Facts
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Subcategory
Hiking Sandals
Made of lightweight materials. They don't have much top-of-the-foot coverage so they're mostly suitable for well-maintained trails and summer hikes. Also useful for crossing rivers and streams. They come in open and closed-toe designs. See the best hiking sandals.
Hiking Shoes
The low-cut equivalent of hiking boots. Comfort is paramount in the creation of these shoes so they often have flexible materials. Generally used for day hikes. See hiking shoes.
Hiking Boots
Mid to high-cut models designed for more aggressive hikes and backpacking. See hiking boots.
Mountaineering Boots
Specialized footwear. Often insulated and used in technical routes, ice climbing or expeditions. See mountaineering boots.
Good to know
For hikes that won't last for more than a day, go with hiking sandals or hiking shoes. Tackling trails with greater challenges will require hiking boots or mountaineering boots.
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Use
Day Hiking
Shoes or boots for hikes that only last for half a day. Flexibility and lightness are the highlights of these kinds of footwear. See the best day hiking shoes and the best day hiking boots.
Backpacking
For multi-day trips with a heavy pack. Manufacturers emphasize durability and support in the creation of backpacking boots. See backpacking boots
Speed Hiking
Designed for users who want to cover a greater distance by going fast, usually with a light pack. See speed hiking shoes.
Winter Hiking
Boots that grant insulation to the user during hikes. See winter hiking boots.
Multi-sport
Mainly sandals. Aside from hiking they can be used for other purposes such as water activities. See multi-sport hiking sandals.
Good to know
Casual hikers can choose day hiking footwear or multi-sport sandals. More info here.
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Cut
Low
Shoes with a cuff that goes below the ankle. See low-cut hiking shoes.
Mid
Boots with an ankle-height cuff. They provide extra ankle support. See mid-cut hiking boots and mid-cut mountaineering boots.
High
Boots with a cuff that goes above the ankle. In the case of insulated ones, they may reach the calf. Also grants extra ankle support. See high-cut hiking boots and high-cut mountaineering boots.
Good to know
Generally, for trails that are easy to tackle, go with low-cut shoes. Go mid to high if there are more trail obstacles.
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Price$150
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Feature
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WeightMen: 17.3ozWomen: 13.9oz
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WidthMen: Normal, WideWomen: Normal, Wide
Summary
We spent 9.4 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what hikers think:
5 reasons to buy
- Many reviewers deeply admired the shoe’s effective waterproofing.
- Numerous users called the Vasque Breeze III Low GTX extremely comfortable.
- Its lasting durability captivated the hearts of several wearers.
- This Vasque footwear earned applause from a few owners for its remarkable surface grip.
- According to a couple of hikers, they were able to achieve a steady balance over unpredictable terrain in this gear.
2 reasons not to buy
- Based on a considerable number of reports, the Breeze III Low GTX runs small.
- A moderate percentage of consumers didn’t like the constricting confines of the shoe in terms of width.
Bottom line
Vastly comfortable and powerfully waterproof—these descriptions fit the Breeze III Low GTX just right. Such qualities are good and all, but what elevates the shoe even further is its fantastic durability which serious hikers will appreciate immensely. That said, having narrow confines and a kind of fit that runs small make this Vasque footwear a bit of a hard sell for perfectionists. To conclude, getting great satisfaction in the Breeze III Low GTX is very much within reach, especially for people who can get past its fit and sizing issues.
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are hikers, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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Updates to Vasque Breeze III Low GTX
- The Breeze III Low GTX, the Breeze II Low GTX’s successor, is a Vasque offering equipped with qualities and features that cater to day hikers who wish to tackle mixed trails with enough mobility. This shoe is engineered with more vent ports (seen at the heel and toe box) than its predecessor.
- Its lacing system has more eyelets than its older brother’s. Wearers may now set their desired fit with the help of an extra pair of eyelets this time around.
- The 3rd version of the Breeze Low GTX is built on the Arc Tempo+. This last has a straighter shape in the toe region and delivers a wider fit than the 2nd version’s Arc Tempo. It no longer curves in the pinky toe area.
Vasque Breeze III Low GTX size and fit
Vasque’s Breeze III Low GTX is a fairly true-to-size, low-cut footgear for male and female day hikers. Both the men and women’s versions may be had in full and half sizes in standard and wide widths. The shoe is built around the Arc Tempo+, a type of Vasque last with a straightforward toe area and an amply wide fit. Its classic lacing system provides a secure lockdown.
Outsole
The Breeze III Low GTX gets to secure the hiker’s footing with a Vibram outsole, called Contact Grip. This Vasque-exclusive component has hardwearing lugs that produce enough traction on outdoor surfaces, whether wet or dry. For extra stopping power over steep slopes, the shoe is given a decent heel brake. Maneuverability on ascents and descents is also improved with the outsole’s heel and toe treads. Its front tip, which extends slightly to the upper, serves as the gear’s bumper.
Midsole
Cushioning users against pointy rocks and making their trail ride as stable as possible is the footwear’s ATC (All-Terrain Compound) midsole. It is paired with cushioning pods made of EVA for extra shock absorption. Within its durable confines is a TPU shank—a subcomponent that strengthens the shoe’s midfoot section, thus giving users additional arch support.
A dual-density EVA footbed sits securely on top of the shoe’s midsole. It improves underfoot support with its bordered lower half. It also bolsters the footgear’s overall breathability thanks to its perforated design.
Upper
The Vasque Breeze III Low GTX’s upper consists of two primary materials: 1.8-mm waterproof nubuck leather and mesh fabric. Its liner is powered by Gore-Tex’s Extended Comfort technology, making the gear both watertight and breathable. It comes reinforced front and back with a molded heel counter and toe guard. These sturdy sections have vent ports, enhancing the shoe’s capability to stay airy.
