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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Middlebury, CT on 11/7/2008
I went to my local EMS and asked the salesman what the best backpacking boot he had was. I ended up leaving with a pair of these.
I've worn these all over. Up Mt. Washington NH, and through many trails in CT. But my true test for these boots was a two week, 100 mile backpacking trip in The Rocky Mountains of New mexico with a 50 pound pack. The gore tex did a great job of keeping my feet dry, while providing ample comfort during climbs of up to 12,000'. Even after putting these boots through all of that, they are still fine.
from Longmeadow, MA on 10/30/2008
I've long wished to own a pair of these Rolls Royce quality hiking boots and had the recent pleasure to do so. First off beware of the sizing - if like me you will probably need to order a pair one size larger than your normal size boots/shoes to get a perfect fit. After getting the boots home I run them in (wear them in) just like my other boots by doing yard work and mowing the lawn with them a few times. The real test was a weekend hike clocking up 20 miles with a heavily loaded pack on the Long Trail in the Green Mountains, VT. I was amazed to end the trip without one blister or sprain and with dry feet after splashing along the trail that seemed to resemble more of a river than a track. The only issue I have with the boots is that they do not have a full toe cap, so the front toe cap leather takes a pounding. I'm thinking about sticking some of my sons hockey puck tape on the front of the boot to minimize any further damage. You will not regret purchasing a pair of these boots.
from MIlan, NH on 10/15/2008
I bought some 520 GV's to replace my old reliable 520 GTX's this year. They had covered just about every mile in the White Mountains in my home state of NH. I think they hiked Mt. Washington 8 or 10 times. They fit like an old pair of slippers and I was dreading their replacement. I finally had to give them up. So I immediately thought of the newest version. I've had no worries going with the 520 GV's. The first time I had them on it felt like I had them for months. Awesome. Asolo's the only brand I'll use from now on!
I'm a land surveyor and see all types of conditions and terrain and am on my feet all day. I have had the boots for 1.5 years have worn them everyday except some weekends... They are still holding up but im looking into getting another pair soon, you just need to clean and waterproof it you want your feet to stay dry.... You get what you pay for .. Great boot
G Z - C T
from Amherst, NH on 10/8/2008
I tried on others and, each time..I knew instantly that, they were the wrong ones. Man, I am so glad I kept looking because when I laced these babies up, I knew I found my perfect walking boots for all my upcoming season of trail hiking. I got the next size up from my normal and, then doubled up the socks with perfect results~!!
from Anchorage AK on 7/20/2008
There are a few things you don't scrimp on when it really matters. Seven miles into a 3-day Alaska backpacking trip is no time to realize you should've bought better boots. No such regrets with these Asolos. It's a great brand to begin with, and this is their best. Durable leather, great stability, comfortable out of the box and even better with use. Perhaps a little heavy for a day hike or as a fashion statement. On the trail they're perfect. Good heft, you feel like each step is firmly planted. Single piece leather upper means they will get scuffed but it's only cosmetic - they still work like champs and provide better water protection than pairs that have more rows of stitching than an inner city ER. Casual hikers, don't bother - save your money and look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a pair of boots you can bank your next backcountry trip on, don't hesitate.
The Asolo 520's are the most comfortable hiking/backpacking boots I have ever worn. I bought them specifically for my upcoming archery Elk hunt in the Rockies (Idaho) but I find myself wearing them all the time now. I was very lucky to find a saleswoman at one of the EMS stores who was an avid backpacker and willing to spend the time it takes to get a proper fit with the boots and insoles.
In addition to the boots, I upgraded the insoles with Superfeet orange. These have forefoot cushioning and medium arch support. I highly recommend this upgrade if you will be spending a great deal of time in the back country, especially off trail.
So far I have only put about 30 miles on them (all off trail), and these Asolo's have been outstanding. No pressure points, lacing system always seems to self adjust so all points are the right pressure.
Without hesitation I give these boots five stars. These boots are expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion. If you are a day hiker who sticks to mostly marked trails, you'll appreciate the comfort and support. If you're a serious backpacker or hunter who is headed into wild rugged country off trail, these boots will be your new best friend.
from NewBoston, NH on 6/1/2008
I finaly had to replace an older version of these that I have worn to work for years. I work in excavation and landscaping, and am on my feet at work for 10 hours a day. I find these boots so much more comfortable than traditional styles of work boots. They also wear well and last forever. I also hike on the weekends and this boot's great suport allows me to go back to work on monday ithout sore legs and feet. Well worth the price, Ill buy another pair in five years!
from Lancaster, PA on 5/31/2008
I WEAR THIS BOOT ALL DAY LONG AND THE COMFORT NEVER QUITS. THEY WERE DESIGNED AND BUILT TO THE BEST OF STANDARDS. THERE IS NOTHING TO COMPARE THEM TO. THEY WOULD BE THE STANDARD OF SUPERIOR QUALITY BOOT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION / AS WELL AS PERFORMANCE.
I AM A CIVIL ENGINEER AND EVEN OUT ON THE JOB INSPECTING JOB SITES THESE BOOTS PROVIDE THE BEST SUPPORT FOR THE FOOT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.
I WILL BUY THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN; THEY ARE TOP OF THE LINE !
from Cobleskill, NY on 2/17/2008
Great Boots!!! What more need be said? I just don't think that they get any better.....I'm sure someone is bound to disagree....oh well. They're certainly on the pricy side, but unfortunately quality sometimes comes at a cost. When I'm backpacking, my feet are my first priority. Thus, my feet get the Cadillac of boots!
from Farmington, MO on 2/14/2008
Second Review: I am about to buy my second pair because after 2yrs and 3mon of wearing these boots 4 to 5 times (10 to 18 hrs each time)per week I have worn a hole in the heal area of the goretex lining.This the BEST [$] Ihave ever spent. Just not having sore feet after 18 hrs is worth it. Care= a damp cloth to clean then a little polish and brush maybe once a month. GREAT BOOT FOR MOTORCYCLING!
from East Coast on 2/5/2008
These took very little time to break in (a small heel blister from an overnight outting on the Appalachian Trail). I use these boots for everything. Hunting in the fall and winter, chopping wood, backpacking and day hikes, shoveling snow, walking my dog, etc etc etc. They are extremely comfortable yet still provide excellent stability. I have never had a problem with water getting in and I've walked through many a creek with them on my feet. I'm an Asolo faithful now.
from CT on 1/23/2008
The first time I tried these boots on, I was sold! My feet fell in love with the Italian design. Given the cost, though, I was happy I had gotten a gift card for X-Mas to offset the out of pocket cost.
As you may have seen in other reviews, the boots break in quickly, which is a plus. I was comfortable in these immediately.
The sizing ran truer to the European sizing listed on the box, so go by that listing if you know your Euro size. Unfortunately, I don't think they list Euro sizes on the web site, so try to get to a store, if possible. If not, you may want to make a phone call. One weird thing... I normally wear a 10.5US and they didn't have them in the 1st EMS I went to. I tried on the 10US, which a little snug, so I ordered the 10.5US online, thinking they would be perfect. When I got them, though, they were definitely too small. I walked around the house with them on for several hours, and they just weren't right, so I exchanged them for an 11US at a 2nd EMS store. It was then that I looked at the Euro sizing. Anyway, I'm very happy now!
Besides the pricing, the only other drawback I've noticed is that they don't breathe as well as other Gore-Tex boots I've owned. That's probably due to their all leather construction. I usually wear a pair of wicking socks underneath my wool ones when I know I'm going to be wearing these all day. Keeps my feet drier.
All in all, these boots are well constructed, so the cost doesn't bother me as much given that it looks like I'll have these for years to come.
These babies are a keeper!
from Ticonderoga, NY on 1/7/2008
I bought these boots after many hours of online research. I needed a good pair of backpacking boots, because I hike, bushwack and climb over rocky, wet and uneven terrain with a heavy pack in the Adirondacks often. I also wanted to use them for snowshoeing.
I have only had these boots for a little over a month, but have used them for about 20 miles of day hikes and 10 miles of snowshoeing with a light 25-30 pound pack.
These boots felt comfortable at once. The footbed felt like it was molded for my feet. They are definitely heavy duty and I don't expect to have any trouble with my feet while carrying heavier loads. I wear them almost every day as my winter boots. My feet have been comfortable, warm and dry.
from Ithaca, NY on 11/10/2007
I love these boots, and the gore-tex lining doesn't just make them water resistant, it makes them completely waterproof. the only problem that I have had with these boots so far is that the leather on the toe tends to scuff pretty easily. The boots also took approximately 2 or 3 days of constant walking in order to break them in and make the leather a little more flexible. Overall an excellent boot for the money!
from Nantucket, MA on 7/22/2007
This is my second pair of these boots. The first pair lasted through 2 years of landscaping, walking 20-25 miles a day, as well as weekend hikes. I would recommend these to anyone and I'll be buying another pair in 2 more years. Well worth the price.
great
I've bought boots exclusively from EMS for probably 15 years or more now and every pair has been a winner. This pair is different somehow. The leather is tough and protective, but it wasn't so tough that the boots were difficult to break in. More importatly, over time, the boots break in and soften a little, but not much at all. After about 4 years of wearing these boots on a daily basis, both for recreation and work/daily use, they're still tough as nails and totally supportive. I'll probably need to send them in to be re-soled before too much longer, but it'll be money very well spent as these boots are simply incredible.
from Commack, NY and New Milford, Ct on 4/26/2007
Bought them at [...] in Danbery, Ct on my way to a snowy winter hike in Mass. Hiked in them with out any break in in deep snow with and without snow shoes. Very comfortable, no blisters, warm with great traction in the snow. Asolo make the best shoes for hiking. I recomend them to all my friends.
bought them on a whim and fell in love. i have bad feet and these sweethearts are like wearing pillows. no fatigue or hot heals. i do use a different insole. but i have had them four years and i finally burned the soles out. but the upper with a litle knix wax look like new. it's a shame i wish it was more affortable to resole them. i have used them for work, hiking, snow, rain and my feet are comfortable even after 15+ hours.well i look forward to my next pair.oh and asolo has great customer service. called to buy laces and they just sent them to me free?
I used these boots at philmont. 60+ miles over 11 days. They are the best you can buy. I was the only person in my crew not to get a hotspot or blister. They are compfy, durable (dont hike long on pavement though) and just plain the best. They are rugged.
I have also used them about 80 miles on th Appalatian trail. excelent.
from Greenville, SC on 12/30/2006
These boots fit right out of the box. I'll never put my Vasque boots on again. Great water resistance, solid footbed, good heal fit. No blisters after 3 hard days of bushwacking up and down 2000 ft vertical boulderfields and dense laurel thickets.
from Missouri on 12/27/2006
Bought these boots on brother's recommendation (he has 2 pairs). I have been wearing these to work for just over 1yr now. I did replace the insole but outside of that you can NOT beat these boots for all day comfort and durability. I have worn these them for as long as 20 hours and the only part of me not sore is my feet, probably because they are DRY and comfy.
from Upstate NY on 12/9/2006
I love the fit and feel of these boots. I had had 2 pair and put hundreds of miles on each pair for both work and backpacking. The only down fall I found with the boots is both pairs lost the waterproofness (if that is a word) in less then a year. Other then that I love them and would and have recomended them to others. After I bought my first pair almost all of my hiking partners got them shortly after.
from upstate NY on 11/25/2006
My second pair--the first was stolen; hope they liked them as much as me. Good sturdy boot, if a bit heavy, but you get used to it. My ankles tend to roll, but these are very supportive in that area. Great grip, and the Vibaram absorbs a lot of pounding. Extremely water repellant with minimal treatment, but not a sweaty shoe as would be expected. Perfect for winter hiking (never been cold in them), and for backpacking. Personally, I use them now on all day hikes, but some people may find them a bit too heavy--as a photographer I carry a heavy pack and they suit my needs.
from Chattanooga, TN on 11/23/2006
I have started hiking as exercise due to a heart attack. Sitting at a desk all day deciding everyone's future was taking more of a toll on me than I realized. I have various shoes/boots to use for my hiking but when I'm going on a 10 mi. plus day hike, or a backpacking trip that I know will be tough, these are the boots I always turn to. I've never gotten a blister, but I wear good socks w/liners and I use after market footbeds which makes every pair of boots/shoes custom made. Mine are the older roughout leather version, but I'm sure this smooth leather will work fine as well. They are just an awesome piece of work.....Asolo has done this one right!
from Lyons, CO on 11/13/2006
Pretty comfortable right out of the box. Though I haven't tested the limits of these boots yet, I've worn them for several days of farm/ranch work and I'm happy with them so far. They keep my feet warm and dry. They also protect well against dropped lumber, rooster attacks, etc. They're not great for driving, but that may improve as I break them in.
This is an amazing boot. Being a land surveyor and outdoorsist this boot gives me all the support, waterprooveness, and comfort to keep me going all day, through the roughest terrain. The only downside was that it took me probably 2 months of break in time, using them regularly. But other than that these boots are great. I wear them all the time, even in the winter with some toasty socks on if its not too too cold. One feature that everyone around me loves is the odor-eating footbed. I highly recommend these boots.
from chillicothe, ohio on 9/27/2006
extremely comfortable; no break-in needed.
can be worn for any activity.
I hadn't planned on getting a backpacking boot but they fit so well I couldn't pass them up. They hardly needed any breaking in. I had less than 30 miles on them before I started backpacking. They are comfortable after a full day on the trail. I have only had one blister. The support is excellent. I recommend these to anyone who needs a leather boot now and doesn't want to spend the time breaking them in.