Vasque

Vasque – an American hiking boot brand with a genuine history

Vasque was founded in 1964 by William "WD" Sweasy at Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minnesota. Sweasy was inspired by the traditional handcrafted mountain boots of European alpinists and wanted to introduce a similar concept in the United States. The brand was named after Vasquez Peak in Colorado and was first launched as the Voyager series for mountaineers, hillwalkers and hikers – later rebranded to Vasque.

Sundowner, Breeze and Wasatch

Vasque is perhaps best known for the Sundowner – an Italian-made hiking boot that has achieved cult status among experienced mountain goers. The Breeze GTX became a bestseller among lightweight hiking shoes, and the Wasatch GTX has been a reliable boot for backpacking for several decades. The range has covered everything from Gore-Tex-equipped mountain boots to lightweight trail running shoes, often with Vibram outsoles and the brand's own UltraDry waterproofing. Production moved over the years from the United States to China and Vietnam.

Discontinuation and legacy

In October 2024, Red Wing Shoe Company announced that it is discontinuing the Vasque brand and its entire outdoor business. The reason given was dramatic changes in the market and in consumer behaviour. A selection of Vasque models will continue under the Irish Setter umbrella for as long as demand remains. A brand for those who appreciate 60 years of solid American hiking boot craftsmanship and want a piece of outdoor history while selected models are still available.