POWERLite and PROPULSION PLUS = REDUCED WEIGHT, DURABILTY & COMFORT
OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
After trekking the planet with three different pairs of kickers, we returned to Stateside’ trails only to have the trusty trio all fade away in the same week.
Our second home at that time, the Arlington V.A. REI, stocked scores of brands…but it was the Asolo that got the nod.
So we were curious to see if we needed an upgrade to our now well-worn pair of ASOLO, made by a fourth generation family owned Italian biz that’s toasting its 10th USA anniversary.
Well we do…cause there is a bunch of “new Asolo stuff’ that significantly raises the bar of what hiking boots should be.
At OR, we learned the mission: “Asolo started at the mountain (Alpine))… trickled down to Hiking…and addressed the desire to lighten up…”
POWERLite is the moniker attached to the souped up, feather weight hiking boots (set to deliver January).
Without sacrificing durability or fit, the shoes that used to have one density for support, now have a “…dual density frame system that is co-molded to form a unified heel and toe counter (think Asoframe- a patented technology)--- and is over 50% lighter than other light hiking products…”
A softer up front toe for flex, an EVA mid sole for shock absorption, and a unique bi-density Penbax heel reinforcement with rubber lugs , and a rubber outsole that grips, (with contact points like soccer cleats)---- delivers “19%” weights savings over comparable models,
Sixteen bumped up styles are set to launch…including a pair aimed at backpackers with polyurethane midsoles.
And the pairs we saw, are very colorful…as in “one to show, and one to go.”
ADVANCE GTX
Among the women’s models we seriously drooled over…are the Advance GTX ($230), and the Ergo – punched up with Gore-Tex®($250).
Propulsion Plus is a line of “Access” peds aimed at trail runners and multi-sports types. We’ve noticed-this year-that even casual joggers are opting for these types of shoes, feeling that their better constructed/more durable than the average super lightweight running shoe. And better on hard surfaces too.
We can see why this category of kickers is growing. Asolo delivers an incredibly supportive, shock absorbing shoe for “stump-stompers’ with a “chassis built of 3 different materials (EVA, dual density TPU, and rubber) across 5 different components ---midsole, stabilizer, heel support, and 2-piece outsole.. Styles such as “Exum ($120)” are light weight, “ super supportive,”---- with a precise fit, stability and under-foot protection.”
ADDED PLUS: Breathable, quick drying synthetic uppers
Deliveries are scheduled for March.
For More Info, Store Locator and Online Retailers: ASOLO
HERO Men's Red/Dark Grey