Asolo Fugitive Review |
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Overall avg rating 3.6 of 5 based on 7 reviews. Most recent review: December 20, 2012
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Street Price:
Varies from $169 - $225 | Compare prices at 9 resellers
Pros: Exceptionally waterproof.
Cons: Unecessary components and flashy design.
Best Uses: Winter hiking, backpacking.
Recommendations: 80% of reviewers (4/5) recommend this product
Manufacturer:
Asolo
Overview
The Asolo fugitive tries very hard to be a mountaineering boot. In some respects it succeeds at this. It is very waterproof, it has decent insulation, and all the styling of the La Sportiva Trango. But trying to style it as if it is a mountaineering boot is a bit like pinning a peacocks plume to a pigeon. Its gaudy, unappealing, and a bit deceptive. It isn't for mountaineering. It's not crampon compatible, and the sole is a bit too flexible to work well with strap-on crampons. And while it is plenty waterproof, the insulation simply isn't good enough for any serious winter use.
If you are looking for an option that might be able to take some heavy winter use, the Asolo Power Matic might be good. If you simply want a durable synthetic hiker, try the La Sportiva Eco. It's significantly cheaper and has all the functionality of the Fugitive, but without the frills.
The great tragedy of the Asolo Fugitive is that they've taken a good hiker and tried to dress it up as if it were something else. Overall, we liked it, but we expected something better.
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OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
Perhaps this hiker's greatest strength is its waterproofing. It began, and has stayed, completely impermeable. It doesn't hold any water; dew will bead up and roll off. This keeps it light and helps the interior dry quickly.
While not better than the La Sportiva Eco, the tread is excellent, and has no trouble sticking to wet, mossy rock and muddy hillsides. The sole is fairly firm, which is a mixed blessing. It helps a bit on talus slopes, uneven ground, and scrambles, but leads to an inevitably slower pace because your foot can't flex as it normally does.
Dislikes
Everything feels a bit cheap. The lower brackets are too small for the laces, so they are difficult to lace up and difficult to keep laced. The rivets are jointed, a flashy, pointless addition which contributes nothing but additional points of failure. There is too much material on the tongue, so getting a tight but comfortable fit is difficult.
We haven't had the Asolo Fugitive for long enough to break it, but boots with that sort of design will often fail along the inside edge, where the foot flexes.
Best application
This is a great boot for dayhiking and backpacking. Because it is phenomenally waterproof, it works great for foul-weather activities and winter dayhiking.
Value
The Asolo Fugitive averages around $200. Spend $25-50 less on the La Sportiva Eco for a boot that will last longer.
—
Atherton Phleger
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OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews
Most recent review: December 20, 2012
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I have used them going on a year, only here in Colorado. This is my back-up boot. It is a hiking boot vs. the Asolo Powermatic, which is a backpacking boot and my go to boot.
Its a very good boot, but after a day of carrying a load your feet will feel more tired vs. the Powermatic. The sole is more flexible (better for hiking, but not for rough off trailing with a pack). The support is also less then a full on packpacking boot. Lighter then a full leather boot as you would expect.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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Other posters have posted about this not being a mountaineering boot. That it is not. I did take this boot up Mt. Olympus with crampons and it did not fare so well. Wished I would have had my Millets. Nonetheless, this has been my favorite pair of hiking boots that I have owned. I like the style compared to other full leather boots, and boy these things stay dry with the Gore-tex liners. I have never had a pair of boots stay so dry. My only complaint is the the soles seem to wear a bit more quickly than other boots, but the tradeoff is that it seems to be a sticker rubber, so good for scrambling/etc on rock. These are very well constructed, have a very short break in period, and even though I have replaced them with a new pair, they still get worn quite a bit as I can't seem to part with my first pair of Fugutives.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this product to a friend.
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My review of these boots is the same as the first. Too soft to be a mountain boot- a nice hiker for sure, but not equipped to be climbing much. The flaring of the edges past the welt makes them sloppy on the edges also.
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Have done Kings Peak, Mt. Peale, Mt. Washington (and others in the Presidential Range), Katadhin, Tumbledown, and numerous low level hiking trips in these since I bought them in August 2011…. Really like them. Very quick break in period. Waterproof through the winter, and minimal blistering on Very long hikes like the Henry Fork Trail in the High Unita Wilderness of Utah. Sure the styling is a bit overboard, but who buys boots based on styling?
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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agree with writeup that these are not mountaineering boots, but they sure are a great, flexible (comfortable out of the box) waterproof backpacking/hiking boot that I use for light winter use (mild snow and ice).
Compared to waterproof Montrail and Merrell boots I've owned these are much more comfortable for all day wear and handle great on rocky terrain.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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