Asolo Fugitive … anyone use?

[gostovp]

Looking for a slightly stiffer version of my Salomon Quest Elements, but still something that is light and fast… tried on a pair of Asolo Fugitives in 11Wide at REI recently and they seemed to fit really well ( similar to regulars width Salomns) and felt a bit stiffer. Build quality seemed much better than the Quests as well…
Anyone use these boots for elk and deer hunting?

 

[dtrkyman]

I used Asolo for years before switching to barefoot, great boots, they will outlast any Saloman by years!

Have not had Fugitives but several of their lighter hikes, usually got three years out of them, the 520s I have are probably 10 years old and are just starting to come apart, but only the soles, could have them resoled if I were still wanting them, they are still waterproof!

 

[TaperPin]

Great boots. I spent an entire career in construction wearing them during the day, on weekends out fishing and hiking, and hunting everything except the steep and rocky spots. I still have two pairs on the boot rack.

 

[hibernation]

I like Asolos in general, I've had a bunch of their all leather boots, but the two folks I knew with Fugitives weren't impressed. It's a lot of stitched panels and seams that can wear out and come undone, especially if you're hiking anywhere off trail and rougher. That abrades the sides and exposed stitching much more than on-trail hiking, which I assume is the target audience.

They may have improved since then, but the ones I saw 5-10 years ago lacked the durability of a more traditional boot.

 

[LineandBuck]

These were my absolute favorite boots for a long time, went through many pairs. The Asolo Drifter is even slightly stiffer and fits very similarly. The only con I could say is that the waterproofing is good for maybe one season.

 

[TaperPin]

If you like the fit and wish for an all leather boot that’s a little stiffer, the TPS 520 has an identical fit. They were my rocky terrain, bad weather and snow shoeing boots. The Hunter is similar, but also has a rubber layer just above the sole for rock protection, but I’ve never had a pair wear through the sides before the sole and upper were shot.