UpNorthica

Friend or Foe? Take a new pair of boots over a few days’ worth of root-tangled trails and soggy portages; before long, you’ll know which camp yours fall under. And you’ll spend the rest of the trip either swearing by them, or swearing at them. We canoe campers demand a lot from a boot: Must give firm support, but be flexible and comfortable. Must have sturdy traction without being lunky and cumbersome. Must shed water like a sieve.

I’ve been warily testing a pair of Vasque’s Breeze XCR boots this season, hoping to make a new ally. After several months, here is where our relationship stands.

Overall, the Breeze answers the challenge of amphibious hiking quite well. Its waterproofed nubuck leather uppers, Gore-Tex XCR liners and especially the gusseted tongue, do their share to keep unwanted water out. A springtime hike that traversed a shallow stream bed, ended happily dry. However, paddlers who prefer to wade around in their boots will find its nylon linings and panels wick away moisture quite well. Removable DryTech footbeds speed the dry-time along, too.

Those uppers on my ankles and the Phylon midsoles below gave good support on pretty much any surface I covered. At 2lbs. 14oz. (a competitive, though not feather-light weight), the Breeze never felt heavy. There’s nothing like a boot that can keep up with you.

Comfortable? Yes and no. Again, the nylon’s breathability kept my feet from feeling like baking potatoes. And while the well-padded tongue and collar ensure a snug and cozy fit, I was disappointed with the toe box. Much too tight, so aim for ‘wide’ when sizing a pair for yourself.

Durability is another iffy point. If you’re not the type who likes to pimp out your boots with buying separate insoles and laces at the time of purchase, you may be irritated with how quickly these degrade. Noteworthy: While I’ve not run into problems with the Vibram Contact outsoles, numerous customer reviews I’ve read have reported problems with peeling and separating, particularly in warmer climates.

I wouldn’t say that my pair and I are BFFs; finding that perfect Boundary Waters boot is a lot like finding a perfect person – not easy to do . But if you’re looking for a boot that keeps you stable, high and dry, the Vasque Breeze XCR is on your side.

vasque.com