Customer Reviews Vasque Sundowner GTX

Hiking boot - Excellent customer service. Ordered one day and was at my door the next. Didn't expect it as soon as I ordered standard delivery. This boot was a good choice as I hike three days a week and needed a boot that would stand up.

Classic Old School Boot - I've read the reviews that say the boot is poorly made, is uncomfortable, and fit poorly. I've owned this pair of boots for a week now, and they have not left my feet, except for sleep. I can say the following: 1. They fit fine. If you take a 12, then order a 12. Fit true to size. 2. Yes, they are uncomfortable for the 1st day or two. The leather is stiff and the boot does have to be broken in. I don't find this unusual. 3. The uppers are a single piece of leather, lined in Gortex (including the tongue), so unless the water comes over the top of the boot at the ankle, this boot is waterproof. 4. For those of you that wear orthodics, this boot has room for these plastic inserts. My sense is that this boot will take another couple weeks to fully break in, and mold to my feet but it is a fine, well made boot.

Good for Everything - If you're going to be doing deep woods backpacking on unmarked trails, you may want something more high-tech, but for everyday hikes, muddy trails, and the average weekend adventurer, this is the best boot you can buy.

Just like he remembered... I bought these exact boots for my son (in the size that fit him then) when he was 13 years old for a journey through the Arizona desert. He needed a sturdy pair of boots for work recently, and he decided to go with the same style and color. At age 22 he loves them just as much.

Still the Best - I had my first Vasque almost 30 years ago. Since that first pair, I finally just wore them completely out to the point that the uppers died (took about six years and 4 re-solings) and I had to replace them with another set. This set of GTX is my fourth pair of Vasque and is very much the best of the bunch. One important fact for those of us who wear orthodics: Put your orthodics under the Vasque provided insoles, don't throw the insoles away. I tried it the normal way, without the insole at all first, and that didn't work anywhere near as well as with the insole on top of the orthodics. I also have a very wide foot, but keeping the insole didn't have any effect on the width fit. OK, OK, I've read the other reviews so let me deal with some issues: 1. Squeaking: Easy to solve with talcum/baby powder liberally applied to the tongue area (of the boot) wherever you have leather-to-leather (or synthetic-to-synthetic) contact. It may take you a couple of weeks of re-applications, but it will work its way out, and the boots get nice and quiet. 2. Tough to break in: What in the world do you expect? Typical in-the-closet-except-twice-a-year-when-I-go-into-the-wilds urban commando boots these are NOT! The GTX is a real hiking boot that offers superb stability and protection for the serious hiker on rough to no trails. Mine took about 20 hours of wear around town before they had that soft-as-a-glove feel. Go slow, don't wear for 20 straight hours the first time out, and let it happen. The soles are somewhat stiff, but that is a good think on hard rocky trails. They also have just the right amount of cushion for hard trail boots and I find them exceedingly comfortable. Overall: Still just the best.

Best boot ever - found an old pair of these laying around looking awful with cracked mis treated leather , first used them as work boot, found them so comfortable I salvaged them with some saddle soap and new laces. Still wearing them 2 years later. They polish up nice Now I’m about ready to get my own. But don’t think Ill throw the old ones away, they still have plenty of sole..., just no tread.

Best boot ever - The price may seem high, but this is the second pair of sundowners I have purchased in the last 9 years. The first pair lasted 7 years of hard wear, before I finally wore through the soles. Plenty of bang for your buck here. I will admit, they are a little stiff initially, being all leather. Once broken in though, they are one of the most comfortable pair of boots you will ever own.

Vasque Sundowner GTX - Love these boots. May be a little more that you need for the weekend warrior or soccer mom crowd (check into the regular Vasque Sundowner not GTX model). If you actually use them on the trail on a regular basis, the GTX is your best bet. In the last 15 years I've worn three pairs of Vasque Sundowners on thousands of miles of trail. The first pair of Sundowner GTXs that I bought came apart at the sole after about 2 years of regular use. I got them replaced at no charge, and the current pair has been going for about four years with no problems. The foot bed is very supportive and, I love these boots. Also, I've seen a couple reviews regarding leaks and wet feet. Gore Tex isn't perfect, and your feet sweat more than you realize. It might just be sweaty feet, not leaky boots. In any case, if you don't wand wet cold feet, don't go backpacking.

11 years and still wearing them - Originally bought this boots when I became a trip leader in college - and have been wearing them for day hikes and inclement weather ever since. These boots wear like iron.

Excellent all purpose boots! I have been very pleased with these boots. No break in required. Hard to beat.......A classic!

Boot for all seasons - I am outdoor professional, working all year round south of the sawtooths in Idaho. Over the course of 2 and a half years I logged some 600 miles on these before the sole finally cracked, however this boot was one unbelievable companion. Vasque builds these solid, the leather never cracked (I took care of it though) and the laces even managed not to fray. They take a while to break in, however once done, they're perfect for walks and scrambles, snug in the heel and as pliable as a sneaker. I've used these in the hot and dry of hell's canyon in August and the knee deep snows of early season sierras and I can honestly say these are truly wonderful boots.

Bought mine in the 80's and still going strong! I have had these boots since the 80's and I am still using them! These boots are excellent! I do remember it taking a while to break them in, they were very stiff at first wearing but gradually they became so comfortable. They are especially great for sloshing through winter slush- feet stay warm and dry! Even after all these years, the treading on the sole looks brand new! I love this shoe! Once this shoe can no longer be worn, I'm buying another pair!

Vasque Sundowner, keeping the tradition - This is the fourth pair I have purchased…these appear to have the same quality as always. Size was right on the mark. As soon as these wear out, I'll buy another pair.

Excellent Boot - I bought my Sundowners in about 2000 or before. I've been wearing them ever since. I was about to buy another pair but was told that they are no longer made in Italy like they used to be and that the current product is made in China and not made as well. This was very depressing to me because I was extremely impressed with my old pair, having worn them all over Europe and about everywhere else, not just for hikes, but as my normal shoes for 6 years. The only thing that wore down at all was the inner part of the shoe and the shoelaces. Even the bottom still has tread. Very impressive boot, but how about going back to Italy???

The only boot for me- I have owned 2 pairs of these boots now. I grew out of the first pair. I looked at lots of boots to replace them but I ended up back at these. My second pair has carried me through almost 1000 miles on trails on both weekend and multi-week trips, and it is time for them to be retired. My next pair of boots will be another pair of these.

Great looking boots and sturdy pair of boots. Comfortable fit on feet, however, in my case I find that the support around ankles to be a bit too much. This upper part needs to be broken in for a truly great fit.

The Best Shoe I'll Ever Own- I do residential and commercial construction. I'm on my feet all day every day. Working several stories in the air and walking 3 1/2" walls I trust my boots with my life. I wear my boots everyday all day through mud, snow, on ladders, and scaffolds and while walking walls. I'm buying my third pair and I wouldn't wear any other boot.

Great Hiking Boot - These boots fit right out of the box. I went on a mountain hike the day I got them and got caught in a storm. Having to go several miles out of my way I was concerned that I might get blisters. Well, that did not happen and my feet stayed dry and comfortable throughout the long ordeal. I recommend these boots to everyone and Zappos is always the shoe store for me.

Best Boot I've Ever Owned- This is my second pair. The first pair was 15 years old. I ordered 1/2 size larger to accomodate custom orthothics and the fit is perfect. The uppers are a bit stiff when new, but are loostening up.

Seems like after experiments with other boots, approach shoes, and low cut trail shoes, I keep coming back to the Sundowners. They're dependable and in my experience, very durable. My latest pair were a bit tougher to break in than previous pairs. I had some isssues with the top lace hook rivet rubbing the inside of my ankle. This was my only issue, and they've been on a total of six days of heavy packing use in Idaho's Sawtooth range since they arrive three weeks ago.

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.

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.

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.

Sundowner GTX - These boots are very comfortable, but be sure to break them in prior to prolonged wearing. They arrive hard as bricks.

Les' Shoe - With feet that are sore most of the tie, I find this product to be very comfortable and long wearing. The last pair that I had lasted 4 Years. VERY GOOD -----lES J. Johnson