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Vasque Juxt Review

A budget-friendly hiking shoe that is a perfect choice for those hiking in dry climates
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Vasque Juxt Review
Credit: Backcountry
Price:  $120 List
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Manufacturer:   Vasque
By Ross Robinson and Ryan Huetter  ⋅  Nov 1, 2022
61
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Support - 20% 6.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 2.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.2
  • Durability - 10% 6.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Vasque Juxt is a capable hiking shoe that we feel has a lot to offer the average hiker. This shoe is low-cut, comfortable right out of the box, and has virtually no break-in period. Like most Vasque shoes, it fits medium feet well and is available in wider sizes. Breathable and lightweight, this is a great option for hikers who plan on mostly sticking to dry trails, as it does not have any waterproof barrier. This shoe provides the best combination of price and performance relative to the other top-rated men's hiking shoes in our review.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Breathable
Great dry traction
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Durability concerns
Not good for wet weather
Editor's Note: This gear review now includes updated details on our favorite shoes and which we'd recommend. This new information was added on October 31, 2022.

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vasque juxt
This Product
Vasque Juxt
Awards  Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Technical Hiker
 Top Pick Award
Best Warm Weather Hiking Shoe
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $89.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods
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$149.95 at Backcountry
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A great shoe for day hiking and scrambling in fair weather at a fair priceThis is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performanceMore like a running shoe than a hiking shoe, this comfortable and lightweight model offers a lot for an affordable priceWe love this shoe for hitting the trail in warm weather and in dry conditionsThis inexpensive but good quality hiking shoe is a perfect choice for just starting out on the trails
Rating Categories Vasque Juxt Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Facet 75 O... Merrell Moab 3 Columbia Crestwood
Comfort (25%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Support (20%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Traction (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Water Resistance (15%)
2.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
3.0
Weight (15%)
6.2
6.9
6.4
5.4
6.5
Durability (10%)
6.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Vasque Juxt Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Facet 75 O... Merrell Moab 3 Columbia Crestwood
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) 1.90 lbs 1.76 lbs 1.86 lbs 2.06 lbs 1.83 lbs
Upper Suede leather Synthetic, textile Mesh Pigskin leather, recycled mesh Suede leather, mesh, webbing
Lining None, just a gusseted tongue Gore-Tex membrane OutDry None None
Flood Height 2.5 in 3.25 in 3.0 in 1.0 in 1.5 in
Last Board/Shank Torsion stability TSS ADV-C chassis Not specified Molded nylon arch shank Not specified
Midsole EVA EnergyCell Techlite PLUSH Air Cushion Techlite
Outsole Vasque OTG Contagrip MA rubber Adapt Trax Vibram TC5+ OmniGrip
Width Options Regular, wide Regular Regular Regular, wide Regular, Wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Juxt is a capable hiking shoe covering all the bases, minus water resistance, at an impressively approachable list price. The upper is 1.6mm suede leather, and a dual-density EVA insole covers the footbed. The midsole consists of molded EVA above a TPU plate for the shank. The outsole is a proprietary Vasque Off the Grid rubber sole.

Performance Comparison


vasque juxt - high and dry. the juxt is a great hiking shoe at an affordable price.
High and dry. The Juxt is a great hiking shoe at an affordable price.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Comfort


The Juxt is form-fitting and comfortable right out of the box and ready for action. This suede leather shoe needs no break-in period, and the padding around the opening is minimal, flexible, and feels great around the ankle. We also like the plushy mesh and suede tongue, which kept the laces from digging into the bridge of our foot. A thick toe rand wraps around the outer toe box, helping to protect the foot from unexpected trips over rocks and roots. The light-duty sole is comfortable and flexes easily, though it does not offer as much underfoot protection from sharp rocks for better sole performance, there are shoes with a more substantial outsole.

Vasque has done a brilliant job with the unique lacing system: eight alternating traditional eyes and webbing loops let you adjust the tightness of the lacing better than most shoes. With no waterproof lining and small vent holes through the leather tongue, this product is more breathable than all the others. Folks with wide feet probably find the fit and toe box narrow, but wide sizes are available.

vasque juxt - without a waterproof liner, the juxt is very breathable and...
Without a waterproof liner, the Juxt is very breathable and comfortable on dry trails.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Support


The Juxt provides ample support for flat and rough trails on long day hikes. The TPU plate between the mid and outsole keeps the midfoot stiff while allowing the forefoot to flex, ideal for a hiker who enjoys playing on boulders and talus along trails. We also liked the reinforcement in the insole, which has a second layer of denser foam that extends from the heel to the front of the foot arch.

These shoes felt a bit unstable on sidehills or edging due to the flexibility of the sole. Some hikers may find these shoes to offer enough support to carry medium to heavy loads on an overnight backpacking trip, though we would tend to recommend a more supportive shoe.

vasque juxt - the juxt has enough structure to be supportive on rocky terrain.
The Juxt has enough structure to be supportive on rocky terrain.
Credit: Jen Reynolds

Traction


The Juxt shines in this department, chewing up terrain on and off the trail with ease. These shoes maintain stable traction and inspire confidence, whether traveling on gravel, sand, or granite slabs. These are great shoes if hiking exclusively on dry terrain, but we did notice a large drop in performance on wet rock or slippery surfaces.


The lateral tread isn't multi-directional or aggressive, which leads to lackluster performance in mud and snow. While this dented the Juxt's traction score, we weren't too discouraged because this shoe isn't made for those conditions. We were impressed with the overall traction from this proprietary sole, which outperformed the Vibram soles on some other models.

vasque juxt - the lower profile lugs give good grip on dry trails.
The lower profile lugs give good grip on dry trails.
Credit: Jen Reynolds

Water Resistance


The Juxt does not have a waterproof liner nor a gusseted tongue. The dry feet game is over as soon as the water gets above the toe box and hits the laces. As expected, water rushed in and flooded the shoe without seconds in the stream test.

The suede leather upper is sufficient for short walks through dew-covered grass, and you should treat the outer with an aftermarket leather conditioner like Nikwax, but if you need more water resistance in your low-profile hiking shoes, check out shoes with higher walls and more protection.

vasque juxt - steer clear of liquids and this shoe is your best friend.
Steer clear of liquids and this shoe is your best friend.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Weight


A full-leather pair of hiking shoes for only two pounds? Yeah, we were impressed, too. There are a few more lightweight models in this review, but this is the only full-leather model, and we love its low weight. Both lighter and heavier models make durability shortcuts with mesh tongues or uppers to drop weight. Not having a waterproof liner does help the Juxt keep its weight down.

Durability


We are impressed with the durability of this shoe overall. The full leather upper handles the abrasion caused by rocky terrain, and a substantial protective rubber cap protects the toe. While the proprietary rubber sole isn't as long-lasting as some competitors' Vibram soles, it gives most folks six months or so of everyday use before wearing the lugs thin. Denser soles last longer. The comfortable fit and unassuming look make these great everyday shoes, but avoid concrete if you want them to last longer for hiking. The relatively soft rubber soles provide increased traction on dry rock but wear quickly.

Our biggest area of concern pertains to the exposed single-stitching that connects the individual leather pieces of the upper. We ripped a few vulnerable stitches during a heel hook move while monkeying around on a fun wayside boulder and can imagine the seam eventually splitting at that point. That said, we realize that our use of the shoe in this manner is not exactly typical.

vasque juxt - the exposed stitching on the heel of the juxt is vulnerable to...
The exposed stitching on the heel of the Juxt is vulnerable to damage when scraping against rocks.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Should You Buy the Vasque Juxt?


If you hike in warm, dry weather, then put the Vasque Juxt on your shortlist. It's one of the more affordable hiking-specific shoes on the market, and it performs way above its price tag. It's not the right choice for hikers in the soggy Pacific Northwest. Still, desert hikers and everyone else through the dry season will appreciate the great breathability in this full leather shoe. Great traction on dry rock and gravel, combined with low weight, make this a superb shoe for hikers that want to move fast in rough and dry terrain. This shoe provides top value for its low cost. We preferred this model over a few shoes that cost much more! Vasque cut costs by avoiding a waterproof liner and using a proprietary outsole, but the lack of name-brand components is not a handicap. Even at full price, this shoe offers incredible performance per dollar.

vasque juxt - this shoe from vasque is breathable and comfortable for nearly any...
This shoe from Vasque is breathable and comfortable for nearly any day hike venture.
Credit: Ross Robinson

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


The Columbia Facet 75 Outdry scores higher overall than the Juxt with a lighter weight and better water resistance. This shoe offers more support and versatility as well. If your budget can stretch, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex is an impressive shoe that boasts better support and is extremely capable in challenging terrain.

vasque juxt - we discovered some nice and secluded spots while hiking around lake...
We discovered some nice and secluded spots while hiking around Lake Tahoe in these great shoes from Vasque.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Ross Robinson and Ryan Huetter