ASOLOTPS 535 LTH V EVO

This is my third pair of Asolo Backpacking Boots in 15 years. Worn-out souls are the only reason I replaced them. The uppers are indestructible. These boots are extremely comfortable and have great ankle support, especially on rough and rocky terrain. I've hiked thousands of kilometres in the last 15 years and never once did I experience blisters or sore feet. Actually, on a 31-day hike through the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal, our guide and I were the only ones without blisters.

These boots have impressed me, as a land surveyor i am bush crashing almost everyday, traversing along rocky shores, as well as steep cliffs and thus far no issues. The Asolo TPS 535 provide a sturdy shank, great lace hook ups that keep a tight hold on my ankle, not to mention an incredible ground traction. When I first read they fit a little narrow I was worried as I have a triple E wide foot, but after the first couple days the leather has shaped to my me I'm 200lbs, 5'10, average to staulky build and these boots keep me comfortable all day.Good luck.Ps. As a former tree planter, no hiking boots will last much more than a season, buy caulked timber cruisering boots or cheap hikers, don't spend your money friverously on these boots as a tree planter.

The quality is unmatched and the comfort is amazing, literally walking on air (dry air).

As my last pair are now looking like they'll need replacement soon, I picked up another pair. I've worn these nearly every day for 5 years. I'm normally hard on footwear as an avid backpacker and contractor. Asolo's are the first boots I've found that can do it all, shrug it off and ask for more.The last pair were 520GV's. Just now the goretex liner is separating from the boot so I went with the 535's. I don't suffer from cold feet - ever - so I'd rather have boots that breathe better. If Asolo made an UNLINED full leather boot, I'd buy 5 pair but, alas, this is as close as I'll get.A few people are fretting about soles separating. After 5 years, numerous Search and Rescue missions, training, 3-5 day backpacking trips and 50 hour work weeks on my feet, I'm not seeing any of this. Be warned, however... these boots are STIFF. They're designed that way on purpose. If you're used to ultralight, comfy sneaker-type boots, you're in for a steep learning curve. These are BOOTS in the structure and intent. They're meant to carry heavy loads over long distance in rough terrain. Heck, I've even stepped into my ice climbing crampons and didn't have any issues with flex. The best way I can describe these is "Technical mountaineering meets comfort". Snowflakes with tender feet need not buy these. Real men wear real boots.I've worn these working technical rope rescue on granite, ice climbed, worn them roofing (metal and asphalt up to 10/12 pitch), spent all day standing on concrete, worked the gun range, dealt with 10 hour days on a ladder, tromped everything from Red Rock Canyon to Mount Mitchell under a 40+lb pack, spent long days in my deer stand in December and fly fished all weekend. All with these boots and never - NEVER - did I wish I wore anything else.

Asolo models numbers can be confusing. Hope this helps a little:This model: TPS 535 LTH V EVOTPS = "Triple Power Structure" outsole535? - Not sureLTH = I'm pretty sure this just means leatherV = Vibram outsoleEVO? - Not sureG = Gore-Tex lining (which this model doesn't have)I've had Asolo boots with and without Gore-Tex. The breathability seemed better without the Gore-Tex lining. And while quite satisfactorily waterproof, it seemed to me like the Gore-Tex did a better job of holding the water out in extreme conditions. But there are those who say that the Gore-Tex lining will eventually develop holes anyway. I can't speak to that because I've owned a number of Asolo boots and all of them were excellent at keeping the water out, Gore-Tex or not.The only difference I can see between these and the PowerMatic series is the lace guides are stationary on this design while the PowerMatic has little rollers on the lace guides. The leather upper and the outsole seem very similar if not identical.Lace up a pair of these boots and start walking and you'll feel like you're being propelled along. They've got a really nice feel to them. Most of the time, I don't even have to break them in. I can just put them on and start hiking miles. Every once in a while, I've gotten a pair that were a bit stiff and took a little time to break in. The ankle support is excellent. These boots are highly effective over rough terrain, steep slopes, sharp rocks, etc... They're worth every penny at full retail and they're an even better deal when they're on sale.They claim to have self-cleaning lugs and I think they actually work. I had a pair re-soled and that pair gets rocks stuck in the tread much more frequently than the original sole does. Speaking of which, you can have these boots re-soled and they'll last you a long, long time. I walk about 1,000 miles per year and it takes me about a year to a year and a half to wear out the outsole and then I'm ready for new soles. Every so often, I buy a new pair. So these are 1,000 to 1,500 mile boots before you need new tread. If you only use them for hiking trails, they'll last a good long time.These boots have about 1" to 1 1/2" of clearance so you can walk through puddles and you won't even get the leather part of the boot wet. When you do have to walk through deeper stuff, these will keep your feet dry when other boots won't.Every so often, I buy a container of foot powder (the really menthol smelling stuff) and I fill my boots with it and I leave them for a couple of days. That kills any funky odors. But the really great thing about Asolo boots is that they stay pretty odor free for months, even up to a year or more before this problem develops. I wear 100% wool socks with mine though and that may have something to do with how nice the boots are for so long. I highly recommend two pairs of wool socks with these boots so order large enough so you have room for that. I also recommend that you take the insoles out each time you're done wearing them. This lets them dry more thoroughly inside.In my opinion, you can't buy a more comfortable, supportive boot than these (or any other high end Asolo boot). They're all really nice to wear day in and day out. It's the only thing I ever put on my feet. These are so comfortable that you can even run in them. I'm not suggesting that you should jog in these but if you have to run with these on, they won't stop you from doing so.Another note - for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, this boot did the trick for me. I've been pain free for eight years now. Whenever I wear cheap boots or cheap tennis shoes, the pain comes back. Wear these, and no pain for me. I think it's because of the structural support they offer.Would I buy these again? Yes, and I just did.