Asolo Fusion 95 GTX

These boots are definately "Light Hiker" boots. Too start off, my feet are wide. After buying these boots, I had them stretched to fit my foot. Asolo does not recommend this as it compromises the Gore-tex lining. They also mentioned that this boot was not designed for wide feet. After the stretching the boots fit.

After one 50-mile trek on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Oregon Cascades my feet were sore and my toes went numb for several weeks. The toe box pinched my toes. I attempted a 70-mile trek down the Kanab Creek drainage to the Grand Canyon with these boots and suffered greatly.

The PCT is a well defined trail. The Kanab Creek Canyon trail is a dry/wet river bed with huge boulders to navigate. The condition of the trail really defines where these boots can be used. I suggest these boots be used for light hiking only (10 miles/day for 1 to 3 days) where the trail is in good condition. These boots should not be used for "Wilderness" expeditions.

Bought these boots after reading how great they were in Backpacker: light as trail shoes, full-on backpacking support. I have narrow heels and wide forefeet, making all boots, as I read elsewhere, nothing but "blister machines," but the 95'ers are great! Walked 6-7 miles out of the box through vicious terrain in the Oswegatchie River wilderness and ended up without blisters ... few hot spots in my heels, but nothing.

Slapped in some Superfeet greens and was on my way over grass mattocks, up and down cliffs, crashing through killer mega-brush - nothing but great support and protection. Gore-Tex worked too, after I stepped in a hidden beaver channel. Asolo calls these "rough trail" boots, but I can see them doing some serious backpacking. With the added footbeds and thicker socks, these boots have been a blessing for my sensitive tootsies - great price, too!

I just returned from five nights in the Bridger/Popo Agie Wilderness Areas in the Wind River Range, Wyoming. These boots were everything I had hoped for. I am 6'0"/180lbs., size 11.5US feet. I was carrying approx. 45lb. pack about 8-11 miles/day. The boots provided plenty of support and no blisters.

They are marketed as a light hiking boot, but I disagree. My feet were tired at the end of each day, but I did not have the blisters the rest of the group had. I did not have the opportunity to test their water resistance because it was so dry out there.

Great Boot!

The boots were light, comfortable, and I had a great fit right out of the box. But, after about 28 miles on rocky Sierra Nevada trails, the soles (Asolo rubber not Vibram) looked like I had been using them to stop a motorcycle on rough asphalt. I thought that another 28 miles might result in holes in my soles,so I returned with great regret. Too bad, because their fit and light weight were the best I've ever had in a hiking boot. If Asolo would add a Vibram sole, I would buy them again.

These boots are beyond their rated "light hiking" standard. I've done everything from day hikes, climbing three fourteeners in two days, to 4-day backpacking trips in the Grand Canyon and these kick a@#! I have a relatively wide foot and they fit like a glove, also the Asolo tread on the bottom I find much more appealing than the vibram soles you see out there because it tends to not slip on those wet rocks. EXCELLENT way to spend money on a hiking boot.

I looked at many different boots trying to find a lightweight, waterproof boot that was easy on the feet. I have been very happy with these boots, which have given my narrow foot no blisters at all. I have used them on six day hikes in the Southern California mountains. The boots have been solid and have worn well. Contrary to some other reports that they wear out quickly, that has not been my experience.

Thirty minutes after I bought these boots, I went and tested them. I was walking on slippery rocks, crossing creeks and hiking some tough trails. The boots are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, and would recommend them to anyone. The best boot for the price on the market.

These boots are everything I expected them to be. I dropped blue superfeet in them and made them just that much better.

I have mixed feelings about these boots. They are deceptively comfortable out of the box, but I got some nasty heel blisters on my first hike with them (12 miles of moderate trail). I can't take them off trail or on many consecutive days without some hot spots. I have wide forefeet and narrow heels like many women, so I guess I would tell women with feet like mine to buy with caution.

Two trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and they are not far from needing a new soles. Uppers are showing signs of wear beyond what one would expect for 35 miles of hiking. honestly think a pair of high quality tennis shoes would show less wear and tear. They fit great and require no break-in but won't last long. These are NOT heavy-duty hiking boots. Light duty, old folk, day hikes.

Had an opportunity to use these boots on rocky/medium-rough terrain. In 10 days the soles were so worn through that they developed nice thumb-sized holes.

Otherwise these boots were very comfortable and durable - I guess that the upper would last a decade... if only soles would give them a chance.

Think before buying.