Asolo TPS 520 GV vs. Fugitive GTX vs.?

[porsche4life]

Alright guys, my old Montrail Blue Ridge boots are shot. I wear them in the shop but I wouldn't dare hike in them. Its time to get a new pair of boots pronto. I've been looking at the Asolo boots. I had actually pulled the trigger on a pair of the 520s but once I got them home and wore them around I decided that I needed an 11. Backwoods didn't have an 11 in stock so I am back in the market. They will have the 11 for me next weekend. So I will go try those.

I've looked at the Fugitive GTX as well. They seem like fairly similar boots. Any advantage to either? The primary purpose is for Philmont next summer.

Any brands I should check out as well? Prefer something I can get at Backwoods as they give me 15% off....


Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - Men's at REI.com
Asolo Fugitive GTX Hiking Boots - Men's at REI.com

[Mark Howard]

I hiked the AT in a pair of Asolo GTX boots. Found them to be extremely stiff and required a lengthy break in. For the first 4 weeks they rubbed a huge blister on the inside of my heel. No matter what I did (sock liners, different socks, etc.) could not get relief until my foot just turned to leather in that spot. After about 8 weeks the rubber toe could not take the rock impacts and came loose from the sole. I glued it back, but the boots were never the same. On the up side, they had great ankle support, the sole was tough enough that you could not feel the rock through them all the time, laces were top quality. Mine were Gortex lined which was another mistake, made the boot heavier and was really unnecessary since I rarely hiked through any water, and if I did, I normally took them off. Goretex is worthless in the rain unless you have gators. Unless you have alot of time for break in, are carrying a heavy load and want a very stiff boot, I'd look elsewhere.

Just my experience with Asolo products.

[VINMAN]

Ive tried Asolos, in the past, and like Mark, had long break in periods. Ive had much better experiences with Vasque boots.

[Talewinds]

Go back to your other boot thread, Montrail Blue Ridge GTX!
I still stand by the Scarpa recommendation.

I have been wearing the Fugitive GTX for 5 years. I've never had blister problems with themafter I break in my feet at the beginning of the season. Other posters are correct, they have a LONG break in period.
I'll make a long story short, earlier this year an outfitter was getting a pair of crampons fitted properly to my boots and commented to another customer that the crampons would behave differently while attached to his well worn pair off boots, which folded in half almost effortlessly, as opposed to a "nearly new" pair of boots like mine, the outfitter was then working hard to flex the sole of my Fugitives, actually leaning into it to get it to flex just slightly.
Funny thing though, my fugitives have at least 5 years and now countless summit bids on them. Yes, they're super clean (not by accident), but they couldn't get any more broken in.
THAT'S how stiff and how long of a break in the Fugitive has.

My father has a version of those 520GV, maybe even that same model. Those are the better boots.

[HHI944]

What's wrong with a nice panama tread jungle boot? I can't count the number of miles I've put into that type boot.

[porsche4life]

Scarpa Barun GTX Hiking Boots - Men's at REI.com

That looks like a really good boot.. Problem is there isn't even a dealer in OK. And the nearest one in Tejas is like an 8hr drive...


So idk what I'm gunna do.

[RWebb]

are they re-soleable? do that if you can

[porsche4life]

My montrails? They probably could be. But they are in sad shape elsewhere. To fix them would cost as much as new.


I'm considering taking my chances and ordering those scarpas...

[Talewinds]

I use Zappos.
I drive 90 miles going to every outdoor store in town and everybody has the same (2) styles of Asolo boots, (4) types of North Face trail runners, (8) varieties of hideous Merrell trail/water/organic-grocery-store abomination, (54) types of Keens, and the ubiquitous Burkenstocks. WTF!?!?!??!?
IMHO the cross section of all the shoes at the outdoor stores are A) Ugly, B) Not truly functional, and C) Too progressive, or... Urban.

I'm going to PM you something about Zappos also...

[porsche4life]

For this type of stuff I go to one store only locally... If backwoods doesn't have it, I order it. I go to backwoods b/c they have a very knowledgeable staff and they give 15% to boy scouts...

[porsche4life]

What do you guys think of the Scarpa that I posted?

Its cheaper at REI than Zappos and I need to place an REI order anyways.

[RWebb]

you have to wear them - find a place that will let you wear them indoors & return - order 2 & return the one that feels worse after a few hours stomping around indoors

BTW, Scarpa & Asolo are both very high quality manfs.

[slodave]

Never mind, I can't read...

[porsche4life]

Wearing the Scarpas. Not in love with the color but the fit is very good. I will go to fitness center on campus and walk around the track, stairclimb, etc later this week.

May try my hand at rockclimbing in them... We have a very nice indoor wall here on campus.

[Talewinds]

Pics!

[porsche4life]

You're right... This thread is worthless without pictures...




The fit is nice... They are a little tighter than the Montrails but that is a wear issue... These need a proper breaking in...

What do I need to do to care for the Nubuck?

[RWebb]

just looking at them, I'd categorize them as "light hikers"

no real care needed - just wear them until they are worn out; unless they tell you they can be resoled

I usually only treat high quality, heavy leather - if you do, be sure not to use anything that softens the leather - See Seal + i9s an oldie that works well for me.

see if they tell you anything re care, but I'd have them wiped out in a year or 2...

[porsche4life]

It took me 3 to put the nails in the coffin on my montrails. And these ain't no light hiking boots. Light trekking maybe...