The shoe so nice I bought it twice!
By: Steven Maly

While Vasque has created two versions of the Catalyst, I will focus on the mid (with Gore's XCR membrane) for this review, realizing that a lot of it will apply to the low cut version as well.  While not the boot you want when you have a heavy load, nor the sneaker you want while running through the back woods, the Catalyst is a highly mobile light hiking shoe. 

The out sole is made by Stealth, a company that built it's reputation on high friction rubber used in many climbing shoes.  The company has continued to excel in this department expanding into many outdoor and military uses.  This rubber allows the Catalyst to grip surfaces that other companies only dream about.  The cut of the out sole also allows for the wearer to hit these surfaces from all sorts of angles and remain assured that a decent surface area has made contact with the shoe.  This high density rubber has held up very well through two years of heavy abuse, including several canoe trips that involved standing on algae covered rocks in flowing water and a summer job in a high volume restaurant kitchen.

The other reason this shoe was so well suited to the above uses was it's Gore Tex lining.  While in the river the shoe held off any water that remained below ankle level, and, while in the restaurant, it kept boiling water off of my feet!  The down side to this membrane is that it is not as breathable as it's low cut counter part.  It is not the ideal show for wearing around town when you may be wearing it in an indoor hospitable and warm environment for several hours.  It is designed to be used primarily outdoors and so it should be.  It is an ideal show for a day of errands in Nova Scotia's unpredictable weather where the Gore Tex may come in very handy when the sky opens up, and the grip can keep you comfortable on the steepest ramp. 

It's also well suited to trips in the great outdoors where load carrying is not the biggest concern and mobility is the goal.  This was proven well, recently, when I found myself trailing two of my hiking buddies through a bumpy wet road.  As the two of them tramped through everything with their fully ankle supported boots I found myself hopping from rock to rock to avoid some of the spots they walked right over.  This included some deeper puddles as well as some rough spots that the soles of their boots could absorb a little easier then the soles of my Catalysts.  That being said, I kept up and as soon as the packs were unloaded I think I felt a little more comfortable setting up camp then they did in their restrictive boots.

While not the best ankle support, nor the best in breathability, the Vasque Catalyst allows for a truly mobile trek whether it be down Spring Garden Road during slush season, or through Keji's Frozen Ocean with an overnight pack on your back.