Gear Review: Asolo Fugitive GTX Hiking Boot

When someone mentions hiking or backpacking, I have to think most of us think hiking boots. While you may not be familiar with the name, the Asolo Fugitive GTX is a boot that you have probably seen somewhere already. 
This boot takes some hits from hardcore critics for its flashy good looks and for not being a "real mountaineering" boot. Well, no such words from me thus far. The boot is not marketed as a mountaineering boot and is not crampon ready. This boot breaks in crazy fast and I've found it to be uber comfortable within 24 hours out of the box. Great boots including this one, are made in Europe. Initial inspection of materials and craftsmanship are all top notch here. The heel to toe drop is lower than the usual hiking boot, especially for one in this more rigid class. Most will find this profile more comfortable. This boot is ideal for medium volume feet and is setup to accommodate several lacing options. Ive been wearing a Scapra boot for many years, so in comparison the Asolo Fugitive does not have the precise technical feel. 

The Fugitive does not have the almost-to-toe lacing but has a large and very comfortable toe box. The toe box allows the toes to spread, relieving pressure under the ball of the foot, and reduces overall foot fatigue.


An extended test under a variety of conditions proved the materials and craftsmanship in the Fugitive to be top shelf. The fugitive is best placed for heavy hiking and backpacking where a more technical boot is not needed. I'd like to see a more aggressive outsole with namebrand rubber to match the very well built boot upper.

This Asolo Fugitve GTX is a very smart buy in the company of $200 hiking boots.

Gear Review: 

Inov-8 Roclite 245 Trail Runner

Invov-8’s shoe line was born from Europe’s fell running. Running off road and off trail in rugged terrain consisting of deep grass, mud, and rocks. For many years this shoe line was known only by a small number of trail runners and racers. Inov-8 had a unique niche with low-profile lightweight yet very rugged and aggressive race-ready shoes. An example of this is found in a review of mine on the Inov-8 Flyrock.

Today, Inov-8s are seen mostly indoors at gyms and cross-fit locations with their F series training/cross-fit shoes. Unfortunately the company has shifted its direction away from building solid trail shoes. At the same time, almost all other manufactures have flooded the market with low profile trail shoes.

The Inov-8 Roclite 245 is easily the worst piece of footwear I have ever worn. This from a once hardcore Inov-8 fan. This shoe has absolutely nothing in common with the previous Roclite shoe series. Design or materials. This is really a slipper, not a shoe. The shoe upper is entirely of light mesh with the overlays being aesthetic only, offering no stability. The sole consists of a single piece of rubber with no midsole. A sloppy tongue, bad lacing, and a poorly made toe rand made this shoe of no use to me. You may find that the winner of the 2014 Pikes Peak Ascent ran to victory in this shoe…but it’s a fact that seems to have no real weight.

This is a terrible terrible shoe at any price point. Inov-8 should be ashamed.