OK, so I'm Obsessed with Skywalk...Sorry :)

[sierranomad]

Hi:

Ever had that perfect boot; no longer manufactured and no other boot you've found compares with it? (Kind of like that first girl/boy friend).

I don't expect anyone here to have a definitive answer, but just interested in your opinion:

I found a boot that claims to be Vasque Skywalk. It's a different color that what I had, and slightly different design, but it looks close enough to actually be one. Of course, I'm wondering whether they're genuine Vasque. I've emailed the company asking how they got them, but not sure that I can really trust what they have to say anyway.

So, as I said, I don't expect anyone to have a solid answer, but .....well, what does your "gut" say?

By the way, here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/VASQUE-GORE-TEX-Sky ... turnPolicy

Thank you for patiently (?) putting up with my obsession.

[giantbrookie]

Favorite boot? I guess this depends on the purpose for me, given that I once had a lineup of 3 different boots for different purposes; this is now down to two. Because I do rugged off trail backpacking, the boot of choice during the time I was really doing a lot of this would be the Raichle Eiger, a boot that I do not believe has been made in many a year. I would judge a boot on the criteria of durability, comfort, balance and stability, and support. I had a Kastinger (forget model) way back in the day (late 80's?) that was a winner, and I liked my Asolo Yukons except they took multiple trips to break in. The Eiger stood out because of its comfort (actually OK on first trip without break in), stability in rough climbing (and sole rigidity to suport crampons), and the best durability in a boot I've seen. Owing to the extreme amount of hiking my wife and I did, we'd judge a boot by how many resoles its uppers held up through. The Eiger is the only one to make it to three, although this was too much owing to the progressive lack of toe room with each resole. What have it the extra durability edge over the Yukon and other boots was that in addition to the very thick one piece upper, it had a rubber strip that additionally protected the flanks and toe area (I used to wear a hole in my boot toe area). Nowadays, I simply buy good fitting comfortable boots that are on sale. I have a very lightweight one for easy hiking (with the mixed leather and cloth upper) and an all leather medium duty boot. That I can't even remember the model is testimony to the fact that such items are easily replaceable for me and that I haven't found a true standout. My medium duty boot I recall is some model of Vasque but again I don't know the model unless I go to my garage and dig it out.

[markskor]

Agree with ‘Brookie above…they just don’t make boots the same as they once did.
I had a pair of Vasque Sundowners which lasted 10 years. Of course they were re-soled 3 times, but they lasted and wore well. Today, unless you want something that weighs 3 pounds each…nothing seems to last over 500 miles. With the current soles which are glued on…just cannot replace the Vibrams.

Also agree with buying whatever fits and is on sale. Currently on a pair of Vasque Clarions for their second season, but doubt that they will last past this hiking season at best. They were on sale at REI with the 20% off ticket…still cost well over $140 after all discounts.
I guess built-in obsolescence is the current rage.

[sierranomad]

The SkyWalk is the only boot I've had that "put a spring in my step". It actually felt like it gave me a push. The balls of my feet never got sore with the SkyWalks (until the sole wore out), and I attribute that to the "spring" I felt with them.

The SkyWalks are the only boot I've had that I could hike many a mile in and not get sore feet.

Thus, my obsession.

[Trekker]

The Skywalk was the first "serious" hiking boot I ever bought. I was actually going to buy a cheaper boot, but my girlfriend decided she liked the Skywalks, and I of course couldn't let my girlfriend have a better boot than me!!! I wore them backpacking for 9 years on primarily trail hiking until the sole detached from the boot as I was coming down the slabs of Knapsack Pass on the Dusy Basin side on my first ever solo hike. That was also the first year that I started doing cross country hiking, and I found that, even with resoling, done at a Redwing store here in San Diego, the boots didn't have the support I needed for x-country backpacking. After a few more years of use, I retired them to easy dayhiking status.

Dont know if I've ever seen that color....mine were the standard blue, and I had a friend that bought a pair at REI 7 years after I got mine and they were the same blue. That would make me a little suspicious. If I were you, I'd call Vasque and ask them. You could also try Redwing, the parent company. They are located in Minnesota.

The same flexibility in that shoe that made it so great for moderate load use is probably what limited it for me with heavier loads off trail. Loved the boot, but over rocky terrain with a load I felt what I was walking on after a while. Of course, the type of boot that will protect from that will probably weigh your foot down instead of putting a spring in your step, as well as hindering the natural flex of the foot, which may put more stress on the ball.

As always, it's a compromise.

[sierranomad]

If I were you, I'd call Vasque and ask them. You could also try Redwing, the parent company. They are located in Minnesota.

Thanks Trekker, I'll do that.

[Snow Nymph]

Years ago I had a favorite boot, Raichle Mountaineer (I think), and mentioned it on a thread. A few months later someone found it (discontinued and on sale), and so I bought a few pairs. Maybe someone here will see your Skywalks and let you know. Good luck!