Tell me about your pair of Asolo's

Sufler

Sufler

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As of late, I've been thinking of taking the plunge and investing in a proper pair of hiking boots. Asolo caught my eye at REI and I've been reading the reviews about them ever since. The TPS 520 GV seems to have an almost cult like following, but to me it falls in the heavy backpacking (60lbs +) category and would be an overkill for a day-long trek on trails, I think. So, the lighter Fugitive GTX's caught my eye - not too excited about it being a fabric boot. I was surprised to see the Google results as it seems to be a boot that's heavily used by our (specialized) armed forces. The Tribe and Fandango look to be an almost exact same boot when you compare the spec sheet and pictures, and are leather but seem not available for sale in the States yet.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing your opinion on your pair of Asolos.

Thanks.
 
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Long time lurker here. I'm just going to go ahead a preface this response by saying I do not own a pair of Asolos yet.

About a month or two ago, I got the insatiable itch to buy a new pair of all leather backpacking boots. I did quite a bit of poking around reading nearly all of the reviews on the Asolos 520, 535, powermatic 200, and the fugitive GTX. From what I read, as long as they fit you correctly, they are quite hard to beat. One thing I do have against Asolo's (at least the 520, 535, and powermatic) Is that they have no rubber toe rand. I feel like if they included one, it might be able to increase the boots longevity.

For what it's worth, I've also read nothing but good things about Zamberlan, OBOZ, and Scarpa. I think when I finally decide to bite the bullet and get myself some new boots I'll go the Zamberlan Vioz GT.
 
I had some Asolo boots once, all leather. Great support, excellent quality, but they fit me too snug in the toes.
 
Tried some Asolos for a week or two. I am more in the camp of trail runner/soft soled, flexible hiking shoe crowd and the Asolos were anything but. The soles were a lot like boards, far stiffer than my work boots. The uppers were very nice leather though. Just not comfortable for me. I prefer to feel the ground and wear lighter footwear when hiking, and they did not fit the bill at all. So far still wearing Merrells for most of my big backpacking and hiking trips. I do not remember which model of Asolo I tried. They seemed to be very nicely made but were not my style of boot in the slightest.
 
I have 2 pairs and I love both of them. I don't remember the models, but it seems like one might have been Fusion 90 and something similar. One is GTX and they are both about 10 years old.

I wore the gtx pair on a 4 day trip in the grand Canyon carrying about 80 lbs. No problems.

I don't like the gortex unless it is cold though. It makes a huge difference. If it is warm, I just wear the other pair.

If I'm just hiking casually I usually wear Brooks running shoes.
 
Hey all, I have had a pair of Asolo Powermatic 200s for about 2 or 3 years now, and have probably put close to 300 trail miles on them, as well as 480 hours at the least of work building trails for the Washington Conservation corps. Excellent pair of boots. I also take these boots off trail through thick brush often as I am in Search and Rescue, and also for work. They have held up superbly. Great ankle support, traction, very comfortable, and still 100% waterproof. Do yourself a favor and buy a pair!
 
I have a pair and they are very durable. But the soles are a hard and lack traction on compact snow and ice. I think they are called Fugitive GTX.
 
I have a pair of fugitives, have been using them for a few years now. They recently died, lost a big chunk out of the heel portion of the sole. I have been very happy with them, light weight, and comfortable right out of the box. I liked them a lot, so I also picked up a pair of there trail shoes, called the contour I believe. They have been great too.

My wife has been wearing asolo fugitives for years. The first pair lasted several years, she finally replaced them when the tread had all but wore away. She's on her second pair, and loves them.
 
Had a pair 8 or 9 years ago, used them at work doing framing (carpentry) outdoors mostly right through the northeast winters. If I remember correctly, they were great for about two seasons, which is pretty rare for boots not intended for the purpose. Very comfortable and warm, and I got compliments several times as I went with a cool blueish gray leather version.
 
rocketbomb said:
So far still wearing Merrells for most of my big backpacking and hiking trips.
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Yeah, the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid are extremely popular. Something tells me I might end up with more than pair of boots in the long run. Irks me to buy made in China, though.
 
Sufler said:
Yeah, the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid are extremely popular. Something tells me I might end up with more than pair of boots in the long run. Irks me to buy made in China, though.
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My regular boot is the Danner Mountain Lights. Made in the USA, Vibram soles, all leather tops. Not too heavy, not too light.
In fact I've been wearing them so long that I no longer need a break-in period - my feet have become perfectly fitted to the boot. :D
 
Another pair of fugitive GTX here. I've had mine for about 10 years and absolutely loved them. Hunting hiking and backpacking my feet stay dry they do get a little hot in warmer weather though. They have maintain their stiffness. The front portion of one boot came unglued because it was dried out and I just JB welded back together and holding up for a month now. My pair was made in solvania. They are made in China now. I'm looking at Danner now because they're US-made but they are pricey. Vasque sundowner GTX would be a good solid stiff leather boot that I would recommend as well.
 
Johnnie Wadcutter said:
Another pair of fugitive GTX here. I've had mine for about 10 years and absolutely loved them. Hunting hiking and backpacking my feet stay dry they do get a little hot in warmer weather though. They have maintain their stiffness. The front portion of one boot came unglued because it was dried out and I just JB welded back together and holding up for a month now. My pair was made in solvania. They are made in China now. I'm looking at Danner now because they're US-made but they are pricey. Vasque sundowner GTX would be a good solid stiff leather boot that I would recommend as well.
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China? Are you sure? The pair of Fugitive GTX's I looked at at REI said "Made in Romania". Says so on their site as well...

http://www.asolo.com/en/products/hiking-en/energy-en/fugitive-gtx-0m3400-00-en.html
 
Got a pair of Asolo Yukon. Toughest boot i've got with Alico Guide aside.
I've always been a boot person. Pretty sure the boot will outlast me.
This one has gotten the honor to scale the last station before the highest peak in Malaysia.

You just can't beat the Norwegian welt on it. Mine got Sno-seal around it.
Treat the boot well and it will be a heirloom.
 
My backpacking boots are Asolo FSN 95 GTX's. They fit my feet really well and are very comfortable to wear when I need to support extra weight. However, the soles are not (easily?) replaceable and they are very slippery in the water or on wet surfaces. They are also very stiff mid-soles (supposed to be though).

I don't wear them very often, only when packing weight. Otherwise I wear Merrell light hikers which are like athletic shoes. I take a minimalist approach to footwear mostly. My primary shoes are nothing. Secondary are my Chaco flip-flops. ;P

But I think Asolo makes a great boot. Just make sure it's what you need. Most folks, even carrying light day or overnight (and even weekend packs) don't need anything close to a mountaineering level boot. In fact, most of the people I see on the trails with packs wear some pretty crazy stuff!
 
When my Asolo Fugitives die, I will own another pair. Fit and move with me perfectly. Two years and going strong. :thumbup:
 
I have the Fugitives and they are great boots. I've had them for just over a year now and can't really pick any faults.
 
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