ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

I bought these boots for a backpacking trip to New Zealand in January 2010 that I knew would involve carrying heavy packs over unpredictable terrain with schizophrenic weather. With an all-leather upper, I knew I should give them some time to break in, so I wore them almost daily for a few months before the trip.

Prior to the trip they broke in pretty well. I say "pretty well" because you can't really break in a boot like this until you wail on them. My only complaint is that the leather scuffs really easy, showing bright scuff marks on the toes just from things like running into the leg of my office chair or stubbing my toe on a curb, and polishing them with a traditional polish can kill the breathability. After using some leather conditioner and aqueous waterproofer on them, they're mostly brown again but you can definitely tell the damage spots. But I'm not going to take points away for something purely asthetic; these are hiking boots, not dress shoes.

During the trip, these boots performed like a champ. They've been through rain forest, on a glacier with crampons, up a volcano, through rocky alpine valleys, and even for a dip in the Tasman Sea, which was the only time the leather got water logged. I will say that the boots fit even better after soaking them (just my personal experience, don't take that as advice), but because of the leather construction, they took about 2 days to completely dry out.

Overall, the comfort was outstanding. My feet never felt sweat-logged or fatigued and I never had any hot spots or blisters (I wore SmartWool warm weather socks). Even during portions where we were carrying no weight, the boots didn't feel inordinately heavy or uncomfortable. The soles are very rugged and stiff, making sharp terrain feel about the same to your feet as walking down a sidewalk. I also enjoyed the ankle protection. They seem to be particularly forgiving of the occasional misstep that might have ended up in a twisted ankle in a lesser boot.

Now that I'm a month removed from my trip, I still find myself wearing these boots everyday. I would buy these boots again in a heartbeat and highly recommend them.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Bought these about 4 years ago and they have been through 3 field seasons. Most work was at the front range in Montana where the Madison Limestone will rip up any other boots. Was out there with others who wore Vasque's, North Face, and Montrail and their boots hardly lasted a month. The Asolo's lasted 3 separate seasons! They are rugged, well balanced, and feel great after 15-20 miles of hiking over rugged terrain. Plus, a little skree surfing is fun in a pair of these (gotta get down from those outcrops sometimes). They have done right by me and I will be buying another pair the next time I do more field work, and I won't wait for a sale. These boots are worth every penny.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

I'm heading out to pick up pair number 5, I have worn this boot since I discovered them in the mid 90's. Simply the best all around hiking boot on the market. I still have all 4 other pairs which I use for heavy dirty jobs around the homestead. even the 15+ year old pairs have perfect uppers. I used to wear them for just hiking but find them so supportive and comfortable that now they are my daily wear shoes for work and home. I destroyed my right ankle as a young man in sports an suffered with frequent twisted painful ankle. Since I bought my first pair of TPS 520's I have never twisted even under a 45-48# pack. That coupled with my 250# frame tell me that these are incredible boots. My biggest fear is that Asolo will get dumb and stop making them or change the design. I hope they realize they have achieved greatness and leave them alone. My single complaint isn't even really valid but when the soles are SIGNIFICANTLY worn the wet traction is no longer there. But then it's time for new ones anyhow.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Great boots, just need to tune them up a bit. The laces should be replaced, they will loosen quickly and can be annoying to constantly tighten them. Get either leather laces or one with some grip. I noticed that the eyelets were pretty stiff and made lacing difficult. You can fix this by working them back and forth with a small tool. Also, make sure you put a coat of boot grease on them before heading out. I'd do this once a week for the first month, then as needed. This helps protect the leather and increase waterproofing. Remember your buying a nice pair of boots, they need a bit of maintenance but it is worth it.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Over many years I've collected four pair of these boots and I currently have a pair sent off to Colorado being resoled. I was happy to stumble across this site and eager to review this boot.I've had a pair of these on my feet for the pastseven or so years and pretty much everyday. When I got the first pair for backpacking they amazed me to the point that I wore them at work as well.I worked in a casino and on my feet, not a sit down job, for four ten hour shifts, often more per week - never had sore or tired feet. For trail, I've logged thousands of miles with these boots in a bunch of states while carrying heavy and not so heavy packs. If you're shopping for backpacking/hiking boots and know that you like full grain leather with ankle support - your search has ended! I can't say enough positive things about them. As I hiked the soles off a pair I'd replace them with a new pair.After many miles the uppers are still in great shape as is the interior. You can get a new sole for $80 [...]...Asolo website recommends two places in US - I sent mine to Colorado..with new soles these boots are good to go for a couple more years and I'm starting another thruhike of the AT in 3 weeks. These will be on my feet. Some praise trail runner shoes lightweights..but these boots are a little over a pound each and designed for carrying a pack all day everyday, provide ankle support, waterproof and the traction is solid.Some women have extensive shoe collections - I have boots - many, and these are tops!

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

I purchased these boots two (2) days before making a short hike in the Adirondack Mountains. I read numerous reviews, and it seems not one person had a bad thing to say. I decided to give them a try on my hike, even though I had not given them any break-in whatsoever. I hiked Ampersand Mtn (a short 3 mile one way, with ~1800' of vertical), and decided to pack my old faithful boots just in case. I have to say, after the hike was done (including a significant portion in Grivel G12 crampons, and 36" post-holing in off-trail snow)I was AMAZED! With zero break-in time, my feet felt GREAT! By far, the most comfortable and capable hiking boots I have ever owned!! DEFINITELY worth the price!

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Fantastic Hiking Boots - been all over the Alps, White Mountains, Green Mountains, Appalachians and
Adirondaks with these boots and they have stood the punishment. Comfortable from the first wearing. Rubber toe starting to delaminate and right foot started leaking after two days of rain - but not bad for three years of hard use. Not for Alpine hiking, as these are not the stiffest boots, which is why they are so comfortable.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

I'm the owner of Northeast Mountain Guiding and this is one of my TOP boot purchases in my 15+ years of backpacking, mountaineering and climbing approaches. Very comfortable, EXTREMELY durable, practically waterPROOF and have a nice solid design and feature. I recommend these boots for anyone for dayhikes, backpacking, long distance backpacking, light mountaineering and for climbing approaches!

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Let me preface this review by saying: these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I've hiked multiple 15-20 mile hikes through the Whites in these guys, and the only time my feet felt any kind of pain was on the 22 mile Pressy Traverse. Granted this was my second hike in them (only hiked 10 miles prior) and my first career 20+ trek. There was an issue with numbness and pain due to some pressure points within the boot, but the shoe techs at EMS taught me a new lacing method that took care of that. I really like these boots and I can bet they'll be with me for a few more years. I highly recommend wearing these boots around for a week or two before going out on a short hike, and working up to longer ones. That way the break-in period isn't so much a nuisance.

Comments about ASOLO Men's TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boots:

Sad to replace my beloved old pair of Asolo's - but these new ones are fantastic.