Tell me about your pair of Asolo's

Asolo Snowfields. Ancient.
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Asolo Extremes. Newer, but still quite old.
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I know... not quite the input you're looking for...


IMO, the best boots are the best fitting. Second to fit, there is the issue of matching the weight/support of the boot to the task.

IMO, fit trumps matching the weight/support to the task. I would rather wear a good fitting boot that is too light or too heavy than a perfectly matched boot that is ill fitting.

Different manufacturers have different lasts around which they make the boot. These lasts change from time to time too. So, if you were born with a "Merrell-shaped foot" and not an "Asolo-shaped foot", you might do best in Merrill, or whatever.

Boot models come and go with a tremendous degree of regularity. Some new models offer real advances. Others are just gimmicks. I tend to start my boot searches by focusing first on models that have been around for a long time. My thinking is, if a model has continued for a decade or more, there are good reasons why it has staying power.
 
I wish their hiking boot last was a match for my feet. I worked in a backpacking/mountaineering store (Eastern Mountaineering Sports - "EMS") for a few years and learned a bit about boot fitting and boot construction/materials. Asolo's used to be (and I believe still are) top-notch boots. Simply look to the backpacking crowd over the last 20-30 years and you will see only a few quality brands have stood the test of time. Asolo is among those who continue strive for excellence.

Just keep in mind that "fit is it". No matter how exceptional the quality of the boot, if it doesn't fit the shape and size of your left foot and the shape and size of your right foot (sometimes each foot has different shape and size characteristics), the boot(s) will become exquisitely effective torture devices.

There are many great boot manufacturers - from customs like Limmer's to off-the-shelf brands (from Alico to Zamberlaan). The type (construction/materials) of boot you choose should (obviously) match your intended use. Fortunately, backpacking is a huge market and you have hundreds of choices of which Asolo boots are among the best.
 
+1 on the fugitives. 4 years and could use a re-sole.... The uppers are still like new!
 
I still wear a pair that are 14 years old. They started looking like the crease by the ball of my feet might finally split but are still going. Best boots I've ever had.

I bought a pair of Asolo Flame GTX second hand last summer and couldn't be happier with them. The newer pair seem to have a larger toe box than the older ones or my feet are spreading with age. Sizes seem to be labeled one size up compared to a decade or so ago.

Asolo for life here.
 
I work in my hikers and they see a fair bit of use. I usually buy a new pair of Asolo or Zamberlans every year or two. I had a friend that worked for Benetton back in the 90's when they owned Asolo, she used to get me boots well below cost which gave me the opportunity to own several models, including the Yukon, plastic mountaineering boots, winter hikers with neoprene booties, and several other models. My most recent pair are the Power Matic 200 model, and without a doubt they are the most comfortable boots I've owned in over 20 years. The fit was perfect and they required zero break-in. I've had them for three years now and they are still going strong.

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Had a pair of 520s for about 3 years now. Fantastic boots and fit me perfectly. No break in time and they have covered a lot of miles. Love mine!
 
I have not had a pair of Asolo's for years. They were good & well made. I prefer Vasque now.
 
I owned a pair of 535s when I was doing a lot of backpacking and climbing. They held up to heavy backpacking and light mountaineering for years. They were the best and most versatile boots I've owned to date. I only retired them when they got to the point where they leaked and no amount of sno seal would help keep my feet dry anymore. I've owned heavier mountaineering oriented boots and currently use a lighter pair of Vasque's, but the Asolo's were my favorite. You can probably cover 90% of the world's terrain in them ;-) I will say that I agree with the previous poster that they could get alittle slippery when wet. If I were buying another pair today, I would probably look to them again.
 
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I had a pair of Asolo ice climbing boots when I was stationed in Iceland and Germany. Only used them a few times as they were heavy and clunky as hell. So, I have no input for you.
 
mckrob said:
I work in my hikers and they see a fair bit of use. I usually buy a new pair of Asolo or Zamberlans every year or two. I had a friend that worked for Benetton back in the 90's when they owned Asolo, she used to get me boots well below cost which gave me the opportunity to own several models, including the Yukon, plastic mountaineering boots, winter hikers with neoprene booties, and several other models. My most recent pair are the Power Matic 200 model, and without a doubt they are the most comfortable boots I've owned in over 20 years. The fit was perfect and they required zero break-in. I've had them for three years now and they are still going strong.

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mind me asking what you do in St. John's? Fond memories of visiting there. Hope to return someday. Some seriously beautiful country up there.
 
pinnah said:
mind me asking what you do in St. John's? Fond memories of visiting there. Hope to return someday. Some seriously beautiful country up there.
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Moved here for work five years ago, I work in mineral exploration. The job I moved here for has since ended so I've gone back to consulting. We love it here and will stay as long as possible, I can live pretty much anywhere as long as I'm close to an international airport. Definitely seriously beautiful country here, I love that even living in the provincial capital and largest city in the province (~200k people), I can hop in my truck and be out in the woods in 20 min and not see a soul.
 
It's all about the fit, for sure. About 20 years ago, I bought a pair of Asolo Meridians that I absolutely loved and wore out. So it was natural for me to go the brand again for a replacement 12 years later. But, it turns out they had fundamentally changed the type of fit. I have caveman feet that require a big toe box. The Meridian accommodated that, but the GTX replacements were definitely for narrower feet and became torture devices. The left boot also seemed to have a protrusion where the ball rested. I now have switched to Keens for 3-Season use and Danner hunting boots for winter and off-trail conditions. If you have wide feet I'd consider a different brand.
 
Are the Vasque Sundowner's worth buying anymore? I read in a few places that since they've started making them in China, they're not the same boot. Danner seems to have been making a similar boot since the last 70s and its newest form of their "Mountain Light" is quite a boot (still a US made boot).

Mountain Light Timber
http://www.danner.com/boots/mtn-light-13-1.html
 
Sufler said:
Are the Vasque Sundowner's worth buying anymore? I read in a few places that since they've started making them in China, they're not the same boot. Danner seems to have been making a similar boot since the last 70s and its newest form of their "Mountain Light" is quite a boot (still a US made boot).

Mountain Light Timber
http://www.danner.com/boots/mtn-light-13-1.html
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I have the Mountain Light II's and I think they're great boots, but they are heavy. Fit was great right away though with no required break in.
 
I have a pair of TPS 520 GV. They are my heavy-duty hiking boots but I have taken them on day hikes when the trail is rocky. The soles are very stiff and make me feel bullet-proof. I can jump between rocks, step on sharp corners without hesitation. These are the advantages I see.

I've had them for 9 months and barely broken them in. So I can't tell you how they will wear in the long run.
 
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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Ha, I have a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid too! You can't really go wrong with Merrell since their customer service will likely send you a new pair if you complain to them. =)

I've had these longer than the Asolos. It's much easier to break them in. The sole flexes easier and I can even run in them. Mine are water-proof but I feel they trap moisture in a bit too much. I have sweaty feet tho.

I've hike to Half Dome in these Merrells.
 
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99cuts said:
Mine are water-proof but I feel they trap moisture in a bit too much. I have sweaty feet tho.
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Thanks your feedback! So, you think that with regular (non-waterproofed) Moab Ventilators your feet wouldn't sweat so much?
 
Sufler said:
Thanks your feedback! So, you think that with regular (non-waterproofed) Moab Ventilators your feet wouldn't sweat so much?
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Most likely but I haven't owned the non-wp version. Merrell have their own WP layer. So there's Moab Mid Waterproof and Moab Mid GTX. You should do some searches on both if you need waterproof hiking shoes.

In my experience, Moab Mid waterproof with a pair of wool socks, my toes were puffy and white after hiking Half Dome and back. Of course my usual hikes are much shorter and I often choose the Moab Mid.
 
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