Vasque Men's Elias FG GTX Hiking Boots

Great boots. These are my second pair of the same ones. I’m extremely hard on footwear and the Elias lasted me about 2 years. I found the toe box is slightly narrow especially coming from my previous 2 pairs of hiking boots being Keens. The narrow toe box was a good thing for me and gave the boot that “fit-like-a-glove” feel meaning no slippage on the foot and no hot spots leading to blisters. It took me a solid week to work them in. I put a lot of miles on my first pair of these boots and they served as my winter boot for two seasons (can’t wear insulated boots, find them way too hot). The outsole was still in good condition when I got my new pair. The failing point of the old ones was the stitch point on the back above the heel. This started giving out after about a year on one boot and then the other 6 months after that. Despite the leather on the backs of the boots being open due to the failed stitching they remained waterproof. This is an awesome boot, especially for the price. I would definitely buy them again and I did.

Wear these mostly as a work boot. Lightweight, takes about a week or two to start breaking them in. They are warm so wouldn’t recommend them for spring/summer hikes. They’re so waterproof you can stand in any puddle up to the ankle and keep your feet dry. Best boot in general for wet Vancouver coastal weather.

I bought these boots three years ago to use exclusively for hiking. The break-in was painful but quick. Once broken in they feel like slippers. So much so that I wear them everyday as my work boots. I install landscape lighting daily and I’m not kind to these boots. Three years later they are still performing better than any boot I’ve ever purchased. The soles are almost slicks but every morning I put these slippers on and go to work.

All these reviews regarding poor fit have me concerned about purchasing again. I have had this boot style since they came out, always a good choice, however I had purchased 1 pair that completely failed, the sole began to separate in a very short period of time. I was given the maybe you were to rough on them and they are not designed for every day use. Are you kidding me?? They are my choice for outdoor activities! Am I expected to be easy of mountainous terrain? The price tag has gone up considerably which is why I’m hesitant to buy if the functionality of this style has drastically changed. The boot I currently wear have performed very well. Most of my footwear are Vasque brand. From boots-comfort this is my brand of choice. But still cautious

I have been wearing Vasque St Elias boots for well over a decade and am on my 4th or 5th pair of them. Every other pair has been fantastic and were 5-stars in terms of comfort, quality and durability, but not my new pair...The new ones are much narrower and as a result are very uncomfortable. I have only worn the new pair for about 30-40 miles so far, but they are killing my feet. I compared them to my old pair of St Elias boots (which I still have and wear) only to discover that the sole of the new boots is 1/4 to 1/2 inch narrower than on the previous versions of this boot--I used a measuring tape to verify this and placed the old and new boots alongside one another "sole-to-sole" for comparison. I wear size 11.5 Wide and the new boots are labeled as such, but they are clearly not Wide. They are so narrow that they are no longer usable for hiking or backpacking. My toes touch the front of the boot more, so they also seem a little shorter from heel to toe. They might even be a smaller size that has been mislabeled as 11.5W. Regardless, I can't wear them for backpacking.

I have been wearing the St. Elias boots for over a decade and this would have been my third pair. Since purchasing my last pair Vasque has redesigned the boot and not for the better. On the old version the cuff was quite plush, very comfortable, and had the lace hook rivets padded very nicely. This version has a very thin cuff and leaves the lace hook rivets exposed where they rub and dig into the ankle bone when laced tight enough to offer ankle support. See pictures. This is undoubtedly a design decision to save on manufacturing costs and is the reason many folks in other reviews have experienced discomfort around their ankles. I wore these boots for about 25 miles before returning them. Other than the obvious issue with the lace hook rivets, the boots are consistent in size with the previous version, the sole appears to be the same in design and grip, and the out of the box comfort is quite good with the exception of the lace hook rivets.

First I want point out the superior excellence of customer service. I am a hard fit for shoes and the customer service department was kind, patient, quick to answer and beyond words just plan great! They will work with you every step of the way. When you purchase a product you want to know that the company stands behind it and they do! The boots are great too. Comfortable from the day I received them. Can’t go wrong. They have a trifecta in they meet your needs in every area.

I bough these boots in 2016. They were worth every penny. I have worn then hiking, doing roofing, and doing whatever. Just bought a new set. Seem to be the same quality will let you know in a few years.