Asolo Fugitive GTX Hiking Boots Review (MUCH ANTICIPATED Asolo Hiking Boots Review)

[@SuperOlds88]

Have purchased 6 pairs in the last few years, use them working (landscaping), hiking,backpacking, and everyday wear. Keep a pair clean for everyday wear. Very comfortable,durable,never an issue with soles or eye-lots. I still wear my oldest pair for the dirtiest jobs and they are comfortable during a long day. Good support for a heavy pack also. Haven't thought about trying another brand.

[@jrichey73]

These boots are outstanding. I've had mine for several years. Wore them right out of the box on a 7-day Utah adventure. No issues, no break-in needed. Incredibly comfortable, waterproof, highly durable.... Some of the best I've ever owned.

[@arcent27]

how much did you size up?

[@darkcircle899]

@@arcent27 I have these boots and for me personally they were true to size. I currently ruck 5 miles a day in them and they're great. When I need to replace them eventually I will be getting the same boots.

[@wiskeywiskey0365]

These are my favorite boots of all time…i love the style the variations of colors and they handle NYC winters awesome

[@glock5610]

Use to rock these in the Bronx

[@beestingza]

NYC winters are worse than the Rockies. I should know, I moved out west to escape the winters in NY.

[@wiskeywiskey0365]

@@beestingzai moved too for the same reason lol

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

@@glock5610I still do better than any other boots in the market!

[@mattt4110]

These are amazing just now ordering a new pair after about 15 years. I had them replaced once in that time, the warranty is awesome also!

[@UltimateSurvivalGear]

Asolo boots are hardcore! One of the top choices for serious mountaineering.

[@kansasoutdoors6297]

I love these boots. I bought my first pair when I was 18 and I'm on my 3 pair now. I've hiked over a thousand miles in them and I still love them.

[@beestingza]

Mine have the dreaded disintegrating midsole problem. The tread is also starting to separate from the boot at the instep. I'm planning on sending them to Italy to get them resoled. Have you ever had this problem with yours?

[@darkcircle899]

Same I absolutely love them as well. I ruck 5 miles a day in them and will be getting another pair when they wear out had them for 3 years so far.

[@spuds3145]

You seem incredibly underwhelmed by these boots. They're actually great boots if you know what you're getting into. 1. Waterproof. These will keep your feet dry. 2. Breathable. They don't get too hot in the summer, but they are padded well enough that you can get by in moderate winter conditions with the right socks. I have worn them in temperatures as low as 3°F with Darn Tough mountaineering socks. My feet were comfortable. I've worn them in temperatures above 90°F. While my feet did sweat, they were not uncomfortably hot. 3. Extremely good support. The shank, combined with the rigid midsole and outsole, results in a very solid fit and feel. You feel very grounded in these. The polyurethane midsole gives excellent shock absorption. 4. Weight. They are on the heavy side, but they don't really feel heavy due to how well they are fitted. 5. Fit. Nice, snug fit in the heel and midfoot. They do run a bit narrow, which can be good or bad. That depends on how much room you like in the toebox. 6. Insoles. The insoles aren't great, but they do add to that grounded feel due to the firmness. You can replace the insoles, anyway. Be careful with Superfeet insoles. The edges of the plastic support can tear the Gore-Tex. I like Tread Labs, personally. 7. Traction. I've had very good experiences with the traction of these boots. They can be a little slick on ice, but not that badly. Mud, dirt, and rocky terrain are so easy. Now, two things. 1. The reason the midsole dry rots for some people is not the fault of the boot or a QC issue. The midsole is polyurethane. Polyurethane requires constant movement to push water and air out of the pores. It's counter-intuitive, but they need to be worn OFTEN to preserve them. You cannot store a pair for later use. You must use them. 2. Check the pair you receive thoroughly because QC went downhill due to COVID-19. I've received three bad pairs. I recommend buying from REI with a membership because of the great return policy. Check the stitching and eyelets! If you can get a good pair, you'll have some great boots for many years as long as you wear them frequently. They're supremely rugged and comfortable. There's a reason SOF Forces use these boots. They work. Get a pair and see for yourself.

[@beestingza]

They aren't that great when the midsole starts to disintegrate after only 2 years.

[@spuds3145]

​@beestingza that happens from misuse. They have a PU midsole. If they aren't used regularly, water molecules break down the chemical bonds that hold the PU together. Lowa, Zamberlan, Scarpa... All of those will do this if you store it long-term. It's called hydrolysis. PU is still the best material for midsoles because it never compresses and retains its bounce forever. If you use PU boots regularly, they last at least 6 years most of the time, and often even longer.

[@MM-MARKO]

Your review videos are awesome! Do you have a “Top 10” or “Top 5” boots list somewhere? Since you’ve been getting a lot of shoes and requests, it would be cool to see you keeping up with a list like that on a board… adding and moving different boots depending on how they performed compared to the podium. I’m looking for Scarpa reviews. Keep up the good work!!!

[@joaocarlosnoronha8478]

These are Very beautiful boots. A little bit expensive though. Unfortunately they aren't available in Brazil.

[@4by4dodge3]

Great review, two thumbs up 👍 👍….

[@Skycop24]

Awesome review as usual. My only critique is to stop buying high-end gear off Amazon. There's a much higher probability of getting knockoff merchandise.

[@UltimateSurvivalGear]

Thank you for watching! And yes, 100% agree, I now stick to low mid range boots only on Amazon and the higher end stuff directly from manufacturer websites.

[@normanrussell7097]

This boot is issued to UK SF.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

Very tough build with a ton of foot bed support. Mine last about 2 years until the sole is worn out.

[@TeamFrancescoOfficial]

Great review

[@frankh1786]

I had these boots and I put them to work, honest review here. I was looking for a pair of boots for work and a few people suggested these so ordered them. At first they were comfortable but after a while they just started to feel like any other boot. The soles wore out but I used these anywhere between 8-24 hours a day, roughly 5-7 months which is not bad considering the hours I wore them for. My pair might have been defective since my feet did get wet I believe they were supposed to be waterproof ( but then again maybe the worn out sole played a part). I ended up throwing them away since the soles wore out. Note I’m not flat footed however I do have a low arch which is why my feet hurt and every boot feels the same. For my fellow low archers I would stay away unless you get custom insoles (for any shoe really) it would be a waste of $300 USD. Oh I forgot to add that these kept my feet nice and warm in the winter.

[@darkcircle899]

I think your boots had a problem because I walk through water with mine all the time and have never had any leaks. Asolo has a fantastic warranty if you still have the boots you can absolutely get them replaced free of charge. I've been rucking in mine 5 miles daily and they're still holding up well. I'll definitely be buying another pair when they wear out they're my favorite boots I've ever had.

[@jamsams]

Mine leak really badly too. My first pair were amazing. Second pair has put me off buying them again.

[@lukelee3]

The bottom sole disintegrated all around the edges of the foam in less than a few months. Planned obsolescence, not worth $300. Maybe $50. The falcon GVs are good though.

[@spuds3145]

That's not a QC issue or an issue with these boots, or Asolos in general. The midsole is polyurethane, which is susceptible to hydrolysis -- when the material rots. When not worn often, water gets trapped in the pores of the midsole, which is what causes hydrolysis. This is prevented by wearing them often. The constant movement and pressure from each step compresses the midsole, pushing the water out. The same can happen to many different models from Lowa and Scarpa. I would suggest trying a new pair. They're great boots. Just wear them often, and this won't happen. The outsole is very hard rubber, so it holds up really well, even around cities on concrete and asphalt.

[@lukelee3]

@@spuds3145 They don't put this information on the listing of their shoes because people wouldn't buy them as much. They can use other materials that do not disintegrate in months, but choose not to. EVA foam is 1 example, not prone to hydrolysis.

[@spuds3145]

@Luke Lee EVA foam is a great material, but it does lack some qualities that polyurethane possesses. For example, EVA foam compresses and loses its elasticity, rather quickly in some cases. Salomon uses EVA foam in its Quest and X Ultra series, and they're great boots. Companies like Scarpa, Lowa, and Asolo use polyurethane in a lot of their products. They're great, too. The problem is that people don't understand what they're buying. If you're going to make frequent use of the boots, polyurethane is the better choice. It won't compress or lose its shock-absorbing properties like EVA foam will. If you're just a casual hiker or camper, EVA foam is the better choice. It's not susceptible to hydrolysis due to infrequent use, and the compression factor is null and void if you rarely use them.

[@dave.5035]

Sizing ? True to size or size up?

[@Lion-dt7vw]

Подскажите пожалуйста совпадает ли размерная сетка с Adidas. Хочу купить Asolo, но adidas ношу 12us. Длина стопы 29 см. Спасибо за ответ)

[@thomaslittle18]

Great video. What brand pant are you wearing?

[@UltimateSurvivalGear]

Thanks for watching! These are Columbia Omni hiking pants. Unfortunately Columbia discontinued this specific model.

[@jamsams]

My first pair were awesome but does due to the dreaded hydrolysis. My second pair have let me down badly. First sign of water and im soaked. So much for a GTX lined boot. Upon inspection the fabric at the crease pount had worn through to expose holes. Won't get them again, which is a shame as they are so comfortable.

[@rgellona]

Not a good experience with those, I used for 2 seasons light hiking on summer suddenly the sole came off not good for a $300 shoes

[@Btc1ml]

Are these better than lowa?

[@rodeocool]

yo mate, you dont need a super soft cushioned insole if the midsole is a soft rubber foam that already provides that, but thats just me

[@rwp722]

My opinion on "breaking in" boots is; it has more to do with breaking in your foot to the boot.

[@Btc1ml]

Are they worth 300?

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Made in Romania. Great quality.

[@dscrappygolani7981]

Wannabe SOF just love these.... Good boots for places like Afghanistan.

[@cougar77b]

100% agree, we the airsoft players got mad in love about this boots jajajajaja

[@michaelflorez5096]

These boots fell apart on me after a year.. all the materials failed. Not worth the money if they fall apart within a year.

[@spuds3145]

That's not a QC issue or an issue with these boots, or Asolos in general. The midsole is polyurethane, which is susceptible to hydrolysis -- when the material rots. When not worn often, water gets trapped in the pores of the midsole, which is what causes hydrolysis. This is prevented by wearing them often. The constant movement and pressure from each step compresses the midsole, pushing the water out. The same can happen to many different models from Lowa and Scarpa. I would suggest trying a new pair. They're great boots. Just wear them often, and this won't happen. The outsole is very hard rubber, so it holds up really well, even around cities on concrete and asphalt.

[@Tomer-qx1ij]

so, those are boots made for zombie attack.

[@ironhorse6688]

If u purchased it off Amazon , Asolo will not honor the warranty,

[@Totemparadox]

I have to heavily disagree with your price complaint. Everything under $300 is normal priced for me.

[@ironhorse6688]

Am kinda worried he purchased off Amazon, because I had a friend that got one off Amazon and it needed repair and asolo wouldn’t honor the warranty, u have to buy from asolo authorized dealers

[@yltf]

Лет ми спик фром май харт

[@UltimateSurvivalGear]

Always!