Backpacker Editor's Choice

“Does anyone pay any attention to Backpackers Editor's Choice awards or there gear reviews when looking to purchase gear. I just got my 1st pair of hiking boots and tried on several brands and styles before I found one that I felt comfortable in. Afterwards I learned that Backpacker had chosen these boots the best of the best for 2001. I assume this was shear luck but those boots felt great as soon as I put them on while the others didn't feel that great on my feet. I am looking forward to trying them out on the trail.”

“What kinda boots was it?”

“I must confess I did look at all Backpacker's editor's choice and other awards. I consider it a source of ideas... I certainly wouldn't bank on their recommendations, but I think I've had some good ideas from them.”

“The Asolo Fusion 95 GTX”

“Ain't it good to have a comfy boot?
:@D”

“I've found in my experience that just about any Asolo boot is going to be bomb proof and comfortable. Now that Solomon no longer carries their line with the lace covers (grrrrr) I swear by Asolo's.”

“I know the boots felt good walking around the store but the real test comes when I hit the trail for the 1st time.”

“The reviews are bullocks but I do check the editor's personal favorites out. These are sometimes off brand (not big advertisers to Backpacker) things that I would have passed over.”

“Ewker,I read that article...sounded like a great boot.

I recently went out and bought the Jack Wolfskin backpack that was rated #1...it is worth every penny I spent.”

“I have a pair of probably 5 or 6 year-old Asolos and love'em. And this summer I bought a Jack Wolfskin backpack from bpbaby. Love it, too! (am I cooooooooooooooooooooool-a-mundo or what??!?! :-)”

“Ewker, may I suggest that you wear those boots everywhere but the trail for about two weeks before hiking in them? It's good to break them in alittle bit before hitting the trail. It'll make a huge difference!”

“There reviews are great only I wish they had some more reports on less expensive gear. My Married Collage student budget can't affort too much. They have made some effort to touch on the cheaper stuff to their credit.

I bought the Montrail Torra GTX and love them. I think now that I'm looking at lighter weight stuff I'd buy some trail runners instead of heavy duty boots. But my Torras work fine and I'd recomend them to anyone with NARROW FEET like mine.”

“Yep, when I was boot shopping, Montrail's were what fit my skinny puppies.

Per the editor's choice awards; they were right about the Tikka, too. I still didn't buy it until I had seen it in action a couple of times.”

“Montrails also make boots for wider feet. Not just skinny ones. If only they'd make them for folks with mutinous combination feet! (Wide ball, skinny heel)”

“I have a few items that have the Editor's Choice designation...and I agree with them on their decision(s).”

“and while I am thinking of it.. Backpacker Magazine does maintain a Gear Finder (and Gear Review) webpage.”

“Actually Sass I've got the Wide toe skinny heel thing.

The Montrail Morranies have a plastic heel cup in them. I had to put the boots in a turkey bag boil the heel to soften it and pinch it while hot. When it cooled the boots fit and the heels didn't rub anymore.

You should be able to do that to any boot with a heel cup.”

“Thanks for the tip HPM, my left heel is narrower than the the right. I may need to do that with the left boot.”

“Just dip the heel (while in a boiling bag)into the water not the whole boot. Don't boil it very long you just want to soften it. High heat melts goretex coatings too.”

“It doesn't have a goretex lining. I'm concerned about any glue that might have been used in construction. Mine are Montrail Moraine ATs, also.”

“at the time BP'er featured a field test. I bought the Eureka! Aurora I based on their results. I done good.”

“Ok, so that's what you got.

No you will be fine. The GoreTex was just an FYI for anyone thinking of doing it with GT boots. Even with GT you shouldn't have a problem if you don't overdo the heat.”

“Some of their choices are ok but most of what they review is suspect because they seem to limit the number of companies reviewed. I think BP mag is all about advertizing the high brow stuff and they really lack imagination. If a gear company doesn't pay for advertizing in the mag, I bet their chances for a gear review is slimmer.”

“Prolly so, Mr.slut, you brought up a good point. I wonder if they go looking for gear to review, and if they do, do they do it with blinders on. I bet they'll review anything that's given to them.”

“Gear Slut, I have found that many of their reviews sound exactly like the marketing descriptions you see in catalogs. Either it's true, or they are easily swayed by marketing, or they are parrots. I prefer to see gear in use or try it out myself before I decide.”

“Ewker, I have these boots, as well, and overall I like them. Two things: steep uphills may put some blister-inciting pressure on the heels (I found out in the Badlands, even though I had worn them quite a bit for break-in); the insole is at best average and there's not much overall underfoot cushioning, especially under the heel. If you are one who needs cushioning or will be hiking on particularly hard terrain, consider replacing the removable insole with something better. Superfeet insoles offer good arch support, but did not do well on the heel cushioning for me. Still searching.”

“From personal experience, I have found the "Editor's Choice" to be hit or miss. In one review they will rank a piece of gear very high and in another it is medium. The reviews are all opinion. Some of the gear needs to pass the test of time before it gets my award.”

“I purchased my Coleman expedition because of the designation as an editor's choice. I have no regrets.
Call me cynical though,have you ever noticed the advertising in the gear issue? Lots of full page glossy photos of the chosen ones...”

“I bought a couple of things this year that had been "Editor's Choice" Petzl Tikka and Asolo Fusion 95 GTX. I read about the in Backpacker, asked questions about them here and then checked them out in person....then Purchased them!

BTW... I love my Asolo Fusions ...
and not a single blister to date!!!
I did replace the insole with a cushy one though...just as Pekka suggested.”

“The only thing I considered buying after reading a review in BPer Mag was the MountainSmith Ghost. I'm glad I didn't. It' made for a 170 lb (tall) male. They forgot 2 mention that..”

“Wind Walker I have made the same two purchases with the same satisfaction. BP'r gives me a place to start then the net and the local outfitter help me finish my decision process. I have had decent luck. The Asolos were also recommeded in a few other mags (perhaps driven by BPr's recommendation - the mags were all owned by Rodale Press).

I can imagine that - with all the choices out there it must be difficult to really try all of it. I can just see the BPr offices at about 4:00 on Friday afternoon and some intern isn't quite done with the Kelty section for packs and just...no, no I'm sure they're very thurough with every review.

One year the Z-rest won the Editor's Choice but I have yet to meet a camper that prefers the Z-rest to the ridge rest.”

“I just bought Asolo Fusion 95's and am pretty durn happy with them; breaking them in good for a summer 2002 3-weeker. Bought them on the Editor's Choice, but read various opinions on the 'net first. I bought 'em sight unseen from REI on the Web, based on REI's excellent rep for being able to return stuff (even boots taken for a hike or two!) if it doesn't work out. So far, I'm keepin' 'em!”

“humanpackmule, Thanks for the boilin' idea. I have to admit it scares me abit. I have Torres and they are Gtx. I have one more thing to try and then I'll be buying a boiling bag!”

“Sass you need to know if your boots have one of those plastic heel cups before you try the boiling thing. If you do boil you only want to dip in the heel until it softens and it doesn't take very long if you have a nice active boil going.

One more thing, you MUST keep pinching until the boot cools! Hold that sucker otherwise it will return to shape and you are not better off. I use my bare hand but you might want to use a dish towel.”

“Yep, I got the part about the plastic heel cup. Feels like there's one but I'll contact Montrail just in case.

What, you think I have sissy lily hands? :o)”

“My point was it doesn't need to get that hot.

Besides, I've never seen your hands :-P”