NEW BOOTS

IS THE SEARCH FINALLY OVER?

I searched on and off for the last 6 months to find a replacement for my Asolo TPS 520 hiking boots. Leann kept saying just buy another pair of 520’s. She said they performed flawlessly from Tasmania to the Arctic and everywhere in between. She is right they are great boots but they weigh 4 pounds 2 ounces for the pair. The old saying: a pound on your foot equals 5 pounds on your back kept rolling in the back of my mind.

• Let the search begin with the following requirements:
  • Gore-Tex liner so they would be “waterproof”
  • Vibram outsole to reduce shock impact on each step.
  • Metal eyelets for laces, anything else just fails.
  • 3 pounds or less
  • Over the ankle, no trail runners for me
  • Flat laces since they stay tied better than round ones
  • Comfortable (most important requirement)

I started my search at REI and went 3 times over the 6 month period just checking to see what they might have new. On my third visit I made a purchase and headed home to give them a test run. As I was walking around the neighborhood, the right boot kept going “THUNK” on every step. THUBK, THUNK, THUNK, I was about ready to scream by the time I got home. I took them back and said there was something wrong with the right boot and I did not want a replacement. REI took them back, no questions asked. Their return policy is the best. You can return an item up to 12 months after purchase. The search continues.

I headed over to a local outfitter to see what they had. All of my original backpacking gear was from this store. I found a pair that looked perfect but my size was not in stock. They would order my size and call me when the boots arrived, I never heard from them.

I decided to give REI another try and checked online. I don’t like buying boots online but since their return policy is good it was worth a shot. I kept my search to Asolo since I know their size 10 fits well. I used their comparison tool so I could look at options vs my existing 520 boots.

Winner, winner chicken dinner. I went with the Falcon EVO model. Bottom line they checked 6 of my 7 requirements only missing flat laces.

Quick update: I wore them on 2 walks around the neighborhood and then a 7+ mile day hike. They felt great. Next up a long daylike and then a backpacking trip. Stay tuned for a long term update.

• 10 HIKE UPDATE: GOOD (MOSTLY) & BAD (POTENTIALLY)
  • The ankle support is surprisingly good given the weight of the boot
    • I would have no problem backpacking or hiking with these in the lower 48 but would stick with my heavier boots for the tussocks of Alaska
  • They passed the wet meadow water proof test.
  • They are very comfortable, my feet feel good after a long hike.
  • The thinner soles let you feel more of the rocks underfoot but so far this has not been an issue
  • I am still not a fan of round boot laces, flat laces tie tighter and stay tight longer
  • The only area of concern might be durability but don’t tell Leann.

The logo patch looks good but the thread is already fraying at the top of the tongue where you tie the laces Not sure if this will impact anything but it is pretty annoying in a $260 pair of boots.

Hopefully I will be able to get these on the trail for a backpacking trip. Stay tuned for that update.

HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE