Asolo Neutron

[Kawabunga]

Anyone have experience with these shoes? Looking at them on STP, seem to have good reviews there but cant find any info anywhere else. Also looking at some Hanwags and Salomon but the Asolos catch my eye, have a a pair of Salomons now that i love, i think they're the Comets or similar.
Looking for any input around that price range, hard to get my hands on shoes around here, he, he. Thanks
James.

 

[ScottP]

I saw those and was wondering the same thing. I need a lighter boot for warmer temps, and the Neutron for $140 are a deal. Hopefully someone on here has some experience with them. I do have Asolo 520 (full leather) and they have treated me well, 6yrs of hard use and they are close to replacement time.

 

[gobbler1662]

I bought a pair a couple months ago. I haven't hunted with them yet, but I have probably put close to 50 trail miles on them between scouting and hiking. For me the fit is perfect to size, almost zero break in. They felt good after just a few miles. I absolutely love them. But then again I seem to gravitate to Asolo boots the last few years. The Neutrons are a little higher than my FSN 95's that are three years old and are about wore out, ankle stability is good, and overall honestly I have nothing bad to say about the Neutron.

 

[Kawabunga]

Thanks for the replies. Also looking at the Synchro which looks similar except for the soles, ive had shoes with Vibram and thought they were too hard, i know theyre probably more durable but for hunting and stalking on rocky ground they seemed hard to "lightfoot" around in. Not sure how the Synchro soles are but might give them a try.

 

[JDZ]

I have a pair of Neutrons that I bought early in the spring. I bought the non-GoreTex model because I wanted something for warm weather and desert-type hiking and hunting.

Opposite of gobbler, I have had poor luck with them so far. I, too, thought I was an Asolo guy. My last pair was the Fugitive, which I really liked.

First, I'll talk about the construction. The Neutrons are about an inch taller than the Fugitive. But the construction between the two is quite a bit different. The Neutrons are built noticeably cheaper. There's no locking lace hook like the Fugitive has. The chinsy webbing loops for the laces just end where it would be. The sole and toe are a different design. I like the proprietary Asolo sole of the Fugitive better than the Vibram on the Neutron. The outsole is noticeably wider on the Neutron, which is one positive over the Fugitive, though. I don't think the construction would be anywhere close to the 520, since in my mind it doesn't even match up to the Fugitive. If shopping Sierra Trading Post, I think those Powermatics look like good boots. One tip: never buy anything from STP without at least a 35%-off coupon. If you need a code, ask on Rokslide, or I might have one if you PM me

Now I'll talk about my field experience with the Neutrons. I wore them around the house for a couple weeks when I first bought them. I had some doubts, but dismissed them as walking around the house is not a good test. So, I gradually wore them more to work, around the yard, and for walks down the road. They seemed okay. My first trip with them was an overnight backpack. Maybe not the ideal first trip on a pair of shoes, but I did 4200 ft of vertical gain over 12 miles the first day. They tore up the back of my heels. I changed socks, added socks, re-laced, taped my feet, etc, and nothing helped. The second day I basically walked back to the trailhead by the shortest route since my feet were in bad shape. The outside of my ankles were very sore, also. I figured I better put some miles on them on flat ground before I did more vertical, so I did that. Since then, I haven't had anymore problems with them tearing up my heels, but the fit is not right. The next big vertical trip was 4700 feet the first day. No matter how I lace them, or what sock combination I use, I get really sore ankles. So, I didn't wear them for a while. Then I decided to try them one more time the other day to walk down the road a couple miles. I stopped 3 times to re-lace them and my ankles were sore for two days.

Now, add this in just to be clear--I went back to my Fugitives for a 4000+ foot gain day and some walks down the road, and I got sore ankles where I never had before. So I'm not sure if my feet have changed or if Asolos just plain don't work for me. But the Fugitives are just about plum wore out. The only reason they haven't hit the dumpster is I don't have a replacement, yet.

Two pairs of Lowas should be waiting at my doorstep when I get home today.

 

[Kawabunga]

Thanks JDZ, im pretty sure im not as hardcore as you are, dont have that much experience with higher end shoes. My shoes have the locking hooks and i noticed that those models didnt, the Powermatics look like they have them and better loops also so may look at those. Thanks for the coupon offer, i do have a couple of them i think so just have to decide what to buy. Im probably not as picky as most people so as long as my feet dont end up blistered or really sore they'll all probably feel good to me. Guess ill,just have to put some miles on whatever i buy and find out, thanks again for the replies.

 

[JDZ]

Not sure I'd consider myself hardcore. Ha ha. Not by Rokslide standards anyway. Most Asolo shoes tend to run narrow, but the Neutron is slightly wider than the Fugitive. Not sure how that compares to other models.

Another update. I tried something new tonight on the Neutrons. Above the webbing lace loops, before the speed hooks, I put a double overhand knot. Not a square knot, but just like you are starting to tie your shoes, but put an extra overhand in there. I figured that could serve the purpose of the locking hook. Then i tied the top tight. That seemed too work well for a 2 mile walk down the road.

 

[Kawabunga]

JDZ youre not making my decision easier, lol. Thinking i should stick to Salomon now since i have a pair and know how they fit, really want to try the Quest, not sure, im so confused, he, he.

 

[Brodie]

I have the gore tex neutrons and really like them.
I wear a significant orthotic and these boots fit well with them. No blisters or hot spots, and they are holding up great so far. I have about 60-70 miles on them I guess

 

[Kawabunga]

Thanks for the reply Brodie. Decided to go with the Synchro, just got them in and put a couple miles on them. Hopefully they work out, seem like a pretty solid shoe, little stiff and tight on the sides but i think with some miles they will break in. Hopefully they workout, thanks again for all the replies.
James.