Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

Don't pay attention to boot reveiews by people who havn't had their boots a while. I bought these a year ago and deliberately waited to write a review till I had put these things through the ringer. I can find nothing wrong with these boots. They are super comfy, durable, and tuff as nails. I've tried the cheaper Asolo's without the Vibram soles and they don't even come close to these. I'm kind of a stocky guy, 5'8'' 190lbs. and for me the Vibram soles make all the difference in the world. But if you've spent big money before and still suffer from blisters and foot problems here's a word to the wise. 1st off all heavy duty boots will give a novice blisters. Why? Becuase infrequent hiking in new boots do not create the kind of callouses your feet need to withstand the punishment of hours on the trail. I used to be the guy who had to keep stopping to treat my blisters before I got these. Also, listen to seasoned backpackers when they tell you to get at least a half size larger. After a few hours on the trail under a backpack your feet WILL swell and expand. I do beleive these are the best boots money can buy. However there are some things I did to ensure I wouldn't have any problems. Before I ever took them on the trail I wore these to the gym and even jogged in them for months to break them in, soften the leather, and build callouses on my heels. I looked silly jogging on the treadmill in boots but I didn't care. It may sound silly but callouses are good not bad for backpacking. Now these are pure bliss. Comfort, support, weatherproofiness, you name it, not to mention being bombproof. Before this strategy my trips were ruined by blisters, regardless of the boot, now my feet are no longer an issue.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I use these boots as my daily work boot, which means anywhere from 12 to 20 hours a day in them. I have to buy (or be given) a new pair every year around Christmas time, this will be my third pair, but I put a lot more hours/miles in these boots than normal users do.

I tried on every boot at REI and as soon as I put these on, I fell in love with them. They fit my foot perfectly, and have stayed a perfect fit until I wear right through the sole. It is a heavy boot, but I consider that a pro rather than a con as I have a tendency to twist my right ankle, and these boots have offered a stiff enough upper to cure that problem for me. (Broke my ankle while on my honeymoon in Fiji, has never been the same since.)

I refuse to wear any other boot besides these from now on, but I will emphasize that I'm 6'5" and 250lbs, lifting 200lb items and moving them all day long, so I want some different things from a boot than most. I work outside in ALL conditions - heat, rain, ice, snow, blizzard, heavy water (streams/mild flood areas), you pretty well name it, and I've never had any problems. If you want a sturdy, heavy and extremely comfortable boot, then I haven't come across a better one yet.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have owned these boots for 2 years. Uses 2 weeks on a Hawaiin lava field, Over 30 day hikes in the Georgia Mountains, and 2 months of continuous day hiking over rough Montana terrain (talus screen, rough rocks, cactus, etc.) After 2 years, a little bit of my heel broke off in Montana when I was slipping down a mountain; however, the boots are still functional today.
They are water proof - my feet always stayed dry, even after a 10 hour hike around Brasstown Bald, GA. These boots are cactus proof - 2 months running over cactus in Montana and I never got poked, unlike other who wore cheap boots. These are lava proof - tromping all over Hawaii, I barely got a scratch. They will save your ankles - as long as you lace them right, you won't injure yourself.
I love these boots and would recommend them for anyone who needs to do serious hiking (or trekking.) Pay the money and get something that will last and that you can trust!
Only one con - it's those shoe strings. They are just ugly. I ripped them off and immediately added water proof red shoe strings for that vintage, masculine, lumber-jack-like look. Hey, a guy's gotta look sharp!

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I love these boots!

They helped get me through the coldest winter I can remember but my feet stayed warm, dry, and comfy the entire time even through snow up to my knees. Most winter days I wore them from the time I got up until I went to bed. They are just that comfortable.

They are a bit heavy but when you have this kind of protection on your feet it is going to have some heft to it. I feel like I could go into combat with boots like these. They look great too.

I went with a full size larger than I do with most shoes/boots so that I could double up on the socks if needed but I haven't had to yet.. maybe if I try to climb a mountain, heh.

Will definitely purchase these again when this pair wears out but that could be many years from now.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I put these boots on in the store, and they felt great, the next best thing to slippers. Then when I got them onto the trail they killed the bottoms of my feet. I put in new insoles, still killed me. Small hikes, big hikes, they all hurt. I kept telling myself they would break in, but they kept hurting my feet. Finally on a backpack trip, after about 7 miles with no gain my feet were already sore as [*] (and I had more than 13 miles with over 4k' gain remaining), I put on my $50 Solomon trail runners and was never so happy even with a full pack (tent, food, the works) on. I returned theses boots the next day. Why 4 stars? I know a ton of people that have these boots and love them. I think they are likely great boots, but not for my feet (which are wide, but not abnormally). My bottom line, try them out, but remember they aren't for everyone, if they start hurting and it isn't getting better take them back!

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

These are the best boots I've owned and I've owned a lot of boots. They come in extended widths, which is a must for those of us with EE feet. These boots have replaced all others as my only backpacking boot. They are the best boot for supporting loads, ankles, and protecting my feet from injury, that I've ever worn. Comfortable out of the box, especially if you are just wearing them for everyday wear. One caution: If you have not broken them in you will probably get blisters if your feet are not in "backpacking shape"....but not nearly as badly as most boots. I'm a builder/developer and these are my winter boots. One pair of wool socks in 15-30 degrees conditions keeps my feet toasty.

When backpacking, with gaiters, I can walk in calf high water without incident. I've been on trails after rainstorms that are ankle high streams and hiked for miles with no water penetration. Excellent griping and support on rocks. Since they do not come with rubber toe rands, I use black Shoe Goo to protect the toe leather from scuffs. Best of all, my feet are not barking after many miles with a heavy pack on difficult trails. For me that's the ultimate test of a good boot.

Finally, I've been going ultra-light on most of my equipment, but I'm not willing to compromise the main tool I have in backpacking--my feet and ankles--just to save a few ounces of weight. So for me, the boot weight is immaterial, and in fact is probably why it is such a good boot.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I use these boots for day hiking and backpacking. My previous boots were the Merrell Wilderness, to give my frame of reference. I had the Merrells for more than 20 years, and I've had these Asolo's for about 3 months/roughly 60 miles on trail.

I love almost everything about these boots. They fit my feet extremely well, they took essentially no break-in time at all, they feel quite light compared to the Merrells, and not to sound corny, but they put a spring in my step. My feet seem eager to go up and forward with these boots on. I haven't had them long enough to comment on durability, but no warning signs yet.

The one thing I really dislike about them is how soft the tongue is. There are two heavy leather pads on top of the tongue, but a large space between them where the laces cross over the instep in two places. To me, this is the most important place to have the laces tight, to ensure the heel stays in the heel cup. The tongue in this area is very soft, thin leather with very light padding. When I tie the laces tight like I prefer, the laces feel like they are cutting into my instep.

I would recommend these to someone who does not like to tie his or her boots tight, but I really see this as a big weakness. Sometimes you need to really cinch them down, like on a steep, prolonged downhill, or if your socks are wet. I had to do this on about a 5-mile steep descent, and it was a very uncomfortable walk.

I miss the heavy tongue on my old Merrells, and I may be returning the Asolo's because of this weakness.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

These have been the best fitting boots i've ever had. 1st pair only lasted a year and a half though. The main thing I disliked about the boots is the sole design. It seems a bit dainty for backcountry off trail use. I prefer a much more aggressive tread. It seems like they made this boot for trail hiking only. I want a sole with sharp angles for traction, not circles and waves. But I'll probably get a new pair since they fit so well. and/or get another pair of Fusion gtx. Asolo just fit me so well.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I purchased these boots for a Boy Scout trip to Philmont. I wore them for about 10 months before the trip and never had any problems with the boot. They broke in quickly with no blisters - I always wear coolmax or silk liners. They provide excellent ankle support and my feet felt good even under heavy loads - 60lbs.

At Philmont the boots saved my butt more than once going down steep grades over rocks, roots and gravel. They held up great over the trip and my feet didn't bother me once.

My only caution is that the boots can get hot when backpacking on a hot day. I found my feet were sweating and I had to change my socks every two - three hours while backpacking. That is OK, I take care of my feet and swap out socks regularly, but you need to note that and plan accordingly.

Comments about Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's:

I am on my second pair of these. They are very durable, very waterproof and comfortable for my low-volume foot I brush and add some mink oil or something similar once or twice a season, and they back me up through backpacking in mud and snow, vertical and steep angle rescue, and even rocky day hikes. My favorite boot!