Vasque
Vasque is a 60-year-old specialty hiking footwear brand, owned by Red Wing Brands of America, that designs and sells GORE-TEX and Vibram-equipped boots and shoes for men, women, and kids, distributed through the Irish Setter e-commerce, retail, and dealer channels across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersRed Wing, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vasque does
Vasque is a specialty hiking footwear brand founded in 1964 and headquartered in Red Wing, Minnesota, where it operates as a brand under parent company Red Wing Brands of America, Inc. The brand designs and sells hiking boots and shoes for men, women, and kids, organized into three core product families — Breeze (lightweight waterproof), St. Elias (premium waterproof), and Horizon (versatile waterproof) — plus the Juxt hiking shoe. All products integrate GORE-TEX waterproof membrane technology and Vibram outsoles, with sizing spanning 6 to 15 and widths including Medium D/M and Wide E/EE.
The business model is straightforward unit-pricing hardware sales, with individual boots retailing between $140 and $250 USD. Vasque does not operate a standalone direct-to-consumer website; instead, its products are distributed through the Irish Setter brand's channels, including the irishsetterboots.com e-commerce storefront, physical Irish Setter retail stores, and a dealer network accessible via a 'For Dealers' portal. The company primarily targets outdoor enthusiasts engaged in day hikes through multi-day mountain excursions in North America (US and Canada).
With an estimated 51-100 employees across the Vasque brand scope, the company operates within a larger diversified footwear conglomerate alongside sister brands Irish Setter, Red Wing Shoes, and Worx. The marketing approach combines owned social channels (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) with content marketing through the 'Stories from the Field' blog. No mobile app, API, or proprietary digital platform is referenced, and no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed in the available data.
Vasque firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vasque
- Legal name
- Red Wing Brands of America, Inc.
- Website
- https://vasque.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Vasque is a 60-year-old specialty hiking footwear brand, owned by Red Wing Brands of America, that designs and sells GORE-TEX and Vibram-equipped boots and shoes for men, women, and kids, distributed through the Irish Setter e-commerce, retail, and dealer channels across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vasque industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Hiking Footwear
- NAICS
- Shoe Retailers (45821), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers (458)
- SIC
- Retail-Shoe Stores (5661), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Retail (Camping/Hiking/Climbing) (CRAMAMAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor & Hiking Footwear (CRAAACAD), Camping, Hiking & Backpacking Gear Retail (CRAMAMAA), Outdoor, Hiking & Trail Footwear Retail (CRAAADAE)
Keywords
Where Vasque is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Red Wing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Vasque business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Hiking Footwear Sales: Vasque generates revenue through the sale of hiking boots and shoes. Products are sold through the Irish Setter retail channel (both online and physical stores) as well as dealer networks. The revenue model is primarily one-time hardware sales with no subscription component.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Breeze Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot - $180.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | St. Elias Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot - $250.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Juxt Men's Hiking Shoe - $140.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Horizon Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot - $160.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Horizon Men's Waterproof Hiking Shoe - $150.00 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
Vasque product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vasque designs, manufactures, and sells hiking boots and hiking shoes for men, women, and kids, with a portfolio spanning lightweight day-hike models to multi-day mountain excursion boots. Products integrate GORE-TEX waterproof membrane technology and Vibram outsoles, and are sold primarily through the Irish Setter e-commerce storefront, physical retail stores, and dealer networks in the U.S. and Canada.
Product overview
Vasque is an outdoor hiking footwear brand with nearly six decades of experience, now sold through Irish Setter. The product line includes hiking boots and shoes designed for day hikes and multi-day mountain excursions. The portfolio comprises three main product families: Breeze (lightweight waterproof hiking boots for men and women), St. Elias (premium waterproof hiking boots for men), and Horizon (versatile waterproof hiking boots and shoes for men and women). Additionally, Juxt represents a lighter hiking shoe option. All products feature GORE-TEX waterproof technology and Vibram soles. Available in multiple colors (Brown, Black, Green, Grey), widths (Medium D/M and Wide E/EE), and sizes ranging from 6 to 15.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Breeze Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot Men's waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style G7752 in Gray, priced at $180.00. Designed for trail adventures ranging from local day hikes to multi-day mountain excursions.
- Breeze Women's Waterproof Hiking Boot Women's waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style G7553 in Teal, designed for hiking and outdoor trail use.
- Breeze Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot (Style 7172) Men's waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style 7172 in Black.
- St. Elias Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot (Style G7244) Premium men's waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style G7244 in Brown, priced at $250.00, designed for extended mountain excursions and multi-day backpacking.
- St. Elias Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot (Style G7156) Premium men's waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style G7156 in Black.
- Juxt Men's Hiking Shoe Men's lighter-weight hiking shoe, Style 7000 in Tan/Red colorway, priced at $140.00, designed for casual trail walking and day hikes.
- Horizon Men's Waterproof Hiking Boot Men's versatile waterproof hiking boot featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style 7970 in Black, priced at $160.00.
- Horizon Men's Waterproof Hiking Shoe Men's waterproof hiking shoe featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style 7976 in Brown, priced at $150.00.
- Horizon Women's Waterproof Hiking Shoe Women's waterproof hiking shoe featuring GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram outsole, Style 7977 in Tan.
Companies that use Vasque
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Vasque technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Vasque partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Vasque competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Salomon: Salomon produces hiking boots, trail running shoes, and outdoor footwear with premium technology integration. Overlaps with Vasque in hiking footwear category and GORE-TEX/Vibram technology stack.
- Merrell: Merrell is a leading hiking footwear brand offering a broad range of hiking boots and shoes for men and women. Direct overlap with Vasque in target customers, product category, and price positioning ($100-$200 range).
- KEEN Footwear: KEEN designs and sells hiking boots, sandals, and outdoor footwear for men, women, and kids. Direct competitor in hiking footwear with comparable price points and retail distribution.
- Lowa Boots: Lowa is a heritage European hiking and mountaineering boot manufacturer specializing in premium hiking footwear. Directly comparable to Vasque's St. Elias premium line with similar GORE-TEX/Vibram construction.
- La Sportiva: La Sportiva manufactures technical hiking, mountaineering, and approach shoes with premium construction. Comparable to Vasque in hiking footwear category, premium pricing, and technology-forward positioning.
- Scarpa: Scarpa produces hiking boots, mountaineering boots, and approach shoes for outdoor enthusiasts. Direct overlap with Vasque in hiking boot category and premium waterproof constructions.
- Hanwag: Hanwag is a heritage European hiking boot manufacturer specializing in premium trekking and backpacking boots. Closely comparable to Vasque in heritage positioning, hiking footwear focus, and premium construction.
Emerging players
- Oboz Footwear: Oboz is a smaller specialty hiking footwear brand focused on trail and hiking boots with insole technology differentiation. Comparable niche positioning to Vasque but with a smaller brand footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Columbia Sportswear: Columbia is a large outdoor apparel and footwear brand offering hiking boots alongside broader outdoor gear. Overlaps with Vasque in hiking footwear but operates at much larger scale across multiple categories.
- The North Face: The North Face offers hiking footwear alongside a wide portfolio of outdoor apparel and equipment. Broad incumbent in outdoor category with overlapping hiking footwear products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Vasque social profiles
Digital presenceVasque financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vasque leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Vasque funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vasque M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vasque
What does Vasque do?
Vasque designs, manufactures, and sells hiking boots and hiking shoes for men, women, and kids, with a portfolio spanning lightweight day-hike models to multi-day mountain excursion boots. Products integrate GORE-TEX waterproof membrane technology and Vibram outsoles, and are sold primarily through the Irish Setter e-commerce storefront, physical retail stores, and dealer networks in the U.S. and Canada.
Is Vasque a public or private company?
Vasque is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Vasque founded?
Vasque was founded in 1964. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Vasque based?
Vasque is headquartered in Red Wing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vasque make money?
One revenue line is on record: hiking Footwear Sales.
Who are Vasque's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Salomon, Merrell, KEEN Footwear, Lowa Boots, La Sportiva, Scarpa and Hanwag. Oboz Footwear is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Columbia Sportswear and The North Face.
Does Vasque have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vasque.
What industry is Vasque in?
Vasque's product category is Outdoor Hiking Footwear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAMAK, Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Retail (Camping/Hiking/Climbing), with a secondary code of CRAAACAD, Outdoor & Hiking Footwear. Its NAICS code is 45821 and its SIC code is 5661.