First impression when you put them on?
Comfort. They fit nicely.
What about the design?
Some of the best-looking ankle boots Asolo makes. That's why I chose them.
Materials and build?
I like the mix of sturdy and light materials. Sturdy at the toe and above the heel, the rest very flexible. That means you can even break into a jog when you're in a hurry.
Twenty to thirty kilometres a day. Weekend traverses of the Giant Mountains and the Jizera Mountains, plus day hikes with a pack. Domča put her Asolo Falcon boots through their paces wherever she could. “They did best on ridge traverses,” she says, noting that on technical, rocky ground she appreciated the stability and sure footing they gave her. “The sole grips well even on wet rocks, and I felt safe on broken terrain.”
Asolo Falcon EVO GV are lightweight hiking boots weighing 496 g (half pair). They combine 1.6–1.8 mm water-resistant leather with high-tenacity nylon. You can also get them in an all-leather version or with woven Jaquard fabric.
Stability on technical terrain is one of the areas where the Asolo Falcon shine. What else?
“Comfort is a big plus,” Domča lists more advantages. “They're sturdy enough, yet they don't feel clunky. Even after a full day of walking I had no blisters or particularly tired feet.” Add to that the snug heel hold, which “keeps your foot in place on longer descents.”
The self-cleaning Asolo/Vibram Omega sole with MegaGrip technology gives you confidence on wet rock and in sticky mud. The dual-density microporous EVA midsole absorbs impacts and boosts your comfort.
The real challenge, though, was a whole day of rain on the ridge. Pervasive, persistent damp you just can't escape. “But thanks to the GORE-TEX membrane, the boots kept my feet dry for a really long time,” Domča recalls that soggy experience. “I could rely on them in wet grass too. And even when I briefly waded through a stream, no water got in.”
And how did they cope with moisture coming from the other side? Her own sweat? “Your feet breathe, it's just that during intense activity they can get warmer and damper than in non-membrane shoes,” says Domča, adding that once the boots do get wet, they dry reasonably quickly. “But they're not ultra-fast-drying. I let them air-dry naturally, which took anywhere from a few hours to a whole day – if they were really soaked.”
The waterproof GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort membrane has no insulating layer. So it doesn't trap heat, making it suitable for more intense activities in mild and warmer conditions.
As a runner, Domča is of course used to taking ordinary running shoes into the mountains. “But after just one trek, shoes like that already show signs of wear. These Asolos are less breathable, but much more durable and stable,” Domča compares, adding that she'd just prefer a slightly wider toe box. “I have wider feet, so they pinched a bit at the sides.”
After all, you can still move fast in light hiking boots like these. “When I was out for a walk in the Jizera Mountains, I got caught in awful weather and had to run the remaining ten kilometres home. And honestly, it wasn't bad at all,” Domča concludes.
Even when you wear the tread smooth, it's not the end of your boots. Asolos can be resoled. Send them to us and you'll get them back with a new sole, rand, laces, insole and repaired seams.
