So for our little 4 day excursion into Peru's Lares Valley, I decided to get myself a serious pair of hiking boots. Even though we would only be carrying daypacks, I needed a boot that could support my weak ankles, propel me up steep trails to 14,000 feet and withstand some extreme scree surfing. After months of research I decided on the Asolo TPS 520 GTX.
At first glance these boots are as attractive as they are formidable. Full-grain leather uppers with superior ankle supports, Vibram insoles and dual density soles at a total weight of almost 3.5 lbs. Putting them on felt like slipping into a pair of old sneakers.
Break-in was done along the Appalachian Trail at High Point, NJ and Delaware Water Gap trails. While not always the steepest of trails, they are known to be rocky and can put some serious wear on the best of boots. There is a stiffness in the shank of these boots that does not go away with break-in. Which is great with highly technical trails with heavy loads but makes for less comfort on the typical backpacking route. I would also recommend that, if you plan on wearing thick socks or have anything but the narrowest of feed, to get the wide cut version. Asolo by design seems to cut their boots narrow with a low volume toe box so the extra width will add to your comfort. All told, between training with a heavy pack through the trip I logged about 200 miles in these boots. To date it the mileage is approaching 350.
After continuing to use these boots throughout training and the trip, I can say that these boot performed superbly. They stood up to harsh Andean conditions and showed little signs of wear after 40 hard fought miles. My feet stayed dry in stream crossings (no gaiters, but the streams did not come over the boots). Minor point but if you bang your toes on alot of things like I do, then it would ahve been nice to have a higher toe guard as the leather takes a beating on rocks.
Overall, I would highly recommend for advanced hikes with medium to heavy pack loads. However, I would go with a boot with a bit more forgiveness in the mid-sole for less challenging hikes or treks where you are only required to carry a daypack.
Pros
- Top quality construction
- Excellent ankle support
- Rugged dual density soles hold up on rocks
- Effective waterproofing
- Seriously stiff mid-sole
Cons
- Price (Retail $215)
- Stiff midsole may not be to everyones liking
- Difficult to size due to narrow cut (particularly when your local store does not carry them)
Final Thought: World class boot for advanced hikes with moderate to heavy packs
At first glance these boots are as attractive as they are formidable. Full-grain leather uppers with superior ankle supports, Vibram insoles and dual density soles at a total weight of almost 3.5 lbs. Putting them on felt like slipping into a pair of old sneakers.Break-in was done along the Appalachian Trail at High Point, NJ and Delaware Water Gap trails. While not always the steepest of trails, they are known to be rocky and can put some serious wear on the best of boots. There is a stiffness in the shank of these boots that does not go away with break-in. Which is great with highly technical trails with heavy loads but makes for less comfort on the typical backpacking route. I would also recommend that, if you plan on wearing thick socks or have anything but the narrowest of feed, to get the wide cut version. Asolo by design seems to cut their boots narrow with a low volume toe box so the extra width will add to your comfort. All told, between training with a heavy pack through the trip I logged about 200 miles in these boots. To date it the mileage is approaching 350.
After continuing to use these boots throughout training and the trip, I can say that these boot performed superbly. They stood up to harsh Andean conditions and showed little signs of wear after 40 hard fought miles. My feet stayed dry in stream crossings (no gaiters, but the streams did not come over the boots). Minor point but if you bang your toes on alot of things like I do, then it would ahve been nice to have a higher toe guard as the leather takes a beating on rocks.
Overall, I would highly recommend for advanced hikes with medium to heavy pack loads. However, I would go with a boot with a bit more forgiveness in the mid-sole for less challenging hikes or treks where you are only required to carry a daypack.
Pros
- Top quality construction
- Excellent ankle support
- Rugged dual density soles hold up on rocks
- Effective waterproofing
- Seriously stiff mid-sole
Cons
- Price (Retail $215)
- Stiff midsole may not be to everyones liking
- Difficult to size due to narrow cut (particularly when your local store does not carry them)
Final Thought: World class boot for advanced hikes with moderate to heavy packs
