I bought the Irish Setter VaprTrek boots because I wanted a lightweight hunting boot that could handle rough desert terrain without costing a fortune. I used them across rocky canyon bottoms, volcanic rock, cactus and thorn-covered ground, and even deliberately stood in a creek to test the waterproofing. They were light, breathable and comfortable once broken in, but after around a year of heavy use I had worn the tread almost completely flat.
The VaprTrek range is still alive today, although Irish Setter has substantially updated the boots since the version I originally tested. The current VaprTrek 3938 keeps the same basic idea — an athletic-feeling, waterproof 8-inch hunting boot — but now uses full-grain waterproof leather with abrasion-resistant nylon, a Hex Lite rubber outsole, EnerG cushioning, ArmaTec protection and Irish Setter’s UltraDry waterproofing system.
So this is primarily a long-term review of the VaprTrek boots I actually wore, with notes on how the current version has changed where useful.
QUICK VERDICT
Best for: Warm-weather hunting, hiking and people who want a boot that feels more like an athletic shoe.
What I liked: Very lightweight, comfortable after breaking in, breathable, waterproof in my testing and excellent grip when new.
What I didn’t like: Mine initially felt tight and the outsole wore considerably faster than heavier boots I have owned.
Would I buy them again? Yes for lightweight warm-weather use, but not if maximum outsole life or heavy-load support was my priority.
How and Where I Tested the VaprTrek Boots
The VaprTrek immediately appealed to me because it felt more like an athletic boot than a traditional heavy hunting boot.
That mattered because I was using mine in Arizona, where desert temperatures can climb above 100°F and heavy leather boots quickly become uncomfortable.
I used them on multiple hikes across:
- Rocky canyon bottoms
- Rough volcanic rock
- Loose desert ground
- Cactus and thorn-covered terrain
- Dry, hot trails where breathability really matters
I also deliberately tested the waterproofing even though waterproof boots aren’t exactly essential every day in the Arizona desert.
That combination gave me a pretty good idea of where these boots work well and where the lightweight construction starts to show its compromises.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is one of the first things I judge with any boot, and my initial experience with the VaprTrek wasn’t perfect.
Mine felt fairly tight across the top and sides when new.
I don’t have particularly wide feet, and if I were buying the exact same pair again I would seriously consider trying the Wide size as well as the Regular before deciding.
Fortunately, the fit improved significantly once the boots broke in and started forming around my feet.
The area where the boot bends around the front of the ankle remained slightly snug, but I actually came to appreciate that because it helped hold my heel and ankle in position.
Once broken in, I found them very comfortable.
The best way I can describe the feel is that they are much closer to wearing high-cut trail shoes than traditional stiff hunting boots.
That also makes sense when you look at the current VaprTrek range. Irish Setter still describes it as an athletic-inspired hunting boot and now uses a stretch collar, padded ankle pod and CuShin tongue specifically to improve ankle and shin comfort.
Construction and Build Quality
This was probably my favourite thing about the VaprTreks.
They were some of the lightest hunting boots I had worn and never had the clumsy feeling you sometimes get from high-cut waterproof boots.
Despite the lightweight construction, mine held together well.
Across my testing:
- I didn’t have stitching coming apart.
- The upper handled rough vegetation well.
- The ankle remained supportive without feeling stiff.
- The synthetic material breathed far better than heavyweight leather boots.
Even friends of mine who regularly suffer from uncomfortable boots commented on how comfortable the VaprTreks felt.
The current VaprTrek is more substantial than the older version I tested. Irish Setter now combines waterproof leather and abrasion-resistant nylon with ArmaTec protection around high-wear areas, while the outsole has also been redesigned.
That sounds like Irish Setter has specifically tried to address durability without turning the VaprTrek into a traditional heavyweight boot.
Grip and Outsole
When my boots were new, the grip was excellent.
The tread was aggressive enough that I never felt short of traction across the different surfaces I was hiking on.
The sole also struck a good balance between flexibility and support.
It wasn’t so stiff that I felt disconnected from the ground, but there was still enough structure underneath my foot for rough rocky trails.
The problem came later.
After roughly a year of my use, I had worn the tread down almost completely.
I do considerably more hiking than the average person, so I wouldn’t assume everybody will destroy the outsole in a year, but compared with heavier boots such as the Lowa Tibet GTX, the difference in longevity was obvious.
That is one of the trade-offs I would expect when buying such a light and flexible boot.
The current VaprTrek uses Irish Setter’s Rubber Hex Lite outsole with multi-directional lugs designed for better traction on rough and wet terrain. Irish Setter has also added rubber protection and ArmaTec to improve abrasion resistance.
I haven’t put the current outsole through the same year of abuse as my original pair, so I can’t tell you it has solved my durability complaint. But the design has definitely changed since the pair shown in these photos.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing wasn’t the main reason I bought these boots, but I tested it anyway.
At one point I stood in an ankle-deep creek for around ten minutes.
My feet stayed dry.
Even after the boots had accumulated some normal wear, I didn’t have problems with water getting through during my use.
The current VaprTrek 3938 still uses Irish Setter’s UltraDry waterproofing system, which combines a moisture-management lining with waterproof components.
That makes the VaprTrek useful beyond the dry conditions I mainly used mine in.
I still wouldn’t treat any waterproof hunting boot as a substitute for a rubber boot if I’m repeatedly standing in deep water, but for creeks, wet grass, mud and rain, mine performed well.
Breathability in Hot Weather
This is where the VaprTreks really worked for me.
Arizona heat was one of the reasons I didn’t want a massive heavyweight hunting boot.
The lighter synthetic construction allowed noticeably more airflow around my feet, and even a small breeze could make a difference.
My feet simply didn’t feel as hot as they do in thick traditional boots.
Obviously there is a limit to how breathable any waterproof 8-inch boot can be.
A completely unlined trail shoe will still breathe better.
But relative to the amount of protection and support I was getting, I thought the VaprTrek performed extremely well in hot weather.
The current model uses more leather than the particular version I tested, so I wouldn’t automatically assume the latest boot feels exactly as airy as mine did. Its abrasion-resistant nylon panels and moisture-management lining should still help, but this is one area where my comments apply specifically to my original pair.
Ankle Support and Heavy Loads
For ordinary hiking and hunting, I found the ankle support perfectly adequate.
The boot holds your foot better than a low-cut hiking shoe without making you feel like you’re wearing a mountaineering boot.
Where I wouldn’t choose it is for carrying very heavy loads over rough ground.
The same flexibility and low weight that make the VaprTrek so comfortable also mean you don’t get the rigid platform of something like the Lowa Tibet.
If I were carrying a very heavy hunting pack, hauling meat out over broken terrain or spending days with a large backpack, I would probably choose a more substantial boot.
For covering ground quickly with a normal pack, I prefer the lighter feel of the VaprTrek.
How Durable Are Irish Setter VaprTrek Boots?
My experience was mixed, but in a fairly predictable way.
The upper construction held up well.
I didn’t suffer stitching failures or major structural problems.
The weak point for me was the outsole.
After a year of unusually heavy use, the tread was effectively finished.
So I don’t think it is accurate to simply call the VaprTrek either durable or not durable.
It depends on what you’re measuring.
The lightweight upper impressed me.
The tread life didn’t.
Irish Setter has since redesigned the VaprTrek family with more abrasion protection and a new Hex Lite outsole, so the current product isn’t identical to the boot on which I formed that opinion.
Old VaprTrek vs Current VaprTrek
The boots in my photos are an older generation.
Irish Setter currently sells nine different VaprTrek styles, including waterproof leather, camo, insulated and snake-boot versions.
The current Men’s 8-inch Waterproof Leather VaprTrek 3938 includes:
- Full-grain waterproof leather
- Abrasion-resistant nylon
- UltraDry waterproofing
- Rubber Hex Lite outsole
- EnerG high-rebound cushioning
- ArmaTec abrasion protection
- CuShin tongue
- Padded ankle support
- Regular and Wide widths
That means I would view the current boot as an evolution of the product I tested rather than pretending my exact long-term observations automatically apply to every component of the 2026 version.
The basic purpose hasn’t really changed: a lightweight, athletic-style hunting boot for people who want more mobility than a traditional heavy boot.
Irish Setter VaprTrek Pros and Cons
- Very lightweight for a hunting boot
- Comfortable once broken in
- Excellent grip when new
- Waterproof in my testing
- Very good for warm-weather use
- Feels much more athletic than a traditional hunting boot
- Mine initially fitted fairly tight
- Outsole wore quickly under my heavy use
- Not my first choice for very heavy loads
- Current model has changed, so my original pair isn’t identical to the version sold today
Who Are VaprTrek Boots Best For?
Based on my experience, I think the VaprTrek makes the most sense for:
- Hunters who cover a lot of ground
- Warm-weather hunting
- Hiking and scouting
- People who dislike heavy traditional hunting boots
- Anyone who prefers an athletic-shoe feel
- Moderate loads rather than extremely heavy packs
If maximum durability, rigid support or deep-winter insulation are your priorities, there are better specialist boots.
Irish Setter also offers insulated VaprTrek models with 400 g PrimaLoft if you like the general design but need more cold-weather protection.
Are Irish Setter VaprTrek Boots Worth It?
For the type of use I bought them for, yes.
What impressed me most was that Irish Setter managed to make a real hunting boot feel much more like athletic footwear.
That meant I could comfortably cover rough desert terrain without feeling like I had heavy blocks strapped to my feet.
Mine were comfortable after breaking in, breathed well, kept my feet dry when I tested them in water and had plenty of grip.
The outsole wear is the main thing that prevents me calling them perfect.
If you’re buying them expecting the lifespan of an extremely heavy-duty backpacking boot, I think you’re looking at the wrong type of footwear.
If you want lightweight mobility and comfort, that compromise makes much more sense.
How Much Do Irish Setter VaprTrek Boots Cost?
Prices vary across the different VaprTrek models.
The current non-insulated 8-inch waterproof styles are generally around the $200 mark direct from Irish Setter, while leather/camo, insulated and snake-boot versions cost more.
I would check Amazon US first because prices and availability can move around, and it is often possible to find older colourways or versions below the direct retail price.
Final Verdict
I bought the Irish Setter VaprTreks because I wanted an affordable hunting boot that was light enough for hot desert terrain.
They did exactly that job.
The biggest positives were the low weight, comfort, breathability and mobility.
The biggest negative was outsole life.
After the amount of hiking I put mine through, there was essentially no tread left after about a year.
Even with that criticism, I was happy with the boots for what they were.
The current VaprTrek has been substantially updated since my pair, but Irish Setter has kept the same athletic-hunting-boot philosophy and added more obvious protection, cushioning and traction features.
If I wanted a lightweight waterproof hunting boot for covering a lot of ground in relatively warm conditions, the VaprTrek would still be on my shortlist.
Thanks for reading my Irish Setter VaprTrek boots review.
