Boot Decision Time

“I think I am going to ask for a new pair of boots for Christmas. I have been resisting the transition from running shoe to boot because my mind still hasn't faced up to the reality that - even though I read "beyond backpacking" I'm still no Ray Jardine. That and I've been slogging through Florida trails/swamps with perpetually wet feet for the last few years.

Wanted to get some opinions on the following choices.

(Purpose - Established trails, some swamp/underwater trail, 3-season, 40lbs packweight)

1) Wal-mart waterproof ($40), decent fit - no reviews. Worried that I'll get waht I pay for...

2) LL Bean GTX Mountian Treads ($95) - recently written up as a good "under $100" boot.

3) Asolo Fusion 95 GTX ($150) - The selling point here is that the local sporting goods store will go through a 2 hour custom fitting job for my feet. Any thoughts on the value of this kind of fitting? Is it worth the extra bucks?”

“beer?”

“Custom fitting at $150 is a good deal, if you ask me.”

“esp for Asolos. They will last a lifetime and are built for hauling. My set of AFX 520's GTX have been to hell and back and are still in good shape.”

“I have the Asolo Fusion 95 GTX and I paid $150 also. I have no idea why it would take two hours for a custom fitting. $150 is the normal price for the Asolo Fusion 95 GTX.
I have had great luck with mine and would spend the $150.00 for them again. They are light and very sturdy and almost no break in time is required. In fact when I recieved mine from REI, I took them right out of the box and put 28 miles on them that weekend...no blisters , not even a hot spot!

I would suggest you try them on and listen to their custom fitting advice and judge for yourself.”

“Forget them, have a serious look at a pair of Garmont Fusion. They are Goretex lined and have a superb fit with their R2 sole system. I'm not sure what they cost over there but I'm guessing no more than a $150.
Two hours to fit boots sounds extremely anal. Please let us know what they do in that 2 hours.”

“Garmont Broncos got a good review in Backpacker Mag a couple of years ago, at the same time I was looking for new boots. Searched high and low and there wasn't anyone who sold Garmont within hundreds of miles. Since then, I've gotten to check out a bunch of Garmont boots and they look pretty dependable. I'd've bought a pair...if I'd've found them then.

Asolo 520 GTXs fit me the best, so I settled on them, and glad I did...I dig 'em.

I'd like to do the coustom fitting...if I ever get a chance to.”

“Forget the boots if you are gonna be submerging em anyway. They will stay wet and HEAVY for hours. Try running/trail shoes with a gore-tex sock.”

“Thanks for the advice and the tips. Birch, I agree - if I am slogging, boots really aren't an option. I usually carry diving shoes for the larger puddles and the swampy areas - but of course they provide no support - they also double as my camp shoes.

That said - I ended up going with the custom fitting and the Asolos. The fitting seemed very thorough. They looked at my foot for areas of wear, then they took a neutral position foot measurement of total foot length, heel to ball length and then foot width, then they took all the same measurements with weight added. After determining my size and what I will be using them for they brought out a couple different boots to try. It ended up only taking about 40 minutes. They did try to add on some custom insoles but passed - maybe later. I noticed them doing a lot more testing with the woman next to me. She was standing on a slope and they took her boots and banged on them with a mallet for a while. I guess hers needed a little stretching - must have been all leather.

Wifey is making me wrap the boots and keep them under the tree until Christmas. I tried to argue that they should be broken in by Christmas morning - but no such luck.”

“Big Coop, I think you made a great choice! I would jump at the chance to get a custom fit for $150, including boots. But I would've choosen goretex boots. I hate buying boots, can't ever seem to get a pair that fits correctly. :o(”

“Asolo Fusion 95 GTX is a Gore Tex boot... That's what the "GTX" stands for. :)”

“aww, poor sassyfras. <|:(”

“I sympathize Sass. I seem to be having the same trouble lately.”

“How 'bout them clod-busters,
Ain't they neat;
Bust'n them clods flat,
With they feets.

Stomp'n them big clods,
Bust'n them little;
Mash'n them dirt clods,
In they middle.

Look at them clod-busters,
Have'n lots of fun;
Kick'n ever dirty clod,
Stomp'n on the run.

How to be a clod-buster,
Fix'n fields to sow;
Just find ya-self a dirt clod,
And bust it with ya toe!”

“Montrail Torra GTX I got em and they really work well for me.”

“Those are what I have right now. Nice boots! The right one works excellant, left one tears the he!! outta my heel. Oh, to be symetrical!”

“check these out!

Limmer boots

.”

“I have been thinking of replacing my 7yo full-grain midweight leather boots (Asolo 520gtx) not just because they're beat to hell but they are no longer waterproof in that they leak at the tongue near the toes and still leak no matter how much seam seal and weatherproofing I've put on the area. Sooooo...

Anyways, having seen these Scarpa of Italy Delta Hiking Boots.

Scarpa's Delta hiking boots are crafted to impeccable Italian trekking standards and give more support than the average hiking boot. Made of one continuous piece of premium leather for comfort that performs flawlessly. Shock-absorbing footbed. Moisture-wicking Cambrelle® lining. Comfort flex midsole. Padded collar and gusseted tongue. Vibram® sole. Ht. 5½”, 3 lb. 4 oz. pr. Italy

And, because I don't know a thing about this boot company, I'm hoping someone will chime in on their thoughts/experience regarding this company and their boots? This boot has everything I want, and don't want, in a mid weight boot and I may order a pair to try. Anyone know anything about Scarpa boots???
”

“dunno buddur i dont like boots too much..i prefer my montrails...heres a link to them...


http://www.montrail.com/goods/prod_description.cfm?id=11&gender=male”

“Well I already have 2 pairs of shoes similar to those. They are nice for trail hiking and or stream walking, but not for some of the hiking I generally do.”

“I have Scarpa winter mountaineering boots. I love them.

I don't know anything about the company, because I bought mine new at Goodwill for $30. The boots are awesome though.”

“well what do you normally do buddur???

i just like to do more of the north GA terrain...not too vicious but damn good enough to get you sweatin...i think if i had to do anything like what i hear about penn. though i would definitely get boots though no heavier than the ones you show up there....i have never heard of them prolly just cuz i usually stick with runner and lightweight ones though..”

“Scarpa has been around for years. In days of old they were distributed in the US by Fabiano. When Fabiano went belly up Black Diamond picked up distribution.

I have a pair of Scarpa Rios which are easily the most comfortable and well made boot I've ever owned (30+ years of backpacking). If the Deltas are anywhere near as well made they will give good service providing they fit.

Check out the reviews on www.trailspace.com and on www.consumerreview.com.

Steve”

“Yep, Scarpa is definitely not the johnny-come-lately type.

Those look really similar to the standard Vasque Sundowners ---”

“Yeah they do. They seem a little heavy though, maybe due to the all leather construction. On the other hand, they're no heavier than Danners, and I love Danners.”