Vasque Apex Review

"a friend offered these for a good price. After about 100 miles I'm still breaking them in. Non gortex, but very effective water repellancy as most of my miles are in slushy snow. Good support, but whether they will ever be comfortable is yet to be seen."

"The best heavy duty crampon compatible boot I've ever worn. In spite of Tom's review, I found them to be very comfortable out of the box. Ready for serious use after 10 miles or so. They can be had from sierratradingpost.com for $139.00. excellent Italian made, heavy duty boot. Under 4lbs. Very good boots."

"I RECEIVED THESE BOOTS WITH MUCH HOPE THAT THAY WOULD HELP ME IN MY PURSUIT OF A GOOD COMFORTABLE HEAVY WEIGHT PACKING BOOT.

THE BIGER THE BOOT THE HEAVER THAY ARE,YES IT IS TRUE.
BUT FOR THE PRICE AND THE SIZES {IF YOU HAVE A BIG FOOT LIKE ME
THAY ARE A BLESSING FOR US BIG DUDE'S.
AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED VASQUE MAKES GREAT BOOT'S.
AND IN SIZES UP TO FOURTEEN'S.
IT HAS NO GORTEX LIKE THE ALPINE'S
TO ME GORTEX IN BOOTS IS A HASSEL
AN TEND TO GET HOT.
THE EYELET'S ARE BRASS SO NO MORE RUSTING AROUND SALT WATER.
THE VIBRAM SOULS AR SUPER AS EXPECTED A BIT STIFF BUT NOT AS MUCH AS ONE WOULD EXSPECT FOR A MOUTAIN WEIGHT BOOT.
THE BREAK IN TIME WAS NO TIME AT ALL FOR ME BUT I DID HAVE TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN TO THE OUT DOORS SHOP TO USE THE STRETCHING BAR TO ACOMMODATE FOR MY WIDER LEFT FOOT.
I ALSO GOT RID OF THE INSERT AND REPLACED IT WITH SUPER FEET'S
SOFTER COUSIN DOWNUNDERS.
IT SEEMS BOOT COMPANIES DON'T BOTHER WITH INSERT'S.
BUT ALL IN ALL AS TONEY TIGER SAYS THERE GREAT!!"

"I just got a pair of Apexes. I've been wearing Vasque boots for about ten years and currently own three pair; generally been satisfied. They are as well-made as any of the mass-market boots out there.
The Apexes are HEAVY. But that's what you get in a mountaineering boot. Definitely not for street wear! In fact, wearing these boots on anything but snow and ice would be a mistake, considering how much they cost. I'd like to find a lighter boot, since I use them for alpine, rather than technical climbing, but I snapped up the Apexes because they were a great bargain ($125) and I know I can count on Vasque's sizing and quality. And after all, how many different pairs of hiking/climbing boots can you own? I think three is the max for me!
I won't rate these for performance until I use them, but I can tell you that they have only moderate "rocker" and are fully compatible with rigid step-in crampons (no straps required). The sole is extremely stout, and they have steel shanks, so flexion is not a problem and I imagine you could kick steps all day without damaging them.
They don't come with ANY documentation or instructions. Vasque's usual instructions are to use their daub-on waterproofing (Natur-Seal), which would work with the Apexes' Nubuk suede.
The only question I have is about the insulated insert that velcro's to the back of the tongue; what's this thing for and are there any special instructions for using it?
On overall quality and design I would rate these a 4 (Only handmade boots would get a 5), but as I say, I can't rate their performance until I put some miles on them."

"I bought mine in '98 from Campmor for about $170. They've survived conditions that would destroy most other boots. (I'm ashamed to admit that I'm not the best at preventative maintenance or even cleaning up afterwards.) Took about a year to break-in fully, and then they were more comfortable than even tennis shoes. So comfortable that I took to wearing them to work on a daily basis which, in three years of walking on concrete (warehouse/vending), finally began to take out the tread on the center of the sole. Also my neglect began to show on the leather itself as cracks began to develop right past the first set of rings. Two problems that weren't my fault...the tongue on the left boot was cantered towards the left, and that took nearly 6 months to get used to/break in. The other was the material around the padded collars began to disintegrate within a couple of years. Overall these boots are the tops, especially for someone with seriously wide feet. Now all I have to do is find another pair for $170!!!"