I first bought these boots when I lived in Oklahoma and just did minimal hiking around there. They caught my eye and were the most comfortable boot, (if not shoe!) I had ever put on. I then moved out here to Colorado, and I can say, I've successfully climbed many fourteeners in them, both in summer and winter. The best thing about these is the breakin time, there is none! The worst thing about these is the tread. It's falling apart after scrambling over rocks and scree. The Gore-Tex holds up ok, but definitely not meant to walk around in snow or marshy areas. Maybe I need to add Nikwax to it. However, I have since purchased other boots that are lined for winter attempts. The Asolo FSN however are still the first boot I grab for summer hikes, because they are extremely light and comfortable and I've never gotten a blister from them. However, like I said, watch out for the wear on the tread.

Customer Service

I have not had to return these, but have had them over a year, but if I could get them re-soled I would.

I bought the FSN (Fusion) 95s after reading all the rave reviews. They are very comfortable boots right out of the box... BUT during hikes on the AT in Jersey and Glacier NP, Montana; I found the soles to be NOT beefy enough for heavy backpacking, even long dayhiking. My feet soles were killing me after only 5-7 miles/day! I did not get any blisters or hotspots, though. I was using Thorlo socks, liners and add-on insoles and my feet were still sore! Traction was good even though the lugs (tread) are pretty shallow and I don't know how well the gore-tex lining works yet. I like the fit of Asolos and will continue to use these boots for short day hikes and city wear. Forget AT thru-hiking in FSN 95s! Going to try the studier Asolo 535s or something else for backpacking. Bottom line: Nice boots for moderate dayhiking, NOT for heavy backpacking...Sorry!

Customer Service

Not used

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NikeAir leather hikers: Great sole support, but gave me hotspots around ankles. Hi-Tec lite-hikers: decent boot

A great pair of boots. They fit perfectly and left me with absolutely no blisters without break-in. The arch support is perfect - not too high, not too low, and the overall fit is great. Although the upper is made of a bunch of different pieces, it doesn't leak at all. I don't know if it's because of the gore-tex or if it's just stitched well. The one complaint I have is that my feet feel a little too warm in it

Customer Service

Great. REI service is the best I've seen.

Unbelievable! I always thought my feet were supposed to hurt after a day on the trail. These guys have shown me otherwise. I have only worn them on day hikes so far but plan to use them backpacking in Maine this weekend. My primary concerns with these boots were the shallow tread and the abundance of stitching (I've always been a full grain leather with Snowseal wax guy) but a couple coats of Nikwax and the water rolls right off them. The jury is still out on the tread but it seems pretty firm but still sticky enough to hold me onto the granite. Break in time has been minimal. It's everything I can do to keep myself from wearing these things around town. Did I mention price? I don't think you can match thse boots for less than $200. Buy These Boots!!!

Customer Service

NA

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Salomon

Very comfortable boot and offers nice ankle support. One complaint: they are either not very waterproof or not very breathable! I recently wore them while hiking and snowshoeing on Mt. Hood. While the conditions demanded a lot from the boot (rainy and 55 degrees at starting elevation, heavy snow and mid-twenties at camp), I didn''t expect my feet to be drenched by the time I hit camp. Not sure if the water came from the wet weather, sweat or a combination of the two. (I wore thin synthetic liners and thin Smartwool socks with them). Can''t decide what to do: return them and get something more traditional (i.e., leather) or keep them & try different socks...the only thing preventing me from returning them is that they really are comfortable. I find myself wearing them even when I am not on the trail...

Customer Service

n/a

Finally, a boot that fits my feet. I bought new boots each of the last three seasons. I was always getting blisters because the toe box was never wide enough. These babies fit perfectly. Wide enough not to cause blisters and still cup the feet well enough not to jam your toes going downhill. I actually bought the version without a Gore liner and waterproofed it with Nikwax. Breaths very well and is waterproof enough. I still carry Gore socks for heavy rains but 90% of the time the extra breathability is worth it. I use these for backpacking and day hikes and rarely need to cross them up with an approach shoe when my feet need a day of change. I love these boots! If you get them fitted well in the store I doubt you will be disappointed after getting them out on the trail.

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Garmont. Ridge. Solomon.

Finally, a boot that fits my feet. I bought new boots each of the last three seasons. I was always getting blisters because the toe box was never wide enough. These babies fit perfectly. Wide enough not to cause blisters and still cup the feet well enough not to jam your toes going downhill. I actually bought the version without a Gore liner and waterproofed it with Nikwax. Breaths very well and is waterproof enough. I still carry Gore socks for heavy rains but 90% of the time the extra breathability is worth it. I use these for backpacking and day hikes and rarely need to cross them up with an approach shoe when my feet need a day of change. I love these boots! If you get them fitted well in the store I doubt you will be disappointed after getting them out on the trail.

Similar Products Used:

Ridge (awesome but wore out). Garmont. Solomon - terrible fit for my feet, but good otherwise.

I agree with almost every thing said below: great fit, light. they really are comfortable and fairly supportive, and they have just the right anount of cush for me. After using them on short hikes (5-10 miles--I''m more of a cyclist than a hiker) three times a week since december 30, 2001, I have noticed some imperfections. The lining has some big ,rather corse stitches that irritate my right heel and my left big toe (minimized by liner socks). The tread compound is soft, and i have worn the toe tread off already from walking up steep trails. I''d still buy them again because of the way they fit my feet.

Customer Service

none used

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raichle

Although I have not had these boots very long, they have been good to me on a couple of overnighters. The break in time was minimal, actually I was breaking in my feet more than the boot. Their support over rocky terrain was excellent for such a light boot, although I have not had a chance to test their waterproofness. I am most impressed with the toe box, and foot hugging these boots have. The toe box is reinforced and enormous, but not so much that you feel like you are wearing clown shoes. I have low foot volume, and going downhill in most boots I hurt my toes, not in these babies. I look forward to many happy miles snug in these very sharp looking boots.

Customer Service

Backwood customer service is great, and so are the people.

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Montrail - good boot didn''t fit my foot right. That makes all the difference.

Bought these boots in anticipation of doing a lot of hiking in the elements at the Winter Olympics. I must say, they are very comfortable and don''''t require much, if any, time to break in. Kept my feet comfortable and dry the entire time. They get a little chilly when you get into the teens, but then again they aren''''t an insulated boot (just Gore-tex). I have to admit, the look of the boot caught my attention first. The good reviews by Backpacker and here sent me back to buy them. A little on the pricey side, wish they had vibram soles for that price, so not a screaming value. Scores very high on comfort and looks though. I think they''''d be good for light backpacking as well. Probably not supportive enough (and part of the reason they are so comfortable so quickly) for heavy duty backpacking. Also, my feet are pretty typical (vs. wide or narrow) and the sizing seems to run as expected (vs. running smaller or larger than my normal size)