User Review: Asolo TPS 520 GV
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Rating: 
Materials: Leather with Goretex
Use: 10+ mile hiking
Break-in Period: Very Short
Weight: 3 lbs. - 10 ozs. (without sweat)
Price Paid: $172*
*Paid $172 thanks to REI's 20% off sale.
A little of my boot history:
I had a pair of all-leather (inside and out) Italian made Fabiano Trioncs for 20 years. What great boots! After 20 years my foot dimension changed too much and I had to move on for the Fabianos could only form so much.
First the good:
Very comfy right out of the box.
Need very little break-in.
Well made and NOT from China.
Great to walk around in with a lively sole.
Nice quality full-grain one-piece leather as opposed to some other China feels like vinyl-leather boots that I tried on.
The OK:
Ankle support. For a full-grain leather boot, I would expect a bit more support. I think the little cut-ot in the leather where there is padding impacts this. It's a trade - comfort enhancement for support. I just prefer the support.
The Bad:
This is not against Asolo but against all boot makers (the Asolo 520 GVs just happen to fall into this category)...Gore-tex + FULL-GRAIN LEATHER OUTERS = FOOT PUDDLES.
Folks, if you get a full-grain leather outer boot, properly treat it, it will be water resistant for anything but fly-fishing. Full-grain leather outers along with Gore-tex DOES NOT allow ones feet to breathe despite what boot makers say!
After 8 of 11 miles on the maiden hike, I started to get a hot-spot under my big toe. I sat down to address this and when I pulled the boot, my sock flopped over under the weight of accumulated sweat. When I squeezed the sock, my hand was full of moisture! This probably added an additional two ounces of weight to each foot.
Folks: Do not be suckered in by the Gore-tex hype with full leather boots! Gore-tex has its use, but not here.
REI is GREAT! I took the boots back, explained my dis-satisfaction and they credited me. I applied the credit to an ALL-leather boot (inside and out which very sadly is becoming more and more rare due to the Gore-tex monster) which is made in Germany and I LOVE THEM! I will always go with ALL leather boots.
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Where to Buy
Buy Online We found the TPS 520 GV at 6 online stores:
| Store | Product Description | Price |
 Moosejaw 2 purchase options: | Men's TPS 520 GV (Spring 2008) | $215.00 | Buy Now |
| Men's TPS 520 Boot - Wide (Fall 2007) | $230.00 | Buy Now |
 Backcountry.com | TPS 520 GV Backpacking Boot - Men's | $229.95 | Buy Now |
 RockCreek | TPS 520 GV Boots (Men's) | $171.95 | Buy Now |
 REI 2 purchase options: | TPS 520 GTX Hiking Boots - Men's | $230.00 | Buy Now |
| TPS 520 GTX Hiking Boots - Women's | $230.00 | Buy Now |
 Massey's 2 purchase options: | Mens Asolo TPS 520 GV | $214.49 | Buy Now |
| Womens Asolo TPS 520 GV | $214.49 | Buy Now |
 EMS 2 purchase options: | TPS 520 GV Boots, Men's | $230.00 | Buy Now |
| TPS 520 GV Boots, Women's | $230.00 | Buy Now |
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