hiking boots

Vasque St. Elias GTX Boots

Vasque Footwear has been a footwear manufacturer in the outdoors industry since 1964. They are a reputable brand that generally puts forth products that are well-received by its consumers. Some of their footwear eventually make their way onto a few “best product” compilations by various organizations. One of these footwear is the Vasque St. Elias GTX Boots, which currently sell for $199 (at the time of writing this article). However, despite some outlets praising the St. Elias GTX, you will find that those same boots are met with mixed reviews on their official website. This came as a surprise to me as I happen to be a fan of the St. Elias GTX, which are currently my dedicated hiking boots. I have been using these boots for one and a half years and have yet to be displeased with them. For those of you looking for a new pair of hiking boots, or on the fence about Vasque’s St. Elias GTX Boots, this article may help clear the air and aid your decision.

Important Reminder: You can perform the utmost extensive research regarding which boots are best suited to your wants and needs. Unfortunately, footwear happens to be one of the most subjective pieces of gear available; in addition, all feet are different (I assume you all have seen someone with real-life-sasquatch-feet before). Just a friendly reminder to provide yourself with an opportunity to try on the boots you’re interested in before you find yourself unable to return them.

Technical Specifications (Vasque Footwear)

Weight: 3 lbs. 1 oz. (1378g)
Upper: 2.3mm Waterproof Nubuck Leather
Midsole: TPU Shank, Midsole with EVA Cushioning Pods
Outsole: Vibram® Frontier with XSTrek Compound
GORE-TEX®
Available in Men’s and Women’s Sizes
Imported

The Good…

During my winter block leave from the Army, my friend (a former Marine) and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Utah. Since this was a spontaneous trip, I did not have a pair of hiking boots for the trip. My friend spoke highly of the St. Elias GTX, so I made the decision to pick up a brand-new pair for the trails we planned to hike. Although I was initially concerned about wearing a fresh pair of boots out-of-the-box without a proper break-in period, these boots performed well, especially given the weather conditions.

Arriving at the campgrounds, there were only a handful of people present throughout our stay (just as we hoped for during the holidays). Our stay was also accompanied by an enduring storm; this entailed icy paths and nature’s generous cocktails of snow, rain, and hail. My St. Elias GTX paired with my Kahtoola MICROspikes performed surprisingly well out-of-the-box. Having hiked in a few highly reviewed boots from different manufacturers, I can indubitably say the St. Elias GTX were the most comfortable boots without any break-in period. They performed well during this trip just as they did on my most recent excursion this month to the mountains and desert. My feet felt light, secure, well-supported, cushioned, and were never wet from any water or snow.

The testing grounds. One of the few opportunities presented to take clear(er) photos.

The Bad…

The bulk of negative reviews for the boots are regarding poor lace quality or sizing. The latter can be avoided by properly sizing your boots before purchase or wearing them during a trial period if at all possible from a retailer. For example, while REI may not offer the best discounts on products, they have arguably one of the best return policies; a product can be returned within one year of its original purchase to any REI location or by mail (it should go without saying to not abuse it).

Regarding the boot laces, several users claimed the laces ripped within a limited amount of uses. I myself never had a problem with these boot laces after owning them for some time, but I’m also never one to be caught without any paracord (550 cord) in my pack, just in case. If you find yourself enamored with these boots, but concerned with the quality of laces, I recommend replacing them with paracord. Another option would be replacing the original laces with a superior boot lace such as the nearly indestructible Rhino Laces that were featured here on The Loadout Room, twice.

It is worth mentioning that a few users have reported eyelets or lace hooks breaking off of the boots. While there are only few of these reported incidents, it can be red flag while shopping for a new pair of boots. As an owner of these boots I personally don’t have a lack of faith regarding the quality of the boot as they have lasted me this long with a fair amount of use. A majority of hiking boots will always have their small share of poor reviews from online retailers.

The Verdict

The boots can be expensive at $199 a pair, but some online retailers like Amazon sell it for considerably less. If the Vasque St. Elias GTX fits your budget, and more importantly your feet, then these may be the next pair of boots for you; they’re comfortable, offer great support, and the Gore-Tex does its job well. Let me reiterate again that what may fit “best” for one person might be considered intolerable by another.

Do you own a pair of the Vasque St. Elias GTX Boots? Let us know what you think!

A Cascade Experience | La Sportiva Core High GTX

A few weeks back, six companions and I set out to summit the South Sister in central Oregon. Stepping off at 5AM without a cloud in the sky meant the weather was crisp and clear, a perfect day to summit the South Sister. For those who aren’t familiar, South Sister lies in the Cascade Range and has a significant hiking profile (5k feet in just over seven miles).

I was eager to try a new pair of hiking boots but had hesitations. I’d been encouraged to try these new La Sportiva’s out without breaking them in and was even more hesitant because I’d pegged myself as an ultra-light minimalist. Compared to the inov-8’s I’d worn in the past, these seemed like overkill.

Since my time in Ranger Battalion, I’ve followed the mantra that one pound on your feet equals five on your back. After enough miles humping in Danners and Bellevilles, I’d set out to stay light, fast, and avoid boots at all costs. I knew the day would consist of scrambling up lava rock and doing so in any shoe can cause issues, but with the Core High’s coming in at only 441 grams(.97 pounds for you metric opposers), I was more than concerned. How much support could they really give?

However, as soon as I got these boots on my feet I knew that something was different: I was comfortable, I felt supported and, most importantly, I was light. By 6AM we were out of the forest, working on the ascent. The grade increased and the ground turned to scree and sharp rhyolite. Despite this and a pack full of water and pogey bait, my feet felt great. I had numerous opportunities to roll my ankles and was solid – I’d walked through some light streams and yet, my feet were dry.

At the summit, we found a field of packed corn snow that had thawed and refrozen dozens of times through the summer. For the rest of the party, walking across was a challenge. The track was narrow and folks were slipping. Had I been wearing my worn out trail shoes I’d likely have been in the same position but the Sportiva’s kept me on the path with minimal effort.

Everyone knows that the vast majority of hiking/climbing injuries happen on the descent. You’re tired, focused on that warm Gatorade you’ve got waiting in the car, and aren’t placing your feet as carefully as you were on the way up. After five hours of ascent, I was at risk for, at best, a rolled ankle on the way down. However, the high tops of the Sportiva’s kept me in check. Coming off the mountain with Bachelor and Broken Top in view I felt like I was flying. I rarely had to stop and, for once, I wasn’t thinking about my feet. They didn’t ache, they were dry and, despite the fact that these boots were brand new, I had no hot spots.

Looking back at my time in Ranger Battalion I would have killed for a boot like this. Light and sturdy, able to take on the Hindu Kush or the streets of Ramadi. I’d be comfortable wearing these chugging up a 50% grade with the 240B, sprinting from a helicopter, or coming down a high fast rope.

Get your La Sportiva Core High GTX here

Guest Author – Kyle Morris. Kyle served in 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003 – 2007. Over that time he had four deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantryman and graduated from Ranger School in 2005. In 2010 he earned a Bachelors of Science in Business, Entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon and has spent the past five years working in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.

Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots: From the city to the mountains

I received my pair of Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boots about a year ago and have put plenty of miles on them. The color scheme of the pair I got was the Oxford/Rust which gives the boot more of an old-school hiking boot look.

There was a break in time with these boots; around 1 week of wearing them on a regular basis. Once broken in though, they were super comfortable to wear. After they were broken in, I wore them off and on for several weeks in the snow, slush and rain. I can attest to their waterproof claim as my feet stayed dry as a bone every time I wore them.

Last year I had an opportunity to spend 7 days in Germany. I only wanted to take a single pair of footwear to minimize what I was packing. After looking at the weather forecast for the dates I was going to be there (cool and rainy) I decided on the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage boot. Not only were they waterproof and kept my feet dry, but they blended in well with the European populace. I wore these boots every day of the trip and put several miles on them each day for seven days straight. Not once did I develop any hot spots on my feet. The boots were extremely comfortable, kept my feet dry and were casual enough to walk into a nice restaurant. Although I haven’t done any running in these boots, I have no doubt that if I had to they would get the job done.

Pair these boots with a good quality pair of Darn Tough boot socks and you have yourself a bomber combination that will keep you mobile for a long long time.

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Here is what Ridgemont Outfitters has to say about their Heritage boots.

The Heritage is a great looking, lightweight waterproof boot that is comfortable to wear from city sidewalks to mountain trails, and everywhere in between. Crafted from premium waxed & oiled leathers with a waxed cotton canvas collar and a 100% waterproof Hydroguard lining. There’s also heavy-duty metal d-rings and speed hooks for secure lacing and a gusseted tongue to keep out dust and debris. The outsole is made in conjunction with a super comfortable EVA midsole sitting on our real rubber mildly lugged tread pattern, so it provides excellent grip on loose and slippery surfaces without looking too aggressive. The Heritage also comes with two pairs of laces, one solid colored pair and one more subtle flecked colored pair. The choice is yours!

Upon return from my 7 day trip to Germany, I decided it was time to give these boots some TLC with Obenauf’s Leather Preservative.

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Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX: One year update

I have worn these Merrells Moab 2 Mids on various terrain and in various conditions for 0ver a year now. They fit just as comfortable now as they first did fresh out of the box. These boots have performed exceptionally well and continue to do so regardless of whether I find myself trekking through mud, sand, or snow. The Moab 2 Mids are more of a cross between boots and trail runners than just boots themselves. The height of the boots run a little shorter than your standard hiking boots which sacrifices some ankle support to shed a little extra weight. This isn’t as bad as one might think when you realize that many thru-hikers, like those on the Appalachian trail (2,200 miles), prefer hiking all the way through in trail runners. These boots provide all the support I need for the bottom of feet and just enough support for my ankles.

Features and specifications

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GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane, exceptional breathability and waterproof performance
Synthetic leather and mesh upper
Bellows, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out
Protective rubber toe cap • Breathable mesh lining
Merrell M Select™ FIT.ECO+ blended EVA contoured footbed with added zonal arch and heel support
Molded nylon arch shank
Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
EVA midsole for stability and comfort
Vibram® TC5+ sole
5mm lug depth
Weight: 2lbs 1oz / 936G

I have seen the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX criticized by some owners for poor durability while others fervently attest to its toughness. I suppose you could say that experiences differ, some people love them, others not so much. I consider myself to be in the former group of people, these are my choice of adventure boots that I always take on the trails. That isn’t to say that these boots are absolutely perfect, but I do wear them on nearly every excursion and recommend them to people in the market for hiking boots. They have held up well for me so far after constantly taking them out all year and I fully expect that to continue. My fellow hiking and backpacking buddies who have tried the Moab 2 based my recommendation enjoy them as well. You can read my previous review of the boots, here.

All photos courtesy of Matt Jin

Merell’s Famous Moabs: A Go Anywhere Option?

It’s odd how you learn about companies and how that forms an opinion on the company itself. I first heard of Merells in reference to expensive boots for women. In Florida, we don’t wear winter boots often and it seems as soon it dips below 60 the women of Florida switch to their fanciest winter boots. Little did I know Merell was synonymous with soldier, hiker, and even commando. The Merell Moabs are by far one of the most popular boots in the Armed Forces, or at least the Army. The Marine Corps is notoriously picky about the boots you wear. While I rocked Bates in the USMC I don’t need a tall, heavy boot for daily wear.

I needed new boots for work, and my agency does require boots so I started shopping. After reading about the Merell Moab boots they just seemed perfect. I placed my order and got my boots on October 9th, 2018. After a little over 4 months of nearly daily wear I am ready to opine on them.

The Good

There are lots of different Moabs, but this particular pair is the Merell Moab 2 vent Mid Hiking Boot. I went with the Mid because I don’t need huge boots and the vent option to keep things cool. From the moment I put them on I was impressed. They are extremely comfortable and very soft. I’m a big guy, 6’5 and 280 pounds I like some extra support. Merell uses a contoured footbed for additional Arch and heel support and you can really feel it.

I stand a lot, especially when working on projects. My gun building/writing desk is made for standing and I like to be comfortable when putting finishing touches on a Polymer 80 and typing the words to an article.

The sides and tongue are comfortable and very soft on the inside. There is no break in period and from day 1 I never experienced discomfort or pain from wearing the boots. I like to hike quite a bit so this was awesome that on day 1 I could hit the trials running.

Hit the trails I did. I wore these throughout hunting season and on a number or rucks over dirt both hard and soft terrain. They dug in nicely on fine sand and the big thick tongue kept sand from finding its way inside my boot. I don’t have many hills here, but over normal off-road terrain, they performed admirably.

Wet and slippery ground was easily dealt with by the Vibram soles the boots are equipped with. The boots do a great job of preventing foot pain when moving and grooving throughout even the longest day. These boots were even my go-to for SHOT Show and never once did my feet hurt so bad I had to rest and the end of each day I never had that “Oh god I love sitting moment.”

I found the Moabs to be lightweight, decently breathable, and utterly comfortable in use. They conquered both the Florida rainforest and the urban Hellscape that is Vegas with ease.

The Bad

There are two bits of bad I’d consider with these boots. The first is the bright yellow Merell logo on the soles and the bright orange M on the tongue. I get these are not on the tactical models but it looks terrible on these all Black boots. That’s pure vanity and doesn’t reflect the performance of the Moabs.

The second was about a month into owning them an eyelet on the left boot broke. Just split off. Kind of annoying for 100 dollar boots after only a month’s use. Merell was quick to offer to replace them, which is appreciated but advised I would need to cut the sides and tongue out and send pictures in and I’d have to wait 7 to 10 days for the new boots.

Normally not an issue but I needed these for work. I regrettably already tossed my old boots so if I did so I’d have to buy another pair while I waited for a replacement pair. So, for now, I’m just dealing with a broken eyelet until I need new boots again. Hopefully, this was a freak incident. The boots seem to be holding up fine now.

Moabs and You

The Mother of All Boots are quite nice. They are very comfortable and very easy on the feet. They navigate terrain without issue and work as advertised. The eyelet thing still bothers me. It’s a small detail but not an issue I expect in the first couple months of ownership. I may buy another pair, but we’ll have to see just how long these fellas last. I can’t say I regret the purchase because damn are these things comfortable.

Rocking my Merrell Moab 2 boots

The photo above is a picture of me while I was traveling around the Southwest. Among hoarding gear, my recreational hobbies include photography and hanging out in precarious places. After all, what is the point in having nice gear if you don’t ever put it to use? I prefer to hit the trails in the off-season as hiking and camping season has only gotten more hectic in recent years (thanks to social media). However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ditch the crowd and enjoy the wilderness during the spring and summer. Wake up early enough and you won’t find a soul in sight. Another reason for waking up dreadfully early is so I can hike out to practice shooting blue hour and golden hour during sunrise. I suppose those night missions in the military have prepared me well.

Those boots in the photo are my Merrell Moab 2 and they treat me well even after putting them through some heavy use. More about them in a future review.

Loadout Room readers, feel free to submit photos of your adventures or your gear being put to use.

All photos courtesy of Matt Jin