Old dog and new tricks - Vasque Talus Trek UltraDry Mid Hiking Boot - Men's

I’ve been back-packing and climbing (and more recently stumbling about) for nearly 50 years. It all started with blue-jeans, flannel shirts (I know, cotton kills) single-wall pup tent (aka wet and damp tent) and heavy, Norwegian-welt tank-like boots. I owned a pair of Vasque Hiker II boots resolving them 9 times and trying a 10th, for over 30 years. I technical climbed mountains in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains and wore then daily for 8 weeks when at Geology Field Camp. They were repaired several times loosing a D-ring eyelet along the way and actually patching in new(er) leather to cover the lacerations made from sharp igneous and metamorphic rocks. The point is I was and still am to this day “old school”. So, when it came time to purchase new boots I naturally looked at what had given me such great service in the past; they are out there, but I’m not so sure that they are “better” than what I thought was nothing more than glorified high-top tennis shoes. I am wrong about the design, construction techniques and quality of the current crop of hiking/backpacking footwear. While I am certain I won’t get 30 years and 9 soles from the boots being sold now-a-days, there are many sound reasons for choosing them including: less cost, more comfort out of the box, and lighter on the feet which means less fatigue. So, after this rather long-winded introduction my initial impressions for the Vasque Talus Trek Ultra Dry boot are all very favorable. They do run small, especially if you wear heavier weight socks (I am a BIG fan of Bridgedale socks -maybe it is my Irish heritage and ancestory). The toe box allows some “wiggle room” but roomy as it is compared to other boots I’ve tried, it is a bit tight (maybe a wide would be better). The medium width fit me well and this is THE first boot that had a foot bed/arch support I did not feel compelled to replace. Also, and this is a big “also”, the heal cup fit me nearly perfectly (I have a somewhat narrow heel but also needing the wider toe box). Other boots I’ve had to apply tricky lace techniques to keep my heel from sloshing about. Not with the Vasque. And being mid height boots I am not concerned with ankle stability (but then again I am not prone to twisting my ankles). I’ve not worn them in snowy conditions so I can’t attest to their warmth. When I have put miles and miles on them I’ll provide an updated review if allowed. I recommend these boots and Vasque has a solid reputation (not with standing some rocky times a few years back).