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Reviews > Footwear > Winter Boots > Vasque WT GTX Breeze Boots > Test Report by Christie Kimber

VASQUE BREEZE WT GTX

Initial Report
Field Report



Initial Report

December 9, 2020

Background Information:
v1

Name: Christie Kimber

Age: 29
Gender: Female
Height: 6’0" (183 cm)
Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)
Email address: christiekimber AT yahoo DOT com
City, Province, Country: Campbell River, British Columbia (BC), Canada
Backpacking Background:
    I started hiking in 2015 when I moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I started with day hikes and have eventually pushed myself to weekend and even week-long excursions. I am a three-season hiker. That being said, as I gather new gear and develop skills I am pushing my limits to try out 4-season backpacking and mountaineering. Vancouver Island gets a lot of rain and has a moderate climate. I also spend time in interior British Columbia in the Rocky Mountains.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: VASQUE
URL: https://www.vasque.com/
Year of manufacture: 2020

MSRP: $199.00 USD
Shoe style: BREEZE WT GTX
Style number: 7867
Shoe size: 10.5 Women's
Other available sizes: 6 to 11 with half sizes available
Width: regular (B)
Other available widths: wide (D)
Color: not listed, one available
Made in Vietnam
Listed weight: 2.39 lbs (1084 g); size not specified
Actual weight: L boot 650 g (1.43 lbs), R boot 630 g (1.39 lbs), total: 1.28 kg (2.82 lbs)

Listed measurements: none
Actual measurements for size 10.5 boot:
  • L 27 cm (10.6 in)
  • W 7 cm (2.8 in)
  • H 7cm (2.8 in) to top of toe box; 18 cm (7 in) to boot top

Product Description:

There is so much to say about these well-constructed boots. They pack a ton of features into a feather-weight product. First off, the VASQUE BREEZE WT GTX boots arrived in a regular shoe box with appropriate packaging. The boots appeared sturdy and were in brand new condition out of the box. There are many technical features put in to the construction of the VASQUE boots.

The body of the boots are constructed of a combination of "Air Mesh" and nubuck leather. The leather is said to be 1.8 to 2.0 mm (0.8 inches) thick. The boots also have a GORE-TEX membrane that blocks moisture from coming into the boots but allows inside moisture to evaporate. The body of the boots is insulated with 200g of 3M Thinsulate, which differentiates them from the other boots in the VASQUE BREEZE line up. The VASQUE BREEZE WT GTX boots are the top of the line winter boot product made by this company.

The outsole is a VASQUE exclusive Vibram Contact Grip with Megagrip Compound. The VASQUE website describes the Megagrip Compound as "the ideal high-performance rubber compound for extremely demanding activities such as backpacking, trekking, multisport, fly fishing, as well as all season hiking and travel." The website also states it provides excellent grip on wet, muddy, and slippery surfaces.

VASQUE also has a section that describes the "last" of the shoe. I had to look up what this was. The last is the structure around which a shoe is built. The last of these boots is described as Arc Tempo. I think this is only really important if you have had a pair of VASQUE boots before and you know what last fits your foot shape, as VASQUE describes two different last structures they use for their products. The Arc Tempo is described as being "built with an asymmetric curve and a tapered toe box to provide adequate toe room without wasted space." It is also recommended for people with high arches.

The midsole and footbed both feature EVA (Ethylene Vinyl-Acetate), which from my last shoe review, I learned provides cushioning and rebound for the foot. The midsole also features A.T.C. (All Terrain Compound) and TPU Shank.

There are also many non-technical features of the boots. They have round laces. There are three lace hooks going up the ankle of the boot. The bottom hook is a locker that locks in the laces. There is also a metal loop on the top front portion of the boot at the base of the laces where a gaiter can be fastened. The boots have a finger loop at the back heel as well as on the front tongue to help get them on and off.

There is no color listed and only one color of the boots is available for women. I would describe the color as gray. The Air Mesh is dark gray and the nubuck is  a lighter, almost olive gray. The toe box and sole are black, while the heel box and mid sole are light gray.



v2                           v3

Initial Impression:

I may sound like a broken record for anyone that has read my previous reviews, because I am always impressed with how light-weight the products are and these boots are no exception, particularly for insulated winter boots. In fact, they are only a few grams heavier than my regular 3-season hikers. When I put the boots on I was pleasantly surprised by the fit. I ordered a 10.5 and they fit perfectly to size in terms of length. I ordered the regular width and they fit my foot width perfectly as well. In my opinion, they likely fit a bit narrow compared to normal, as my foot is quite narrow and usually a "regular" width would be a bit too wide for me. These boots are available in a wide width as well. As soon as I got them I wore them on a short walk around my neighborhood. They are very supportive. I find the sole to be quite stiff. It will be interesting to see if they break in or if they remain stiff and how this will affect the comfort on a long hike. I plan to wear them winter hiking as well as with snow shoes.

No instructions or care tips were included with the boots. There were two hang tags attached that describes the technical features of the boots which I have outlined above.

                                                             v4

 



Field Report

February 13, 2021v5

Field Testing:
  • Kinney Lake, Alberta, Canada
    • Elevation change: 433 m (1421 ft)
    • Duration: day hike, 14 km (8.7 miles)
    • Temperature: - 5 C (23 F) 
    • Weather: sunny and clear. No precipitation.
    • Trail Conditions: well-maintained trail, but snow covered.

  • Lake Helen Mackenzie, British Columbia , Canada
    • Elevation Change: 300 m (984 ft)
    • Duration: day hike, 8 km (5 miles)
    • Temperature: - 9 C (16 F) 
    • Weather: sunny and clear. No precipitation.
    • Trail Conditions: Packed snow. Snowshoe trail.

  • Bear Creek Nature Park, British Columbia, Canada
    • Elevation Change: 75 m (246 ft)
    • Duration: day hike 11 km (6.8 miles)
    • Temperature: 5 C (41 F) 
    • Weather: overcast, light rain
    • Trail Conditions: wet and muddy with large puddles.

  • Stanley Park, British Columbia, Canada
    • Elevation Change:  69 m (226 ft)
    • Duration: day hike, 10 km (6.2 miles)
    • Temperature: 6 C (43 F) 
    • Weather: sunny and clear, No precipitation.
    • Trail Conditions: Mostly paved.
  • Oyster River Nature Park, British Columbia, Canada
    • Elevation Change:  50 m (164 ft)
    • Duration: day hike, 15 km (9.3 miles)
    • Temperature: 2 C (36 F) 
    • Weather: light rain, windy, overcast
    • Trail Conditions: wet beach trail along the coast.
Field Performance:

    During the past couple of months these boots have seen it all; snow, rain, ice, sand, dirt, mud, and pavement. I ended up liking these boots so much, they became both my hiking boots, but also my "daily shoes" when temperatures dropped here on Vancouver Island. I listed a few of the hikes I have been on over the past couple of months to show the variety of terrain I have worn them in, but in truth the list is much longer. I have definitely worn them for well over 100 km (62 miles) so far. I guess I have the COVID restrictions to thank for that as I find myself spending almost all of my free time outdoors, regardless of the weather. Unfortunately, I have not done any overnight trips with these boots as all of the huts are closed for the season and I do not have a 4-season tent (perhaps a future item to test).

    I think one of the main reasons I have worn these boots so much is because of how comfortable they are. They fit my feet perfectly. I got a regular width in this boot but have narrow feet. They also offer a wide width. They fit true to size as I wear normally wear 10.5 Women's and they fit well. I wear a regular sock most of the time, but they also fit with my liner and a merino wool hiking sock in colder temperatures. The insole is a perforated foam. The material it is made from is not listed. The insoles could easily be swapped out for custom inserts. I personally find the shoes to be quite cushioning on my feet. I immediately wore them on a long hike and they did not require any time to break in.

    I also find these boots incredibly versatile. They are very warm in cold temperatures. I brought them up to Northern British Columbia with me while I was working there and just wore them around town, but temperatures got down to as low as -20 C (-4 F). While hiking, the lowest temperatures these boots have seen is - 9 C (16 F). They are also warm despite trekking through deep snow that covered them. The combination of the leather and GORE-TEX layer has kept my foot completely dry each time I have worn them. I have stepped in puddles about 5 cm (2 inches) deep and no moisture has leaked through. I have yet to submerge the boot in a deeper puddle, but I will try to do that before the Long-Term Report, just to test them. When they have gotten wet from rain, snow, and puddles, they are quick to dry out on the outside. As stated I have yet to get any moisture inside the boot.
v6v7
 

    In addition to these boots being great in moist environments, they are also incredibly breathable. I have worn them in warmer temperatures for long walks and hikes and my foot has not felt sweaty or overheated.

I like the structure of the shoe as well. I have found them easy to get on and off with the tongue that extends. I also like the locking  hook at the ankle as it provides a snug fit. I have found the boots to be light weight.

Lastly, I have been very impressed with the Vibram sole. I find these boots incredibly grippy. I usually walk and hike with my husband, and I have been much more agile on the slippery sections of our hikes than him. I have been able to climb up on big rocks and cross icy paths with no problem. The Vibram sole is quite stiff but did not cause me any pain.





Long-Term Report

April 11, 2021
  • Mount Cain, British Columbia, Canada
    • Elevation change: 200 m (656 ft)
    • Duration: day hike
    • Temperature: - 5 C (23 F)
    • Weather: overcast, snowing
    • Trail Conditions: snow covered

  • Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
    • Elevation change: none
    • Duration: daily beach walk, 5 - 10 km (3 to 6 miles)
    • Temperature 0 C to 7 C (32 to 45 F)
    • Weather: mix of sun, rain, overcast
   
    Over the last two months I have continued to put several more kilometers on these boots. They just got retired to storage for the season last weekend, as it was our last on the ski hill.


    I don't have too much to say in terms or new finds or information. The boots continue to be incredibly functional on all types of terrain. They are warm in Spring conditions, but so breathable, that they are comfortable even in temperatures above 0 C (32 F). I can confirm that they continue to have excellent grip, foot and arch support, and water-repellency.

    I have not come across any hot spots or issues with rubbing on my feet. I also have not had any problems with "toe-bang" when descending, which I have had with other types of boots in the past.

    I also have no complaints in terms of longevity. To me, they still look brand new. I have simply been cleaning them off with a damp cloth or by walking through snow. I have not treated them with any specific type of GORE-TEX cleaner or tech wash, but my feet remain dry in wet conditions, which is perfect for the climate on Vancouver Island. There has not been any internal material break down or decline in the shoe structure with Long-Term use.

    If I had to come up with one gripe, I would mention I find the laces a bit long. I also find round laces come undone more easily, so I do double knot mine.

    Overall, the construction and quality of the VASQUE BREEZE WT GTX are top notch and I would not hesitate to recommend these boots to anyone.

This concludes my Long-Term Report. Thanks to VASQUE and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.






Read more reviews of Vasque gear
Read more gear reviews by Christie Kimber

Reviews > Footwear > Winter Boots > Vasque WT GTX Breeze Boots > Test Report by Christie Kimber



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