the top of my foot), but finally broke in after about 6 days of wear. They are nice and light for an all leather boot and look great. The soles seam a bit chintzier than the pair I had 10 years ago though but also seem a bit comfier.
Posted: Aug 17, 2006
Reviewer: Cliff F from Montreal, C
Overall: (2 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
New design has problems - Bought a new pair on recommendations. Excellent boot (fit, traction, waterproofing, and reputation) but the redesigned top of the shoe cause the shoes to bite into my ankles. If I use for any serious mountain hiking I get bruises around the front of my inner ankle bones. Vasque needs to address this. Am now in the market for a different brand.
Posted: Jan 8, 2006
Reviewer: Laurie from Florida
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great work shoe! My husband works in an airplane hanger, all concrete. He likes the support they give and that they are waterproof.
Posted: Dec 19, 2005
Reviewer: from Pennsylvania
Overall: (2 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes used to be a lot better - I have an older pair of Sundowners that I have had for many years which have worn like iron, are unbelievably comfortable and with care, still look great. The shoes were sufficiently dressy, so I could wear them to work. I ordered a new pair because the heels on the old pair were getting too worn. Unfortunately, the new pair also had a redesigned padded area around the top of the shoe that cause the shoes to bite into my ankles. After over a month these shoes have still not broken in and are still unbelievably painful. In my opinion Vasque should go back to the original design. I would be extremely hesitant to purchase another pair of these shoes, as they are currently designed. My wife's dog just ate one shoe from each pair of these Vasque shoes, so now I have a mismatched set of one old brown shoes and one new black shoe and am without a decent pair of shoes. I have looked everywhere and can't find anything, even on Zappos, that is comparable to the old pair of Vasque shoes.
Posted: Jun 15, 2005
Reviewer: George M from Cleveland, Ohio
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
A great hiking boot - The Sundowner is extremely well made. The leather is thick, the stitching is solid, and the finish is as good as any dress shoe. The sole is stiff, which is an advantage on rocky terrain, but takes some getting used to on flat ground. Wear good socks that are made specifically for waterproof boots, and the Goretex lining should last as long as the boot itself, which is to say a lifetime.
Posted: Jun 2, 2005
Reviewer: Kevin from Eastern Pennsylvania
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great with a few minor detractors - I previously had the model up from this, tack on another hundred dollars or so. That was a terrific boot although they both squeak like mad for the life of the shoe, don't try to sneak up on anyone and you'll be fine. Completely waterproof, first boot I've found that can live up to that. The sizing felt a little big, I'm hoping they shrink a little but I can live with it. I wish they made half sizes after 12... Breaking them in was hideous as well, had to take a break after a few days and let my feet heel. In 6 months I'm sure I'll love them to death and they should last 3 or 4 years after that at the least. :) I like'em!
Posted: May 31, 2005
Reviewer: from Ashland OR
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
THE boot - It took a little while to find the right size- I have an old pair (9 years) that were 9M, but now the 8W fits great. These boots last forever.
Posted: May 19, 2005
Reviewer: Greg from Orange County, CA
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Vasque Sundowner's - Nice shoes, pretty good price. The only complaint I have is that the ankle support isn't what I am used to compared to my old Vasque hiking boots. Otherwise, great value and service.
Posted: May 16, 2005
Reviewer: from Melbourne, Florida
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
OUTSTANDING SERVICE! I was very satisfied with the quility and expeditious service that I recieved from Zappos. I recieved the shoes that I ordered the next day! The boots are a perfict fit and I am extreemly satisfied. When next shopping for shoes I will first visit Zappos before looking any where else.
Posted: Mar 30, 2005
Reviewer: from Bozeman Montana
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
The sun won't go down on your Sundowner - I bought my sundowners on the recomendation of a friend who had been wearing his for six years and now I am in my sixth year of wear. I have taken really good care of them for those years and have worn them every winter, fall, and parts of spring as well as hikes in the summer. They are the only boot I will ever buy. The soles are very hard so they will last a long time with normal street wear and once they are broken in they feel like slippers.
Posted: Mar 26, 2005
Reviewer: from West Point, NY
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Sundowner GTX - These boots are very comfortable, but be sure to break them in prior to prolonged wearing. They arrive hard as bricks.
Read Additional 13 Customer Reviews

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