Comfort

Let’s start with the facts and then move on to the opinions. This pair of boots weighs 1,220 grams, or about 2.7 pounds. There is a dual-density EVA foam footbed and an all-terrain compound midsole that provides enough protection and padding to make carrying a heavy pack more bearable. There are mesh panels and padding around the ankles.

The boots feel solid, but they are very stiff. The break-in period is quite gruesome and takes a bit of patience. On average, it takes about 20 miles of hiking to break the boots in. I recommend not doing this in one fell swoop. A few short hikes would be much more comfortable.

The high ankle is padded, but the material feels cheap. There are a few hot spots that rub if you don’t wear thick socks. The mesh paneling is small, and well-intentioned, but doesn’t provide a lot of breathability.

Fit

The Breeze AT is available in a wide range of sizes - from a 7 to a 15 and in two different widths. They run slightly narrow and unfortunately, the sizing seems to be inconsistent within the brand. You can be a 10 in one shoe and an 11 in another style.

There is a convenient pull tab on the heel and tongue of the boot. This makes putting them on and adjusting them pretty easy. However, the fit could be improved by extending the lacing further down to the toes. This would prevent the heel from moving, therefore avoiding blisters and chafing.

One other gripe is the lacing system. It is normal, nothing inventive. At the top of the boot, you pull the laces around a few hooks.

However, the laces are thick and the hooks are small and flimsy. They often open up while you are lacing the boots, releasing the tension you created. It can be quite frustrating

Features

While you should always be cautious of where you step, puddles and small river crossings are no obstacle for the Breeze AT. These boots have a Gore-Tex membrane that is efficiently waterproof. As long as the water you cross doesn’t splash in from the top of the boot, your feet will stay dry. While this is a great feature, it affects the breathability of the shoe.

With a warm pair of socks, you could use these in cold weather, but they are not insulated.

Overall, this is a great-looking boot. It is available in two different color combinations. Both are slightly muted, but that’s a plus in my book. You can choose from Olive/ Bossa Nova which is a green/burgundy combination. Or you can choose Magnet/ Drizzle which is a gray/brown combination.

Durability

This is another area where we will start with the facts and then discuss experiences and opinions. The 2mm Nubuck leather and mesh upper is abrasion-resistant. The reinforced rubber toe cap keeps the boot going strong even after kicking a few boulders. The outsole of the shoe is made from Vibram rubber.

Good opinions first - the outsole provides great protection from whatever hazards lie on the ground beneath you. If you encounter any manufacturing issues within the first twelve months, Vasque offers a one-year warranty.

We already discussed the flimsy lacing hooks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these snap off one of these days.

However, the biggest issue that has been discussed about these boots is that for some people, the sole has separated from the shoe. Perhaps this is a warehouse issue? I do not know but it is an incredible letdown.

Stability and Traction

Outfitted with brand-exclusive Vibram Contact Grip, the wide lugs grip well on most terrains but have trouble with loose or slippery terrains. As a whole, they are a bit bulky and far from nimble.

In terms of stability, the high rise, lateral ankle support, and the TPU shank make these boots very stable.

The Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX is an expensive shoe, but it’s quite remarkable. It is designed with running shoe technology, but with the support, protection, and durability of a hiking shoe.

It has an aggressive Contragrip outsole that works well on many different terrains, including wet or muddy terrains. The OrthoLite sock liner and SensiFit midsole work together to provide a comfortable, customized, breathable fit. One downside is the weight of these boots. A pair weighs about 1,280 grams, or 2.8 pounds.

The Oboz Bridger Mid is a similar style of boot but seems to be much more comfortable. It is a little bit lighter, weighing 1,180 grams, or 2.6 pounds for the pair. There is an O-Fit insole that provides great comfort and durability while still being flexible.

Instead of the popular Vibram outsole, this shoe uses a Granite Peak outsole that features grippy multidirectional lugs. Also, instead of Gore-Tex, this shoe uses a technology made by them called B-Dry. It works well, but isn’t very breathable. This option is more or less the same price as the Breeze AT.

If you were a fan of the Breeze 3 (which is sadly no longer in production) and expect this to be similar, you will be disappointed. The AT is much stiffer than the 3 and the overall comfort just seems to be lacking. The height of the 3 is slightly shorter than the AT, which helps to avoid chafing and hot spots around the ankle. Unfortunately, the lacking hooks at the top of the boot have the same flimsiness as the AT version.

Either way, the 3 isn’t available for purchase these days, but I thought I would add it as a comparison for those of you who already own a

There’s no hiding the fact that this shoe could use some improvements regarding traction, durability, and overall comfort. On the bright side, they have plenty of padding in the midsole and provide great stability. There are a few outstanding qualities, but the bad seems to outweigh the good here.

Coming in at an average price for this type of shoe, I am sorry to say that I do not recommend this investment. If Vasque can learn from all of the complaints that plague the internet and reinvent the shoe, there may be hope. Until then, we continue our search.