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Vasque St. Elias FG GTX Review

A beefy boot that provides excellent structure and support for carrying heavy packs in rough terrain
vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review
Credit: REI Co-op
Price:  $230 List
Manufacturer:   Vasque
By Ross Robinson and Ryan Huetter  ⋅  Feb 23, 2022
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Support - 25% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 3.0
  • Durability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Vasque St. Elias FG GTX is exactly what you might picture if you hear the words hiking boot. It is a heavy-duty, rugged boot with a full-grain leather upper and has a sole that could walk across a bed of nails and probably not feel a thing. This boot is all about stability, foot protection, and waterproofness for hiking in tough conditions or carrying heavy loads. While it looks like an old-school classic, the St. Elias is built with modern materials.
REASONS TO BUY
Very durable
Stable
Great foot protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Diminished breathability
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on February 23, 2022, with more guidance on what to purchase.

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Pros Very durable, stable, great foot protectionTop-level hiking boot performance, excels in all metricsLightweight, comfortable, excellent tractionIncredibly lightweight, comfortableVery comfortable, supportive
Cons Heavy, diminished breathabilityExpensive, not as great for hot and dry climatesNarrow fit, slightly small sizingLess durable than heavier models, thin soleAverage waterproofing, fair traction
Bottom Line A beefy boot that provides excellent structure and support for carrying heavy packs in rough terrainThe gold standard of what a great hiking boot should be, and we heartily recommend it for those seeking the best possible performance on and off the trailThis high-performing hiking boot tears up technical terrain with maximum precision and is at home far from the trailThis mid-top hiking boot is ridiculously lightweight, though it offers excellent stability and traction for fast and light objectivesThis super comfortable hiking shoe is one of our favorite budget-friendly models
Rating Categories Vasque St. Elias FG... Salomon Quest 4 Gor... La Sportiva Ultra R... Salomon X Ultra Mid... Merrell Moab 3 Mid...
Comfort (25%)
8.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
Support (25%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Traction (15%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Water Resistance (15%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Weight (10%)
3.0
4.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
Specs Vasque St. Elias FG... Salomon Quest 4 Gor... La Sportiva Ultra R... Salomon X Ultra Mid... Merrell Moab 3 Mid...
Weight (per pair) 3.26 lbs (size 11) 2.90 lbs (size 11) 2.08 lbs (size 45 EU) 1.85 lbs (size 11) 2.36 lbs (size 11)
Boot Type Midweight hiker/backpacking boot Midweight hiker/backpacking boot Lightweight hiker/day hiker Midweight hiker/backpacking boot Midweight hiker/backpacking boot
Width Options Narrow, regular, and wide Regular Regular, Wide Regular Regular, Wide
Waterproof Lining Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Gore-Tex GORE-TEX extended comfort Gore-Tex Waterproof membrane
Upper Nubuck leather Leather and nylon AirMesh, microfiber, TPU PU coated leather Pigskin leather, mesh
Last Board/Shank TPU Shank 4D Chassis Nylon molded flex TPU Molded shank Molded nylon
Midsole A.S.E. with EVA cushioning pods EnergyCell Injection-molded MEMlex SensiFit Super Rebound Compound
Sole Vibram Frontier Contagrip FriXion XF 2.0 Contagrip Vibram TC5+

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Vasque St. Elias proved to be a worthy competitor in review of the best hiking boots, scoring well in most of our metrics. They were out-shadowed by several notable models that offered similar comfort and stability at a lower weight, but their durability and waterproofness make them well worth considering in your quest for the right hiking gear.

Performance Comparison


vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - the st. elias tackles rough trails with ease, providing great...
The St. Elias tackles rough trails with ease, providing great stability and durability.
Credit: Steven Mace

Comfort


The St. Elias is one of the top scorers in this metric. The comfort is derived from the amount of structural support under the foot that gives protection from long days on the trail. A molded rubber toe cap gives additional security from tripping over rocks and roots, and the dual-density EVA footbed is top quality.

The all-metal lacing hardware allows for easy and snug-fitting, and the upper 3 sets of lacing hooks allow for customizing the fit around the ankle, though it does not include a lace lock.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - the lacing hooks are easy to use and allow for a secure fit around...
The lacing hooks are easy to use and allow for a secure fit around the ankle.
Credit: Steven Mace

Support


The Vasque St. Elias has an updated chassis that features a supportive and stable midsole platform called the ATC (All-Terrain Compound). We found it to be rigid while remaining comfortable and were especially impressed at how snug and secure our ankles felt when the collar, made from full-grain leather outer and padded inner fabrics, was laced up. Several other boots were taller, lighter, and provided a higher level of torsional rigidity, and thus scored higher than the St. Elias in this category.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - the st. elias can scramble up rocks thanks to its top-notch tread...
The St. Elias can scramble up rocks thanks to its top-notch tread, and its tall ankle collar protects the foot when carrying heavy pack weight.
Credit: Steven Mace

Traction


The Vibram Frontier sole, with XSTrek rubber compound, performed better than most during our tests on dry trails, and the lower profile lug pattern gave excellent grip on rock slabs. The boot did well going up and down a scree slope and kept us from sliding out when traversing muddy passes. Its performance on wet rocks and while scrambling, though, wasn't as impressive. For this purpose, we were much more confident wearing other models.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - the tread design on the st. elias is good but is not deep enough to...
The tread design on the St. Elias is good but is not deep enough to allow it to excel on mud or snow.
Credit: Steven Mace

Water Resistance


From the bottom of the sole to the lowest point of the tongue gussets, the St. Elias boots measured 6.2 inches, giving them a high margin for tromping through deep puddles and putting them close to the top of the pack in this metric. During our 5-minute submersion test, our feet remained dry, and we didn't have any issues with water leaking in through the seams. Thanks to a minimum number of seams, we expect the Vasque St. Elias to maintain its fine waterproofing longer.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - we love the st. elias for its simplicity, excellent stability, and...
We love the St. Elias for its simplicity, excellent stability, and proven durability.
Credit: Steven Mace

Weight


This product tipped the scales and was one of the heaviest boots in our review at 3.26 pounds. While there are certainly heavier boots in the market and from the past, we more often reached for a lighter pair. Those who seek outstanding durability, top-tier traction, and stability for big loads have several options to choose from in the mid-weight category.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - the vasque st. elias keeps the water where it belongs in our...
The Vasque St. Elias keeps the water where it belongs in our submersion test.
Credit: Steven Mace

Durability


The St. Elias held up to our testing, and we found no major flaws in its construction. The quality full-grain leather is stitched with a minimal number of seams so that there is less issue with the upper falling apart, and the pieces are stitched with double seams throughout. The rubber toe bumper is molded to the outsole and stitched to the upper, giving it a more robust feel than other toe caps, which are simply glued in place.

vasque st. elias fg gtx hiking boots men review - bustin' up a scree field ain't easy, but the st. elias helped make...
Bustin' up a scree field ain't easy, but the St. Elias helped make it as manageable as possible.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Should You Buy the Vasque St. Elias FG GTX?


This is a quality boot made by a reputable manufacturer and is a great option for the hiker that wants stability, comfort, and performance. It is not lightweight by any means, but that heft makes it a more appropriate boot when the trails are rough and the loads are heavy.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?


If you do not need to extra burliness of a high-top boot, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is a lighter and more affordable option. We also love the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex for its all-around performance and comfort.

Ross Robinson and Ryan Huetter
 
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