Consider this. Let's say for a moment that you are in good physical shape, you have all the right equipment, and you want to fly to Switzerland and climb the Matterhorn. You go to Zermatt and walk up to the guide hut and out walks Gillford the Guide. Gillford is young, handsome, has the cutest smile and has all these pretty clothes- a puffy little shirt with flowers and cute little lederhosen. You tell him you want to climb the Matterhorn and you need a guide. "I take you up zee Matterhorn for $100.00," he says. You ask him how many times he has actually guided anyone up the Matterhorn and he sort of gives you this big innocent smile and says, "You be my first customer ever! It be such a great day!"

Then, this grizzled, middle-aged guide come lumbering out of the guide hut…six-foot-four, scarred on his weather-beaten face and full of muscles, carrying a rope over his shoulder. He's not a pretty face, but he radiates strength and experience. His name is Hans. "Hans," you say, "have you guided people up the Matterhorn?" He smiles. "I took two up yesterday. I'm taking two up tomorrow. I can take you up today. Been doing it for years." "How much do you charge?" you ask. "$200.00" he says.

Well, which guide are you going to entrust your life to on the Matterhorn? It's a no-brainer. Gillford may look good, but the other guy wins the job, Hans down. It's the same way with ASOLO boots like these. They may not be as pretty as some others, but they won't let you down when the weather gets bad and the going gets tough.

There are a lot of boots around. Some of them promise comfort and good looks. But boot companies like ASOLO have been getting people into the wilderness and back for many, many years, and they are the ones you ought to entrust your feet to, even if they cost a little more.

First of all, they are made with real full-grain leather uppers, not fabric. That means when a sharp rock scrapes against your ankle on a hike or a climb you are going to feel a bump but you won't feel a sharp pain. They are built firm, sort of like a ski boot. That means if you slip off a log and twist your leg or hurt it in the talus field your ankle will be supported and it will be much less likely to be sprained or otherwise damaged.

Sure, hiking/climbing boots like these made by ASOLO are a little heavier. But that's because they are like a U.S. Marines Humvee compared to a chrome-laden yuppie SUV. And besides, that extra weight is good exercise for your legs and makes 'em look nice and streamlined after the hikings's over too.

Today they waterproof the boots like this with a liner of Gore-tex, and that's ok, but in my book the jury is still out when it comes to Gore-tex. This is not a big problem, it's just that I'm not sure Gore-tex is the miracle product we've been led to think it is. I know this much: if it gets dirty or oily, as when you sweat a lot, Gore-tex loses its magical waterproof-breathable ability. But as a boot liner, it's probably academic anyway. Just wear the good old setup of a liner sock and a wool sock and you'll be okay.

The Vibram Kamen sole on these boots is a real life-saver. If you've ever hiked or climbed on slick rock like wet granite you know how important it is to have traction. And the lugs soles hold your stability on snow and mud and ice.

These boots do well with crampons and gaitors too, if you ever have to climb a mountain like Mount Rainier. They are firm and therefore will support the crampons when you have to dig the steel edges into the ice or hard snow.

I heartily endorse these ASOLO boots. They are not the only good boots you can buy, but they have years of experience behind them, and they will get the job done. If you must climb the Matterhorn, go with Hans. And go with these ASOLO boots.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 210