Asolo Fugitive GTX, Salomon Quest 4D II GTX and salomon Quest 4D GTX...

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Jan 12, 2015
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Hye Gang,

Great Site!

This will kind of be a lengthy post, so bear with me. I'm looking into buying my first pair of quality hiking boots that I can use for both gerenal winter activities and mild snow removal as well as every day use. All that I have now are an old pair of Sketchers shoes that are falling apart and my Steel Toed Gortex leather work boots. So I want something Durable and protective like my work boots yet comfortable like my shoes.

I was recommended Asolo Fugitive GTX boots by a close buddy of mine that is an arborist and is on his 5th pair of these since 2007!? I took a trip up to REI and found a size 11mm and tried them on, liked the feel and took them home not realizing that they had a wide version. Upon wearing them around the house for the first 2 days my third and fourth toes from my big toe, started getting sore on both feet. I contacted my buddy and he said that the shoes run narrow and so do his feet. Mine are not the widest feet but evidently wide enough at the forefoot and toes to cause an issue with these Fugitive GTX Boots. So I took them back yesterday and tried on an 11w, 11.5w and had to go up to a 12w to get the clearance in the forefoot and toe area that I needed for a comfortable fit being that I like the overall feel of the boot on the rest of my foot. But I'm able to slide my foot forward a bit if I push forward on them with them laced up. They feel fine when I walk and I'm not feeling really much if any movement while walking. So I'm not sure about them still but I like feel of the boot and style as well.

While at REI, I asked the salesman for a comparable boot that was wider in the forefoot and toes and he recommended that I try on a pair of Salomon Quest 4D II GTX boots that naturally had a wider forefoot and toe cut to them but he only had 11.5's and they felt just like my old faithful Shoes that I've been wearing when I first slipped them on. BUT, when I tighten them up for a walk around the store, the right boots tongue, right above my forefoot was pressing down on the top of my foot with every step. Almost like a stiff piece extended from the toe to just past the laces and wopuldn't move causing the perssure. The left boot felt great though! I asked for another set of the 11.5's to see if it was just a fluke in the cut of that particular set of boots but they didn't have any in stock. Nor did they have a size 11... So I was kind of at a stand still and ended up going with the Asolo's being the 1 year return policy and to give them a test run.

So now after wearing them all last night and then back on today so far around the house, I'm feeling a little room in the toe area, from top to bottom and slightly across the forefoot on the right boot. But the left boot feels more snug and better fitting.... So after all that being said.... My Questions...

1. Is it normal for Asolo Fugitives or Asolo boots in general to run a little bigger on the right foot? NOTE: I've never had an issue with m [R] being bigger than my [L] foot...

2. Do all Asolo boots run more narrow or can someone recommend a boot similar to the Fugitive GTX in both comfort and style, that runs wider?

3. Is it a bad idea for my average use to get a size bigger than I typically wear just to get the extra toe comfort or should I try to find another and better fitting set of the Salomon Quest 4D II GTX Boots that are my size? As sometimes different sets of the same size and model boot can feel slightly different?

4. Has anyone ever ran into the experience with the Salomon quest 4D II GTX Boots?

5. What's the Difference between the Salomon Quest 4D GTX and Quest 4D II GTX?

Okay, that's about it. Thanks in advance for the resplies and help.
 
2 Days and almost 100 views. lol

Anyway, After running up to another REI on Wednesday night and trying on 11's and 11.5's in the Salomon Q4D II GTX Boot and a couple sizes of another Asolo, decided on the Salomon's as I was glad that I got confirmation on the issue with the first pair I tried. These others felt better. The 11 was a little snug so went with the 11.5's

Coincidently, I found Brocks review of the Salomon Q4D GTX this evening. Not sure how different My Q4D II GTX's are from Q4D GTX that Brock reviewed but I like them so far. They are comfy for sure so I'm thinking that I might pickup an aftermarket insole for them. Should work well for a few years with my light use.

Are Super feet the way to go or is that for heavy packing only?

Is there a specific color to get?

TIA.
 
Well your in luck. We are kicking off boot month tomorrow. Should get lots of ideas to confuse you even more!

I have only ran the Q4d and didn't like them. They leak very fast and are not stiff enough for me.
 
I have had great luck with my 4d's but only sept and oct hunting so far. Still water tight. I actually prefer the stock footbed to the superfeet I originally put in them. The superfeet were too hard/slick and created hot spots under a cpl toes. I may look at Lathrop Gel inserts. For me, they were fine packing an Elk and 4 antelope.
I have seen reports of early leaking.
 
Well your in luck. We are kicking off boot month tomorrow. Should get lots of ideas to confuse you even more!

I have only ran the Q4d and didn't like them. They leak very fast and are not stiff enough for me.

Well that's great news! more indecisiveness.. lol- I will keep that in mind thank you. Glad that I have the 1 yr return policy then from REI.


I have had great luck with my 4d's but only sept and oct hunting so far. Still water tight. I actually prefer the stock footbed to the superfeet I originally put in them. The superfeet were too hard/slick and created hot spots under a cpl toes. I may look at Lathrop Gel inserts. For me, they were fine packing an Elk and 4 antelope.
I have seen reports of early leaking.

Good info. Thanks! I'm only having an issue with my right food, mid way, on the bottom of the outside edge of my foot. But it's only been when I'm resting a bit. It seems to go away when I'm walking. I to was thinking about gel inserts. Are Dr. Sholls out of the question or are those gimmicky? I've never needed inserts before. If the insole wasn't comfortable initially and didn't give me problems, I wouldn't buy the shoe. If they wore out, I bought new shoes.

I'm wanting to keep a nice pair of boots that will last my typical light winter use of every day wearing, applicable snow removal and any and all activities that I want to do if compelled enough. I will also be getting a pair Dr Mertens for more casual/ dress applications and hopefully not have to worry about shoes for a few years. I'm sick of getting cheap ole sketchers every couple of years. I'm done with that. Being 37 now I want to take care of my feet and ultimately my back better with better foot wear.
 
I tried the stock inserts and 2 different aftermarket inserts (superfeet green and another can't recall brand) and a few lacing techniques to get the 'perfect' fit in my boots when going up/down the super steep stuff.

I know you said you are using these lightly, but if my feet were getting sore just dinking around on the flat, I'd be trying out other boots and insole combos. You might have to look beyond REI. Try a local mountaineering/outdoors shop or order from internet retailers that offer free returns. I think you'll know when you find the right boot if you try enough of them on....

FWIW, I used to run Asolo 520gtx, and didn't care for either the Fugitive or the 4D's (seems every REI is stocked with these two boots).
 
I know you said you are using these lightly, but if my feet were getting sore just dinking around on the flat, I'd be trying out other boots and insole combos. You might have to look beyond REI. Try a local mountaineering/outdoors shop or order from internet retailers that offer free returns. I think you'll know when you find the right boot if you try enough of them on...

Funny you should mention this... So far today, that right foot giving me the issue has been fine. I think that my feet just needed to adjust to a better quality shoe a bit...? Maybe the shoe needs to adjust to me foot a bit as well? But like I said before it was really only when I was just sitting or something. Mainly with my right foot resting on it's outer side. And then it would be sore for a bit. I have left my Sketcher shoes loose for so long to easily slip them on and off that there's no support left in them. But when I walk around in the 4DIIGTX's and am busy maintaining my Cichlid breeding business or walking my mastiff out to the back of our property they feel just fine. So I'm hoping that the issue stays at bay.

But if it does come back I will definitely hit some other stores like you suggested. Zappos.com is another free ship and return site that I will most likely use for my Dr. Martens purchase. These too if need be.
 
Isn't this the boot you just reviewed? I did not get the impression you were unhappy with them.

No Brock did the review. Each person has a different use for boots. I defiantly need a stiffer boot.
 
No Brock did the review. Each person has a different use for boots. I defiantly need a stiffer boot.

I'm almost thinking that I want a stiffer boot from the beginning... These Salomon are Comfortable now but will they just get to loose over time without being stiffer like a pair of asolo's or another boot with more leather to the ankle rise.
 
I wear the 4D almost everyday, very comfortable boot. But I am husky already so throw a pack on me and I need a boot that can support weight. I notice this the most when I side hill.
 
Boots don't run bigger on one foot or the other, your feet are likely different in size. My left foot is about a 1/2 size bigger than my right. Therefore, I always make sure to try on both boots/shoes.

The pressure points you are feeling could very well be just because the boots are new. When I get new boots I rarely ever lace them up tight when I'm breaking them in. I just BARELY snug them up and start wearing them. As they break in, I begin lacing them tighter. Even fully broken in, I still don't really lace my boots TIGHT, just snug enough to keep my foot from moving around inside of them. Sometimes lacing too tight can create more problems than it solves.

If Asolos seem to be narrow for you, start looking at different brands. Each brand uses their own last, and will fit slightly differently.

The type of insole will depend on what you are trying to accomplish and how the boots fit. If you are getting pressure on the outside of your foot, the boot may very well be too narrow.
 
I wear the 4D almost everyday, very comfortable boot. But I am husky already so throw a pack on me and I need a boot that can support weight. I notice this the most when I side hill.

Gotcha. The only thing that I'm a bit worried about is that if they are so comfortable now, will they lack in support when older... I like the 11.5's that I have but I may have found a Asolo that will work...

The Flame GTX in 11.5 wide.

Boots don't run bigger on one foot or the other, your feet are likely different in size. My left foot is about a 1/2 size bigger than my right. Therefore, I always make sure to try on both boots/shoes.

The pressure points you are feeling could very well be just because the boots are new. When I get new boots I rarely ever lace them up tight when I'm breaking them in. I just BARELY snug them up and start wearing them. As they break in, I begin lacing them tighter. Even fully broken in, I still don't really lace my boots TIGHT, just snug enough to keep my foot from moving around inside of them. Sometimes lacing too tight can create more problems than it solves.

If Asolos seem to be narrow for you, start looking at different brands. Each brand uses their own last, and will fit slightly differently.

The type of insole will depend on what you are trying to accomplish and how the boots fit. If you are getting pressure on the outside of your foot, the boot may very well be too narrow.

Roger that on the boots to feet sizes per L and R... I've never had an issue with the size thing in any other pair of shoes. I think that it was the laces. Silly me.

The pressure points are simply because my toes need a wider toe box than what Asolo [typically] has to offer. I'm not a tight lacer either so go to know I'm not the only one.

but as I mentioned above I may have found what I'm looking for the Asolo Flame GTX. Tonight I started up again looking into what I could find and I really liked the over fit of the Fugitive GTX boots. What I found was that in comparing the Photo of the Soles of the Fugitive GTX to the Flame GTX, the Flame's outside edge of the toe box kicks out further than all of the other hiking boots in this category and others. SO I started reading reviews on the flame.

Sure Enough!!! One customer review confirmed my thinking that the "toebox slightly wider than typical asolo boot but still nice and narrow for more able climbing"...

So this is the Boot that I'm going to hunt down in my size and wide!

P.S. Jason, Love the quote -Brother-... "Let it be preached across the land"!!!

Fugitive GTX......................Flame GTX
HXGO81.jpg...............jvqoRa.jpg
 
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I've got 2 pair of Asolo GTX's--love them.

They run a bit short--I'd say .5 size or a smidge more. But take that for what it's worth--anything over 13 is very manufacturer specific--there doesn't seem to be much consistency in bigger sizes.

I wear a 13 in most tennis shoes and a 14 in most mountain boots.

I bought both my sets on SierraTradingPost and got smokin' deals on them.
 
Well.... Bad news for me fellas...

Looks like Every single boot that Asolo makes has this "pointy toe box" thing going on... Like the toes of high heals for women. Just got a pair of these Flames in the mail today and they are exactly the same as the Fugitives. So I don't know what the persons review on moosejaw.com was talking about saying "the toe Box is wider than other asolo boots"

There's literally no Difference in feel. The Toe Box on the outside where the black rubber toe protector starts is the area pressing on my toes inside. It's like it's to flat right on the inside instead of being more rounded (concave on the inside or convex on the outside). There's no way that these would break-in in that area to the point of not press on those two toes either... These are a size 11 wide. I found one site after 3 days of searching the internet day and night that has an 11.5 wide in the Flame GTX. But at this rate, I don't foresee it being any different than the these or the Fugitives. So I would need a 12w for comfort.

Looks like I'm going to stick with the Salomon Q4D II GTX for now. I went as far as contacting Asolo about the issue as well. They took forever getting back to me and weren't really receptive about my inquiry of "the boots with the widest toe box that they manufacture" or my concerns about the toe box shape.

I have seen a lot of reviews of people complaining about this same issue but probably not enough to make any difference during R&D at Asolo... To bad really.

There's really just no comparison in the level of comfort from the Salomon Quest 4D II GTX boot to both the Asolo Fugitive and Flame GTX Boots.

At least from my stand point. The Salomon Boots are far superior in comfort at this point.
 
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