Take A Hike Asolo Style

Must Have Monday

I love hitting the trails whether it's backpacking in Colorado for a month or simply an overnight hike with the dog. When it comes to being limited to wearing only one pair of shoes for a chunk of time I become even more picky about what I put on my feet. Uneven terrain, inclement weather, big backpacks and heavy impact can wreak havoc on your feet...and believe me...unhappy feet on a backpacking trip is a total drag.

For many years, I counted upon my trusty Technica boots to take me to lofty places in comfort and protection. After many trips and much abuse my beloved boots made their last mark on Mt. Baker and had to be out to rest in pieces by the end of that trip. (K&D thanks for that G.N.O...best way for a pair of boots to go).

Now, I was faced with the challenge of replacing the 12 year old boots I loved. Even more pressing was the fact that I had hearty hike planned soon...leaving little time to break in or allow my feet to adjust to new boots.

My sweet Momelyn offered to treat me to new boots and as a long time member of REI suggested that I take a look at their selection. I was immediately drawn to the one piece leather construction on a pair of Asolo boots on the top shelf. I appreciate designs that are not overly fussy with stitching that can get caught in the brush or serve as an entry point for moisture. The Asolo TPS 520 GV boasts their “Triple Power Structure Vibram outsoles that use strategically placed low-density polyurethane cylinders to increase propulsion and support. You can actually feel the boot carry you forward into your next step and those cylinders reinforce the foot strike pattern to encourage even wear of the soles. They are also lined with Gore-Tex so you know your feet are going to stay dry!

Even though these boots are rugged and sturdy they required no break-in a tall. They felt amazing the minute I put them on and all the way through my first backpacking trip with them. Their lace-to-toe design gives me total adjustment from my toes all the way up to my ankle allowing for different weights of sock and great overall fit. The grip of the soles made me feel sure-footed in a variety of conditions.

The bottom line is that these Asolo boots are tops when you want a seriously great hiking boot.

Happy Trails,

abigail dagmar

Try on these boots at your local outdoor store with your favorite hiking socks to assure the best fit. If these boots are not available locally you can find them online at: REI.com, MooseJaw.com and amazon.com

Fittting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. I purchased a pair in womens size 8 medium. They run a bit long purposely! When buying hiking boots you want your foot to be able to shift forward a bit without hitting the end so your toes won't be abused during steep descents. They are offered in both medium and wide widths and the lacing system allowed me to snug them against my narrow-ish foot for a great fit. Their comfort features include a gusseted tongue, padded ankle collar and rocker-bootom soles. They have removable insoles and should accommodate most orthoses. Also, these boots offer outstanding stability to the arch and ankle.