Asolo 101

Climbed in these extensively when living in AK in the eighties. Kept them in dry storage ever since and recently pulled them out again for mountaineering. They are still the best plastic boot I ever used. I think they'd be fine used IF they were kept in dry, cool storage out of UV as these have been. I have always used vapor barrier booties inside so as to keep the moisture out of the boot and rotated socks to keep my feet dry.

Background

Extensive mountaineering, mixed rock and ice, and ice climbing over several seasons.

The Asolo 101s are the best plastic boot that I have used. They fit my feet good and have always felt very comfortable, whether walking or climbing ice. The snug fit they provide allow a good feel and support while on ice or mixed. The boots always felt light on my feet, not the clumsy feeling you get with a lot of plastics. Mine are about 11 years old and if they were still available I would definitely buy another pair as mine are at about at the end of the trail.

It seems as though Asolo forgot all of the good things that made the 101 an excellent boot when they produced the Expedition. Even with the roller lacing system it is difficult for me to get a good tight fit. The boots seem clumsy although I have done a lot of ice and mixed in them. The plastic used in the Expedition seems overly thick and not very durable as mine are cracking in back where they fit over the achilles. The material used to seal the tongue on either side has not held up very well as it has worn through in a couple of places. The inners are warm enough for expedion use but seem to hold foot perspiration after several days on an expedition if you sweat like I do. But the inners also have durability problems, as an elastic piece that goes across the top of the foot has come unsewn on one of the inners. These boots are a little over two years old. Recommend? I don't think so.

I have owned these boots for over four years. I bought them used and have seen other good used versions out there..ie: IME, North Conway, N.H. These boots may be older technology, but they are the best fitting plasic boots I have ever owned... these are my 4th pair of pastic boots.

They are a little heavy compared to other boots now on the market, but you cannot beat the performance... or price. I have had the unfortunate experience of falling into an under snow glacier lake (on the glacier) in Alaska. Needless to say I was soaked... and it was cold out, 20 deg maybe... but my feet were fine after I dumped out the water. Can't beat that kind of performance.

I bought a pair of new AFS 101's in the early 1990s but never used them. Recently (May 2008) I started walking in them as part of training for an upcoming climbing expedition. After a couple of walks the soles completely fell off both boots and one of the carbon fibre shanks/sole stiffeners delaminated.

I am currently trying to get them repaired.

Be very careful buying these boots second hand. This problem could have FATAL consequences.

I previously owned and climbed in another pair of 101's and thought they were excellent climbing boots. If not for this problem I would have rated them as 5 stars.