Product Review: Vasque Talus UltraDry Hiking Boots

What Is it: The Talus UltraDry hiking boot from Vasque.

Price and Where to Buy: $96 to $150 at various websites, including Lee’s Adventure Sports and Zappos.

Pros: The most I did to break these hiking boots in was a quick one-hour walk on a sidewalk the day before I left for my trip. One all-day hike later, and I remained blister-free without needing a single band-aid. The grip and stability of these boots are amazing—they kept me steady on washed-out trails and slippery bridges, and just as importantly, they kept me dry in the rain and even through splashing in puddles. Even walking down steep, wet hills didn’t make me fear that I was going to slip at any moment; the grip on these hiking shoes is good.

The Talus UltraDry are definitely hiking boots, but I ended up wearing them for everyday sightseeing on a recent trip, because it was raining and I didn’t have any other options. The boots really are fully waterproof, and they’re light enough that they didn’t weigh me down even for everyday use.

Cons: The outside scuffs fairly easily, but these are rough and tough hiking boots—I don’t expect them to stay clean, let alone pristine.

How it Rates:

• Usefulness: 10/10. Not having to go through the painful process of breaking in new shoes means you could buy these the night before an impromptu hiking trip and be okay. The fully waterproof design means that these will be useful on any hike (or in the snow).
• Portability: 8/10. Light for hiking boots (they only weigh 2 lbs. 2oz., but they’ll still take up a fair amount of room in your suitcase. (You could always wear them on the plane.)
• Value: 10/10. A waterproof hiking boot this well-made and waterproof could retail for more than this.
• Durability: 10/10. Despite my passionate hatred for Vibram’s famous five-finger shoes, the Vibram-made outsole is tough and gives great grip on the trail. The UltraDry membrane definitely kept me dry and seems like it will hold up to the elements for a long time. The entire boot seems made of great materials, and will likely have a long lifespan.
• Cool Factor: 9/10. The women’s version of this boot comes with shoelaces in cute colors (or basic brown if you’re not into that), which livens up the boring hiking boot a bit.

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a solid but light hiking boot, that will keep you dry and sure-footed, the Vasque Talus Ultradry is the shoe for you!

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at editor@smartertravel.com.