They came along on all my everyday sporting activities. I took them to the Javorníky and the Beskids, to Malá Fatra and finally even to the German Alps.
On these trips, what helped me most was their cushioning and support. So I didn't have to worry about twisting an ankle or similar mishaps. On a steep climb in Malá Fatra I then noticed a brilliant little feature – a tongue cut so that it doesn't press on your instep. I was thrilled when I realised what a real difference it makes.
And you can even run in them – especially when you want to run downhill quickly. In Malá Fatra I faced an extreme descent and instead of braking all the way, I decided to run. It was a great choice.
I was surprised by how comfortable they were. And you could tell at a glance that the boots would be stable and sturdy enough even for tougher treks and rocky terrain.
Natural, neutral colour tones – I liked that. And then those little details you only notice up close – they made me happy too. In the end I wore my Asolo Tahoe GTX not just in the mountains but around town as well. They became my number one choice for everyday life. Unless I happened to be wearing a dress or a skirt.
When it comes to waterproofing, GORE-TEX is simply number one, no doubt about it. Ideal for trips where you don't know what's coming. But I also know that boots like these deserve some care, so after longer hikes I always cleaned them and treated them with a proofing spray.
The sole is brilliantly designed too. Soft enough to cushion hard landings and spare your knees. Yet you could always rely on its stability.
They were so comfy that I ended up taking them everywhere – hiking, cycling, even to badminton. And even after hours of wear they never got uncomfortable. Probably thanks to the wider toe box, which doesn't squash your toes. And the anatomical Ortholite insole too.
What really caught my attention was the heel, which is cut away at the Achilles so it doesn't press on it. And the tongue, cut so that it doesn't dig into your instep.
Thanks to its high torsional stability, the AS Tech construction prevents unhealthy knee rotation. And the EVA midsole absorbs hard impacts, delaying the onset of fatigue on rugged mountain terrain.
They coped with anything, but they performed best on forest trails and rock. And when it came to it, they held pretty well even on wet rocks and stones.
Even after frequent use and long trips they stayed more or less the same. Of course I found a few surface scuffs, mainly on the coloured part of the sole. But you can't avoid that out in the terrain. Either way, it didn't change the comfort at all. If anything, it got even better, because I'd broken them in.
They're well ventilated, so sweat really did escape fast. I never had damp, sweaty feet inside. And when water got in from outside (over the top), they dried pretty quickly.
I also have a pair of Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTX at home. I bought them shortly before I was picked for the test. The Asolo Tahoe GTX are more of a hiking boot, the Salewas mainly approach shoes, but what struck me was the difference in width. In the Asolos your toes aren't squeezed together and have room to move.
So if I'm doing a shorter, more technical route, I take the Salewas. But for longer and faster ones I go for these Asolos. A wider toe box means less rubbing between your toes and therefore fewer blisters.
GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort means an extremely breathable and waterproof material. All the components are matched to keep your feet dry and comfortable in any weather – even during strenuous physical activity.
The tongue is long enough but also beautifully cut away, so it doesn't dig in. Another great thing is the weight. The boots are really pleasantly light. As if they were just a protective barrier between the ground and your skin.
