Asolo boots

[swamp]

I am thinking about getting a pr of Asolo hiking boots does anyone here have experience with these?

I have a pr of Keen hiking boots that I like but they don't really hold up all that well... but they are light weight.

[ncboman]

never heard of either one.

for a comfortable and durable low top, New Balance 608 has served me well roofing. I have a phone # where New Balance can be bought well below posted prices anywhere.

ncboman

[DancesWithKnives]

The Asolo FSN 95 won a Backpacker Magazine Boot-of-the-Year award and is highly regarded. Two of my friends and I have been using them for about 6 years. One friend has used them so much he's almost through his second set of soles, but the uppers are still good.

I ordered today a set of Asolo's heavier boots, with the one-piece leather uppers and full rubber rand. www.sierratradingpost.com has good prices on them. I've used the FSN 95's with a 50lb pack over rocky trails for 9-day pack trips (I'm 6 ft, 225 lbs). However, I think the slightly heavier model will be even better for backpacking. I will retain the FSN 95s for day hikes.

If you are in warm country and don't need the Gore-tex lining, the FSN 85s might be more desirable for light boots. Note that neither the 85s or 95s are high ankle boots so if you desire a lot of ankle support, buy a taller model.

DancesWithKnives

[Smokey]

I wear an Ariat impact work boot. This the best hunting boot I've had. They wear very well yet have a soft outside sole that is very quiet even on gravel. I don't believe they make half the noise as the boots my kids wear.

I also wear their cowboy boots which again seem to last much longer than my other cowboy boots. Do not need to break them in as you do with some boots.

The only problem is they are made in China. I didn't like that. However Ariat is a major supporter of our horse shows which makes it a little better.

[DancesWithKnives]

Can't see how to edit my prior post so I'll add that the heavier duty Asolo model I ordered is the Sasslong. If you order from Sierra, get on their mailing list and wait for a 20% off e-mail coupon. They send them every few days.

DWK

[DancesWithKnives]

I just received the Asolo Sasslongs and am pretty impressed. The one-piece, smooth-out uppers are sturdier than the uppers on my old FSN95s. On the other hand, probably also a bit warmer and less breathable in hot weather. Sizing appears to be the same.

The Sasslongs are taller and offer somewhat better ankle protection/support than the FSN95s. The stats say they are about 7 ounces heavier per boot. A noticeable difference when you are holding them in your hands but I have not yet hiked them to see how much heavier they feel on the trail.

The Sasslongs have deeper lugged soles than the FSN95s and the rubber compound feels a little harder. The definitely have a more substantial midsole. They run around $30-35 more than the FSN95s if you have a Sierra discount coupon.

I'm looking forward to putting them to the dirt!

DWK

[DancesWithKnives]

Swamp,

I took the Sasslongs out for a modest test hike. We did about 6 miles and 1200 v.ft. Half was a pretty uneven trail and half was fire road.

It amazes me that when you buy boots these days from a manufacturer whose lasts you know will fit you, there's very little break-in period. I got no blisters or hot spots. I tightened the laces at the crest of the hills (3 mile point) to account for initial stretch but that's all that was required.

The Sasslong's don't feel appreciably heavier than the FSN95s but there is a bit less flex. The midsole is definitely more substantial and they are a little stiffer. Didn't feel any rocks through them. Traction was very good on some moderately steep climbs/descents where there was gravel and loose dirt on the trail. I think they "bite in" somewhat better than the FSN95s.

It was a perfect 70 degree day with a coastal breeze so I can't tell you whether these will feel hot in mid-summer. The top of the boot is a good inch taller than the FSN95s so they feel more like a substantial boot than a beefed-up trail hiking shoe. I think they are overkill for our local trails but will be great for backpacking and hiking rougher stuff.

DWK

[swamp]

i got a pair of the asolo power matic 200 GV.. http://www.rei.com/product/733624

set them up with super feet insoles.. http://www.rei.com/product/752125

and using smart wool ph socks.. http://www.rei.com/product/774496

They are 10 times the boot compared to the keens i was using for hiking.. at twice the cost... these asolos are best hiking boots i've ever own... nothing else comes close...

[DancesWithKnives]

Thursday morning I carried a backpack about 12 miles through the mountains on the Asolo Sasslongs. It was the last day of a 7-day trip. They held up very well. I used some very fine liner socks under regular weight Smartwool Hikers. My hiking partner was wearing his second set of Asolos. He liked his first pair so much that when they eventually wore out he bought two replacement pairs when Sierra Trading Post put them on sale.

I like the Sasslongs better for carrying a backpack over rough, rocky terrain but I'll use the FSN 95s for day hiking.

I don't know if this is true for others, but I like to order them about a half size larger than normal so I don't get any toe contact on long, steep descents.

Glad you like your Asolos.

DWK

[swamp]

DWK, you should try the Asolo 200 GV... i really like the full grain leather on these boots...

Question: Is it possible to have these boots resoled if you should wear out the soles be the boot is ready to be retired?

[DancesWithKnives]

My local hiking buddy liked his FSN 95s so much that he wore them every time we walked. This included a paved road we would use when we only had time to hike at night. It climbs 750 v.ft. in two miles and the downhill trip is pretty abrasive on boot soles.

In any event, after a couple years he wore out the FSN 95 heels and had a local shoe place resole them for about $45. They installed some heavier Vibram soles made with a harder rubber compound. He's worn those for a few more years of steady use but now the heels are shot on them.

He recently got some new FSN 95s and finds that the downhill shock absorption is noticeably better than with the old boots. I expect that after a couple years of hiking several times per week the midsole/insole cushioning on most boots is going to lose its resilience.

So the bottom line is that many shoe places can do a good job resoling Asolo boots but by the time you need that service, they will probably be providing considerably less cushioning. Of course, if you are hiking on soft forest groundcover or sandy soil, that may not matter too much.

One other thing: My experience with Goretex-lined boots is that they will often lose their waterproofness before the soles wear out. Not a big deal in SoCal but it may be for you.

DWK

[swamp]

As far a cushioning is concerned why not replace then old insoles with super feet insoles... on a hiking boot such as we are discussing the greatest amt of cushioning is provided by the insoles...

[DancesWithKnives]

New insoles are certainly a good idea. However, when you are moving fast down a steep grade over rocks and hard ground, the high-density cushioning of the midsole is also important. As I understand it, there isn't much you can do about the eventual degradation of that middle layer.

DancesWithKnives