Fabiano Rio

Review Date
July 23, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Lawrence(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Atlanta,GA

Price Paid:  $75.00 at Appalachian Outfitters

Summary:
I purchased my Fabiano's in 1978 and they keep going, and going, and going. I've had them resoled once during the last 23 years. These boots have been from the jungles of Singapore and Malayasia to the Highlands of Scotland and have performed excellently. They have been soaked, frozen, and scorched and look pretty much like they did in the late 70's. I never dreamed they would last as long as they have. The leather upppers have
lasted perfectly and the reverse norwegian welt is timeless. I strongly recommend this boot to anyone who wants to invest in something that will last and be comfortably to boot(no pun intended!)

Similar Products Used:
never needed to buy another pair of boots

Review Date
July 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: DAVE RAY(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from OROVILLE, WA, USA

Price Paid:  $240.00 at SCARPA USA ONLINE

Summary:
I HAVE WORN FABIANO AND SCARPA FOR YEARS AND THEY ARE BUILT LIKE BATTLESHIPS. MINE PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN TO HELL AND BACK AND ARE STILL KICKING. I HAVE INLY BROKEN OFF ONE HOOK AND THAT WAS BECAUSE IT RUSTED OFF FROM BEING IN TOO MUCH WET TERRAIN. I LOVE THE NORWEGIAN WELT AND IT IS VERY WATERPROOF. MY WORST LOOKING PAIR, AS I HAVE SEVERAL, HAS BEEN WELL BEATEN FOR THREE YEARS AS I PRETTY MUCH LIVE IN MY BOOTS AND I'M A VERY TALL AND VERY LARGE MAN AND I HAVE YET TO WEAR OUT THE SOULS. I HAVE A SIZE 14 IN THESE BOOT, SOMETIMES 15 IN OTHER BRANDS,BUT THESE ARE THE BEST I HAVE FOUND AND I HAVE TRIED ALL THE NORWEGIAN WELT BOOTS EXCEPT PETER LIMMER.

Customer Service:
SO FAR I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH GETTING ANY OF MY FABIANO OR SCARPA PRODUCTS, ALTHOUGH SOME ORDERS WERE A LITTLE SLOW IN COMING.

Similar Products Used:
DANNER WITH NORWEGIAN WELT
FABIANO WITH NORWEGIAN WELT(SEVERAL MDLS
SCARPA WITH NORWEGIAN WELT(SEVERAL MDLS)
VASQUE MONTANA WITH NORWEGIAN WELT
MONTRAIL MAZAMA WITH NORWEGIAN WELT

Review Date
May 21, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Corey Poitras(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Westbrook, Maine

Price Paid:  $200.00 at L.L. Bean

Summary:
I have had these boots for over 6 years and the only thing I have had to do to them is re-sole them a couple of times. They by far are the best, most comfortable boot I have ever owned. I would buy another pair if I needed to, but as for now I don't need them... Anyhoo, I don't have much time, but the boots are well worth checking into.

Also As most of you know Maine is a rugged area to hike so that should give you a good idea how well these boots are put together... "Follow your pathway" :)

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
April 23, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Jim Herrick(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Laredo, Texas

Summary:
I owned a pair of Fabianos back in the late 70's and early 80's, when I hiked alot. I was an energetic teenager. These boots were the best, after I re-soled them 3 times and then destroyed them by using them for asphalt work i lost track of them and would gladly buy another pair if I only new where to go and buy them. At that time the boots cost me about $50.00. A good value

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
July 15, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Nathan L. Dexter(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Eugene, OR, USA

Summary:
I've been an avid outdoorsperson for many years and have likewise also been constantly fine tuning my footwear. After a number of other boots which wore out by the time they were broken in (frustrating to say the least) I began to search for something which might relieve the pressure on my wallet by actually lasting. I came to the Rio's by way of their Norwegian welt and bombproof leather. The welt, I knew, stood little chance of separating from the uppers - a problem I experienced with most glued sole boots. Also I found that many of the uppers on other boots barely lasted long enough to be truly broken in. Now for the difficult part; I have a wide forefoot with a narrow heel. Because of this most boots are nothing but blister engines. I bought the Rio's knowing that they were tight across the ball of my foot but had ample volume for the rest of my foot. I broke them in aggressively, soaking them completely in water and hiking in them to stretch the leather and mold them to my feet. I also wore them to work and slowly they began to give (I got a few looks for wearing 4lb. boots with a suit). I am a high mileage hiker (20-30 in a day and typically about 600 miles a year) and they are a definitely on the heavy side, but the fit is a true leather boot fit and the sole is rock solid. In the end I have relegated these to my off trail department (along with plastic mountaineering, fly-fishing, rock climbing, running, and other specialty shoes). They look great, feel great, and will last a long, long time, but if you're looking for a trail boot I suggest you look elsewhere (something under 2lbs.) because after a few thousand foot falls you'll be seriously considering running shoes next time.
Purchased 3/99, logged 450 trail miles, two 10,000+ peaks, and many off trail excursions to remote fishing holes.

Customer Service:
No need, these things are built like granite.

Similar Products Used:
Vasque Clarion, Vasque Sundowner, OneSport Moraine, Vasque Superhiker, Garmont Spire