Asolo Aconcagua GV

I just found out from Asolo that these are a limited offerring NOT DISTRIBUTED IN THE USA (see my source below who suddenly listed a few all as almost gone, but in several sizes 9.5 to 13). Asolo Medium boots typically run on the narrow side for foot volume and heal width, but have nice toe box size.

Little Mt Si isn't the highest point in the Western Hemisphere, like Mt Aconcaqua.  However, the Asolo Aconcaqua Mountaineering boots, with its' pinnacle name, can help me conquer almost peak in comfort and with increased safety.

Peak of Little Mt Si, yesterday (Sunday Dec.13, 2015) just before lunch.

Good supportive boots greatly increase a hikers' safety on challenging terrain, such as on this rooty section of Little Mt Si.  One could say 'equipment overkill' here.  I say ... breaking ME into a newer boot awhile is never a bad idea!  And besides it makes a moderate hike even more physically challenging, because of the extra weight on my feet = more excersize.

These boots feel like they are going to be EPIC like their namesake (Mt Aconcagua is the highest point in the Western Hemisphere).  Rating score might adjust as I know the boots better. From what I see so far, I could have started with 5, except due to weight. So far, I positively love them. Comfortable right out of the box.  Easy gait walking, invincible feel to them.  To pretest the boots, I've worn them a few days in the office, then tested on a few hikes so far.  Climb rocks like crazy with high stability and traction.  Excellent support, stiff soles with some rocker, amazing heel flexibility in walking.  Grip mud and wet leaves well.  TOUGH and DURABLE, hard to nick the leather.  Need next to get them onto glacier approach & glacier conditions. 

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Asolo Catalog Info (main Italy site)

Aconcagua GV Color: GRAFITE/NERO

BOOT CATEGORY:  Climbing

Recommended for:  Classical mountaineering, hard trekking and Winter work.

One-piece water-resistant 2,4 mm. Perwanger leather upper. Gore-Tex® lining, waterproof and breathable. Total traction sole with rigid TPU insert for support and torsional stability. The Vibram sole is compatible both with most common crampon.UPPER : Water-resistant Perwanger leather mm 2,2-2,4

LINING : Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Footwear.
LASTING BOARD : Asoflex Ascent.
ANATOMIC FOOTBED : Lite 3.
SOLE : Vibram Vertige suitable for the attachments for automatic crampons.
FIT : Man 
WEIGHT : 990 (g) (1/2 pair size 8 UK)
SIZE : 5-12,5 UK
MADE : in ROMANIA

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Asolo's boot logo located on the front gussett also displays the model name, and if it is a wide version, WIDE is typically displayed here and not inside with the size. I'm guessing that the GV means the boot has a Gore Tex lining and Vibram sole.

Astonishing match of materials and excellent attention to detail was my first impression when inspecting the boots. They feel amazingly strong and solid, they feel like the 'Hummer' of boots.

Attractive styling is present throughout the design, and it all for function too, not just for show.  The black fire (bat wing?) on the upper color puts cushioning and flexibility into your climbing step. Note the double tongue inside the gussetted collar. It increases support and drastically increases comfort. Note how the rubber rand protects the front and sides of the boot, while not displaying edges to get snagged and torn.

Contrasting artful designs display on the inner leg versus outer leg collar designs. The low key coloring with contrasting bold design make the boot very distinctive and elegantly eye grabbing.  

Wonderful symmetry of color placement and balance is woven into the functional elements.

Aggressive sole patterning is highly event on these boots. This weekend the maiden voyage of the boots was on a trail with loose gravel, mud, and multilayered large water soaked Pacific Giant Maple leaves with ice slush and mossy rocks. These boots have a beast of a grip. I rinsed off the mud and air dried them before the photo.

Deep gnarly tread depth on this mountaineering Vibram sole.   The sole rolls up to be a protective bumper, meeting the rubber rrand that wraps around the toe base.

Toe Rubber Rand is just wide enough to be effective and feels strong a durable.

Boot Gusset design and view of lacing eyelets and micro pulleys.

Double tongue is very wide and supportive and has Velcro to adjust how it cradles your foot.  Note the thick soft boot padding and neutral color wicking cloth surface.

Cavernous opening created by the gusseted design permits easy putting on and taking off these boots.

Boot footbed insert is shaped well and performs great.  Many complain that Asolo's inserts are a hard and Spartan experience.  I thought so two for my first many hikes in my Asolo Power Matic GV 200 boots (see Trailspace review).  First I tried gel inserts, then Superfeet.  Overtime I discovered that Asolo's worked the best with less fatique and better support.  You'll discover what breaks in and works best for you.  Their inserts breathe well even in my Asolo Power Matic 250 boots, where the inverts sit directly on a hard polymer footbed support.

Best lacing support system I've experienced yet for boots.

Top eyelets have a wide double riveted base, wide clips with cut outs helping to you remove iceice and grit in use.  Also note the strong stitching, double on load bearing areas.

Ankle eyets are strong fabric, well anchored into the boot.  I was wondering why the heck they weren't metal until that first hike.  This design results in better flexibility action at the ankle.  These boots flex enough to be more forgiving on flat surfaces (less of a Frankenstein-like movie gait results).  

Low ankle eye is locking so you can seperately tension the upper and lower boot sections.  These also help greatly in holding the laces in position as you begin to lace the upper section. 

Three sets of Micro Pulleys help in quickly tensioning or releasing pressure in the lower lace area.  Classic proven dual D-rings eyelets anchor the bottom of the lace train.

Micro Pulleys work fabulously well with the strong kermantle wrapped laces provided.  If the laces need replacing on the trail, standard 550 lb Parachord is equivalent.  Lace ends can be formed on cut exposed ends of either with careful match fire melting and spinning to a hard cap in your fingers.

Big Rocky terrain is so amazing to experience!  I prefer to kick its' butt, rather than be kicked by it!

Anniversary hike for a couple with us on the Boulder Garden Loop section of the Little Mt Si trail.

We hike a lot tougher areas!  But heck, this was yesterday and my feelings are still livin' it!  And so are theirs.