I’ve been
looking at getting out a bit more in the summer months and decided to look for
a dedicated breathable trail shoe. In
2009, I mentioned that I primarily wear Asics
Gore-Tex Trail Runners because hiking in the fall, winter and spring, and
not hiking for months at a time, has always allowed me to dodge the breathability
issue a bit while offering my wimpy feet some protection against external
wetness which I always seemed to encounter.
But in summer, that’s too much to ask of Gore-Tex.
looking at getting out a bit more in the summer months and decided to look for
a dedicated breathable trail shoe. In
2009, I mentioned that I primarily wear Asics
Gore-Tex Trail Runners because hiking in the fall, winter and spring, and
not hiking for months at a time, has always allowed me to dodge the breathability
issue a bit while offering my wimpy feet some protection against external
wetness which I always seemed to encounter.
But in summer, that’s too much to ask of Gore-Tex.
There areseveral things I like about this shoe.
First, it feels like it has a lower profile. The tread is decent and they are quite
comfortable especially after I added some orthotics due to a plaguing case of Plantar
Fasciitis which I can’t seem to shake (suggestions welcomed). It has a generous toe box which is an absolute
necessity. Color and design are
appealing too. The mid and out sole are
a dual-density EV which is fairly firm and quite light. The upper is nylon mesh and synthetic
leather, again, lightweight and breathable.
I’ve intentionally wetted them out and they dried fairly admirably.
Whatreally got my attention was their breathability. I own lots of running shoes which I primarily
use around town and at the gym. The
difference with the Vasque
Mindbender Trail Running Shoe and my other shoes is that I can actually
(and quite easily) feel any wind or change in temperature through the
shoe. While they look no different than
my other shoes and I can’t see my foot or sock through the mesh, I’m amazed at
how obviously breathable they have been.
For now,these are my new summer backpacking shoes, but in fairness to the review, there
are a couple of things I don’t like. The
heel cup is a little looser than I’d like.
Out-of-the box the stitching had several threads (one nearly 5”) still
attached which tells me Vasque is doing a poor job with quality control. I wish Vasque implemented a tongue with a
small pouch to stuff the bow part of the laces like my Asics as it is a
great benefit to be able to hide the broad part of the laces which commonly get
caught on twigs and welcome briars, ticks, thorns and everything else unwanted.