User Review: Asolo Men's FSN 85

I give this boot a 4.5 out of 5 because it does everything it is DESIGNED to do. These boots are not waterproof above the sole and leathers (as designed), but they dry fairly quickly with good socks. After a full year of wearing them in all seasons and putting MANY miles on them (trail and off), I am ambivalent about the condition of the boots -- They still look new! Waterproof boots would have been helpful, but I can't justify buying new boots when these are holding up so well.

This is what someone from Asolo had to say reference a question about its shank and sole: "You can look at the FSN 95 on our website for sole and shank information – that will be the same for the FSN 85. Rubbermac is a hiking boot sole manufacturer just like Vibram. Each brand has a full line of different soles for different uses. Shanks are generally not used in hiking boots any longer. A full footprint plastic frame is used that can be better manipulated for which area of the foot is stiff and where the flex point of the boot is."

So, while no Gore-tex is a bummer, a good quality boot for CHEAP is pretty awesome. Overall, I love my boots. (Just stay off hard cement floors!)