Asolo Fugitive GTX Boot

Nothing but problems with multiple pairs. I started with a pair of these boots from REWhy. The first time on they were very comfortable and I was excited to get such a high quality boot. After purchasing and with a bit more inspection I found that the Gore-Tex lining on the heal had a large amount of extra material that caused a crease. This crease dug into my heal and caused blisters on the first day (break-in at the office, no hiking). Obvious flaw. I took that pair back and they ordered another pair. Ten days later I received the new boots and they had the same issue. Extra Gore-Tex causing large creases in the lining. This time on the other boot. Again I traded them in and ordered another pair. Over ten days later I got a third pair. (Yes, I am getting very frustrated by this point). The third pair had an even larger crease in them near the toe. I figured that maybe I should just wear them for a few weeks to see if this crease would go away. No such luck. With all the extra Gore-Tex material in the lining, it creates large friction points in the boot. I took that pair back again and got a refund. I visited another outdoor store thinking that REI maybe had a bad batch. I purchased the same boot in a different color. The newest pair was very comfortable and didn't seem to have the lining issue. After wearing the latest pair for about two weeks the Gore-Tex lining is now releasing from the bottom of the boot. This is actually the second pair that has had this same issue. The lining pulls up and you can feel it "squishing" each step. This is just on one boot. To say the least I have been very disappointed in this boot and in Asolo. I wish they would go back to making their boots in Italy and leave the Bangladesh/China manufacturing to things like computer parts and toys. For what it's worth, I have heard several people praise these boots...I guess that is why I was willing to give them so many attempts. This latest attempt has frustrated me to the point where I will no longer purchase Asolo boots. This is after wearing Asolo's for over 10 years. If you decide to purchase these boots, make sure to inspect the Gore-Tex lining closely before leaving the store.

I am in the military and purchased a pair for use in the mountains of Afghanistan. I had 3 weeks to break them in. I carried a 80lb pack for 8 miles the first day. Then ran 6 miles the next 2 days. Regular army issue boots are better than these. These boots were hot and sweaty. I never get blisters, because I put on so much mileage during the week, but these boots caused hot spots the first day and then blisters the second day on the back of my heels. I know they probably aren't made for running but neither are my army boots and other civilian hiking boots that I run in regularly. To make all this worse, I inspected the boots tonight and noticed the sole is separating from the shoe under my right big toe and under my left little toe. I can stick my index finger up to the first joint into the separation. I wore Asolo boots for a long time years ago before I was in the military. These boots won't see the terrain of Afghanistan on my feet. I am very disappointed and will be returning these to look at another brand. This is the first time I posted a rant about a product I have purchased so you know I am a bit unhappy. I just don't want anyone to make the same mistake.

I've gone through three paris of these boots...in one year! Fortunately, none were on my dime...
first pair were the best. but still bad, zero water/snow protection even thought it's supposedely gore tex. walked out of the soles after a month, literally. (100 miles)
second pair lasted about the same distance, but i learned to TRIPLE WAX, so the water wasn't as much an issue
third pair was the worst, thook them out on the AT, five days later (~50 miles)...dunzo, finished, over. walked out of the soles again, and again, literally.

please save the time and money and get another boot, perhaps the la sportiva trango, my favorite thus far

Looks like I'm not the only one who's heels were ravaged by these boots. It only took two miles of mild hiking to draw blood.

I tried a similar model of Asolo boots that felt better in the store and they did the same thing.

If it weren't for the awful heel fit they'd be awesome

first, i'd like to say that i've used these boots for the last two years for hundreds upon hundreds of hours of landscaping work and have yet to be disappointed by these boots while working. however, i have also put on a few hundred miles of hiking trails in them as well, and must say that for that (which of course is their intended use), i have been mildly disappointed. while the sole is quite solid for such a lightweight boot, the sole does wear through a little more quickly than i predicted. the gripe that others have had with the Gore-Tex lining i did not experience until about a year after their use, but when the lining in the heel crumpled up i developed bursitis (so my running friend told me) on my heel during a backpacking trip in Yellowstone. i've figured out that all i need to do is position my heel a little more precisely in the boot prior to wear now, kind of annoying, but i haven't had a problem for about a year now. while these boots are waterproof, in my time landscaping, i've successfully managed to break through to the Gore-Tex lining in multiple areas, and they no longer provide protection from the water, but i doubt that this would occur if only used for hiking as intended. like i said, i have used these boots almost more than any shoe i have ever worn, and two years later, i still use them every week. they are 90 percent of the time super comfy and i would still recommend them if one were able to get them on sale. one last thing; the lace eyelets eat through bootlaces like no other. i've already gone through 4 pair and never go hiking without an extra pair.

I've walked nearly 300 miles in the Fugitives, from cold spring mornings with dew to baking hot desert river valleys for days on end. Lots of issues with this boot, which I found less worthy than it appears. I fit them carefully in the store, and I gave them a proper break-in by doing ten 10-12 mile day hikes before taking them on a packing trip. No good. The toe box (like all Asolos now) is too narrow, meaning I had to get a half-size larger for toe room, which made the flex point wrong at the ball of my foot. Despite the mesh material, they were boiling hot in all weather due to the Gore-tex lining, and yet soaked through in only 5 minutes in a dewy meadow with gaitors on (I suspect the stitching through the Gore-tex to be at fault). The shank in the forefoot is great, and so is the stability and weight. But you'd actually be cooler and drier with a pair of leather boots. The heel cups were different sizes on each foot (poor quality control). I had to cancel my trip on day 11 because of the abuse these boots did to my feet, which is a first in more than 60 backpacking trips). Get them for cool and dry conditions, but not if you like toe room and breathability. Come on Asolo, you used to be great.

These boots feel great on my feet- the first couple of times I wore them I had some pains after my 10 mile + hikes, but then they settled in. The only real issue I have with them is that I tend to slip off of everything, which I cannot understand for the life of me. In my opinion The North Face brand quality has slipped quite a bit in the past few years, but I was hiking with a friend wearing simple TNF sneakers and he was sticking to everything like they were made of fly paper, and me- I was stuck wishing I could fly simply because I was pulling my back out in hopes to keep my balance on rocks. I tend to stick to the same trails, so maybe the boots are simply allergic to those trails in particular... but man, oh man, what a pain.

They do feel good to me though, and I haven't had any other issues outside of taking a solid 2 minutes to lace up before heading out. It may not sound like a lot- but trying timing how long it takes you to lace your shoes sometime.

These boots are bomb proof. Water doesnt stand a chance. They feel good for a little while but after 5 hours in them your feet will start to hurt. Also, if youre going to be doing any kind of serious hiking i would recommend a stiffer boot. With a semi heavy pack on they almost feel like butter. I just use them for light hiking now and bought a more serious boot for backpacking.

I bought those boots after bying the Patagonia's Drifters GTX (Gore Tex) hiking shoes and they can't be compared. Even if they are boots, my feet went cold and i had less arch support than the shoes. Just after receiving them, after 1 use, i had rust on one of the lace ring. After 1 month, i'm still not convinced that it's the best buy i could have done, but they are good lookin...

Had these for two season, until I sat them a little too close to a camp fire. Boot fits well and is comfortable, but my gripe would be the about the traction. Soles never performed well for me when forging through streams and having to rock hop. Also, vertical climbs up slippery slopes got interesting in these boots.

Boot looks great and is water tight, but can't compare to a Vibram sole.

Well made solid boot and keeps out the water, the main problem with them is they are terrible on wet rocks and wet roots or any smooth wet surface. Slippery as ice! I've almost fallen on these surfaces everytime I've gone hiking. I have since purchased 5 10 camp four approach shoes which are really sticky on wet surfaces. Fugitives are great for dry hikes but terrible on wet surfaces.

First pair I received through backcountry had a problem with leaking. This site’s customer service quickly replaced them with a new pair. Very happy with the fit, still concerned about Asolo's use of the word "waterproof." Also, the lace system seems to come undone frequently because the lowest lace hook is set back so far.