Vasque Sundowners w/ GoreTex

The Italian made Vasque Sundowners set the standard in hiking boots. They're a boot that *feels exactly right* when you put them on your feet. I've owned 3 Italian pair. (and one Chinese pair). I've outgrown one Italian pair, and resoled the others a couple of times. The uppers *do* eventually wear out. I wear them for everyday, work use. The hiking lugs wear quickly on pavement. But they are simply the best I've had on my feet.

The construction is superb. The upper is made from a single piece of leather. The GoreTex lining ensured worry-free creek crossings and general wet/snow weather use.

I consider them a hiking/ climbing boot. I've never backpacked and from what little I know, backpacking boots have a much stiffer sole.

Unfortunately, Vasque boots, owned for many years now, by Redwing, have taken a big dive in comfort and reliablity. They are made exclusively in China.

The Chinese made boots are barely tolerable. They break poorly across the toe area. The sewing, as compared to the Italian models, leaves a little to be desired. I have a broken seam on the Chinese pair and I won't spend anything to bring them back.

Why Redwing went to entirely Chinese manufacture isn't probably a big mystery. Cost. Some people don't have difficulties with them but they've lost me as a customer.

So far I've tried Lowa Banffs (German backpacking boots- stiff soles) and Italian Scarpa SL M3s, also stiff backpacking boots. I will probably try Scarpa M2 or Trek2, they may be a bit more flexible.