User Review: Asolo FSN 95 GTX

Asolo FSN 95 GTX
Above: The current FSN 95 GTX, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed September 6, 2006 by Josh

Rating:
Use: dayhikes to weeklongs
Break-in Period: 5 miles
Price Paid: under 100

a great boot for little money if yer willing to shop around, got mine on ebay for under $100. great fit, i had no trouble with break in or blisters like some other reviewers...but that's me. very supportive with nice stiff soles for rocks and roots, excellent grip. soft rubber soles may mean they wear out fast but who cares when you get to walk upright up slippery outcrops while others quadruped it.

other reviewers questioned the water resistance, i have not had a problem with wet feet in these boots even after crossing shallow streams and walking through wet grass for a mile or so. dry feet are important to me so this is something i am very critical of. quality seems to be beyond reproach, with tight precision stitching, handsome materials and strong lace hooks. no frays or loose stitches after about 35-40 miles of backcountry use.

so, any complaints?...well, only stupid ones really. i find that they're excellent debris collectors...small twigs, pine needles, dirt and gravel, etc...all like to accumulate around the laces and magically migrate up into the rim of the boot. no big deal but a minor annoyance not present with some of my other boots. the soft soles do wear quickly but i think the outstanding grip they provide outweighs the marginal loss in tread life.