About this review This review is my own honest opinion of the hiking boots, which I bought with my own money in June 2019.

My take

The Vasque Talus Hikers are good for beginner to serious hikers, who are hiking on moderate to rough terrain that is wet, muddy, and somewhat rocky.

About the gear

• Model: 2019 Women’s Vasque Talus Hiking Boots
• Size: Women’s 9.5
• Width: Regular
• Fit: True to size

About me

• Height: 5’6”
• Weight: 185 lbs
• Usual shoe size: Women’s 9.5
• Foot Width: Regular
• Foot Arch: High arch
• Experience: 24 years

Test conditions

• When I bought these: June 2019
• Days tested: 2 years
• Terrain: Muddy, wet, stony trails and trails covered in brush
• Used for: Day hiking, backpacking
• Where I’ve used it: Line Star Trail, Yellowstone
• Seasons I’ve used it in: Winter, Spring, and Fall

How it performs

What I was looking for

Although my previous Timberland boots were comfortable, they were worn out. So I decided to get a new pair that was more durable, yet lightweight.

Why I chose this gear

I had purchased a pair of Vasque running/hiking shoes on sale in the past, and I liked the fit and felt that they were super comfortable. I did consider Timberland again, but couldn't find a comfortable fit. Since I knew the Vasque runners were comfortable I thought to stick with the brand for hiking boots.

What I love about it

• Durability: I find these shoes to be very durable because they still look good and feel great after two years of being in wet, muddy, and very rough terrain with bristles and such.
• Break-in period: I wore the boots for two weeks before my first real hike and they were comfortable and not bulky. I especially like the Vibram soles on the shoes – they felt very solid but they do give.
• Comfort: I live in Texas and these boots are very cool and breathable. The only ones that I would dare to wear in Texas heat. Once broken in I found the boots to be super comfortable and my feet never got overheated and stinky, though I do prefer my low hikers in the summer.
• Fit: The boots fit my feet perfectly and I often wear them with ankle socks. The tie box is just right for me and my toes do not feel squeezed in any way. My feet don't sweat or stink after a hike, and I have never had my toes pinched. I have average foot width and had space to move my foot about, so I think that the boots would also work for wider foot width.
• Weight: The shoes are super lightweight and fit similar to sneakers. When I am holding the boots they feel moderately heavy, but when I wear them they are not heavy at all. Just the right weight for hiking which is important during the heat in Texas. I wear these comfortably in the spring and summer.
• Traction: The soles are firm and stable, but not so firm that they are hard as bricks. These are the go-to pair for wooded and wet terrain. The boots have a stable midsection that prevents my foot from slipping.
• Material: I believe the shoes are made out of leather and Gore-Tex. This helps with breathability, which is crucial for me
• Waterproofing: During my trip to Yellowstone in Spring 2021, it rained and snowed daily but my feet were warm and dry the entire time. The boots have Gore-Tex which is water-resistant, lightweight, and breathable.
• Insulation: There was plenty of snow at Yellowstone and my feet did not get cold at all even though I wore ankle socks the entire time - that’s how well made they are. It’s a great boot, the soles were sturdy which prevented any slipping. The temperature at Yellowstone when I went was a low of 23 degrees, and my feet cold were never cold.
• Ankle support: The Vasque Talus boots are mid-ankle boots and I like this feature because it adds to the comfort of the boots. The ankle support was more than adequate as I crossed many stony paths.
• Arch support: The arch support was excellent for my feet and high arch.
• Toe protection: This boot is very firm in the toebox.
• Backpacking: I think the Vibram soles offer stability in a variety of terrain, they are lightweight, waterproof, and rugged enough, yet breathable.
• Day hiking: The Vasque Talus boots are breathable and comfortable for day hiking.
• Features: I loved the way the laces were tied. It creates the perfect tension every time and they do not slip!

Issues I’ve encountered

• Icy and Rocky Terrain: I would not recommend these boots for real rocky, or icy terrain. While at Yellowstone, the conditions were very wet and snowy, and even though these boots made the difference, for more intense icy and rocky conditions hikers may experience slippage
• Summer: I don’t like to use my boots in the summer and move to my low hikers instead, the Vasque Talus Lady Hikers. I don’t like the Vasque Talus Boots when it’s very warm out, because even though it holds up okay, it’s a little bulky.
• Lace replacement: My cat chewed up my laces and I need a replacement pair. Plum color was hard to find.

Favorite moment with this gear

My best experience with this gear was recently in Yellowstone National Park. I knew there was a possibility of snow, but we had rain, sleet, and sun. These boots performed beautifully. I never lost my footing in all that sleet and rain, and my feet stayed warm and dry. It was a great experience and it helped so much with walking and hiking to have a good pair of boots. My hiking partner frequently had to re-tie her boots, I never did!

Value for the money vs. other options

These boots are certainly worth the money – their quality is apparent the first time you put them on! These boots are worth every penny, would not sacrifice to save money. No way! I compared them to some other boots by LL Bean, they were in the same price range but better.

Final verdict

When it comes to hiking, the comfort of your feet can make or break you. At Yellowstone, to be so far from home and knowing that there was no going back, these boots had to perform and they did just that. I never once thought about my feet, the boots are that solid.