Vasque Sundowner Review

"These are the old Sundowner boots and not the new ones with the
padded collar. They were an excellent choice and came highly
recommended. They have a gore tex liner which may be overkill
but better safe than sorry. They are breaking in nicely and I am
allready pleased with the quality and comfort of the boot"

"Best boots or shoes I have ever owned. I have owned these for 7 years and have had only 1 problem in all those years. That problem came when I went backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch. 250 lbs of me, an 85 lb backpack and Mt Phillips. The boots finally split out on day 5. I have since come home and had new soles put on. The boots are like new, however I prefered the old soles style. On thing more, the boots come in a narrow which is what I need and they fit like a glove."

"I am 6' and weigh 200 lbs. Before I went to the Grand Canyon, I broke these boots in over 25 miles. During the Grand Canyon hike for 6 days(54 miles) and a following 4 day hike to Chicago Basin in Colorado 2 months later, I have suffered constant blisters on the heel. For $200 and over 100 miles of hiking, I don't think a boot should constantly cause blisters. I would not recommend this boot. I'm looking for another pair after only owning this Sundowner pair for 6 months."

"I have had these boots for almost 3 years now, and my expirence has been almost perfect. The boots fit great, have never gotten me wet, and have generally held up VERY well. After about 1 year of heavy use (I wore them for around 30 - 40 days in the woods and almost on a daily basis when at home. . .i would say they were worn 325 days a year.) the leather at the very top of the inside (in the back) began to wear through. I took them back to the retailer and they happily replaced the boots. . .no questions asked. After 2 more years of the same use (around 650 total days of wearing, 2+ months in the woods) they are begining to do the same again. Even with this minor problem, I would NEVER think twice about spending the $180 on these boots again. . .they are simply the most comfortable pair of shoes that I have ever worn, boots or otherwise. If i were to replace these boots with another pair today, it works out to $60 per year. . .certainly better than any other shoe I could have purchased. I highly reccomend this boot!"

"I was reading some of the reviews of the Vasque Sundowners and just had to submit my own testimonial. I have had the same pair of Sundowners for over 7 years, and wear them regularly on 2 day -3 week trips in all climates, in all terrains. My first trip, to Montana on Outward Bound was only a mere 6 days after buying them. I was the only one on the 4 week excursion that had nary a blister, or a wet sock (gaiter use is obvious) and we were above the snow line 85% of the time. Just last weekend I finally blew the fatal crack in the treads that show all the way to the innards (did I mentin these are the original treads?). I hate to retire them but it is inevitable now. I've never added wax or anything to them, and they never leaked until last weekend (which is how I discovered the crack) I will never own an other pair/brand of boots for midweight hiking. I have never had a blister nor have I gotten wet with these boots as I have with my light and heavyweight boots. My suggestion, is to buy them. They will grow on you more each season you break them out for hiking and you realize that a $185 investment now, will get you up to 7 years on the trails."

"I love these boots! I have the old style (about 4 years old), and they took only about a week to properly break in. I broke them in by wearing them one hour the first day, two the second, four the third, you get the picture. My brother got a pair (new style) and had the same results. My feet feel better in these boots than in my sneakers! These are the best boots I've ever had, period."

"I have been wearing these for 5 years now. Comfortable, supportive, waterproof. Great!
Make sure you have the proper fit for any boot or you will get rubbing and blisters. Wear synthetic hiking socks, too. No cotton. I just bought a pair of Vasque Apline for heavy backpacking (and I weigh 230lbs.) Top quality. Vasque is subsidiary of Redwing Shoes...good stuff."

"bah!!! or should I say mmmooo! The heard mentality has been associated with these leather sneakers for years, and for no good reason. This boot offers no support (lightweight, soft leather) and no sole protecting (courtesy of its virtual shank). Furthermore, unless you actually enjoy stopping to remove pebbles and twigs from your boots, you'll be condemnded to always wearing your gaitors. I don't know how anyone who ever carries more than a weekend pack would praise these boots other than that they have never worn anything else. I would, however, nominate the Sundowner for one award, best boot to be worn in an SUV!"

"I purchased these after trying on so many pairs og boots, I had calluses from lacing them up. I selected the Sundowner because they were the only boot that hugged me well at the heel wihle giving my wnadering little toe enough room. The box on these are roomy and I was able to make use of the extra width and cut down on the height by purchasing a Vasque incert that cut down on the overall volume. Now my toes have room to spread while not shifting up front. Before the incert I got some bottom of the big toe blisters but the incert took that problem away. i have yet to get a heel blister, even with almost daily snowshoeing this winter. Good boots and well worth the $180."

"I purchased my Sundowners in 1993. In the first seven years of the boots' life, they have experienced all the woes of backpacking (mud, roots, stumps, sludge, prickers, streams, etc.), rappeling, caving (much more mud and scraping against rock), not to mention that for about 3 years I wore them on almost a daily basis because I thought they looked pretty cool. You would think that after all this they would be ready for the trash, however, they still look and feel great, they are still waterproof, and they still look cool (my opinion of course). I expect to have my Sundowners for at least another seven years."

"I have terribly weak ankles and I love my Vasque Sundowners. I have never used them on trips of more than 4 days, but when my ankle starts rolling these stop it well before anything bad happens. I love these boots and would tell anybody to buy them"

"I felt very comfortable buying these boots, but they failed to live up to my expectations. The sole on one boot was almost immediately sucked off my muck, and despite repeated attempts by me and one attempt by a professional shoe repair shop to cement it back on, the sole continues to come unglued. Also, the blister-proof reputation of this shoe is not entirely true. The short top of the boot tends to cause blisters around my ankles. I'm currently shopping for new boots and will probably go with Zamberlan or Lowa."

"I've owned five pairs of these over the last twelve years and have nothing but good things to say about the comfort- I'm very blister-prone. However, for the money, I feel they could be much more durable. I wear mine every day at work surveying, so they really take a beating. I keep splitting them where the toe section begins. Also, I was very dissapointed with Vasque's decision to move its factory."

"This may sound a bit crazy but i assure you that it is true...I purchased a pair of the sundowners and a pair of the heavy backpaking boots in 1980 I just threw out the sundowners last year!!! Boy am I kicking myself fo that! I still have the heavier pair and they have plenty of years to go on them. Granted, the techniological advances are fantastic and the boots are lighter and have all of the water proof and breathing one could ask for, but I would not buy the newer pair. Compared to the pari I had, vibram soles and all. the newr sundowner does not even come close to the quality. JMHO! Now I have to either wait for Vasque to reintroduce a retro version or try a ton of boots out-which I am currently doing! Old, on a scale of one to ten...Ten...new 4! Sorry guys!"

"Have had my Sundowners for 5 years and can vouch for their durability. There was a survey done in backpacker mag that state the sundowner is the only boot that consitently completes the appalachian trail(start-finish) without blowing out.(38 sundowners made it all the way through, only 2 other brands with 1 each made the list)
Remember boots and feet are as individual as a fingerprint, what may have worked for me may not for you.
Sundowners tend to be better for narrow/long feet."

"I bought my pair in 1990- I'm now trying to decide whether to have the soles replaced or not- they are 100% solidly attached to the boot, just worn down from use. Fit will be a personal thing- I was sized in a smaller, wider size than I would have guessed- worth it to buy from a dealer who could size my foot. I have a friend with narrow heels and he loves his, especially the ankle support. Only disappointments are: 1)the gore-tex sock is seperated from the pad at the heel on one boot, and 2)I had very wet feet after climbing and glissading on Mt. St. Helens 5 years ago- not sure I've ever tested them that severely for water proofness before or since, and not sure of the extent of any "operator error" as far as water-proofing applications and using gaiters, etc. Overall I would definitely recommend them as an entry level/light-to-medium duty backpacking boot."

"Also, I am 6'3" and 215 lbs. I've had my Sundowners since '93. They have been backcountry in AL, UT, MT, CO, NM, etc. They have been up 11 of the Colorado 14ners and several of the 13ners. Before I got clipless pedals in 98, I wore them mountain biking. In addition, I have worn them to work, bar hopping, while doing work around the house, everywhere. In short, I am dissappointed because after 9 years of hard use, the time has come to replace them."

"I read the reviews after finding this page in search of the best price possible for my second pair of Vasque Sundowners. I bought a pair more than four years ago, before I left for a four-year journey in Peru as a missionary. The Sundowners were worn every single day. I was fast-pacing through the busy capitol, Lima. I tracked endlessly up and down the Andean Mountain range in the Cusco Valley. I hacked and sludged through the dense rainforests of Puerto Maldonado (Manu-Candamo). These boots were put to the extreme constantly - as I was always walking to another place. They have stood the test of time as I have continued to use them after I returned home; at work or at play. These boots are the best I have ever known. I have been in the high Rockies, the Andes, the Candamo Rainforest, to the Tetons, in the Capitol-Reef desert, in the Everglades, and in the busy thoroughfares of Miami, Lima, and Washington DC - and the Vasque Sundowners have been the extremely best boots I have ever had. Thank you Vasque!!! (and to the gentleman with the negative commments about herd mentality - go chew cud! - to the others, make sure you are sized properly and have the correct socks, as well as breaking them in.)"

"Well, I've heard so much about these legendary boots, the classic sundowner. So when I saw a pair for $125 I had to order them. Luckily, the company does have a 30 day return policy, if you only wear them inside for that period. THE PROBLEM: They are cut too low and to get my heal to sit tightly in place without shifting I need to tighten my boots around the angle. The hiking and backpacking boots I wear have a high ankle that let's me tighten them at this point. If I don't do this the heal slips. I try to tighten the Sundowners but the laces cut into the front of my foot and it really does hurt. If I don't tighten them they slip. In my opinion, thus, they are badly engineered. I have Vasque Solus, which are very well engineered. I have various styles of Asolo and Merrell, all well-engineered. The Sundowner Classic in contrast, I find crudely designed."

"I was saddened when I realized it was time to retire my boots after 6 years of perfect fit and comfort. My Sundowners have been all over the Sierras, Canada, Alaska and even hiking in Costa Rica.
When I went to buy a new pair, they didn't have the Sundowners in my size, so I went with a different reputeable brand and I have had nothing but disappointment.

I miss my old Sundowners, and although I paid alot for this other brand of hiking boots, they are destined to a lonely life in the back of my closet. I will buy a new pair of Sundowners and once again wear those boots to lead me on my treks."

"I am just retiring a pair of Sundowners after about ten years. I did some hiking and backpaking with them, and otherwise wore them a lot. I was very satisfied. While in college, I wore them for the better part of a summer while cleaning out the dorm showers for the next year. In tons of harsh chemicals, including bleach and lime dissolver. This did affect the leather for the worse, but they held up very well regardless, and my feet never got wet. I do not recall ever having a blister. Unfortunately the shoes were too narrow for my feet. My feet are too wide for many shoes, but a little too narrow for "wide" shoes. During the first year of wearing them I developed a sore along one nail due to my toes being jammed together. After this I wore them with the laces a little looser and with lighter socks. They were then very comfortable. Toward the very end of their life the leather on the side of one shoe streched out a bit too far and the side of my foot began to weight upon a ridge which runs along the edge of the sole. This was very painful. I was always worried that I might get a blister from the edge of the plastic toe insert, but it never really bothered me at all. The gore-tex liners worked very well until one developed a little break a few years ago. The other is still fine. Finally, the position of one of the top lacing hooks bothered my ankle sometimes but never became a problem. I was hoping to replace them with new ones, but when I tried them on I found that the same lacing hook on both shoes was digging into my ankles very hard. This combined with my concern about their width made me decide otherwise. They were made very well and I would highly recommed them to anyone without width problems. I think that Vasque could improve the boot a great deal by offering more width, and by relocating, or padding, the lacing hooks."

"Good design, bad quality. I was really disappointed with my Women's Sundowners (MX2): the fit is very nice, the boots broke in nice, but after one week in New Zealand paths the leather in both boots collapsed and started pressing the nerves in my feet resulting in numb toes. After 3 weeks the insole came off. Tried contacting Vasques customer support several times, no reply. Great boots for dog walking, but until they stop saving in manufacturing, choose real quality boots (e.g. Zamberline)"

"I bought my pair of Sundowners in 1988 as I was preparing for a kayaking trip down the Grand Canyon. I needed a good pair of hiking boots to hike in at our meetup point, and what a great decision that was. I still have these boots, and they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever owned. I just got them resoled because I'm going on a month long trip to New Zealand next year. Although they look worn on the outside, they are in great shape, and it will be a very sad day for me when they go. Of course, it may be another 16 years!"

"I have owned Sundowners for the past twenty years. I've worn them in the Rockies, in the Alps, and as work boots on a daily basis for years. They are simply the best footwear I have ever owned, keeping me dry, giving me ankle support, and going strong for years.
One pair has 20 years and lots of wear, the other less wear and half size bigger to allow for winter socks in very cold temperatures.
I am considering resoling the older pair, although I could probably go an other couple years as is."

"I'm about to retire my second pair of sundowners and these have lasted ten years. Alas, they are no longer waterproof, the leather is severely cracked, and the sole is beginning to come off - but these are relatively recent developments and not bad considering almost daily wear. Thousands of hiking miles and every day at work (painting/construction) with not a single blister. These are the old ones with no padded collar, either. Will certainly buy another pair and hope they are as well made a these were."

"I am 1324 miles into hiking the AT, and my boots have held up very well when compaired to other thru-hikers footwear. I am in the process of buying another pair, but I could get some more miles out of this pair if I wanted to. Rock on Vasque! I do recomend replacing the insoles with Superfeet."

"My first pair of sundowners felt like old slippers after only a couple of days of breaking in, and I loved them from the moment I bought them over twenty years ago until there was no usable tread left on the soles. Though not a heavy backpacking boot, the lower height and more flexible sole was perfect for my needs. The replacement pair I bought 6-7 years ago is another story.
The leather is stiffer making the break in period much, much longer. The design changed, adding a padded ankle collar which was OK, but the new style lace hook rivets are brutal on my ankles. They dig in painfully if the boots are laced correctly, so I usually leave them loose around the ankle which reduces support. The tongues on both boots seem sewn on unevenly as they always migrate to one side after a short walk. After a couple of years wearing these only occasionally, I started shopping for a new pair thinking these were defective, but the newer ones seemed the same. Last year I broke down and ordered another pair anyway only to find that Vasque is having their boots made in China, and have taken even more shortcuts. I returned them and decided to take my old, old boots and have them resoled. Oh how I wish for a time machine to take me back to 1981 when I'd buy 5 pair and live happily ever after! Meanwhile, I'm still in the market for boots, but they won't be another pair of sundowners."