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Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Review

With a full grain leather outer and a thick lugged sole, the Power Matic 200 GV is the most durable boots in our fleet and offers the best support for heavy loads
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Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Review
Credit: Asolo
Price:  $375 List
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Manufacturer:   Asolo
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 6, 2019
70
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Stability - 20% 9.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 15% 2.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 9.0
  • Durability - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV hiking boot is the most cumbersome and most rugged model we tested in our review. This boot is built with a full-grain leather upper, has superior stiffness and protection, making this one of the best boots for people spending lots of field time in harsh environments. Trail crews, backcountry rangers, and backpackers carrying heavyweight will appreciate the support, comfort, and durability, and they can easily double as a practical work boot.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Supportive
Waterproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Long break in period
Heavy
Not best for long distance hiking
The weight penalty that you pay for this high durability and support is quite high; however, with so many lighter weight models to choose from nowadays, the average backpacker will not find the massive, traditional style backpacking boot to be their number one choice.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is the most rugged, heavy-duty boot that we featured in our Best Hiking Boot Review. It most closely resembles the traditional hiking boot that many grew up wearing and have worn for years. The Power Matic 200 performed well in some metrics, notably in water resistance and durability, but poorly in weight and comfort.

Performance Comparison


asolo power matic 200 gv - a day hike with stream crossings and talus piles was no match for...
A day hike with stream crossings and talus piles was no match for the Asolo.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Comfort


This is a heavy-duty boot that Is adequately padded around the ankle collar and has a good amount of cushioning in the ankle bone itself, locking the foot into place securely, but did not have as much ankle comfort as the Editors Choice Award. The included footbed is one of the flimsier ones we found in any of the boots - the Best Bang for Buck winner has a much better quality insert - so we would recommend an aftermarket Superfeet brand footbed to replace it with.

We liked the lacing system, with the eyelets made of micro pulleys, it is easy to get a secure fit quickly. With a medium weight wool hiking sock, we were able to attain a good, snug fit for a medium volume foot, and Asolo does make this boot in a wide version for those with wider feet.

What we found least appealing, however, was the required break-in time to make these boots genuinely comfortable on long hikes. This is a stiff boot with full-grain leather uppers that needs to be treated with a leather softener. It's also necessary to walk in this contender for many miles before expecting them to loosen up.

asolo power matic 200 gv - for the casual afternoon hike the stiffness of the asolo might be...
For the casual afternoon hike the stiffness of the Asolo might be too much.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Stability


The Asolo boot is one of the most stable boots in this review. Support is this boot's strong suit, and in addition to cradling the foot with a high ankle collar and an excellent lacing system, the Power Matic 200 has a stiff sole, which provides a stable platform in rugged terrain. The Power Matic synthetic shank provides long-lasting stiffness without the metal of years gone by, and the thick leather upper provides rigidity to the boot as well as protection for trail crews, construction workers, and others who want the comfort and quality of a hiking boot for days on the job.

asolo power matic 200 gv - hiking through boulder fields was no problem for the asolo.
Hiking through boulder fields was no problem for the Asolo.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Traction


We appreciated its rugged, durable Vibram sole, that features heavy lugs for providing excellent traction in mud, snow, and scree. The stiff sole delivers a solid platform when kicking steps in firm snow or edging on rock. For scrambling performance, we felt the stiffness hindered its ability to smear, especially when hiking on rock slabs, and we preferred boots with a softer sole for more versatility.

asolo power matic 200 gv - walking through slippery creeks and on snow was not a problem for...
Walking through slippery creeks and on snow was not a problem for the Asolo.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Water Resistance


The full leather upper is an incredible barrier to water, and it can be treated year after year with aftermarket waterproofing products like Nikwax or Sno-Seal. In addition to the simple leather outer that has very few seams, Asolo uses a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort waterproof/breathable membrane, ensuring your feet stay dry. It has a measured flood height of six inches from sole to the top of the lining, and the addition of a suitable gaiter could efficiently increase that height.

asolo power matic 200 gv - durable and waterproof, the asolo has the tallest collar height in...
Durable and waterproof, the Asolo has the tallest collar height in our test, though needs to be treated with aftermarket products like Sno-Seal to keep shedding water.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weight


Alas, all of these features, waterproofness, durability, and stability come at a price, and that is the weight. With a measured weight of 4.15 pounds in size 11, these tipped the scales as the heaviest boots in our review by a healthy margin. An extra pound on each foot adds up over the miles; we would recommend a more durable, supportive boot for novice backpackers and would only grab this boot for trips where we would benefit from the increased stability (along with the support it would give us).

asolo power matic 200 gv - the two tallest boots, the asolo on the left, and salomon quest 4d...
The two tallest boots, the Asolo on the left, and Salomon Quest 4D on the right. With very similar support, the midweight Salomon weighs a full pound less than the Asolos.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Durability


Durability was another metric that the Asolo excelled in. This is a boot that should be able to last for many seasons with the proper upkeep, namely, treating the leather outer on an annual basis. Asolo gives users a two-year warranty against defects. The lacing eyelets are all metal and should not fail, though some users did note that sole delamination and crumbling of the EVA/PU material in the heel was also noted.

Value


The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is one of the most expensive boots in our review. We feel that it is a quality boot, and it is worth the money for top-notch construction.

Conclusion


Durable, rugged and very water-resistant, the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is a top-notch, quality boot that will last its owner for many seasons of heavy use when properly cared for. This is a boot best for those seeking the dependability and support of a beefy hiking boot like this one for work or for recreation.

Ryan Huetter