This past month I’ve been wearing the Vasque Re:Connect Now shoes for everyday lifestyle, and I’m here to share how they’ve fared, and my experience gained.
Spoiler alert, I’ve decided to hang on to these as I love how they look as a fashion shoe, they are also a nice stable shoe for walking, and they look different to other popular shoes out there right now – and that’s a good thing in my book.
Before I get into this review, I’m going to quickly share more about the Vasque brand, for those who might not be familiar with them yet.
About Vasque
The story of Vasque came about due to a trip to Europe by its founder, W.D. Sweasy. Witnessing a hiking craze across the continent in 1964, Sweasy was inspired to bring that same enthusiasm for outdoor adventures back to the United States.
Returning to Red Wing, Minnesota, he set out to create purpose-built trail boots designed to mobilize Americans and encourage them to explore the great outdoors. It’s a mission similar to Trail & Kale’s own, where we want to help as many people as possible get into running for all the benefits that come with it.
Since then, Vasque has been steadfast in delivering high-quality footwear for the outdoors, evolving over the decades to meet the changing ways we engage with nature.
Named after the majestic Vasquez Peak, which stands at 12,947 feet, Vasque (pronounced like ‘task’) embodies the spirit of outdoor exploration — a quiet nod to the humble yet thrilling adventure that awaits in the wilderness.
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Okay, that’s enough backstory, now, let’s get straight into this Vasque Re:Connect Now review.
The concept of the Vasque Re:Connect Now shoes is really a reminder to step outside and embrace the world around us.
They’re designed with both comfort and stability in mind, which means it strikes that all important balance between functionality and lifestyle, making it an ideal companion for outdoor adventures on light hiking trails and also for everyday lifestyle wear, which is how I’ve chosen to wear them.
Re:Connect Now Key Features
- Price: $140 at vasque.com
- Materials: The shoe has a 100% recycled polyester mesh upper
- Footbed: Equipped with a Bloom EVA footbed, it offers a sustainable, cushioned base for your feet, ensuring comfort throughout the day
- Midsole: The AHR (High Rebound EVA + 20% Sugarcane) midsole provides that bounce-back energy return with each step, adding a spring to your movement. A foam similar to what we’ve seen in the KANE Revive, and Deckers X Lab X Scape Baja land/water shoes
- Outsole: The R2T outsole has surprisingly good traction, making it dependable on both urban and park trails.
- Weight: 11.8 oz. (335g) for a size US(M)9 which is my pair. The shoe weight feels good as a stability walking around town or hiking light trails.
What it’s been like living with the Vasque Re:Connect Now
First things first, these shoes are ideal for anyone who enjoys wearing outdoor lifestyle shoes in their day to day. Whether it’s for urban hikes, leisurely park walks, or even a bit of gardening, the Re:Connect Now fits the bill really, really well.
The wider heel and forefoot design provides great stability and comfort, and for those with wider than average feet, the Re:Connect Now’s accommodating fit and lacing system make it very easy to get that perfect, snug fit without squeezing the life out of your feet.
The midsole’s firm foam and bulging geometry offer stability without compromising on comfort, making long walks more enjoyable.
Another design that helps with stability is how the insole or footbed wraps up around your foot, cradling it as you walk – the image below shows it through the mesh upper.
The image below shows how the midsole at the heel extends outwards, this provides more stability and better cushioning directly under the heel which is where most of your weight places force when walking.
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. The tongue of the shoe could use a bit of work. It has a tendency to wander off-center, and a thicker design might add to the overall comfort, especially on the top part of the foot.
The mesh upper material is also very airy, which makes them good for Summer too, where airflow is important to help regulate the temperature of your feet, and keep sweaty, smelly toes at bay.
The only area I feel they could be improved is in the tongue design. I’d prefer it if the tongue stayed in place better, and was thicker, so that the laces are less noticeable on top of your feet. Using a thicker more rigid material would also help the tongue stay in place – It would be a win win.
As you can see from the photo above, it’s a super lightweight tongue, which certainly has its benefits but could still be improved.
Review Summary
All in all, the Vasque Re:Connect Now is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, comfortable, and environmentally friendly shoe for their daily adventures, and one that looks different to every other lifestyle shoe out there right now.
It bridges the gap between lifestyle and light trail footwear, making it a versatile addition to your shoe collection. While it does have a few areas that could use improvement, the overall design, style and comfort make it a shoe well worth considering for your outdoor (or urban) adventures.
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