Vasque is Official Footwear Provider of Mount Washington Observatory

Red Wing, MN – Vasque footwear, a family-owned company with 45 years of experience in the outdoor performance footwear sector, proudly announces its exclusive footwear partnership with the legendary Mount Washington Observatory. As the institution’s new Official Footwear Provider, Vasque will provide unsurpassed comfort, protection, and durability for some of the hardest working feet in New England.

“For 80 years, Mount Washington Observatory has been monitoring and tracking the elements in one of the most extreme locations on earth,” states George Curleigh, Vice President of Vasque. “This partnership perfectly blends the iconic work of the Observatory with the industry leading performance and comfort of Vasque’s purpose-built footwear.”

Vasque will supply the mountaintop crew with its industry leading hiking boots in the summer months, and when Mother Nature turns the icy cold shoulder, Vasque will be with the scientists every step of the way with boots from their new insulated collection.

Utilizing up to 400 grams of 3M™ Thinsulate™ Ultra, a premium insulator used in top quality outerwear, and UltraDry™, a Vasque proprietary waterproof membrane, the Vasque insulated collection is ready to keep feet warm and dry — even in the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather,” as Mount Washington is known.

6,288-foot Mount Washington, New Hampshire is located at the convergence of three major storm tracks, meaning it is battered year-round by some of the most brutal conditions on the planet. Staffed continuously since the Observatory’s founding in 1932, scientists venture outdoors every hour to manually observe and record the weather — even in hurricane-force winds, sub-zero temperatures, white-out snow storms and pelting, freezing rain.

With wicked weather a daily reality, the Observatory is a perfect fit for Vasque’s authentic footwear engineered and built to withstand harsh conditions, rugged wear, and the tests of time.

“High-quality footwear is crucial for the safety and comfort of our mountain staff, and Vasque’s quality is unparalleled in the outdoor industry,” says Mount Washington Observatory Executive Director Scot Henley. “Mount Washington Observatory is thrilled to be partnering with this legendary brand.”

To celebrate the new partnership, Vasque will be giving away 5 pairs of their new Snowblime insulated boots to the first 5 people who contribute $250 or more to Mount Washington Observatory’s online winter fundraising campaign that begins September 24. For more information on Vasque footwear or Mount Washington Observatory, please visit www.vasque.com or www.mountwashington.org.

About Vasque

Vasque is a performance based outdoor footwear brand rich in heritage and deeply rooted in the outdoors. Owned and operated by the Red Wing Shoe Company, Red Wing, MN, the brand was created in 1966 by the company’s chairman; William D Sweasy. Today, just as Mr. Sweasy did some 45 plus years ago, Vasque understands the outdoors is a state of mind. It is this understanding that motivates Vasque to focus on fit and world-class performance in every purpose-built backpacking, hiking and trail running shoe they create. Vasque’s authentic footwear is designed and built to withstand harsh conditions, rugged wear and the tests of time while delivering the best fit and all-day comfort on the trail. www.vasque.com

About Mount Washington Observatory

Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create the Earth’s weather and climate. Since 1932, the Observatory has been monitoring the elements in one of the most extreme locations on Earth, using this unique site for scientific research and educational outreach. For more information, call (800) 706-0432 or visit MountWashington.org.