I agree that "fit" is key, because a pair that's long-lasting but ill-fitting is useless. I have a pair of Vasques too -- can't remember which style -- because their women's lightweights are a good width (some of the other brands are too narrow for me). And I can lace them down tightly enough to minimize slipping forward in the boot, even when I'm practically hanging by my heels off a stair tread (testing them in the store) or coming down a steep slope.