Java Breeze VasqueDry Waterproof Hiking Boot (Men)

I've been through many iterations of the Vasque Breeze, for hiking, search/rescue, and everyday wear. I'm now looking for a new pair of the 7742, but I see much to my disappointment that the outer sole is no longer Vibram. The part number is the same, but the sole isn't. I won't bet my life on anything other than Vibram, so that's the end of the Breeze for me. RIP.

My first pair I had for 5 years of daily walking around before there were just too far gone. The second pair made it under 2 years before multiple parts where the laces thread through had torn out. I was debating trying a third pair but after reading the reviews it seems my disappointment would only continue. So I'm leaning this review hoping the negative feedback will turn into a better boot again in the future. You guys value engineered too far.

I have been contemplating writing this email for quite some time but yesterday was the final straw. I have worn Vasque breeze hiking boots almost daily for the better part of 15 years probably in the neighborhood of 8 to 10 pairs. When I purchased the last pair about 6 months ago, I was shocked when I took them out of the box, I could tell right away that the quality of all material upper leather and soles was about half the thickness as my old pairs and everything about them is cheap except the price. The path I normally walk has small rocks maybe 1-to-2-inch semi imbedded into the dirt. Walking on it with the new breeze boots actually becomes painful after a couple of miles due to how thin the soles are. I couldn't even imagine climbing up a rocky canyon or something of that nature in them. My house slippers have thicker soles on them than your new breeze designed soles. I wear my old pair when working in my shop they're still rugged thick upper, thick soles even being partially worn out and still comfortable just not much to look at and comparing them is like night and day compared to your new breeze hiking boots, honestly absolutely no comparison, I have spoken very highly to my friends over the years about your hiking boots but now I just tell them how disappointed I am that Vasque has gone the way of just about everybody else in the consumer market. Profit first consumer quality second. Thank you for the good years but I will never purchase another pair of your hiking boots again!