Vasque Breeze NTX LT Boots Review [2023] BikeHikeSafari

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This is a gear review of the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boot in 2023.

There are so many brands and styles of hiking boots on the market. With so many choices it can be hard to narrow down the choice as to which one is right for you. If you are looking for a hiking boot that is very lightweight, comfortable, and with exceptionally good grip then consider the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boot. But be aware that the Vasque LT NXT boot has a very different fit than most other Vasque Boots, be sure to keep reading to find out more.

I have used hiking boots for more than 30 years and hiked 1000s of miles all around the world. I have worn and tested 8 pairs of Vasque shoes and boots over the last couple of years. Keep reading this review of the updated Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boot.

In-Depth Review: Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots

Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots Review

Weight: 1 lb 13 oz / 832 grams (per pair)
Pros:
> Comfortable
> Lightweight
> Very good traction
> Waterproof
Cons:
> Narrow toebox
> Sharp edges on the lace buckles
> Despite very good traction the sole will wear out quickly

Several years ago I used the heavier version of the Vasque Breeze Hiking Boots on some of the toughest sections of the Continental Divide Trail. And later I used the Shoe version on the Appalachian Trail. During that time I developed a high level of trust that Vasque Footwear was one of the best on the market.

Recently Vasque released a lightweight and more environmentally friendly boot to their stable of quality hiking boots. The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are not only lightweight but they are comfortable and provide the best grip of any lightweight hiking boot on the market in 2023.

My first impression of the Vasque Breeze LT NXT boots was their lack of weight. Their lightweight makes them feel more like they will not provide much support for your feet and ankles but they certainly provide support. However, the toebox is narrow in comparison to other Vasque models and in comparison to other hiking boots in general. As a result, they will be better suited to people with narrow to mid-width feet. If you have a wider foot the standard Vasque Breeze Hiking Boot will fit better.

As with all Vasque footwear, they feel comfortable right out of the box. But over time they will fit your feet even better.

Materials

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are made from newly introduced recycled mesh, lightweight Suede leather, EVA foam footbed, and a super grippy custom Vibram outsole.

The boots include a lightweight rubber tow cap that is solid enough to protect your toes from damage while backpacking and hiking.

Waterproof

Vasque uses its own version of a waterproof membrane called Nature Tex. It is similar to Gore-Tex and other waterproof membranes it allows water vapers to transfer out of the shoe and prevents water from entering the boots.

Anyone hiking and backpacking in areas where a waterproof boot is required will enjoy this boot. It does a good job of keeping the water out. The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots just work as promised and as expected in wet environments.

Breathability

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are waterproof but not as breathable as non-waterproof hiking boots. I used and tested these boots in warm semi-desert regions where most hikers and backpackers should use a breathable non-waterproof boot to assist with breathability. I found these boots to be breathable but not as much as many other waterproof hiking boots. When the temperature increased my feet would sweat inside and it seemed like the water vapor could not escape from the boot quickly enough.

In all fairness, no waterproof boot in the roundup of the best lightweight hiking boots did much better when it came to breathability in very hot temperatures.

Traction And Outsoles

Want to know what hiking boot has the best traction? In my opinion, the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots have an aggressive and very grippy outsole. The lugs on the sole are made from soft and grippy rubber that provides exceptional grip on steep terrain. Whether it is wet rocks, slippery soil, or mud, these hiking boots excel.

The aggressive and high grip on the tread uses lugs that may not be as aggressive as some other brands but they are soft and provide a lot of grip. But all that grip comes at the cost of durability. These soles will not last as long as others.

In my opinion, the outsoles on these boots are best suited to be on hiking trails, not worn around town on hard paved surfaces. If you use these boots on trails they will keep you happy for a long time. If you use them around town they will wear out quite quickly.

Overall, the traction provided by these Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots is the best on the market. But that traction and grip will come at a cost. The outsole material is softer than I would like and wear life will suffer.

Weight

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are among the lightest hiking boots on the market in 2023, these boots are one of the best.

Comfort and Support

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are lightweight but provide a good amount of ankle support. In fact, a boot this light shouldn’t be so good at supporting the ankles. So when it comes to support, they excel.

As for comfort they feel great right out of the box and continue to improve the more you wear them. The fit of these boots is more suited to people with narrow to mid-width feet. Anyone with wider feet may feel a bit of tightness and may prefer a wide-fitting boot such as the Keen or Merrell models.

Another thing that Vaque seems to have changed is the width of the toe box which is quite a bit narrower than the heavier standard Vasque Breeze Boots.

Overall, if you have a narrow to medium-width foot you will love these boots. Anyone with wide feet should consider another option.

Sizing

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are true to size. Although as with any type of hiking boot, I would recommend you buy a pair that is one size bigger than your foot size. This will allow your feet to swell, and they will swell. And allow you to fit thick socks when hiking in cooler weather.

They are available in the following sizes:

Men’s Size 7-14

Women’s Size 6-11

Lacing System

The lacing system of the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots feels a little strange. Firstly, the upper lace eyelets have sharper edges than most other boots and have a very square shape compared with the usual rounded edge shape. The eyelets hold the laces in place quite well but could be a little less sharp on the edges.

The laces are strong and lock in place very well. For many people, myself included, I found the laces to be a little shorter than I would have liked. It was difficult to do any form of double knot or locking knot to prevent the laces from coming undone when hiking. Laces that are about 2 inches / 5 cm longer would provide a better option than the current length. While this is not a deal breaker, it would be better to have longer laces.

Break-In Period

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots will not need any break-in as they are comfortable right out of the box. But over time the suede leather of the boots will shape itself perfectly to the shape of your foot.

When I tested the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots I had no issues with blisters or the boots rubbing anywhere that caused any discomfort. As with any new hiking boots, you should wear them indoors for a few hours to ensure the fit is perfect. Only after you have done this should you head outside for a couple of shorter hikes before hitting any long trails.

Price

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are reasonably priced considering the quality and ultralight weight, but anyone wanting budget hiking boots could look at other options.

Vs the Rest

In comparison to all the best lightweight hiking boots on the market in 2023. The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are one of the best when it comes to comfort, weight, and traction. The comfort comes with the disclosure that these boots are best suited to someone with narrow to mid-width feet. If that is you, then you should love these boots.

In comparison to the original Vasque Breeze Boots, these are much lighter. Anyone with a wider foot or wanting the maximum amount of support could consider the heavier weight options.

Socks

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are best worn with a good-quality pair of Hiking Socks. A mid-length sock would be best for most people. Anyone who likes to wear two pairs of socks such as liner socks or toe socks under a pair of thick hiking socks may find these boots to be a bit of a tight fit.

Hiking Boot Insoles

The insoles used on the Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are comfortable, and soft and provide enough support for most people. For anyone with foot issues, it could be better to add a quality pair of hiking insoles.

Conclusion

The Vasque Breeze LT NTX Boots are super comfortable and lightweight hiking shoes best suited for hiking on dirt trails or soft ground. The traction is superior to almost all hiking shoes on the market in 2023. For anyone planning on spending their time hiking on hard paved trails should consider a hiking shoe with a more durable sole.

Overall, they are one of the lightest and most comfortable pairs of hiking shoes available this year but only for those with a narrow to mid-width foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

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