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Salomon “Cosmic 4D GTX”
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Asolo “Synchro GTX”
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La Sportiva “Thunder II GTX”
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Asolo “Spyre GV”
Backpacking Boots: Salomon “Cosmic 4D GTX” vs. Asolo “Synchro GTX”
Dayhiking Boots: La Sportiva “Thunder II GTX” vs. Asolo “Spyre GV”
A couple years ago, having worn numerous brands and models of hiking boots, I settled on Asolo. I’d worn several models of Asolos and all met my essential criteria: light yet rigid. Light boots contribute to endurance. Rigid boots prevent tired feet.* Unfortunately, light-yet-rigid is a rare combination. So I’ve continued hiking in Asolos.**
Here are a few more reasons why I wear and recommend Asolo boots:
• Asolo has a huge and growing range of boots to choose from. This ensures almost anyone can find a pair of Asolos that fits them well and matches their needs as well as their budget. So far, my favourite Asolo model is the “Synchro.” That said, feet are like fingerprints. Mine are unique. So are yours. Personal experience is the only way to be sure which boots are best for you.
• All my Asolo boots have maintained much of their original rigidity throughout their life.
• Save for one model, which Asolo no longer manufacturers***, all my Asolo boots have been very durable. They pack out before they wear out, which is good. Boots are “packed out” when their ability to cushion your feet has deteriorated to an unacceptable level. The uppers and even the soles might appear to be in fine condition, but if your boots no longer cushion they’re transferring too much impact pressure to your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. There’s a limit to how long even a high-quality boot can go before it packs out. But if a boot’s uppers wear out before the soles are packed out, the materials are inferior, the workmanship was shoddy, or you’ve subjected them to inordinately rough use
• Most of my Asolos have had Gore-Tex liners. They’ve been highly water resistant but not waterproof. No reasonably light Gore-Tex boot is waterproof, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims. I’ve learned this by hiking in many different brands of boots. None has been waterproof. My Asolos have been no more or less waterproof than any other boot I’ve worn. If you’re hiking in constant rain, through wet vegetation, Gore-Tex simply delays the inevitable: wet feet. (Perhaps if you wear heavy, full-leather “backpacking” boots, you’ll find them waterproof, but I’m unwilling to sacrifice lightweight for a dubious assurance of dry feet.) It helps if you treat your boots with Nikwax or Grangers, but eventually water will still seep in. So until I discover a genuinely waterproof boot, I won’t consider waterproofness an essential criterion. I’ll simply keep hiking in Asolo boots lined with Gore-Tex and occasionally treat them, temporarily boosting their ability to keep my feet dry.
So I’m committed to Asolo hiking boots. Yet I’ve recently had the opportunity to compare my Asolos with two other justifiably popular brands of hiking boots: Salomon and La Sportiva. Before settling on Asolo, I used to purchase various brands of hiking boots whenever I found them significantly discounted. While hiking in Arizona the past couple months, the Asolo “Synchros” I’d been wearing since last year finally packed out. I didn’t have other Asolos with me because I’d forgotten to bring a spare pair when departing Canada. But I did have access to new pairs of La Sportivas and Salomons that I’d previously stashed at my parents’ home in Arizona. So until I could buy another pair of Asolos, I thought I might as well test my loyalty. Here are the results.
Backpacking Boots
Salomon “Cosmic 4D GTX”
gender: men’s only
retail price: $250
weight: 3 lbs 3 oz (depending on size)
shaft: 6 in
commentary: The Cosmic is an all-synthetic boot, so it’s ideal for hiking in water, for example the Zion Narrows, Paria Canyon, or Aravaipa Canyon. It’s the best “water walker” I know of. (Constantly submerging leather or leather/fabric boots in water undermines their integrity.) The Cosmic is light enough for dayhiking yet substantial enough for backpacking. I like the Contagrip sole because it provides reliable traction. I also like the Cosmic’s high shaft, which protects against ankle injuries. The boot is reasonably waterproof. But for most hiking conditions, I find the shank too flexible. Also, the Cosmic is not as heavily cushioned as I prefer; I can feel small rocks underfoot. Finally, because the Cosmic’s synthetic uppers are very thin, the laces cut into my feet when I pull them tight for a snug fit.
bottom line: good boot for hiking or backpacking in wet canyons but not optimal for most hiking conditions
Asolo “Synchro GTX”
gender: men’s only, see below for comparable women’s models
retail price: $225
weight: 2 lbs 14 oz (depending on size)
shaft: 5.5 in.
commentary: After two pairs of Synchros, I have no criticism of them. They’re superb boots. The Synchro is light enough for dayhiking yet substantial enough for backpacking. It’s rigid and retains its rigidity. It’s well cushioned. It’s quite durable. The proprietary Asolo soles have never failed me: traction is excellent. The Synchro’s shafts are high enough that they feel secure and protect against ankle injury but not so high that they restrict movement. The Synchro is as waterproof as can reasonably be expected. If the Synchro interests you but you’re unable to find it, consider these similar Asolo models for men: “Flame GTX” or “Revenge GTX.” For women, Asolo makes two boots comparable to the Synchro: “Atlantis GTX” and “Attiva GTX.”
bottom line: The Synchro remains my favourite hiking boot, and I confidently recommend it.
Dayhiking Boots
La Sportiva “Thunder II GTX”
gender: available in men’s and women’s models
retail price: $155 to $160
weight: 3 lbs 2 oz (depending on size)
shaft: 5 in
commentary: The Thunder is an adequate boot for most conditions: reasonably rigid, moderately durable, fairly water resistant. For the price, it’s a good value. It is, however, a slightly heavy boot. Too heavy for dayhiking. I also find the Thunder’s shaft a bit too low. Too low for backpacking. It doesn’t feel as if it’s providing adequate protection against ankle injury. Cushioning was initially very good but seems to diminish quickly. The toe cap is substantial, perhaps a bit too big, which adds to the boot’s weight. Achieving a snug fit in the Thunder is difficult. I have to pull the laces extremely tight, which is uncomfortable. And the eyelets are so wide (far apart from one another) that it’s impossible to adjust the fit near the toes. Half the time the boot is securely tight but slightly painful. The rest of the time, the boot is pain-free but so loose it feels sloppy. And twice the laces on these boots broke, which is partly due to La Sportiva’s cheap laces, and partly due to the boot’s wide eyelets. For dayhiking, I’d prefer a lighter boot. For backpacking, I’d prefer a higher-shafted boot.
bottom line: I could live with this boot if necessary, but I feel no enthusiasm for it.
Asolo “Spyre GV”
gender: available in men’s and women’s models
retail price: $124 to $195
weight: 2 lbs 12 oz (depending on size)
shaft: 5.5 in
commentary: The Spyre is very light. I feel fast wearing it. Yet it’s quite rigid. The sole isn’t plush, but cushioning is sufficient. It’s easy to adjust the fit on this boot. I can tug the laces tight, achieving a sense of security, without feeling any discomfort. In terms of waterproofness, the Spyre is typical of all Gore-Tex/leather/fabric boots. The shaft of the Spyre is high enough to protect against ankle injury, so while this boot is clearly intended for dayhiking, I would wear it on an ultralight, one-night backpack trip. For multi-night backpack trips, however, I’d prefer a slightly beefier boot. My primary criticism of the Spyre is that it’s not the most durable boot. Lacking a substantial toe cap, the toes of this boot soon get nicked and scraped. Bear in mind the Asolo “Temple GV” (available in men’s and women’s) is very similar to the Spyre but has a full toe cap. The lack of toe protection, however, doesn’t bother me, because I’ll pack these boots out long before the toe wears out.
bottom line: A superior dayhiker. Carrying a heavy daypack, I’ve hiked 18 miles in them without once thinking about my feet, which means these boots were up to the task. Wearing my Asolo “Spryes” I recently dayhiked about 14 miles in the Grand Canyon: down the South Kaibab Trail, across the West Tonto Trail, then up and out the Bright Angel Trail. I’m still completely happy with these boots.
*Most people have not hiked extensively enough to know what’s necessary in a hiking boot. Few retail salespeople have the training or experience to properly advice customers on what’s necessary in a hiking boot. What sells is what feels good in the store. Flexible boots feel great in the store. And manufacturers produce what sells. So most boots are flexible, not rigid. But your next pair of hiking boots should be rigid.
Rigid boots decrease how much your foot flexes on the trail. The more your feet flex, the faster they tire and the more sore they’ll become. You don’t want to hike with tired, sore feet. To prevent that, you need rigid boots. So next time you’re boot shopping, hold a boot with the heel in one hand, the toe in the other. If it bends easily, it’s very flexible. Don’t buy it. And if you think a boot is too rigid, bear in mind that it will soon become less so once you’ve hiked in it. All hiking boots quickly lose some of their original rigidity.
**Asolo manufactures several lines of boots. The Asolo boots I’ve worn are from their “Matrix,” “Energy,” and “Fsn” lines. Last year, Asolo began marketing a “Power Lite” line, which in my opinion is too flexible. “Radiant” is Asolo’s latest line of boots, which I’ve yet to see in person.
***Asolo gladly replaced those boots. That’s my only experience with their return policy, but it would appear to be excellent. Previously, I’d been disappointed with the Fascist return policy of companies like Vasque.
CONCLUSION: I’ll never again leave home without a new, or nearly new, pair of Asolo hiking boots. Anyone want to buy a pair of lightly used Salomons or La Sportivas?
