A few months ago, Sierra Trading Post and I decided to team up for one heck of a review. In short, they offered to provide me with a new pair of hiking boots (which I desperately needed since my feet decided to expand!) in exchange for my honest opinion. Now, hiking boots are no joke, and y’all know that I take shoes very seriously. Because of this, I put these suckers through the ringer in order to offer up a thorough review….and by thorough, we’re talking the bathtub test!
Before I get ahead of myself, let’s take a look at the boots: the Asolo Sharp Gore-Tex hiking boots.
Right off the bat, the Sharps passed my initial test: they were cute! Yes, I know that sounds incredibly ridiculous, but let’s face it: there are a zillion different hiking boots and companies on the market currently, so we as consumers have a lot of choices. Why settle for an ugly shoe if you really don’t have to?
Aesthetics aside, the Asolo Sharps boast an impressive list of specs. The boots are mid-height meaning they are six inches from sole to cuff and sit right above my ankle bone. For me, this is an important characteristic since I frequently roll my ankles while rock hopping in talus fields. Additionally, the Asolos sport a rubber toe bumper to protect your toes as well as a decidedly light weight for long-distance trekkers. The pair clocks in at 2 lbs 6 ounces, which means each shoe is only 1 lb. 3 ounces. Yes, there are lighter shoes on the market, but that is pretty darn thrifty for a multi-day, backpacking boot.
More than anything, I noticed how supportive and sturdy the Asolo Sharp hiking boots truly are. While testing, I was able to put them through a handful of day hikes in the Colorado Rockies. Some were more mellow than others, but they all included varied terrain: these boots were tested on dirt, snow, logs, and small talus fields, and came out shining in all instances. For me, it took a full hike before I felt comfortable in such a sturdy shoe. Don’t misunderstand me: if you’re looking for a minimalist hiker that allows you to feel the ground beneath you, the Sharps are not your shoe. However, their serious rubber outsole and dual-density Power Lite Asoloflex plates are no joke. These boots are rock stars when it comes to long treks, overnight trips, or high altitude hikes where rocky terrain can frequently lead to foot bruising. I experienced no such injuries during my testing, and that’s saying a lot- I always manage to hurt myself!
Finally, I was very curious to discover how waterproof the Asolo Sharps truly are. Sure, most hiking boots claim to be waterproof but when you find yourself stranded in the backcountry with sopping wet feet and raw, aching blisters, you often begin to question the definition of “waterproof.” (Hopefully that has only happened to me?!) To decide this, I was sure to splash around in every bit of water I encountered on my hikes:
Unfortunately, it has been really snowy here, so water was at a minimum since all of it was frozen in snowflake form. I needed to get creative, so I took a cue from my girl Katie and tried the bathtub test. Check it out!
As you can see, the Sharps passed the bathtub test with flying colors. Not only were they fully submerged, but they were in there for quite awhile. I’m not so great with this film stuff, so there may have been more than one take. Just saying….
In short, the Asolo Sharp Gore-Tex hiking boots are both comfy and cute while still being rugged enough to handle some extreme conditions. I’d happily recommend these boots to anyone that is serious about tackling some burly hikes or epic backpacking trips.
Maybe you want to join me on some 14ers this summer and would like a pair of these boots for yourself? Or perhaps you’re looking for a pair of day hikers instead? Not to worry because Sierra Trading Post is going to hook you up! Hop over to their site right now and enter their giveaway for these boots OR any other pair of Asolo boots or shoes!
Good luck!
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Do you have a favorite pair of hiking boots?