Vasque Men's Grand Traverse

If shoes could be ranked in order of endurance, toughness and raw utility, these would be the 5 time winner of an Iron Man competition.Pros:1.) HIGH QUALITY. I’ve had this exact pair for 5 years, yes FIVE. I burn through shoes like a stripper does angel dust and let me tell you, these shoes are tough...like Terminator tough.2.) Real leather upper. It’s rare to find too many shoes that are still genuine leather unless you’re willing to shell out a lot more cash.3.) Stylish looking shoes! You can wear these with just about ANY casual outfit and you’ll still look fine as heck...”4.) Vibram soles! Vibram is a high quality sole manufacturer and the fact that they’re on these Vasque shoes is all the better. If Vibram is good enough for Fire Departments and Police Departments, they’re good enough for me!5.) SUPER comfy. I mean, these shoes are a rarity that I can wear out of the box and be happy with my arches.Cons:1.) My only gripe is that the shoe sizes have changed. When I bought my first pair 5 years ago, a size 12 was what they sold me and they fit like a glove. Now, a size 11 is what fits, which is my proper shoe size and when I put them sole to sole, they’re the *exact* same size.Im not sure what the differences were at the time that caused this to happen but don’t let that discourage you. These shoes are incredible and they’re built to last! Very high quality. Buy your true size (measure your foot from the back of your heel to the top of your longest toe) and you’ll be all set!*Photos are of 5 year and brand new Vasque shoes side by side*

I bought these for a bicycle tour as a reasonably lightweight off-bike hiking and all-around shoe. They are well made and comfy when broken in, which didn't take long. They are both supportive and also pretty flexible to squeeze into a bag. Capable of moderate hiking, though the vibram on the soles is a little thinner with lower knobs than a true light hiking shoe. These eventually became my every day wear everywear shoe. They've stretched out a bit and the inside of the heal is worn, but that's to be expected after 3 years! The rubber is starting to peel off of the softer foam in the soles a little bit but that can easily be fixed with freesole. Only complaint I have is that they sqeak a bit when walking, especially when the soles are wet. It's a little annoying but only happens on smooth floors it seems.

After reading reviews, I decided to give the Grand Traverse a try. My final decision was helped by the Amazon review that included a diagram of the different toe alignments. I would agree completely with his/her assessment. The toe box does feel narrow with a sudden angle to the outside of my foot. But I have Greek (apparently) feet, and it may have been that I felt it because I expected it.When I first received them, I expected the toe box to feel constrictive. So, I resolved to wear them inside for the day before taking them outside. Amazon will not allow used items to be returned, but I assume that means noticeable wear from dirt, concrete, outside elements, etc. This is no different than a brick and mortar shoe store's policy.I stood on my toes, squatted down, and stepped up onto surfaces inside my home. After 10 minutes of wearing them, I hardly noticed the narrowness. In fact, I can appreciate the logic behind this design. What I did notice is that these are well-made and very comfortable shoes. These are made for the trail; made to last. I have only had them for a couple of weeks now, but I highly recommend this shoe. If problems arise with workmanship, it will simply be a fluke that certainly will fall under warranty. These are very well made.I would not say these have a lot of arch support, but I have not experienced any related pain due to a lack thereof. They just fit right. I also would not purchase a half size up. I am convinced that people who do this have been wearing the wrong size shoes their whole life and just don't know any better. If you feel like your shoes now are a little small, then you should order up. Typically, measure your foot in inches and add 1/2 inch. In the US, this is your shoe size. Get a chart for other countries.

I don't care much for either heavy hiking boots or for wearing trail running shoes for long hikes, rugged terrain, or backpacking. These shoes strike the perfect balance. They are light AND sturdy and give me the feeling of solid support while cushioning rocks and rough areas. The Vibram soles are grippy, the shoes look sharp (get lots of compliments),and are a perfect fit for me. I've worn a lot of Vasque shoes over the years so I knew they'd fit great. I order the same size I wear in a Nike running shoe which is a half size larger than my regular shoe size.

4 years old and still going strong.Best pair of shoes I've ever owned! I took these to SE Asia plus Nepal for 3 months and they were a great every day shoe as well as great hiker. I did the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal which is over 100 miles in these shoes and was very very happy with them every day. They have great support, incredible grip on rocks and they breath well too! They are coming up on 4 years old and I cant wait to buy another pair!I could see the toe box not being friendly for people with wide feet.

Overall this is a well made shoe and good for hiking/ light backpacking. The toebox is narrow; the overall length and heel are fine (fit to size) but after a few days hiking the toes were hurting. Good toe protection on the outside, but the flip side is it doesn't expand to accomodate wider feet in the toe area. The sole is fine for a variety of surfaces; I wouldn't use it for a climbing or approach shoe (not really specialized enough for either). The shoe material is pourous so if you are near water at all your sox will be wet pretty quickly.